It’s no surprise, given where we live, that there are many unique and magical places to stay in our area. Last month, I had the opportunity to cross one of these locations off my bucket list —Emerald Lake Lodge.
I’ve been visiting Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park all my life, but it wasn’t until my early twenties that I realized there was more to the property than the Cilantro restaurant and its picturesque views. Once I discovered the lodge and accommodations, I added “staying at Emerald Lake” to my bucket list.
The three of us — Bruno (our dog), my husband, Ray, and I — made our way to the property on a snowy Sunday afternoon. It’s not often that we get to include Bruno in our adventures!
Having been to the property many times, we were familiar with the process: starting by parking in the visitor lot, unpacking the car, and waiting for the shuttle in the pickup cabin. It was a cozy little space to escape the cold, complete with an Emerald Lake puzzle to pass the time.
Once the shuttle arrived, we piled in and were on our way. Despite being a big dog, Bruno had no trouble climbing into the van and happily sat in the back with the luggage. Our shuttle driver shared interesting tidbits about the property during the short ride to the lodge.
I was surprised to learn that the shuttle runs 24/7, so if you need to grab something from your vehicle, a staff member can take you down to the parking lot.
After checking in at the front desk, we made our way to our room. The staff even transported our luggage for us — another thoughtful touch. Our room was right close to the Clubhouse, which meant a short walk to the hot tub (a definite win!).
Despite visiting the resort numerous times, this was my first time seeing the accommodations firsthand. Some key features of our room included a king-sized bed (which we prefer since that’s what we have at home), a fireplace with a cozy couch, and a private balcony, which would be perfect in the summer.
I also love seeing Nespresso makers in hotel rooms — I’m not usually a coffee drinker, but for some reason, I always enjoy Hotel Nespresso coffee!
Bruno was the most spoiled of all. Upon arrival, he received a bag of treats and, as a reminder for dog parents, a fresh roll of poop bags — though we had come prepared. When we entered our room, we found a dog bed and a water bowl waiting for him. Bruno doesn’t typically sleep on a bed, but we still appreciated the thoughtful gesture!
After settling Bruno in, Ray and I made our way to the lounge for a pre-dinner drink. The Kicking Horse Lounge, located in the main lodge, has always been my favourite spot at the resort. Since its renovation a few years ago, it has been an inviting space to unwind with delicious drinks and bites. We only had time for a quick drink before heading to the dining room for our dinner reservation.
Following an amazing dining experience, I took a peaceful dip in the hot tub. Winter is always prime hot tub season, and I even got to enjoy some solo relaxation time. Despite being at a resort, the quiet serenity of the mountains makes you feel worlds away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
After my soak, Bruno and I returned to the lodge to enjoy a cozy reading session by the fireplace in the lobby. Pets are allowed in various parts of the lodge, just not in areas where food is served. After a bustling evening, we eventually made our way back to our room for the night.
The next morning, we headed to the lodge for breakfast. Breakfast is my favourite meal of the day, which makes choosing a dish a challenge — they all sounded so good! My sweet tooth won out, and I ordered the Banana Bread French Toast: Chef Val’s banana bread topped with dulce de leche and vanilla cream. Ray opted for the Mixed Grill, which included country bacon, back bacon, bison sausage, two eggs any style, and lodge potatoes.
It’s always a dilemma when I see hollandaise sauce on a breakfast menu. While we didn’t order anything that came with it, I requested a side-to-taste test. If you didn’t already know, I have a bit of a fascination with hollandaise sauce, and this one definitely delivered! I used some of Ray’s potatoes for sampling, and after we both had a taste, I polished off the entire ramekin. It’s safe to say I’ll be ordering a meal with hollandaise next time we visit
After breakfast, Ray and I took one last morning dip in the hot tub, soaking in the peaceful mountain atmosphere before packing up our belongings. We decided to walk Bruno back to the car, while the staff kindly delivered our luggage to the shuttle pick-up cabin, giving us the chance to enjoy a leisurely stroll.
Though our stay was just one night, it was packed with delicious meals, beautiful views, and relaxing moments—our own little mountain “staycation.” I’m so happy to have finally crossed this experience off my bucket list, though something tells me I’ll be back again before long!
Emerald Lake Lodge is owned and operated by Canadian Rocky Mountain Resorts (CRMR).
