The Kananaskis Mountain Lodge is a luxury boutique hotel situated in the Canadian Rocky Mountains in Kananaskis Village. Previously a Delta Hotel, now part of the Autograph Collection in the Marriott chain, it has recently undergone a $34 million renovation. Nothing was left untouched from the main lobby to every room, restaurants, and the $8.5 million Nordic Spa. I had heard how amazing the hotel now was so I had to check it out for myself, and booked my husband and I in for a weekend for some much deserved RNR.

 

This is not a sponsored post. I paid for my hotel room, meals and activities while staying at the hotel. All opinions are my own, and are just that…opinions. Most photos are my own and photo credits have been given where not.

 

Getting to the Kananaskis Mountain Lodge

 

The nearest airport is Calgary International Airport, located around 100 km (62 miles) east of the lodge, or about a 45-60 minute drive. I highly recommend driving if you can. It’s an easy drive with beautiful mountain scenery, I guarantee you will want to stop along the way to take photos. I’ve lived here for a good chunk of my life and I certainly do every time! 

If you are unable to drive, the hotel does not provide a shuttle, however there is scheduled bus service provided by Brewster. The cost (at time of writing) varies between $69-73 one way per adult and $35-36 one way per child aged 6-15. Children under 6 ride for free when sharing a seat.

 

Kananaskis Mountain Lodge

 

Snuggles in the Rocky Mountains, the Kananaskis Mountain Lodge provides dramatic scenery, and modern luxury. The large but inviting lobby, features a giant fireplace surrounded by couches and chairs, that make you want to curl up in front of after a long day of hiking or skiing. It’s a perfect place for socializing or playing a board game. When we first arrived at the hotel I was instantly drawn to the fireplace. There were many guests (and their 4 legged friends) just hanging out, enjoying the heat of the fire and the bright sun shining in through the huge picture windows. Yes, you read correctly, dogs! The hotel is pet-friendly and even provides pet sitting services, just be sure to arrange it prior to your arrival as this service is very popular, it is not guaranteed.

Rooms

The modern meets mountain rooms are decorated in warm neutrals, grays and beige’s. The view from every room features dramatic landscapes of mountains, streams and forests. It’s the perfect place to relax and just ‘let go’. They offer standard, deluxe, 1 bedroom bi-level lofts and 1 and 2 bedroom suites. There are also executive suites and a hospitality suite. We stayed in the 1 bedroom bi-level loft with a spectacular view of Mount Kidd. The room had everything we could have needed, including 2 bathrooms (one on each level). I call them ‘his n hers’! In the afternoon we enjoyed a bottle of wine in the sun on the balcony while watching the passers by. In the evening, the balcony offered a great view of the lodge’s ‘Fireside Moments’. Everyone was keeping toasty around the large fire cauldron, making s’mores and enjoying the local entertainment. Waking up the next morning to the view of Mount Kidd from our king size bed was something that I will never forget. Such beauty.

Dining

There is no shortage of dining options at The Lodge. The Forte Restaurant is Italian themed and serves up handmade wood-fired pizzas. We didn’t try one but they sure looked heavenly. We ate the buffet breakfast here in the morning which had everything you could imagine, even breakfast meatballs. 

The Blacktail Bar is a casual lobby bar serving up handcrafted cocktails and Kananaskis GhostTown APA, a craft beer made by Grizzly Paw Brewing out of Canmore, AB, specially for the hotel. I highly recommend the Wagyu Burger. OMG! So good! 

The Cedar Room is open for dinner only and requires reservations. It uses fresh regional ingredients and serves the best cuts of Canadian beef. Francois’s service was impeccable and his recommendations of the pan seared scallops was right on point!

Woody’s Pub & Patio serves up the usual pub fare. While we didn’t have a chance to check it out, we were ‘warned’ that its a super fun place and really hard to leave once you get there. Maybe it’s a good thing we didn’t make it. 🙂 Rumor has it that the view from the patio is pretty spectacular.

The Market Cafe has on-the-go breakfast and lunch options. They also sell local products and souvenirs.

 

Activities In and Around the Lodge

 

Kananaskis and its surrounding area is full of adventures and has an endless supply of outdoor activities to keep you busy in summer or winter, no matter what your fitness level. There is a lovely trail around the hotel with 5 view points, however the entire walk is breathtaking.

Here are some of the activities in and around the lodge that you can try:

Summer – Hiking, mountain biking, canoeing, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, horseback riding, white water rafting, fishing, tennis, yoga, golf and the Nordic Spa. Keep reading for more ‘juice’ on the Nordic Spa and golf.

Winter – Skiing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, tobogganing, ice skating, fat biking, dog sledding, snowmobile tours, winter hiking, sleigh rides, and the Nordic Spa. 

The concierge at the Lodge can help you out with more information, choosing and booking any activities.

The Nordic Spa

They had me a SPA but the Nordic Spa exceeded all expectations and was, without a doubt, the highlight of the weekend for me. DO NOT MISS IT ! 

The Nordic Spa is a 50,000 square foot indoor/outdoor haven featuring 5 pools (2 hot, 2 warm, and 1 cold). With a mantra of ‘Hot, Warm, Cold, Rest, Repeat’, this oasis with 360 degree views of the Rocky Mountains will leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

The Kananaskis Nordic Spa is a wellness spa and sanctuary. It’s a luxurious retreat for those in need of some well deserved RNR; the perfect place to forget about the hustle and bustle of life and focus on your well being. The spa uses hydrotherapy along with the magnificent backdrop of the Canadian Rocky Mountains to take you away to another world. The spa has 5 pools, 2 hot, 2 warm, and 1 cold (there is a reason they only need 1 of these! It’s COLD!), There are also saunas, a steam room, winterized hammocks, and the Two Trees Bistro.

In addition, they also offer massage treatments for an extra charge. Be sure to book in advance as they tend to fill up months ahead. As a result of my prolonged procrastination, I wasn’t able to get an appointment. I guess I will just have to go back. 

Although we didn’t have a chance to try it out, the Two Trees Bistro is there if you get hungry or ‘thirsty’ (they serve alcoholic beverages!). There is also a small boutique where you can purchase some of their signature products, including their spa robe.

Fast Facts:
$70 CAD ($54 USD, 48 EUR) for hotel guests
$85 CAD($65 USD, 57 EUR) for non-hotel guest
Adult only
No photos or cell phones allowed
Website: https://knordicspa.com/

Golf

The Kananaskis Country Golf Course is a short 10 minute drive from the Lodge. I’m not a golfer but my husband has golfed here a few times. There are 2 18-hole course layouts, Mount Kidd and Mount Lorette. Whichever you choose, the views are pretty amazing. Rates start at $68 (twilight) and go up to $125 for 18 holes. They also do group/corporate golf tournaments. You can get more information on the Kananaskis Country Golf Course by clicking here. There is also the Summit Restaurant, Lounge and patio where you can enjoy a nice cold beverage after your round and take in the awe inspiring beauty of the Rocky Mountains.

 

Summary

 

Staying at the Kananaskis Mountain Lodge was truly an incredible experience. I would absolutely recommend the hotel to anyone who is visiting this beautiful area of the Rocky Mountains.

MORE INFORMATION:
Hotel: Kananaskis Mountain Lodge
Location: Kananaskis Village, Alberta, Canada
Price Range: $$$$

Please feel free to drop me a line or ask questions in the comment section below!