The Post Hotel

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 Schwarzes, 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 Olympics. Maintaining the old-fashioned post log construction and romantic feel. More renovation followed adding a spa, combining 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 & Châteaux in 1990 and have been members ever since.