Location
Waterton Lake National Park, Alberta

Perched regally on a bluff with overlooking Upper Waterton Lake and surrounding peaks, the Prince of Wales Hotel is a true Canadian icon. Like the grand national park hotels of neighboring Glacier National Park, the Prince of Wales was a pet project of Great Northern Railway baron James J. Hill. His favored chalet-style architectural themes are vividly represented in this unique structure, which was completed in 1927 and is a National Historic Site of Canada. The historic hotel first lured Prohibition-era American guests to Canada for an exclusive and carefree getaway, and guests today enjoy the same delightful ambience. The hotel was named for the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII), in a transparent attempt to entice him to stay on his 1927 Canadian tour, but the prince opted for a nearby ranch instead.

The lodge is reminiscent of a magnificent Swiss chalet, evoking a romantic alpine feel with its soaring roof, peaked gables, dramatic balconies and timber-framed lobby. Room decor features hardwood wainscoting, plaid upholstered chairs, and gorgeous views of the shimmering lake or majestic Rocky Mountains. En suite baths include European-style tubs with wraparound curtains and a quaint washbasin. A stay at the Prince of Wales Hotel harks back to a bygone era, when architectural detail and gracious touches were the paragons of a peaceful retreat.