Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, review, Canada: World Heritage welcome

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This was published 7 years ago

Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, review, Canada: World Heritage welcome

By Guy Wilkinson
The stunning surrounds of Jasper Park Lodge.

The stunning surrounds of Jasper Park Lodge.

Some hotels just exude that welcoming air the moment you walk in. The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge is one of those hotels. Opposite a spacious reception area, a sweeping semi circular bar stands adjacent to floor to ceiling windows with views out over Lac Beauvert, a fleet of colourful kayaks bobbing on its turquoise surface.

It's a place steeped in history. Having celebrated its centennial year in 2015, the hotel's legacy began in 1915 when ambitious plans emerged to build the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway. What began as "Tent City" – 10 luxurious tents scattered around the lake – took on a life of its own during the 1920s as competing rail companies vied to build the most luxurious hotels in the region.

There's more than a whiff of that history within its walls today; it's in the lounge area where wicker chairs and sofas surround gargantuan open fireplaces, it's in the picturesque lakeside setting and rustic log cabins scattered throughout the expansive alpine grounds.

Lapping up Lac Beauvert.

Lapping up Lac Beauvert.

The Fairmont Jasper also makes the most of its wilderness setting. The on-site golf course is regarded as among the best resort courses in Canada, there are ice skating rinks, trekking and mountain biking trails, a state of the art spa, pool and fitness centre even a basketball court. And in winter, the Marmot Basin ski fields are only a stone's throw away.

THE PLACE

The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, Alberta, Canada.

The alpine tranquillity of Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge.

The alpine tranquillity of Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge.

THE LOCATION

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In a 280-hectare stretch of Alberta's Jasper National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site some 10 minutes from the town of Jasper.

THE ROOMS

Jasper Park Lodge cabin.

Jasper Park Lodge cabin.

The 446 guest rooms are linked via a series of meandering stone paths amid the resort's extensive grounds. My own cabin is fairly basic but there are more luxurious signature cabins available for those looking to live it up. Decor looked a little jaded but a $16 million renovation is in the works, with facelifts planned for all cabins.

THE FOOD

There is plenty of choice, much of it leaning towards organic, local produce. The Moose's Nook Chophouse offers hearty, rustic fare from wild game meat dishes to typical surf and turf while the upstairs Thompson's Terrace bar area is a safe bet for a casual burger. Though I didn't get a chance to sample it, Oka Sushi offers an Asian alternative while Orso Trattoria has recently opened for Northern Italian fine dining. Kids under five eat free, with a handful of caveats.

Jasper Park Lodge.

Jasper Park Lodge.

STEPPING OUT

Much of the resort's appeal lies in its alpine tranquillity and self-sufficiency though the nearby town of Jasper has a refreshingly low-key mountain town feel, much like Banff might have been in the 1960s. It's also a launch pad for multiple day trips and activities throughout the region.

THE VERDICT

The facilities and tranquil setting are what really set the hotel apart. In summer, long daylight hours mean you could literally wrap up a round of golf at 11pm while the cosy lodge ambience also makes it a wonderful spot to kick back after a full day of snowboarding in winter.

HIGHLIGHT

The convivial atmosphere in the main lounge and bar area overlooking Lac Beauvert.

LOWLIGHT

Some of the decor looks a little dated but the renovation will almost certainly take care of this.

HOW TO GET THERE

The nearest airports are Calgary International Airport (a five-hour drive) and Edmonton International (four hours).

ESSENTIALS

Rooms at the Fairmont Jasper Lodge start at $260 a night, see fairmont.com

*Guy Wilkinson stayed at the Fairmont Jasper Lodge as part of his Travellers on board The Rocky Mountaineer.

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