One of Canada’s most iconic hotels, the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is cradled in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, surrounded by towering peaks and fully immersed in the protected pristine wilderness of Banff National Park. In the distance, the hotel looks like a grand castle. Originally founded in 1890 by Cornelius Van Horne—the general manager of the Canadian Pacific Railway, who famously declared, “If we can’t export the scenery, we’ll import the tourists”—the hotel helped kick-start tourism in the Canadian Rockies. Today, guests arrive to a grand lobby with imposing chandeliers and sweeping staircases. Common areas are decorated with old-timey photos from the hotel’s past, while spacious rooms are all about showcasing the stunning turquoise lake and snowcapped mountain views.
