5-Star Hotels in Alberta, Canada

Lake Louise wasn't fully thawed when we visited in late May, but the view from our window was absolutely unbeatable – so incredibly beautiful it felt unreal. This kind of beauty is something you won't find anywhere else; it's like looking back a thousand years! You can book dinner reservations in advance, and our family was lucky enough to dine right by that million-dollar window. Eating there while gazing at the view outside was an absolute treat. Around 4 AM, you can catch the 'Golden Summit' sunrise, and the lake is much less crowded before 7 AM. There's also a hiking trail where you can overlook the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and the snow-capped mountains, especially Lake Louise itself. I've never seen water so incredibly blue!

If you visit Banff, you must stay at the Fairmont! It is a beautiful hotel that is more like a castle with a million-dollar view of the mountains around it. A nice perk is that all guests at the Fairmont receive free passes for the shuttles that get you around town, so need to worry about transportation. A great stay all by itself and surrounded by connection to all of the attractions close by: hiking trails, frozen lakes, glacier valleys, and of course the town of Banff itself.

Unfortunately swimming pool and hot tub is maintenance during Christmas holiday