Where
to Stay - Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge
The Fairmont Jasper
Park Lodge is the archetype of the exceptional
Canadian golf resort experience.
As with most of Canada's great old courses in the
West, the history of the railway plays an important
role. Beginning with tents on the shore of Lake
Beauvert, in association with Grand Truck Pacific
Railway, the vision of the resort was born in 1915.
The major step in the rise of the resort was the
hiring of Canadian architect Stanley Thompson by the
Canadian National Railway, who insisted that he build
a world-class golf course. Thompson—by far Canada's
most treasured golf architect—had at that point in
his career (1925) not produced any marquee golf
course. Taking the dramatic setting and the healthy
budget that CNR bestowed upon him, Thompson built his
best course to date, and one that has gained great
notoriety throughout the world.
By 1940, the resort
had expanded capacity to 650 guests, which at this
point included Bing Crosby; the long-time golfer (he
played to a two-handicap) frequently visited Jasper
Park Lodge for both the golf and the setting.
In 1952, the large
one-story log building that had served as the main
lodge burned down in a fire. Within two months, the
foundation for the new building was poured, and in
less than one year, the main Lodge was built,
re-establishing Jasper Park as a premier destination.
In 1988, the
purchase of Canadian National's hotel chain by
Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) brought Jasper Park
Lodge into the same family as its Rocky Mountain
neighbours Banff Springs and the Chateau Lake Louise.
CP became the largest owner-operated hotel company in
Canada, boasting many of Canada's
finest golf
resorts. The purchase of Fairmont Hotels in 1998 by CP
brought a new name to grand hotel chains and assured a
top management company to run the hotels. Through all
the changes in ownership and design, the experience of
Jasper Park has remained as charming as it undoubtedly
was in 1925 when the
golf course first opened.
By 1994 the
decision to restore the golf course had been made, and
the Jasper Park Lodge Golf Club underwent a
near-perfect renovation. Unlike so many restorations,
which detract from the spirit of the original, Jasper
used Thompson's original blueprints to restore the
bunkers and tees as Thompson intended them to be,
while lengthening a few holes to stay in tune with
modern equipment developments. The result is a course
of world-class stature, upgraded to keep in tune with
the natural allure of the region and the rest of the
facilities on the property.
The Lodge boasts
446 guest rooms, ranging from standard rooms to
lakefront suites and specialty cabins. A network of
paths connect the outer buildings to the Main Lodge,
which is just a short walk from even the most remote
cabin.
The premier cabins
on the property are the Lakeview Suites, which run
parallel to the great closing hole and have balconies
that overlook Lake Beauvert from the spectacular
balconies. Fireplaces in the living rooms are a
welcome perk on chilly mountain evenings.
The Spa offers
everything from wraps to massages and is a popular
stop for many guests. Lake Beauvert is not just for
scenery; canoes, rowboats and paddle boats are all
available for rent.
For those looking
for more water adventure, Maligne Lake (48 kms away)
offers cruises to Spirit Island, which is said to be
the "most photographed island in the world."
Fishing is also an
option when there; the Lodge can provide you with a
rod and net.
For those wishing
to just have a swim, there is a heated, outdoor pool
that is the focal point of the Lodge. Hiking and
cycling are also popular excursions, whether you wish
to do it yourself, or as part of a guided tour. 'Just
For Kids' is a full day camp for 5-12 year
olds, for those families who have different ideas
about how to spend the day.
Finally,
the dining options
at The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge are plentiful,
especially in the summer time. Here are a selection of
the best:
Beauvert Dining
Room: The largest dining room at Jasper Park.
The view is wonderful over Lake Beauvert. The dining
room requires reservations, and do so early to try and
arrange a seat next to the window. The fare is North
American cuisine, and the service is great. Dress is
smart casual.
Edith Cavell
Dining Room: The fine dining option at Jasper.
The food is excellent and warrants the four-star
rating. With over 100 wines, the extensive list is the
perfect compliment to the five-course table d'hôte.
Dress is "Jacket Recommended" for men,
though you can get away with smart casual.
Moose's Nook:
For visitors (especially those international
visitors), this is a Canadian-themed restaurant, right
down to the 60 Canadian bottles available on the wine
list. Live entertainment is also a big draw at
the Moose’s Nook, and keeps the place busy in the
summer months.
Meadows
Restaurant: This is the best stop for a morning
breakfast. The service is great and the buffet
is a bargain.
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