The Post Hotel and Spa in Lake Louise, Canada, has received a number of awards including Travel + Leisure Magazine “World’s Best Awards” #1 Resort in Canada, #17 “Top Hotel Globally” and Condé Nast Traveler Magazine “Best Ski Hotel in North America. So when I started planning my Fall break to Lake Louise/ Banff area, The Post Hotel was high on my list of places to explore.

Celebrity Style Spa Treatments

The main reason I wanted to go to The Post Hotel was because of its spa. Temple Mountain Spa, at 3,200 square foot looks small from the outside, but has eight treatment rooms, his and hers steam rooms and Jacuzzi. There is also a state of the art fitness room and an indoor Romanesque saltwater pool.

I decide to indulge myself in Temple Mountain Elixir des Glaciers. This two-hour long luxurious facial and massage treatment using VALMONT’s exceptional Elixir des Glaciersproducts promises to show instant results. VALMONT is a family-owned business in Switzerland since 1905, and the first Swiss clinic entirely dedicated to health and wellness, catering to well-known celebrities from around the world. After an intensive sequence of cleansing, exfoliating, moisturizing, masking and massaging, I came out looking relaxed and my skin was glowing like never before! Other signature treatments include Temple Mountain Age Reversal body wrap and facial, Grotta Mud Body Treatment with thermal mud from Italy to relive pain and soreness; and VALMONT – Amazing Results, a prestigious treatment that has been enjoyed by royalty and celebrities.

Largest Wine Cellar in Canada

The second big attraction for me was Post Hotel’s highly regarded wine cellar which contains over 25,000 bottles with 2,200 labels, and is recognized as one of the most impressive collections 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 is one of only three restaurants in Canada to achieve this recognition, which is widely acknowledged as the pinnacle of restaurant success.

Of course, after my dinner, I requested my server to show me the wine cellar. The collection was stellar, to say the least. There was a huge binder to reference the global collection, which noted that the oldest bottle they acquired was a 1923 burgundy from France (recently devoured by a bachelor party), and the most expensive being a USD 13,000 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (aka DRC). There was also a private table inside the cellar that I could only imagine spending my entire fortune in.

Best Restaurant in Lake Louise

The Post Hotel is rated to have the best restaurant in Lake Louise, under the guidance of Executive Chef Hans Sauter, who is Swiss-trained and has worked in Switzerland, Japan, Hungary, Canada and the US over last 35 years. The seasonally changing menu consists of an international fare using local Canadian ingredients. Guests dine in dim lighting, against the backdrop of a rustic Canadian pine cabin, looking at the alpine scenery, while sipping from their Spiegelau crystal glasses. Dishes such as Zurich style veal, a wholesome, nostalgic dish that has remained a standard since the first menu was developed; Pan seared miso marinated black cod; Sautéed Atlantic lobster in chardonnay beurre blanc; Alberta braised rabbit leg and tenderloin with polenta attest to the diverse flavors one can expect at dinner.

A second restaurant at The Post, Fondue Stübli offers classic Swiss style fondue in a cozy chalet style room, meant for only two dozen intimate diners. Sip on an award winning international wine while enjoying warm and comforting cheese fondue, fondue bourguignonne, fondue chinoise or the classic Swiss chocolate fondue.

After dinner, it’s ideal to sip on a cordial while lounging at the fireside Sir Norman Lounge and listening to calming notes of the piano. Everything about the property suggests courtesy, charm, character, calm, and cuisine – the five criteria required of Relais & Châteaux properties, the world’s most prestigious hotel group that The Post is affiliated with.

Swiss Chalet Accommodations 

The hotel’s character can be defined as mountain alpine, with elements of log, timber, stone, and pine. The property includes 60 rooms, 29 suites, 5 cabins and 5 meeting rooms. Dotted along the banks of Pipestone river, are private cabins equipped with fireplaces, whirlpool tubs, second bedrooms, living rooms, and sun rooms. I stayed at one of the corner suites, perfect for a romantic getaway. It includes all of the same amenities that the rooms have, but also came with a wood-burning fireplace, separate shower and whirlpool tub, coffee and tea maker, mini-fridge, and a wet bar. The Post reminded me of a rustic and elegant Swiss Chalet, that has stood through the test of time.

A Piece of History

In 1942, Lake Louise Ski Lodge opened close to the railway station, mainly to provide easy access to skiers and hikers coming to Alberta. Though the economic downturn after World War II impacted tourism in the area, the lodge changed hands and reopened as The Post Hotel & Spa in 1957. The Post Office of Lake Louise village was housed in one of the buildings on the property, which gave its name. The Post Hotel & Spa we see today is an opulent version of the original lodge. It was developed by Swiss-Canadian brothers, André and George Schwarz, who still live on and manage the property today.

One of the Best National Parks in the World

The hotel, as well as nearby attractions are located in Banff National Park, which is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Banff National Park has 4,127 miles (6,641 square kilometers) of protected wilderness area. There are three ski resorts located in Banff National Park: Mount Norquay, Sunshine Village, and Lake Louise Ski Resort. The popular resort town of Banff is only 25-minute drive, and known for its hot springs, biking trails, skiing areas, shops and restaurants.

The hotel is located right next to the Lake Louise Village, which basically consists of a small shopping plaza with cafes, delis, and couple of souvenir shops. Lake Louise Village is Canada’s highest community at 5,033 feet.

Lake Louise is a 10-minute drive from the hotel and complimentary shuttle service is offered. This turquoise blue alpine lake is 1-5 miles long and 295 feet deep in the Canadian Rockies. It’s location against hills? Visitors from all over the world come here to kayak in the summer and skate during winters.

Though Lake Louise has become the iconic symbol of this area, nearby Moraine Lake is just as picturesque. Located 20 minutes from the hotel, the lake is surrounded by the Valley of the Ten Peaks and is a great spot for paddling, walking, and hiking.

Supporting a Good Cause

I am a strong believer of businesses supporting local communities. Since 2004, Post Hotel owners, André and George Schwarz have raised over $820,000 through the Wine Summit Lake Louise for the Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta. The organization hosts, Camp Kindle, a place for healing of the mind and body and a place where families can renew relationships that have been disrupted by disease. In 2016 more than 750 children braving cancer will attend Camp Kindle.