Fairmont Lake Louise Afternoon Tea Review
Heading to Banff National Park, and wondering if the Fairmont Lake Louise high tea is worth it. Then you are at the right spot. In this detailed guide, we will share our honest Fairmont Lake Louise Afternoon Tea review, and also provide insider tips for visiting the Canadian Rockies – any time of year!
Fairmont Lake Louise Afternoon Tea Review
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What is the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise afternoon experience?
Fairmont Lake Louise afternoon tea is a luxurious and memorable experience for anyone visiting Banff Canada.
Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the majestic Rockies and the pristine Lake Louise, guests can enjoy an afternoon of exceptional teas, fresh scones with clotted cream, homemade sandwiches and pastries, and desserts all served in beautiful traditional china.
Where is the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise located?
The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is a historic hotel located in the village/hamlet of Lake Louise in Banff National Park.
Its exact address is 111 Lake Louise Drive, Lake Louise Alberta, Canada T0L 1E0. You can get there by car, sightseeing bus, tours, or shuttle bus from Banff town.
The driving distance from Banff town to Lake Louise is about 40 minutes.
Calgary International Airport (YYC) is located approximately 2 hours drive from Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.
Booking Afternoon Tea Experience with a guided tour
It is also possible to add an afternoon tea experience at the Fairmont Lake Louise hotel when you are on a guided day tour from Banff town or Calgary.
When you opt for this experience, you will have to pay for the afternoon tea ahead of your trip with the local operator.
And your guide will share all the meal details or restrictions if you have any and they will ensure you arrive there for your tea experience along with sightseeing in the Canadian Rockies.
Day tours are great if you are not renting a car, traveling alone, or visiting in the winter (and are uncomfortable with driving in the snow).
Although the entire tour is with a guide, you will be at the Fairview Restaurant on your own and then re-group after the tea experience.
Fairmont Lake Louise Afternoon Tea Price
Here are the current prices for the Fairmont Chateau Afternoon Tea Experience for an adult.
Each sitting/order comes with unlimited cups of tea, and scones with housemade strawberry jam, pastries, sweet treats, and finger sandwiches.
- Afternoon Tea is $75 CAD per person
- Glass of Giusti Prosecco is $16 CAD
- Glass of Canadian Sparkling is $20 CAD
- Glass of Taittinger Champagne is $25 CAD
You can order vegan and/or vegetarian menus for food/sweets as well.
Everything is served in royal china, and the food is presented in a lovely 3 tier sweet serving stand.
Children’s Afternoon Tea
If you have children traveling with you, they are also welcomed at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.
The restaurant has a dedicated children’s menu. Children’s Tea experience starts at $40 CAD per person for children 12 and under.
Fairmont Lake Louise Afternoon Tea Detailed Menu
Here is a detailed tea menu offered.
| Menu | Vegan Menu | Children’s Menu |
|---|---|---|
| Scones: Saskatoon berry & lemon, White chocolate, Traditional scone, Cranberry orange zested | Vegan scones | Classic Saskatoon berry & lemon White chocolate, Cranberry orange zested |
| Sandwiches: Togarashi seared tuna, Roasted wagyu beef, Chimichurri oven dried tomato, Ratatouille puree, Lobster saffron, Mayo with lotus root Broccoli mousse | Oven-dried tomato beet, Root hummus, Muhammara, Wild mushroom roll, Broccoli mousse | Tea Sandwich, PB & J pinwheel, Ham & cheese, Mini croissant, Cucumber |
| Macaron, Chestnut praline basket, Spice latte delice, Pistachio cheery choux, Chocolate cake | Chocolate cake, Amaretti cookie, Carrot cake, Tropical coconut caramel trifle | Chocolate-dipped fruit loop square, Rocky mountain brownie, Strawberry jelly cake |
| Lemon curd, Strawberry jam, Marmalade & Devonshire Cream | Strawberry jam & marmalade, Vegan lemon curd | Devonshire cream, Lemon curd, Strawberry jam, Marmalade |
By booking an afternoon tea, you will get to witness the breathtaking beauty of Lake Louise and Victoria Glacier while enjoying amazing tea and delicacy in a gorgeous dining room with large ceiling-to-table windows.
Tea is specially crafted for Fairmont by the Metropolitan Tea Company (LOT 35 tea).
Where is the Tea Room?
Tea is served in the elegant Fairview Restaurant, overlooking Lake Louise.
Fairmont Lake Louise Afternoon Tea Dress Code
The dress code for Fairmont hotels is smart casual. The Fairmont Lake Louise website doesn’t mention anything about athletic or hiking gear.
On one of our trips, we had a winter jacket on, as it was super cold and it was fine to enter (and not to forget warm boots).
In most Fairmont properties, flip-flops, beachwear, and clothing with logos and offensive graphics are not permitted. And smart casuals are the way to go!
Fairmont Lake Louise Afternoon Tea Parking
Those planning to visit the lake on a day trip will find an uncovered and open parking lot to park vehicles.
This is the same spot where you can park before heading for hikes and afternoon tea. It is about a 5 minute walk from the lakeside.
Keep in mind, this lot fills up quickly during peak season.
If you stay at the Fairmont Lake Louise hotel, you can park at the gated area located on the right side as you drive towards the property.
Fairmont Lake Louise parking is not free for guests, and it is about $30 CAD per day.
Read: Things to do in Lake Louise in winter
Fairmont Lake Louise Afternoon Tea Reservation
Lake Louise Afternoon Tea service is available to hotel guests as well as day visitors to Lake Louise. However, reservations are highly recommended.
You can make a reservation online or by calling this number 403 522 1817. Reservations can be made by emailing cll.diningreservations@fairmont.com as well.
Good to know: Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise’s other dining experiences are only available to hotel guests.
Fairmont Lake Louise Restaurants & Culinary Offers
Other than afternoon tea, Lake Louise has a host of restaurants on-site which makes staying there overnight worth it.
Here are the main dining areas,
- Fairview Bar & Restaurant (fine dining serving contemporary, colorful, wild-inspired Rocky Mountain cuisine)
- Walliser Stube (delight yourself with Swiss and German pub fare with views of the Rockies)
- Alpine Social (hearty Alpine comfort food. Walk-ins welcomed, no reservations needed)
- Louiza (Mediterranean-inspired restaurant)
- Lakeview Lounge (Wine & dine and mingle with others over Rocky Mountain-infused craft cocktails)
- The Guide’s Pantry (Open 24 hours, even for day visitors. Get baked goods, warm or cold beverages and grab & go picnic baskets)
- Ice Bar (Open in the winter for all visitors. This is a one-of-a-kind bar experience that takes place outdoors on frozen land. The bar is set up using 20 blocks of ice and it serves cocktails and more).
Our experience and a detailed Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise Afternoon Tea Review
We have experienced quite a few afternoon tea sittings at Canada’s Fairmont hotels and honestly, the ambiance and views from Chateau Lake Louise are unmatched.
The luxurious dining room and breathtaking views over the lake make for a truly magical experience. The large windows from the Fairview restaurant provide an uninterrupted view of the lake and beyond.
The combination of the tranquil atmosphere and delightful food made for a truly relaxing afternoon that we will always remember fondly.
We highly recommend Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise’s afternoon tea to anyone looking for a truly special experience.
We have reserved our afternoon tea experience in 2 different ways (for 2 different trips),
- We reserve our spots online prior to our trip on the hotel’s website
- And on another occasion, we visited Lake Louise on a guided tour and included the afternoon tea session as an add-on. For this, we paid for the experience online (and to the tour operator)
On our recent trip, we entered the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise hotel complex and found our way to the Fairview Dining Room.
A host greeted us at the door and asked our name/s to check reservation details.
Once confirmed she led us inside and sat us down.
Upon settling in, we were provided with the tea menu and the server (another employee) also highlighted two special teas they had on offer.
We opted for the special teas – spiced tea and vanilla earl gray!
We also enjoyed an assortment of delicious foods including finger sandwiches, scones, pastries, and small cakes.
We ordered the usual food options and particularly loved the Lobster Saffron Mayo with Lotus Root sandwich and macarons. Other finger sandwiches included Togarashi Seared Tuna, Roasted Wagyu, and Beef Chimichurri.
During our recent visit, it was winter and as the festive season was knocking at our doors we were also offered special Christmassy candies and cookies.
The accompanying teas were a wonderful selection of both classic (spiced masala tea) and unique flavors, making for an enjoyable sampling experience.
Our experience at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise afternoon tea was nothing short of spectacular. The service was top-notch with friendly and knowledgeable staff quickly attending to our needs.
When we entered the dining hall, we got a table in the middle of the room…yea away from the window.
Then 15 to 25 minutes later a couple left and we requested to be moved there….and our server was SUPER sweet, she moved all of our food and gladly set us up by the window!
Ah…..it was so nice…
We highly recommend Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise’s afternoon tea for anyone looking for an unforgettable and luxurious experience in the Rockies. The combination of exquisite food and stunning views make it a must-visit when in the area.
Plan to spend 1.50 to 2 hours at least for an amazing tea experience.
We’d also suggest experiencing the lake itself after tea, as its serenity and beauty are unparalleled and cannot be missed when visiting the area (summer or winter).
The nearby trails offer a great opportunity to get outdoors and explore this beautiful region of Canada.
The Afternoon Tea at the Fairmont Lake Louise is the perfect way to treat yourself or someone special. Remember to reserve your table and experience a memorable occasion that will be remembered for years to come.
No matter what you decide to do, Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is sure to provide an experience that will stay with you for a lifetime. We had a wonderful time and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a truly special afternoon.
We hope that this will encourage you to visit and create your own unforgettable memories there.
Read related posts:
- Jasper to Lake Louise road trip
- Calgary to Lake Louise road trip
- One day in Lake Louise itinerary
- Afternoon tea at the Empress Hotel in Victoria BC
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