The Lake Louise Fairmont Afternoon Tea - IS IT WORTH IT?

The hotel: The Lake Louise Fairmont Hotel 

I’ll tell you now, if my budget stretched to it at the time, I would have happily stayed a night in this STUNNING hotel, but it didn’t, plus I had my cosy camper to stay in! ;) 

But if I ever return to Lake Louise (which I intend too), then I WILL be staying overnight here. 

I figured I’d give you a little overview of the hotel itself.

• Style: A grand, castle-like resort with classic European charm and modern luxury.
• Location: Right on the shores of Lake Louise, with spectacular views of the lake, glaciers, and surrounding peaks.
• Atmosphere: Warm, inviting, and refined, with a mix of rustic mountain charm and high-end comfort.

🛏️ Rooms & Suites: The Chateau boasts 550+ rooms and suites, many with stunning lake or mountain views.

‍Options range from:
✅ Fairmont Rooms: Cozy, elegant, and perfect for couples or solo travelers.
✅ Deluxe Lakeview Rooms: Oversized windows looking directly at Lake Louise’s stunning turquoise waters.
✅ Suites & Fairmont Gold: Luxury at its finest—private check-in, personalized concierge, and exclusive lounge access

‍ Pro Tip: Book a lakeview room for an unbeatable sunrise over the water!

The Afternoon Tea Experience 

When you book, (and you’ll NEED to book in advance, but I’ll give you more details on that a little bit later), you’ll be given an allocated time. 

But note now, that the afternoon tea at the Fairmont in Lake Louise is served 11.30-2.30pm daily. 

All you need to do is turn up, park your car, and head into the reception area where someone will guide you to where the afternoon tea is located, which is in the Fairview Restaurant.

You’ll be shown to your table, and given your menu! 

You are not guaranteed a seat right in front of the window, however you can of course make the request, but it’s obviously very popular. 

We had a seat just off the side of a window, and it still offered amazing views. 

I’d go as far to say that wherever you’re seated within the area, they do their best to make sure you have those amazing Lake Louise views. 

The Lake Louise Fairmont Afternoon tea menu

So I’m going to give you an overview of the main menu, then I’ll show you the vegetarian/vegan menu we were offered. 

When you book, you tell them if you need a different menu, and they can cater for different dietary requirements, but you need to let them know before your visit. 

Main Menu Highlights:

• Housemade Scones: Choose from options like Saskatoon Berry & Lemon White Chocolate or Traditional scones, served with classic lemon curd, Devonshire cream, and signature strawberry jam.
• Savory & Sandwiches: Delight in items such as Deviled Egg & Parma Ham En Croute, Petit Croissant with Roast Chicken & Herb Salad, Heirloom Tomato with Mint & Whipped Ricotta, Pacific Smoked Salmon & Chive Cream Cheese, and Spring Cucumber & Dill Crema.
• Sweets: Indulge your sweet tooth with treats like Yuzu Pear Mousse Flower, Spiced Pumpkin Cake, Salted Espresso Tart, and Upside Lychee & Raspberry Choux.

Enhancements: For an elevated experience, consider adding a glass of sparkling wine or champagne:

• Standard Afternoon Tea: $105 per person, includes a glass of sparkling wine.
• Champagne Afternoon Tea: $145 per person, served with a glass of Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut, NV.
• Fairview Afternoon Tea: $120 per person, accompanied by a glass of Blue Mountain 'Gold Label' Brut from Okanagan, BC, 2019.
• Celebration Afternoon Tea: $210 per person, featuring a glass of Moët & Chandon 'Dom Pérignon' 2012.

For an extra touch of decadence, the Chilled Lobster & Caviar Tower is available for $250. This includes Nova Scotia lobster salad stuffed vol-au-vent and Northern sturgeon caviar served with blinis, egg, and chive crema.

Children's Afternoon Tea:

Young guests (12 and under) can enjoy their own special menu for $45 per child, featuring:

• Housemade Scones: Traditional scones served with signature strawberry jam.
• Savory Items: Peanut Butter & Jam Sandwich ("Flower Power"), Strawberry Sando with fluffy whipped cream, and a Rainbow Fruit Skewer.
• Sweets: Dino Pop Cupcake, Boss Bear Homemade Doughnut, S'mores Cookie, and Fruity Maltese with rainbow candy-covered malts.
• Children's Tea Pot: Tea alternatives such as Bubble Gum Tea, Apple Juice, Shirley Temple, and Chocolate Milk.

Vegetarian/Vegan Afternoon tea 

Scone Menu

• Vegan Scones
  
  • Accompaniments: Jams, seasonal marmalade, and vegan lemon curd.

Finger Sandwiches: A delightful selection of plant-based bites, including:

• Spring Pea Crostini with Pea Tendrils – Accompanied by a touch of tomato gazpacho.
• Muhammara with Pomegranate – Featuring roasted walnuts and cress.
• Beetroot Hummus with Chioggia Beet – Enhanced with heirloom carrot for a colorful twist.
• Cauliflower Mousse with Tapioca Pearl – Served in a delicate vermicelli summer roll.
• Mint, Cucumber, Pickled Red Cabbage – Paired with peanut sauce for a refreshing finish.

Sweet Bouquet: A decadent array of desserts, such as:

• Chocolate Cake
• Carrot Cupcake
• Amaretti Cookie
• Lemon Berry Trifle
• Pineapple Jujube

As you’ll notice from my picture, the price has gone up (like everything in the world lol). 

At the time, we went for afternoon tea with a glass of Taittinger, because its my favourite champagne (so much so that I've been to the factory and tasting rooms in France!) 

The food offered on the Vegetarian menu was innovative, different and tasted amazing.

We actually ended up with too much food and asked for a little box to take some deserts away with us! 

Obviously, your afternoon tea will come with TEA.

And there is a whole range of teas you can choose from. 

I actually went for coffee (whoops).

But Brad tried a few different teas on offer, and you will be given a separate tea menu. 

Ask your host for advice if you’re unsure of what to go for. 

You can try multiple teas, or coffee.

Some FAQ about the Lake Louise Afternoon Tea Experience

How do I book afternoon tea at Fairmont lake Louise?.

You have a couple of options!

You can now book online via this link.

Or contact the Dining Reservations team at cll.diningreservations@fairmont.com or 403 522 1817.

There is a  20 minute grace period. If you’re running late, call them so you don’t miss out on your slot.

What is the dress code for afternoon tea at lake Louise?

I'm going to quote off their website for this: ". For afternoon tea, we cherish the tradition of dressing gracefully. We kindly ask guests to refrain from wearing shorts, ripped denim, and athletic or hiking wear. Your cooperation helps maintain the refined atmosphere that makes our afternoon tea truly special."

But, it feels like a classy joint, so you’ll naturally want to dress up for the occasion! 

What is smart casual attire? 

• A collared or button-down shirt
• Pants or nice denim jeans
• A smart shoe, like a loafer
• Clean, un-scuffed shoes
• Avoid sportswear or trainers

So, is the Lake Louise Fairmont Afternoon tea worth it!? 

Hell to the yes. 

Honestly, if you’ve the budget, or you just feel like treating yourself, then I highly recommend you indulge in this fabulous afternoon tea experience.

The decor is beautiful, as are the views. The experience itself feels classy and top tier, and you’ll truly have a wonderful time. It’s also a great activity for couples if you’re looking for something romantic to do in the area! I also think it’s a great activity to do all year round.

Winter brings snowy views of course, and summer will give you Lake Louise in it’s fully blue glory, but Lake Louise is the type of location that looks breathtaking regardless of when you visit! 

So there you have it, my mini review of the Afternoon tea experience at the Lake Louise Fairmont! 

Have you been? What did you think!?

Let me know!

Love,

Cazzy

Other Canada inspo: 

• Things to do in Banff
• Things to do in Jasper