The Deer Lodge Lake Louise is a unique place to stay to say the least.
I stayed here for 3 nights in June 2023 and it made my trip to Lake Louise! But, that being said, it comes with quite a few quirks that might not be for you.
For me, the compromises we had to make were well worth it because of the unbeatable location.
I’ll go over what you can expect from your stay and how to book the Deer Lodge, and even some alternative Lake Louise hotels.
Psst! This blog post contains affiliate links in it which sends me a bit of extra money if you use them… at no extra cost to you!
Welcome To The Deer Lodge Lake Louise
The Deer Lodge is one of two Lake Louise hotels you can book. The other hotel at Lake Louise is of course the Fairmont (which is quite pricey these days!).
There’s also the Paradise Lodge & Bungalows, but it’s even further from Lake Louise! It is a good back up option though!
Important 2024 Update:
The Deer Lodge Lake Louise is temporarily closed for two years.
Due to a fire at the Lake Louise Ski Resort staff residences, the Deer Lodge is being used as a temporary residence for ski staff.
The best option is to book the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise in the same area. View availability on Booking.com.
You can find out more information on their website.
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Why You Won’t Want To Book The Deer Lodge Lake Louise?
Let’s just say, there are a few less than ideal aspects about your stay at the Deer Lodge Lake Louise… and the reviews reflect this.
I’m not going to lie and say that the Deer Lodge has stellar reviews, because they’re far from that, and they’re also not wrong…
But, keep in mind that despite all these faults, I would still book the Deer Lodge again on my next trip to Lake Louise.
Expect A Lack Of Amenities At The Deer Lodge
There were a few hotel amenities that I’ve grown accustomed to that the Deer Lodge just didn’t have.
For starters, there was no elevator (it’s only three floors though), and no fridge in the room. This was a bit of an issue because we sometimes had leftovers that we couldn’t store.
But the most notable was that there was NO TV in the room. It actually took us a while to realize this though, so I guess we didn’t really need it?
For the most part, you’re exhausted tat the end of the day anyway that you’ll end up falling asleep right away. Plus, in the age of Netflix, who watched TV anyway.
So normally, this wouldn’t be an issue except….
There’s Also Terrible Wifi
The Wifi was practically unusable. Thankfully, there’s decent data connection in the area, so you can use that instead, or just take this time to catch up on some reading!
I would recommend downloading as much as you can offline before arriving at the Deer Lodge (TV shows, movies, books, maps…etc).
Pro Tip: The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise actually offers free daily Wifi so we ended up using that to download and upload pictures, movies… at the end of every day! Plus it’s good if you also forget to download your maps before driving the Icefields Parkway!
Small Hotel Rooms
The rooms are not large at the Deer Lodge. We booked the deluxe room and had no issue with the size. But I peaked in at some of the others, and boy were they TINY!
They had just enough room to fit a bed!
Old Creepy Hallways..
This is more of a heads up and doesn’t really affect your stay, but I was a little creeped out at first sight of the Deer Lodge Lake Louise! It’s historical, but the hotel could definitely benefit from some updates to their hallways.
They’re just slightly too dark and creepy for my liking! Let’s just say I wouldn’t want to wander around at night here!
Not Located In The Village
The Deer Lodge Lake Louise is not located in the Lake Louise Village (but don’t worry, in my mind it’s in an even better location!). This is just so you are aware of where you’re going to be staying in case you were expecting a village.
The Deer Lodge is a good 5 minute drive from the village itself (and a good 45 minute walk up hill).
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Door Challenges At The Deer Lodge
Finally, we did have some issues with our door (and we were in the updated rooms!). We came back twice to find our door unlocked and once it was even wide open.
This first time it was the locksmith who needed to go into our room because our neighbour’s were locked in their room (having issues with their door of course!). So he was going to climb on our balcony to get into their room to help them out.
The second time, we believe (and hope!) it was the cleaning staff who didn’t close the door properly behind them. It was a bit of finicky door where you had to hear a click to make sure it was actually locked behind you.
My parents also had an issue with their key, but they just had a new one made and then it worked smoothly.
Why You’ll Want To Book The Deer Lodge Lake Louise?
Like I said, despite having mediocre reviews, and quite a few faults, I would still book the Deer Lodge again!
And, here’s why you should too!
The Hotel At Lake Louise Has Unique Historical Ties
The Deer Lodge isn’t new to Lake Louise. In fact, it originally opened in 1922 as a trading post selling goods and serving afternoon tea in the back.
The hotel is built off this original log cabin… and it shows! But it’s still pretty neat to stay in a historical hotel at Lake Louise (that isn’t insanely expensive!).
You might also be interested in reading…
Rooftop Hot Tub
I learned very quickly in Banff that you really want a hot tub at your hotel.
You’re out all day and it’s just the perfect way to relax your muscles. And, this isn’t just any hot tub…
The hot tub at the Deer Lodge is unbeatable. It’s on the roof of the hotel and you can just admire the Rockies and Victoria Glacier while hot tubbing!
Free Breakfast!
Included in your stay is a free breakfast! It’s so convenient, especially considering the only other restaurants in the area are at the Fairmont.
I always love getting a free breakfast, and the breakfast at the Deer Lodge was one of the better ones I’ve had!
The breakfast runs from 7:00 am to 11:00. From 7:00 to 8:00, it’s only hotel guests and it’s only the buffet. Starting at 8:00 though, you can order off their breakfast menu, and this is open to everyone.
We were always at the breakfast by 7:00 because you want an early start to our day, so we never had the chance to order from their breakfast menu.
Delicious Restaurant At The Deer Lodge Lake Louise
Another benefit of staying at the Deer Lodge at Lake Louise is that they even have a restaurant for lunch and dinner (so you never have to leave!).
This was also very convenient after a day of hiking and touring Banff National Park when we’re too exhausted to find dinner.
It’s a very cozy restaurant and the food was pretty good!
It’s recommended that you make a reservation in advance though, although it seems empty when we were eating they said they were full (I suspect it was a staff shortage issue rather than seat issue)!
There’s A Games Room (With A TV)!
In the basement of the hotel, they have a games room equipped with a pool table, couches, and… a television!
So if you are feeling like you might be missing some TV during your stay, you can come here to watch!
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And Finally, An Unbeatable Location!
As I said, the Deer Lodge is only one of two hotels that’s actually near the lake – so unless you can book the Fairmont, you don’t really have another choice.
The location alone is worth booking the Deer Lodge Lake Louise. You’re less than a 5 minute walk to Lake Louise. And let me tell you, this makes a HUGE difference to your trip!
No Dealing With Driving & Parking In Lake Louise
Lake Louise is one of the top tourist destinations in Banff National Park. Let’s just say it gets really crowded… really fast.
In order to get a spot in the parking lot at Lake Louise, you’d have to arrive before 8:00 AM!
2024 Update: Parks Canada is now starting construction on Lake Louise Drive (the only road going to and from Lake Louise and Moraine Lake), so accessing Lake Louise will only get worse if you aren’t already staying at one of the hotels on Lake Louise. See updates about the latest construction here.
If you’re too late and there aren’t anymore spots, you’re stuck parking at the Park & Ride in the village or at the ski resort and taking a shuttle to the Lake…
Plus, you’ll also have to pay for parking or the shuttle.
You’re Able To Enjoy Lake Louise “After Hours”
But, even better than not having to deal with parking is that you can enjoy the Lake at its peak, when it’s practically empty and has the best reflections!
It’s just you and Fairmont guests at the lake at this point!
I can’t tell you what a difference visiting during off peak hours made. It was like an entirely different lake.
Aside from the crowds, morning and evening are also the best times to see the lake due to the lack of wind (you get the best reflection).
Read more about visiting Lake Louise at the best time here.
Tips For Booking The Deer Lodge Lake Louise
To make the most if your stay at this Lake Louise hotel, there are a few things you can do…
Book A Renovated Room (Deluxe / Heritage)
The key to booking a room at the Deer Lodge Lake Louise is to book a renovated room (I think they’re the Deluxe rooms on Booking.com).
These will obviously be pricier, but it’s still cheaper than the Fairmont!
The rooms are in the “updated” part of the lodge, are quite a bit bigger (almost double in size!). Plus you also get a balcony, which is very nice to relax on after a day of hikes!
Request A Room On The Third Floor
We were asked which floor we wanted when we checked in and the third floor was recommended by the staff, so that’s what we chose!
Even though there was no elevator, the perks outweighed the cons.
It was a bit of a hassle to bring our luggage up, but staff would have helped if we asked.
But, this way, we didn’t have any noise from any upstairs neighbours. And! We got the best view of the mountains!
Download Offline Content Before Arriving (Or Be Okay Using Data!)
Before heading to the Deer Lodge Lake Louise, make sure you have some basic things downloaded.
For example, download a movie or TV show to watch. Plus, download your maps offline (which you should do any way when driving through the Rockies!).
If you forget, it’s not the biggest deal. Just head over to the Fairmont, they offer daily Wifi for visitors.
You might also be interested in reading…
How To Drive The Icefields Parkway & The Best Places To Stop
Reserve Your Stay At The Deer Lodge Lake Louise Today!
We had to call to make a reservation at the Deer Lodge, but it seems they are up and running online now. Still, if you have questions, they can be reached at +1 (403) 522-3991.
Otherwise, book directly on their website, or through Booking.com.
Check Out My Banff Digital Download To Print
You might be interested in my downloadable mini travel guide for Banff National Park! Includes basic information, tips & advice, and a checklist of all the top things to do!
Alternative Hotel At Lake Louise: Paradise Bungalows
There is actually one more hotel that you can stay at in the Lake Louise area (that isn’t all the way in the village).
Paradise Bungalows are a 20 minute walk from the lake (uphill!). So it’s not as close, but it’s still better than staying in the village, cutting your travel time in half!
Check out their availability on Booking.com.
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Last update on 2024-10-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API