Cathedral Mountain Lodge in Yoho National Park

Cathedral Mountain Lodge and its 29 surrounding luxury log cabins are in the Canadian Rockies, on the shores of glacier-fed Kicking Horse River. Set amid the tall spruce and pine trees of Yoho National Park, one of Canada's favorite national parks, the lodge is near Field, B.C., 45 minutes from Banff. The Cathedral Mountain Lodge

May 2006 marked the grand opening of the newly completed lodge. The handcrafted log cabins—Riverside and Mountain View—have gas or wood-burning stone fireplaces, soaker tubs and private decks with exceptional views, and are charmingly decorated. The lodge is quiet and secluded, yet just minutes away from attractions such as Lake Louise, EmeraldLake, MoraineLake, Spiral Tunnels, TakakkawFalls and NaturalBridge.

The best accommodations are in the Premier log cabin, which has an oversized wood-burning stone fireplace (stocked daily with firewood and cedar kindling) and a spacious private deck with fabulous views of the KickingHorseRiver and the surrounding peaks.

This cabin has a fridge stocked with complimentary beverages and snacks and is furnished with a custom-made queen-size log bed topped with a down duvet and feather pillows. The large sitting area is appointed with charming Canadian antiques. Tall sliding doors lead to the spacious bathroom with a deep soaker tub and upgraded Aveda spa amenities.

The interior of a cabin at Cathedral Mountain Lodge

The Riverside cabins have the best views, as they face the KickingHorseRiver and also afford spectacular vistas of the mountaintops and the sunset.

For Clients Traveling With Children

Although the property is adult-oriented, catering mostly to couples, Cathedral Mountain Lodge does allow children eight years and older. For families, book one of the five Loft cabins, which are the largest on site, with one queen bed on the main level and two twin beds in the loft. While there aren't any connecting cabins, there are Wapta cabins, which have duplex accommodations right next to each other. There is a pet-friendly cabin available for an additional fee.

Amenities, Dining, Shopping

The new main lodge has views from every vantage point, includes a reception area, gourmet dining room with an impressive vaulted ceilings and 18-foot windows and a Grand Room with an indoor/outdoor river rock fireplace.

The Restaurant at Cathedral Mountain Lodge is consistently chosen as one of the best small restaurants in Canada and is reputed to offer fresh local ingredients with innovative presentation. The menu focuses on organic and free-range in-season regional cuisine and the extensive wine cellar features Canada's finest wines, as well as many excellent selections from both Old and New World vineyards.

A complimentary market-fresh breakfast is prepared every morning from 7:30 to 10:00 a.m. and dinner is served nightly from 5:30 to 9 p.m. (reservations are recommended). A Hiker's Lunch is available upon request.

There is a boutique pottery store called the Velvet Antler in the small town of Field, which is five minutes away, and there are many souvenir stores and nice boutiques in Banff.

Peak period for Cathedral Mountain Lodge is July and August, so bookings for this time period should be made at least six months in advance.

All cabins can be booked over the GDS. For VIPs, agents can contact General Manager Christopher Bates (250-343-6442, [email protected]). For booking, concierge services, activity arrangements and other inquiries, call 250-343-6442 or e-mail [email protected]. Ask about their various packages, including the "Elope in the Rockies" wedding package, starting at $825 per couple.

Most guests fly into CalgaryInternationalAirport and rent a car; the drive to the lodge takes about two hours. There is an airport in Golden, B.C. that only accept small planes and is a 45-minute drive from the lodge. Private jets would need to arrange flights through the CalgaryInternationalAirport.