Emerald Lake Lodge

Very clean but run down. Definitely paying for the location (well worth it) especially considering how busy Park traffic and parking is.

For the Price the room (suite) could be better and more clean. The lodge and the surrounding is an outstanding place to visit

Our stay at Emerald Lake Lodge exceeded our expectations - yes it’s expensive but an absolute joy to spend time there, we wish we’d stayed more than one night! The shuttle bus is easy and we had the best night’s sleep too. The lounge was lovely for a relaxed meal and you could eat from the main menu even though you weren’t sat in the mount burgess restaurant. Only downside was breakfast felt expensive for a buffet.

The picture of the balcony of the cabin was our exact room and the view is incredible. The rooms were lodge like and cozy, beds comfortable. This is not luxury 5 star, but the VIEWS are luxury 5 star. I would stay here over Lake Louise Fairmont anytime. There are crowds here to be sure, starting around 9:00, so head out on the Emerald Lake Trail by 8 and it will be a peaceful, easy hike. Go counter clockwise to start with the harder terrain first (tree roots the main issue) but this may be my favorite hike ever. Not having internet forced you to unplug, bring a book or download entertainment before you arrive. Internet can be found at the lodge to catch up with some free morning coffee. You can get the dining room menu in the lounge plus other items, so eating at the lounge is just fine. The food at dinner was excellent. Breakfast not as good; no cooking in your room except nescafé machines, but the buffet was quite average. There is a window for sandwiches by the lake that were pretty good. Might want to bring your own pastries, fruit or trail bars to get through as no other options until lunch. We drove 30 minutes to Takakaw falls, totally worth it! Bring those sandwiches. Also drove 30 minutes the other way to Wildwater rafting for some fun (and chilly) white water rafting. Not sure there is enough to do beyond 2 nights unless a good book and staring at the most beautiful lake in the world sustains you, and now that I write that, it’s all I want to do. Excellent!

The arrival process was terrible, had to wait at the parking area for a long time and one of the staff was abrupt. Eventually got on the transport to the hotel. Check in was a little chaotic but we got to our room. Room was ok but a little shabby but great views of the lake. HOWEVER, outside of our room we had so many non hotels guests looking in our windows and climbing our room steps to take photos. Was really not nice. Called reception who said the manager had to call back but never did so called again. Said they were going to put a sign and chain up. They did the sign but why was it not there before?? Tried to book a restaurant time but couldn’t as full but was told could just turn up at the bar area. We did but there was no space. The staff there were lovely and did their best for us. Eventually we were seated. The experience of the room 103 and 104 was not great and felt like you were in a goldfish bowl. Mind you the number of non hotels guests looking guests in the resort was crazy so if we were not staying it would have been very difficult to see the lake so that was a plus. So would I recommend it, I am afraid not based on our experience but to see the lake was fantastic.