Honeymoon Guide – Lake Louise and Banff

Oct 22, 2020 | Blog, Honeymoon and Travel, Planning

With the pandemic putting a halt to many peoples’ travel plans, a lot of couples are looking within Canada for interesting destinations for their wedding or honeymoon. Nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts will love Lake Louise and Banff as a travel destination. If you are looking for scenic lakes and majestic mountains, this is the place to be.

Keep reading for my Lake Louise and Banff honeymoon guide.

Getting Here

I flew in and out of Calgary, rented a car from the airport and drove to Lake Louise and Banff. It is just over 2 hours from Calgary. For anyone going further to Jasper, it is another 2.5 hours. Read our Jasper Guide here. The flight to Calgary is only 3.5 hours from Toronto, so it’s not bad at all!

Packing Tips

Dress and pack in layers! It can be pretty cold in the morning, and then warm up in the afternoons. If you are renting a car, you can always keep some extra layers there just in case. I went the first week of October, so it was just getting cold. My friend who went just a week and a half later was knee deep in snow! Anytime you are up on a mountain after a climb, it can be pretty chilly too, so check the weather just a few days before you go.

Note that after Thanksgiving, most attractions and boathouses close for the season because of snow. I also packed hiking boots for some of the tougher hikes.

Make sure to purchase a National Park Pass in advance, as you will actually be staying inside the Banff National Park.

Where To Stay

There are a number of accommodation options for a Banff trip. The town of Banff is very commercialized (think Blue Mountain Village) and has a lot of dining and accommodations options. The town of Canmore is nearby and can be a quieter base for your travels. I chose to stay at the Fairmont Lake Louise, as it was near some of the places I wanted to visit and, well, it’s located right at Lake Louise and you really can’t beat that.

Most accommodations in the Banff area are fairly average-looking and lack lustre. If you are looking for an iconic location and a more luxurious stay, especially for a honeymoon or destination wedding, the Fairmont Lake Louise is definitely the way to go.

Lake Louise and Banff Honeymoon Guide - Taking in the views of beautiful Lake Louise — All smiles at Lake Louise, Alberta.

Fairmont Lake Louise

With its iconic location at Lake Louise and plethora of amenities, it’s easy to get lost in the splendor of the Fairmont Lake Louise. It really is as beautiful as in photos! I had such an amazing and comfortable stay. I will definitely be back!

Location: Fairmont Lake Louise is 45min from Banff and 3 hours from Jasper, so it is a little remote which I don’t mind. The town of Banff is super touristy and commercial, and that’s not really my travel vibe at all, so I was looking for something else. From Lake Louise, you can easily take day trips out from this location, and come back to a relaxing stay. Or take a lazy day in, and enjoy the amenities and dining offered onsite.

Lake Louise and Banff Honeymoon Guide - Views from Fairmont Lake Louise — Fairmont Lake Louise does not disappoint with its amazing location right at the mouth of Lake Louise. Enjoy the views from the private gardens at the hotel.

Accommodations: The rooms at Fairmont Lake Louise are exactly what you would expect of a Fairmont Hotel – upscale, comfortable and spacious. You can easily enjoy a staycation at this beautiful hotel and not need to leave.

Tip: Request a mountain/lake view rooms for the view of majestic Lake Louise. Also, if you are able to stay during the week versus weekend, you will avoid the busy crowds that come for weekend trips.

Lake Louise and Banff Honeymoon Guide - Fairmont Lake Louise room — Spacious, comfortable and well-appointed rooms.

Lake Louise and Banff Honeymoon Guide - Fairmont Lake Louise room details — Beautiful and luxurious details.

Amenities: With a spa, pool, shops and boathouse, there is no shortage of things to do on the property. At concierge, you can rent E-bikes and book a private shuttle to Moraine Lake (highly recommended over driving there).

Lake Louise and Banff Honeymoon Guide - Fairmont Lake Louise lobby — The lobby welcomes you with upscale decor and rustic touches.

Dining: With four restaurants onsite, guests have a lot of options should they want to stay in. All restaurants offer beautiful views of Lake Louise, so they are all instagram-worthy!

Lake Louise and Banff Honeymoon Guide - Fairmont Lake Louise Lakeview Lounge with outdoor heated patio — The Lakeview Lounge patio was my favourite dining spots, as it offered heaters and covered dining with stunning views.

Lake Louise and Banff Honeymoon Guide - Fairmont Lake Louise Lakeview Lounge dining and lobster roll — The food is also delicious! We watched the sunset as we ate dessert, and it was just perfect.

Lake Louise and Banff Honeymoon Guide - Fairmont Lake Louise afternoon tea at Fairview Lounge — When you’re tired of hiking, enjoy afternoon tea in Fairview Lounge.

What To Do

When in Banff and Lake Louise, the “to do” list is mainly seeing beautiful lakes and hiking majestic mountains. Here are some of my recommendations below. There are honestly so many places to explore, I just scratched the surface in the 4 nights we stayed here.

Peyto Lake, Banff Upper Hot Springs and Johnston Canyon caves were closed when we went, or they would probably be on the list too.

Lake Louise and Banff Honeymoon Guide - Canoe on Lake Louise — When at Lake Louise, canoeing on Lake Louise is a MUST. It is not the cheapest activity, but worth the cost for such an iconic activity. The waters are calm and so blue! Go early and on a weekday to avoid lines.

Lake Louise and Banff Honeymoon Guide - See Banff from above from the Banff gondola — Take in the views of Banff from Sulphur Mountains by taking the Banff Gondola. Dine at Sky Bistro for scenic eats.

Lake Louise and Banff Honeymoon Guide - Take in views at Lake Minnewanka — Hike and see Lake Minnewanka. We went on a windy, rainy day so the photo isn’t the best. But it is quite lovely in person.

Lake Louise and Banff Honeymoon Guide - Canoe and kayak on Bow River — Rent a kayak from the Banff Canoe Club and take in the sights and sounds of the Bow River. I saw coyote, a muskrat and elk!

Lake Louise and Banff Honeymoon Guide - Moraine Lake — Enjoy Moraine Lake. This is the lake that attracts the most tourists, besides Lake Louise. Try to go on a week day (weekends attract weekend crowds from Calgary), and take the private shuttle from Fairmont Lake Louise if you’re staying there. Otherwise expect long lineups for the public shuttle and virtually no parking if you drive in.

Lake Louise and Banff Honeymoon Guide - Lake Agnes trail and teahouse — Hike the Lake Agnes Trail. The trail starts at Lake Louise and is a 1.5-2 hour uphill climb to a traditional teahouse and views of Lake Agnes, a quiet lake with amazing reflections (seen here).

Lake Louise and Banff Honeymoon Guide - Emerald Lake — Hop over the border to British Columbia, and hike/see Emerald Lake, in Yoho National Park.

If you are looking to plan an outdoorsy honeymoon with luxurious comforts, consider the Fairmont Lake Louise as a base to take in the attractions in Banff. It is truly an amazing trip that will leave you breathless.

While you are here, also consider a trip to Jasper just a few hours away. Read our Jasper Honeymoon Guide here.