The hotel is situated on the corner of Connaught Drive and Miette Drive in the heart of the townsite action.

The Jasper National Park Information Centre is next door.  Across the street is the train station.  The Whistler’s Inn hotel is surrounded by restaurants and gift shops.

And in the morning, when you need good coffee, take a short walk west on Connaught Drive to a great independent bakery/cafe/coffee shop called The Other Paw Bakery.

Whistler's Inn Jasper hotel

While it lacks a pool, the 2 hot tubs on the top floor of Whistler’s Inn and the little wildlife museum in the basement make up for it.

The word on the street from Whistler’s Inn Jasper reviews is that the rooms at Whistler’s Inn Jasper are what you’d expect.  Clean and comfortable.

If you are a light sleeper, you might want to call ahead and ask about the availability of a quieter room.   What you’ll want to avoid is being above the 1st floor pub if noise bothers you.  I wouldn’t worry too much though.  You’ll probably be so tired after a day of Jasper National Park recreation that nothing is going to keep you awake anyways!  Or you could turn on the AC or the fan to drown out any noise.  Personally, I always pack ear plugs whenever I travel just in case.

The only downside of this Jasper National Park hotel is parking.  There’s a small lot in back lacking enough  spaces to accommodate all guests.  You’ll have to park on the street – which can be a pain in the peak summer months.   The parking lot across the street next to the train station is a good place to park.

Whistler’s Inn Jasper prices are in the average range for standard rooms. Booking early for vacations in the peak months of July and August is recommended as there are more visitors to Jasper during this time than there are rooms available.

The 3-story, 119 room Chateau Jasper hotel is conveniently located in Jasper townsite, the small town in the center of the big national park.

Review of Chateau Jasper’s Room Quality

We stayed in a 2 queen bed room.  The beds were comfortable, though after a day of hiking in Jasper, I could sleep on anything!  I slept well every night.

The room had a home feel to it which I liked.  The furniture wasn’t sterile or cold like some hotels, as you can see from the pictures.

I was happy with the bathroom area as it had plenty of room and two sinks.  It was clean and modern.  Check out the pictures.

Our room at the Chateau Jasper also had a closet with a safe, ironing board and small half-sized refrigerator in it.  A desk, flatscreen TV and small table completed the room.  We didn’t use the TV much except to review the weather.

The room’s electrical outlets were easily accessible – important if you need to recharge phones, iPods and camera batteries.

The room came with both a coffee maker and a tea maker.  We tried both.  The coffee supplied was ok and the tea was good.  It was nice to have the tea maker, an uncommon amenity.

The walls were thick enough so I didn’t hear neighboring rooms at all but the doors could be thicker to better keep out the sound of anyone who is talking in the hallway.  On the plus side, the thick rugs on the hallway floors  keep you from hearing anyone walking.

The pillows might have variability – if that matters to you.  My wife complained that housekeeping switched the pillows on the last night and the last night’s pillows weren’t as good as earlier nights.  I dunno.  I couldn’t tell the difference, so who knows.

Chateau Jasper’s Location

The hotel is easy to find in Jasper townsite. The Chateau Jasper is on the eastern end of Geikie Street, which runs most of the length of Jasper townsite.

Once you’ve driven to Jasper townsite from the Icefield Parkway or Highway 16, it is easy to find Geikie Street and then just drive east to the hotel.  Can’t miss it.  It is next to Best Western Inn and Suites Jasper.

Walking to Downtown Jasper from the Hotel

The Chateau Jasper is a few blocks away from the downtown area.  It is an easy walk through a residential neighborhood – a chance to see the houses of the people lucky enough to call Jasper National Park home.  We did the walk several times.

And if you want a more interesting walk, take the Discovery Trail, which passes right behind the hotel’s rear parking lot.  The Discovery Trail loops around Jasper townsite and also has junctions to trails near Pyramid and Patricia Lakes.

Parking at the Hotel

Parking is fine for cars and SUVs.  The parking spaces were a good width…not too tight.  Parking wraps around the building and there are 3 exterior entrances to the hotel.  So, no matter where you park, a door is near.

There is also an underground parking garage with somewhere around 20 additional parking spaces in it.  As underground hotel parking garages go, it isn’t bad.  A little hard to navigate, but the parking spaces were wide enough to not worry about having space to open the car door.  I’d avoid the underground parking unless the outside parking lot is full.

And if both the parking lot and the garage are full, there’s some parking in the street.

Hotel Pool

The Chateau Jasper’s well-maintained indoor pool and hot tub were a nice way to start a few days.  The pool seemed to be the right temperature and had both a shallow and deep area.  The hot tub was warm and big enough.  For a hotel pool, I was happy with it.

The downside of good hotel pools can be popularity.  One time in the evening, we went down to review the situation.  It was so packed with kids that we decided to wait till the morning.  It was empty in the morning.

Wi-Fi Internet Service

I had a good Wi-Fi signal in my 3rd floor Jasper hotel room, but ended up not having time to use it.  The price to use it was pocket change.  If I remember correctly, Chateau Jasper was charging $2.95 for 2 hours.  There was a cheap 4 hour plan too I think, but if you are in Jasper and spending 4 hours on the Internet, you’d be missing out on the rest of Jasper National Park.  Even if it’s raining out, review your itinerary because there’s always something to do in Jasper.

If you don’t have a laptop, there’s a guest computer in the hotel lobby.

Dining

No free continental breakfast.  That part is a bummer.  For me and for the savvy traveler, bringing your own breakfast is quicker and better anyways.  We took advantage of the mini-fridge in our room and kept milk in it for cereal.

We had dinner at the hotel’s restaurant.  I’ll write more about that in the future.

Hotel Staff

The attitude of a hotel’s staff can make a difference and we were pleased with Chateau Jasper’s staff.  We only interacted with staff a handful of times but it was all positive.  The front-desk staff checked us in fast.  When the pool area was out of towels, we asked the front-desk and they apologized and had towels in a short amount of time.  The cleaning staff was friendly when walking by in the halls.

Pricing

I ended up paying a price that was a little lower than most other Jasper hotels.  You may find better (or worse) prices than I did.  The prices for hotels change with the time of year, supply and demand, specials, etc.  You can research Jasper hotel prices here using Jasper Journal’s hotel tool powered by HotelsCombined.com.  Even though I’m a budget traveler and like spending less on hotels, I was pretty happy with paying a little more to stay at Chateau Jasper.  It was a fair price for the quality, comfort and location.

The end result was a pleasant 5 night stay and no regrets.  Can’t ask for more than that!

Can it be done?

Yes!

First off, traditional hotels in Jasper National Park during the peak summer months are pretty much impossible to get below $100 a night.  It is a supply and demand thing.  The hotels tend to start at $150 a night and there’s a wider range to chose from in the $200 range.

If you want to save some money and stretch your travel budget, here are some ways to stay in Jasper for far less than the price of a hotel.

1. Hostels in Jasper National Park

Jasper hostels are rugged and a true back to nature type of experience.  A night in a Jasper National Park hostel typically involves sleeping on a bunk bed with strangers.  Bathrooms – yes.  Showers – maybe.

But the price is right.  A couple could stay at a hostel for well under $100 a night.

A fun adventure if you’re up to it.

2. Tent Site Car-Camping in Jasper National Park

Bring a ten and camp at one of the Jasper National Park campgrounds.  Renting a campsite is in the $10 to $40 a night range.

Sure, the guy in a nearby tent may be snoring loudly.  But you also are really close to nature.  Many a happy camper has seen some sort of wildlife within the campgrounds, such as the experience of elk walking through your campsite.

3. Backcountry camping in Jasper National Park

If you’re into backcountry camping, Jasper National Park should be on your list.

The reward for those bold enough to camp in the wilds of the Canadian Rockies are spectacular sites that most of the visitors to the park miss out on.  The risk factor is the potential for rainy weather.

Backcountry camping permits are dirt cheap…around$10.

While it may not be the most comfortable night’s rest, the solitude and splendor may be worth it – so long as the bears stay away!

4. Jasper Private Home Accommodations

If you require a good bed to sleep in, consider Jasper Private Home Accommodations.

As part of legislation to prevent over development of the park, residents of Jasper townsite must work within the park – no vacation homes. So, a lot of homeowners make rooms available for a little side income.

Jasper townsite in the center of Jasper National Park is the residential area where residents rent out rooms in their homes.

The price ranges vary depending on the amenities but it is possible to get a room for under $100 a night.  A place with a shared bathroom is less than a private bathroom.  The same goes for a shared entrance versus a private entrance and small bed versus big bed.

5. Stay next door in a hotel in Hinton, Alberta

I recently wrote about staying in nearby Hinton, Alberta for a few nights to save some money.  While it is not truly within Jasper National Park, it is a short drive to the eastern entrance to the park.

Hotels for $100 a night can be had if you look hard enough in Hinton.  While Hinton adds to the amount of daily driving, it may make sense. Get the details: Jasper National Park Hotel Alternative: 3 Hinton Hotels for $100 a night or less in summer.

Hope that helps in your quest to find a way to have an affordable Canadian Rockies vacation!

The central location makes it easy to do day trips to attractions and activities like hiking in Jasper National Park and the surrounding area.

The hotel’s heated indoor pool, sauna and jacuzzi’s provide a place to spend a relaxing evening after a day of hiking.

Other than that, it is a typical hotel – a decent place to spend the night but nothing glamorous.

While the peak season summertime price tag of about $200 a night after taxes for a room with 2 double beds is modestly priced by Jasper hotel standards, there are fancier rooms available.  The hotel has 107 rooms to chose from.

While there are many other hotels in Jasper National Park to choose from depending on your needs, Marmot Lodge Jasper is worth a look.

This is a picture taken by a traveler in front of Marmot Lodge Jasper looking across the road to the surrounding Canadian Rockies. Not much to complain about with a view like that. Then again, views like this abound in Jasper National Park.

One thing to keep in mind:  Marmot Lodge Jasper is pet-friendly for a fee.  Good if you have pets.  Potentially not so good if you have dog allergies.

While the Jasper Park Lodge gets props for being around since the early 1900s, the lodge benefits from the beauty of Lac Beauvert and the surrounding Canadian Rockies.

Lac Beauvert is a small lake at only 0.4km².  Even for Jasper visitors not staying at Jasper Park Lodge, a trip to the lodge for the scenery is worth it.  The lodge also has several dining options and the lake has a nice path along its edge. So, a dinner and a walk could make for a relaxing way to spend on evening after a day of Jasper National Park activities.

Lac Beauvert and the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge are a short drive from Jasper townsite and it shouldn’t take longer than 15 minutes from the townsite to the lodge’s parking lot.

Then the beauty of the lake awaits.

The aptly named Glacier View Inn is rare in its ability to offer a view of a glacier from a hotel room.

Its location at the Columbia Icefield Centre on the Icefield Parkway on the southern border of Jasper National Park makes it a desirable hotel in Jasper for spending the night on the way to or from neighboring Banff National Park.

And the Glacier View Inn’s view of the Athabasca Glacier makes for one of the most unique hotels in Canadian Rockies or the world, for that matter.

Other than that, the Glacier View Inn is a typical hotel.  The hotel has 32 rooms – all on the 3rd floor of the Icefield Centre.  Some rooms have a glacier view.  Other slightly cheaper rooms have only a mountain view.  Either way, the price is on the high side for the facility.

The price (about $275 a night during peak season) seems like a lot (I’m a cheapskate when it comes to accommodations).  But a location like this can ask that kind of money and still be filled to capacity during the peaks summer months.  You’re paying for the view and location versus luxury.

Also, be aware that facilities are limited in this area of the park.  The only dining is in the Columbia Icefield Centre on the 2nd floor which has a restaurant open for breakfast and dinner.  It also has a cafeteria open during icefield tour operating hours during the day.

Then again, doing the Columbia Icefield Snocoach tour is really convenient – just walk downstairs to the bus first thing in the morning.

So the location has its pluses (location, location, location) and minuses (amenities, services, price).  As a one-nighter, it may make a good choice for some Canadian Rockies travel itineraries.  Otherwise, there are plenty of convenient hotels in the centrally located Jasper townsite area or in Banff from which day trips to the Columbia Icefield may end up being an experience more fitting of your needs and tastes.

Conveniently located Bear Hill Lodge in Jasper National Park falls into the category of mid-priced hotels in Jasper National Park with the hotel’s price per night in the $200 range during the peak months and a little more reasonable before mid-June and after mid-September.

The family-owned hotel is located at 100 Bonhomme Street in Jasper and a nice walk to the downtown area where the Jasper Information Centre and restaurants are.

A review of Bear Hill Lodge’s features reveals a lot of nice add-ons not found at other Jasper hotels.  The lodge offers several quality cottage cabin accommodations, some with kitchenettes, some with multiple beds, and some rooms even have a wood or gas fireplace.  To me, the fireplace would be fun in the winter or on a cool rainy day when you just want to rest and read a book.

The Lodge also offers hotels rooms above its main lodge building.  These rooms are nicely appointed as well with a kitchenette, gas fireplace and a balcony.

Cabins at Bear Hill Lodge, Jasper National Park

Bear Hill Lodge entrance

The Bear Hill Lodge offers a continental breakfast in its breakfast room.  Price is included with some rooms, but $10.00 for other rooms.  Fill up and then head off for your Jasper National Park adventure.

At the end of the day (or anytime between 8:30 AM and 10 PM), soak at Bear Hill Lodge’s spa.  It has a hot tub and sauna.

Some other things to note:

The nightly room rental rates are for 2 people only and Bear Hill Lodge currently has a fee of $20.00 per night for each additional person over age 15.

View Larger Map

For more information, see the hotel’s website.

Since its early days in the 1920s, the lodge has catered to an upper-class demographic.

So it goes.

A page from a 1948 Jasper National Park brochure (which I’ve referred to previously here) has a page showing the rates for Jasper Park Lodge back in the day.

Jasper Park Lodge single and double rooms for $10, $20 and under $30 a day. Imagine that.

Canadian National's Jasper National Park 1948 brochure cover

Take a look at this interactive picture of the prices for Jasper Park Lodge in 1948.  You can zoom up and move around.  You’ll notice the rooms included the “American Plan” back then (meaning that the meals were included, full board).

Even back in 1948, some of the fancier cabins seemed quite exclusively priced. Various sources say that back in 1948, the average new car cost between $1,000 and $1,500, and gasoline was 20 cents per gallon range.

Don’t get me wrong, it is a nice facility once you add-in the location, the lake (Lac Beauvert), the heated swimming pool, next-door golf course and such.  But it is out of most people’s price range.

For us mortals, there are plenty of hotels in Jasper National Park to chose from.  For those who prefer a real outdoor experience, Jasper has lots of camping and RVing options too.

And if you cannot stay at Jasper Park Lodge, at least think about having a meal there.  The lodge has several dining options, from quick and easy to fancy and sophisticated.

Starting with 8 cabins in 1922, the resort’s expansion over the years means it can today claim 446 rooms, an award winning world-class golf course, and a whole lot of activities and amenities on the grounds.  I think the location (on Lac Beauvert) and facilities are why the prices are so high.  If you click the link above to see the reviews, a lot of people like the Lodge, but some complain it is overpriced.

During the summer, the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge is the park’s most expensive hotel.  During winter ski season, you can enjoy Jasper’s most exclusive hotel at much lower rates – and take a free shuttle to Marmot Basin Ski Area to boot.

If Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge doesn’t fit into your travel budget (as it doesn’t mine), there are plenty of other Jasper National Park hotels to chose from.  Nearby Hinton, Alberta, a short drive from the eastern border of Jasper also has several hotels at reasonable prices.

Besides the location, Astoria Hotel offers the convenience and delight of Papa George’s restaurant and the fun of the uncommonly named De’d Dog Bar and Grill on the premises.

While Astoria Hotel gets mixed reviews, I think it has to do with expectations. I think it is mostly because of the cost and the small size of the rooms.

If you are looking to spend all day in your hotel room, this is not the best place to do it.  If you just want a basic place to stay after a day of Jasper National Park adventures, Astoria Hotel is plenty suitable – and a lot more comfortable than camping.

With the limited number of hotels within Jasper, the prices creep up. During the peak summer months, Astoria Hotel is a lot of money for what it is, but less than many other Jasper hotels. You’re paying for convenience.

If you’ve ever stayed in New York City, you know that supply and demand do a lot to hotel prices and that old buildings often mean small rooms. That’s what is going on in Jasper and at this and other hotels in the park. It is what it is. Personally, I don’t want to see any more hotels in the park because it would mean too many people would visit and make it crowded.

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After a long day of hiking and sightseeing, you’ll surely be thankful to have a cozy bed to sleep in. I’ve stayed in plenty of charming hotels and I find them refreshing compared to the big hotel chains, but that’s just me.

See prices for Astoria Hotel here. Staying in hotels in Jasper National Park can be pricey during the peak summer season regardless of the hotel. Compare Jasper National Park hotel prices to find the best deal. Then again, there are other ways to get your trips hotel costs down, such as spending a night in a hotel in Hinton, Alberta, past the eastern entrance to Jasper National Park.