If you're seeking a luxury stay in Kananaskis, look no further than the Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge, part of the Autograph Collection properties. We've had the pleasure of staying here three times, including over Christmas in 2023, and it has become our go-to hotel for a quick getaway from Calgary to the Canadian Rockies. Below is our review of our experience at the hotel.
The property is nestled against the stunning backdrop of the Canadian Rockies, making it the perfect base for both summer and winter mountain activities. It is also conveniently located just moments from the Nakiska Ski Hill, the Kananaskis Golf Course, and many scenic hiking trails, such as Grotto Canyon.
HOW TO GET TO THE KANANASKIS MOUNTAIN LODGE?
The Kananaskis Mountain Lodge is located in Kananaskis Village, about 60 to 90 minutes from Calgary, depending on where you're coming from in the city. Take Highway 1 toward Banff, then exit onto Highway 40 just before reaching the mountains. Kananaskis Village is a scenic 20-minute drive from the highway exit, passing by beautiful lakesāso be sure to take your time and stop to stretch your legs along the way.
If you're visiting from out of town and have time to explore Calgary before heading to Kananaskis, be sure to check out our list of the 40 Best Things to Do in CalgaryĀ for top attractions, restaurants, and activities in the city!"
The hotel is somewhat isolated, but in our opinion, that only adds to its charm. As you exit Highway 1 onto Highway 40, you'll pass the Stoney Nakoda Casino, which offers a gas station, a small convenience store, and a Tim Hortonsāperfect for grabbing your double-double if you can't go a day without one!
If you're arriving by car, it's worth noting that there is free outdoor parking available. Alternatively, you can opt for valet parking at $32 per day or self-park underground for $22 per day. We've always parked outside and have never had trouble finding a spot.
A Kananaskis Conservation Pass is required to drive into the park, so you'll need one during your stay. You can purchase a single-day pass ($15), a multi-day pass ($15 per day), or an annual pass ($90). You can check out which option is best for you and purchase your pass here.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO STAY AT THE HOTEL?
The Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge is undoubtedly one of the top hotels on the eastern side of the Canadian Rockies. As you might expect, this comes with a premium price tag, especially during peak seasons. Room rates typically exceed $500 per night for a standard king room and rarely drop below $350. (As you may have noticed by now, we rarely pay cash for hotel stays - we prefer to use points whenever possible!)
Whatās surprising, though, is the limited number of hotels offering Marriott redemption options in the Canadian Rockies, particularly near Banff and Canmore. There is a Moxy hotel in Banff, but thatās the only other option, and itās nowhere near as nice as the Kananaskis Mountain Lodge.
In terms of points, the Kananaskis Mountain Lodge is a Category 6 property within Marriott Bonvoy, with free night redemptions ranging from around 40,000 points during off-peak dates to 65,000 points (and higher) during peak periods.
As Marriott Bonvoy American Express cardholders, we each receive an annual free night certificate, which we try to use for high-value stays whenever possible. The certificate covers stays up to 35,000 points in value, but it can be applied to stays up to 50,000 points, as long as you top up the remaining balance with your own points.
It can be tough to find weekend nights for redemptions under 50,000 points, but over the past few years, weāve had success booking Sunday nights during long weekends. Our most recent stay was in November 2024, when we booked a Sunday night over Remembrance Day Weekend for 44,000 points.
Before that, we treated ourselves to a stay on Christmas Eve 2023, where we managed to stay for just 50,000 points per night. I think prices have increased since then, but it was an incredible value, as cash rates for that period were upwards of $600 per night.
I highly recommend looking into how you can use credit cards to subsidize travel. Thanks to this strategy, weāve been able to stay in luxurious 5-star properties and even fly business class - experiences that would have been out of reach if we were paying cash.
CHECK IN EXPERIENCE
Each time we've checked in at the hotel, the staff has been incredibly helpful in getting us checked in quickly. During our most recent stay, I reached out ahead of time to inquire about the possibility of a free upgrade (it's always worth asking, right?). Although there wasn't one available this time due to the hotel being sold out for Christmas, we were given breakfast vouchers. These vouchers are typically reserved for Platinum members (weāre Gold, a level lower), so it was a nice touch.
The hotel lobby is beautifully decorated, especially during Christmas! While I handle the check-in, Susie and the girls usually find a cozy sofa (ideally in front of the stunning log fire, if it's available) and play board games while they wait.
Thereās also a hotel concierge available to assist with luggage or any questions you might have about the property. During our last stay, they hosted a treasure hunt for the kids, with full-sized chocolate bars as prizes for completing the challenge. I think they regularly change up the activities, so itās worth checking what's on offer when you visit.
Finally, if you're looking for a pet-friendly hotel in Kananaskis, the Kananaskis Mountain Lodge is a fantastic choice. The hotel welcomes up to two pets per roomĀ for a $40 CAD per stayĀ fee. While pets are allowed in designated guest rooms and outdoor areas, they are not permittedĀ in restaurants, the spa, or other public indoor spaces. Weāve always seen plenty of dogs during our stays, so you certainly wonāt be alone!
THE DOUBLE QUEEN ROOM
We've stayed a couple of times in a double queen room, and both times, it has been beautifully decorated and very spacious, with great views of the mountains and/or the firepit area. During our Christmas 2023 stay, we could even see the reindeer the hotel had from our window, which the kids absolutely loved.
The 2 queen rooms are great for families with young kids, as there is plenty of space to all fit in one room (assuming the kids are ok with sharing a bed).
The bathroom is also nicely decorated, clean, and fairly new - exactly what youād expect from a high end hotel.
In the room, there was a small area with a Nespresso machine, which I think is the best coffee you can get in a hotel room. We were also provided with two cans of water (a first for me!), along with some crisps and pretzels that the kids finished off in about two minutes - presumably thanks to our Gold status with Marriott.
The TVs had Chromecast built in so it was possible for the kids to log into Netflix for a bit of down time in the evening which they always appreciate.
All in all the hotel rooms are very nice and comfortable. We've never had any issues at all.
KANANSKIS MOUNTAIN LODGE RESTAURANTS
The Kananaskis Mountain Lodge offers a variety of great dining options, and over the years, weāve sampled almost all of them.
The Cedar Room
The Cedar Room is the most upscale dining option and can be best described as a high-end steakhouse. We last dined there in the winter of 2022 when we had family visiting, giving us a chance to enjoy a few nights away. The rib-eye steak, in particular, was exceptional. Itās on the pricier side, but perfect for a special occasion.
You can view the Cedar Room menu here:
Forte Italian Restaurant
We have eaten at Forte a few times for dinner, as well as having both the buffet and al a carte breakfast options. For dinner, the restaurant mostly serves an Italian inspired menu and the pasta and pizza have always been very good. Last time eating there, I had a duck ragu pizza and it was amazing.
Since our most recent stay was over Christmas, the restaurant offered a buffet instead of the usual Ć la carte menu. Iām usually a bit skeptical about buffet food, but I can honestly say it was some of the best Iāve had, well worth the $60 per adult / $30 for kids price tag.
The breakfast here is also fantastic, and one of the best spreads that I've had at any hotel. Even at $32 per person, itās good value for what you get. On occasions where we have received complimentary breakfasts tickets (Platinum status benefit), this allow you to choose between the buffet or an item from the Ć la carte menu. The buffet offers all the classic options like bacon, eggs, omelets, and pancakes, along with cold items such as croissants, pastries, cold cuts, cheese, yogurt, granola, and cereals.
You can view all the breakfast, lunch and dinner menus for the Forte Restaurant here.
Blacktail Bar
Blacktail Bar is the lobby bar and a great spot for a pre-dinner cocktail. The cocktails arenāt cheap, but theyāre expertly crafted by talented bar staff! Susieās favorite cocktail of all time was made here - a gin cocktail with egg whites and rosemary!
Weāve dined here twice and always enjoyed the food, which leans toward upscale pub fare. If you're craving just a simple but very good burger, this is the place to go.
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You can view the full beverage and lunch/dinner menus here.
Woody's Pub & Patio
Woody's Pub & Patio is located outside of the main hotel building, and is definitely the most laid back of the dining options at the hotel. It serves classic pub food, and even has pool tables, so is very much a different vide to inside the main hotel.
We've never eaten here but it looks like a good place to go with kids, or if you fancy shooting some pool. Woody's also has a rooftop patio, so might be a nice option to take in the mountain views in the summer. TripAdvisor reviews are mixed, so we recommend proceeding with caution or stopping by just for a drink.
Market CafƩ:
Market CafƩ is a high end coffee shop located in the main hotel - perfect for grabbing a coffee or pastries to go.
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POOL & FITNESS AREA
The Nordic Spa:
A highlight for many people when staying at the Marriott Kananaskis Mountain Lodge is a visit to the famous Nordic Spa. It's definitely not cheap, but is a great option for an anniversary or special occasion. The Nordic Spa is famous for its hydrotherapy circuit, inspired by Scandinavian traditions, where you move through hot ā cold ā rest cycles.
For the hot cycle, there is a variety of options, from hot pools to barrel and banya saunas, plus steam rooms. After plunging into the cold pool, there are plenty of hammocks and other relaxation spaces.
It's important to note that access to the Nordic Spa is not included with a stay at the Kananaskis Mountain Lodge. It is also an adult only facility.
Unfortunately, the prices have almost doubled over the last 5 years. Full day access for the hydrotherapy runs between $135 - $175 per adult, with slightly cheaper rates of $115-$145 for access after 5pm until close (9pm). A 60 minute massage costs between $265 - $305, although it does include full day access to the hydrotherapy. If you live in Canada you may be able to recover back the cost of the massage through your insurance, which can make it more reasonable.
The Swimming Pool / Hot Tub:
If you are travelling with children, then you'll likely be spending a decent amount of time in the hotel pool area during your stay! Our kids absolutely love the pool, waterslides and hot tub, but admittedly it might not be everyone's cup of tea, as it is very kid orientated.
The pool features a fantastic shallow area thatās perfect for toddlers, complete with a mini splash park and a small slide. For older kids, there are three fun waterslides to choose from! As shown in the picture below, the slide on the left is short and wide, allowing kids to slide down in all sorts of ways. The other two slides are more traditional: one leads directly into the pool, while the other drops into a separate, enclosed area, ideal for younger kids who canāt swim yet.
Thereās no space for swimming laps in any part of the pool, so if you were hoping to get some lengths in, you won't be able to do it here. The pool is really designed with families and kids in mind.
For adults, thereās a sauna and a fantastic hot tub to enjoy. The Kananaskis Mountain Lodge hot tubĀ is one of our favorite features. It offers both indoor and outdoor sections, creating a perfect relaxation experience after a day of mountain activities. One of our favorite family memories at the hotel was relaxing in the outdoor hot tub while it was snowing - it was absolutely magical! Plus, itās a HUGE plus that you can easily move between the indoor and outdoor areas without having to rush outside in your robe, trying to beat the cold!
A quick note about the other facilities around the pool area: thereās a well-equipped gym with all the usual amenities like weights, treadmills, and more. The treadmills overlook the pool, so you can get a workout in while still keeping an eye on older kids. For the younger ones, thereās also a games room featuring board games, a ping pong table, and game consoles (I believe it was an Xbox).
HOTEL ON SITE ACTIVITIES
One of the best things about the hotel is that thereās so much to do, both on the property and in the surrounding area. There truly is something for everyone.
The hotel hosts complimentary āfireside nightsā daily from 6pm to 9pm, where you can make your own sāmores and gather around the huge campfire. Itās a great way to relax while taking in the beautifully lit hotel grounds with stunning mountain views.
In the winter, they have a small lake that is used as an ice rink thatās also free to use. If you donāt have your own skates, you can rent them from the equipment shop.
You can even go for a night skate as it's beautifully lit up at night.
A little further along the paths, youāll find a larger hockey rink, as well as tennis courts that are open in the summer.
Thereās also a fun playground for younger kids along the path, located next to the tennis courts.
If you visit during the winter, they often offer extra activities, such as reindeer visits, a small kidsā train that circles the property, and a PJ & popcorn Christmas movie.
ACTIVITIES NEARBY
One of our favorite activities during our stays at the hotel has been fat biking. You can rent the bikes from the outdoor center at the hotel (right by the small ice rink), and theyāll recommend the best local paths to explore. If youāve never tried it, you definitely should! The grip you get on the bike was surprisingly good, in fact probably better than on my summer mountain bike.
There are also LOADS of hikes in the nearby area. One popular, kid-friendly hike is called Troll Falls, just a 5-minute drive away. It has great parking and is about 4.7 km long, making it a perfect hike that should take around a couple of hours. We've hiked it in the summer and even snowshoed it in the winter. If youāre looking for something different, there are plenty of options in the Kananaskis Valley, ranging from short hikes to full-day or even multi-day adventures.
If you are interested in exploring some other hikes in the area, check out the following, which are all possible to hike in the winter time:
Aside from hiking, you'll find so many other nearby activities like:
downhill skiing
cross country skiing
mountain biking trails
dog sledding
golf courses
kayaking
horse riding
scenic helicopter rides
The list really does go on. If you are interested in any of these activities I'd recommend speaking with the hotel concierge who can recommend the best companies to use.
THE KANANASKIS MOUNTAIN LODGE REVIEW SUMMARY
In summary, we've always really enjoyed our stays at the Kananaskis Mountain Lodge, and I'm sure that we'll continue to stay here for a short 'staycation' close to Calgary. We honestly think it is one of the best hotels in the Canadian Rockies and highly recommend giving it a try, especially if you are travelling with a family!
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