Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge is the classic Canadian Rockies honeymoon: log cabins and lodge buildings scattered along the shore of Lac Beauvert, a lake so clear and green it looks tinted, with mountains on every side and elk grazing on the lawns. It began as a tent camp in 1915 and grew into the lodge that hosted King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in 1939.
The wildfire that swept through Jasper in July 2024 damaged some buildings on the property, but the main lodge, the golf clubhouse, the boathouse and the heritage Signature Cabins were spared and the lodge reopened on October 1, 2024. A long renovation of every room category has since been completed and the rebuilt lakefront suites now have wood-burning fireplaces and private firepits facing the water.
It suits couples who want mountain scenery, hiking, canoeing and a cozy fire at night, with the comfort of a full-service resort. It is a big property with families and golfers in summer, so couples who want a tiny, intimate retreat may prefer a small lodge.
Highlights at a glance
- Lakefront suites with wood-burning fireplaces and firepits
- 700-acre estate on Lac Beauvert in Jasper National Park
- Heritage Signature Cabins
- Stanley Thompson golf course from 1925
- Spa and year-round heated outdoor pool
Why Couples Love Jasper Park Lodge
The setting does the heavy lifting. Lac Beauvert sits right outside the cabins, calm and emerald in summer, frozen and snowy in winter. Paths loop around the shore and in the early morning you often have them to yourselves apart from the elk.
The layout helps too. Instead of one big hotel block, the lodge spreads across 700 acres, so many rooms feel like separate cottages in the trees. Coming back from a hike to a fire and a glass of wine on your own terrace is the experience most couples remember.
There is also the sense of history, from the 1920s log Main Lodge style to the Outlook Cabin where royalty once stayed. It feels like a place with stories rather than a new resort.
Rooms, Suites and Cabins to Book
Every room category was renovated in a project that ran for several years.
- Fairmont and Deluxe rooms now have walk-in showers, new lighting and furnishings inspired by the lodge's cabin woodwork.
- Junior Lakeview Suites have a mountain-modern look and views over the water.
- Luxury Lakefront Suites were rebuilt after the fire with wood-burning fireplaces and private outdoor firepits facing Lac Beauvert. These are the honeymoon pick and among the priciest rooms in Alberta.
- Signature Cabins are heritage buildings ranging from a one-room cabin to the eight-bedroom Milligan Manor, better for celebrations with family.
If the lakefront suites are out of reach, ask for a lake-view room and book an evening by a firepit on the property.
Food, Drink and the Spa
The lodge has five restaurants, from casual spots for a post-hike burger to a more formal room for a celebration dinner. Dining stayed open through the renovation and the main lodge interior has been redesigned while keeping its exposed wood beams and high ceilings.
The spa, opened in 2010, is the place to recover after a long hike or a day of skiing. Book a couples treatment, then spend the rest of the afternoon at the heated outdoor pool, which stays open year-round with steam rising from the water in winter.
In town, a few minutes away, Jasper has relaxed restaurants and a brewery, good for a change of scene one evening.
Why guests fall for it
Things to Do
In summer, rent a canoe or paddleboard at the boathouse and paddle Lac Beauvert at sunrise. Drive to Maligne Canyon to walk the bridges above the gorge, then continue to Maligne Lake for a boat trip to Spirit Island. The Jasper SkyTram climbs Whistlers Mountain for wide views over the valley.
Golfers can play the lodge's Stanley Thompson course, opened in 1925 and restored after the fire. Non-golfers can bike lakeside trails or join a wildlife tour for elk, bighorn sheep and, with luck, bears.
In winter, ski at Marmot Basin, skate on the lake and walk the frozen Maligne Canyon with a guide. Jasper is a dark sky preserve, so stargazing is excellent on clear nights year-round.
Getting There
Edmonton International Airport (YEG) is about four hours by car. Calgary International (YYC) is about five hours and driving the Icefields Parkway from Lake Louise to Jasper is one of the world's great road trips, so many couples fly into Calgary, spend a few nights in Banff and drive north.
VIA Rail's Canadian stops in Jasper and the Rocky Mountaineer runs scenic rail trips to Jasper in summer. The lodge is a few minutes' drive from town.
A car is useful for exploring the park. A national park pass is required for driving in Jasper National Park; buy it online or at the park gate.
Is It Worth It?
For a mountain honeymoon with real scenery and full resort comfort, yes. The renovated rooms, the lake and the history make it the most romantic big hotel in Jasper and the lakefront suites with fireplaces are some of the most memorable rooms in the Rockies.
Summer rates are high and the property is busy with families, golfers and groups in July and August. Fall, from mid-September into October, brings golden larch and aspen, quieter trails and lower rates.
Couples who want an intimate lodge with only a handful of rooms should look at smaller properties outside town. Those who want a livelier base with more restaurants may prefer Banff, four hours south. Plan at least three nights to explore the park.
Good to Know
Parts of the forest around Jasper still show the effects of the 2024 fire and some trails on and near the property have been closed for recovery; check current trail status with the lodge or Parks Canada.
Wildlife is wild. Keep at least 30 meters from elk and 100 meters from bears and never approach elk in the fall rut or the spring calving season. Carry bear spray on hikes.
Mountain weather changes fast, so pack layers even in summer. Winter temperatures can drop well below 0°F. Book July and August stays far ahead, since town capacity is still lower than before the fire.
Insider tips
- Book a Luxury Lakefront Suite for the fireplace and private firepit.
- Paddle Lac Beauvert at sunrise before the wind picks up.
- Visit in mid-September for golden larches and lower rates.
- Drive the Icefields Parkway from Banff instead of flying straight in.
