best bed: The Post Hotel , Lake Louise, Canada

Traditional Swiss Chalet in the heart of Canada, The Post Hotel offers a timeless European experience. Ideally situated on the edge of Lake Louise in Banff National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site and Canada’s oldest national park, it is the perfect place to encounter the truly great outdoors. Luckily it is also the place for top notch service, amazing food and one of the best wine cellars in the world. Every year since 2002, the Hotel has won the “Grand Award” from Wine Spectator Magazine, an honor held by fewer than 75 establishments worldwide. The Post started life in 1942 as the Lake Louise Ski Lodge built from logs brought from Revelstoke 225 k away. Less than a year later it was forced to close due to the War. Sir Norman Watson bought the property in 1947. He saw potential for skiing in the Rockies that could rival the Alps. A decade later he changed the name…He wanted to remind European visitors of the Swiss Post hotels they already knew and because the post office leased space. Meanwhile, the Schwarz brothers, Andre and George had moved to Canada from Switzerland, establishing names for themselves in the local ski and restaurant scene. In 1978, Sir Norman sold the Post to the Schwarz’s, trusting they would fulfil his vision. They slowly improved the hotel but their main focus was on the restaurant. It became THE place to dine. Less so the place to stay. So, in 1986 they bought the motel next door and completely redid the entire property opening in time for the Calgary Olympic.  Maintaining the old-fashioned post log construction and romantic feel.  More renovation followed adding a spa, combing smaller rooms into suites and expanding the dining room; the warm Swiss style remained. As did the obsession with service. It is no surprise they were invited to join Relais & Chateau in 1990 and have been members ever since.

Number of Rooms: 94 (including villa and cottages)

Sweet Suite: The Pipestone Cabin. Like the other cabins has a woodburning fireplace and dates from the original 1942 hotel though it has been significantly renovated. It is the largest cabin with two bedrooms but I love it because of the privacy and the wonderful sunroom looking out over the Pipestone River which rushes by. Co-owner, Andre Schwarz called it home for 20 years!

Favorite Thing: So much to love but nothing trumps the award winning wine cellar. 25000 bottles carefully chosen by co-owner, wine aficionado George Schwarz. Even better, bottles are very fairly priced.

Near By: Set in heart of Banff National Park, The Post is close to all things nature… skiing, hiking, golf, biking, rock climbing, fly-fishing, horseback riding, white water rafting, snowmobile tours, sleigh rides, dog sledding, snow shoeing, cross country skiing and ice skating. The town of Banff is 20 minutes away while Calgary is a 2 hour drive.

Amenities: indoor pool, spa, fondue restaurant, bar, fine dining restaurant, complementary bikes, free parking, coffee machine, whirlpool, complementary newspapers, skating rink in winter, shuttle to ski area, library, boutique, fitness center

$$$

https://posthotel.com

**** I stayed here during the Covid pandemic, I was extremely impressed by their protocols. All staff wore masks, hand sanitizer was everywhere, keys are cleaned, a covid-kit  was in our room and rooms are fog sterilized after housekeeping is finished to clean the soft furnishings… no one then enters the room until the guest does. Only the main dining room was open and only to hotel guests****