A little bit royal and historic, a whole lot romantic Georgetown Inn
We stayed in the Victoria Room, a tribute to the long-reigning Queen of the same name often set aside for newlyweds and others with romance on their minds. A mountain of pillows on the king-size bed is the first thing I notice, then the antique furniture pieces, the vibrant colours on the wall, all creating a noble atmosphere with a humble country twist.
Canmore was always a drive-through town in my eyes, but now it has become a cherished memory since a recent romantic one-night stay.
Our overnight at the Georgetown Inn was intended to be a romantic occasion, but for us, it was also a great escape from the city with the luxury of space - and a jet-tub for two. We stayed in the Victoria Room, a tribute to the long-reigning Queen of the same name often set aside for newlyweds and others with romance on their minds. A mountain of pillows on the king-size bed is the first thing I notice, then the antique furniture pieces, the vibrant colours on the wall, all creating a noble atmosphere with a humble country twist.
The entire inn has a welcome-to-the-Commonwealth feel. Adding to its uniqueness are antique pieces decorating each corner and wall-space inside the Tudor-styled structure, built in 1993. No room is decorated alike, giving the inn a homey and an intimate vibe. Yet, the room rates are reasonable - even in the high season. No wonder the Georgetown is often fully booked, so reservations are required.
Juxtaposed with the antique decor is a history of a more modern kind. Film posters adorn the hallways on the second and third floor – a sort of Alberta movie hall of fame, showcasing framed posters from movies shot with the backdrop of Alberta’s iconic wilderness. Movie fans will realize just how many cameos the province has had on the big screen – and how strange some of the movies are.
Yet more history can be found in the onsite restaurant - Miner's Lamp Pub - a harmonious mix of Canmore mining history and mountaineering relics within the English country-style pub. The menu is sprinkled with historic trivia and facts in between a great selection of entrees, drinks and appetizers.
Pub fare ranges from vegetable coconut curry to the "best fish and chips in the Bow Valley." Calamari is my standard appetizer and we cleared the delicious plate in a new record time. The meaty mussels in white wine sauce and cilantro were the special of the day, nicely paired with some Ogopogo wine from the Okanagan. My partner had the perfect Yorkshire pudding with AAA Alberta beef and Malbec wine. Our exceptional meal was just that – even with a too-busy waiter.
But breakfast the next day gave our excellent dinner a little competition. If we had dozed in the cozy bed for even 10 minutes more we would have missed the breakfast, which is served until 11 am. Then I would never have tasted the pub's Famous French Toast. It was the best I’d ever had, which is why the next time I drive through Canmore, I’ll make sure to stop by The Miner's Lamp for my morning meal, rather than the Tim Horton’s.
Next time I stay at the Georgetown Inn, I’ll also be sure to take on the challenge of The Miners Lamp and hike at least one of the three prestigious peaks around Canmore. Called the "Triple Crowns of Canmore," since 2011 the pub challenges anyone to climb Mt. Lady Macdonald, the Mt. Rundle south summit or
Ha Ling Peak. I’ll likely pick Ha Ling Peak since I won’t forget that was the first thing I saw from the window when I woke up.
Visit the Georgetown Inn page for more information
