The Prince of Wales Hotel is a stately hotel located high on a bluff overlooking Waterton Lakes National Park in Waterton Alberta, Canada. Its location provides both unparalleled mountain views as well as a tremendous lake view of Upper Waterton Lake.
TL;DR Don't have time to read the full article? Here are my top finds:
🏨Prince of Wales Hotel (inside the park), Nearby Hotels and Lodging
📍Tours: Waterton & Its Wildlife Tour and Sunrise Peaks & Breakfast
Prince of Wales Hotel
The hotel was built in 1927 by the Great Northern Railway. The hotel had an ideal location right across the U.S. Canada border and the railroad had already built several iconic hotels in Glacier National Park.
This gave U.S. Citizens an opportunity to cross the Canadian border during Prohibition for a weekend of fun with the freedom to enjoy their favorite spirits they were not able to obtain in the U.S. It was this reason that the Prince of Wales Hotel is the only lodge built by an American Railroad in Canada.
The Prince of Wales Hotel was designated a National Historic Site of Canada on November 6, 1992.
A stay at the Prince of Wales Hotel is truly amazing! When you see the hotel perched over the lake you can't believe that it was built so long ago. It is crazy to know that the hotel had to be structured to hold up against the crazy winds that blow across Waterton Lake.
Room Types
Standard Rooms
The Prince of Wales Hotel rooms offer a lovely ambiance with dark-stained, high-paneled wainscoting and comfortable upholstered chairs, and the bathrooms have European-style tubs with wrap-around curtains and a quaint washbasin. Standard rooms are available on the fifth and sixth floors with mountain views and one queen bed, offering comfortable and beautifully appointed accommodations in keeping with the historic character of the building. Elevator access is available to the fourth floor only, with stairs required above that level.
- Standard Room with One Queen Bed and Mountain View (5th or 6th Floor)
- Standard Room with One Queen Bed and Two Twin Beds and Mountain View
- ADA Accessible Standard Room
Lakeside Rooms
Lakeside rooms are the most sought-after accommodations at the Prince of Wales Hotel, offering direct views of Upper Waterton Lake from your window. These rooms book up furthest in advance and represent the premier standard room experience at the hotel. Available with one queen bed.
- Lakeside Room with One Queen Bed and Upper Waterton Lake View (5th or 6th Floor)
Lakeside Suites
The Prince of Wales Hotel offers luxurious lakeside suites with private balconies, making them the most spacious and special accommodations on the property. Each suite includes a separate sitting area and direct views of Upper Waterton Lake from a private balcony, providing one of the most extraordinary mountain lake views available at any hotel in the Canadian Rockies.
- Lakeside Suite with One King Bed, Sitting Area, and Private Balcony with Upper Waterton Lake Views
Room Amenities
- Private Bathroom with European-Style Tub and Wrap-Around Curtain
- Free WiFi in Guest Rooms and Public Spaces
- Alarm Clock
- In-Room Fan
- Telephone
- Dark-Stained High-Paneled Wainscoting and Historic Furnishings
- No Air Conditioning
- No Television
- No In-Room Coffee Maker (Starbucks available in Princess Gifts)
- Private Balcony (Lakeside Suites only)
- Lake Views (Lakeside Rooms and Suites)
- Mountain Views (Standard Rooms)
- Elevator Access to Fourth Floor Only (stairs required above)
- Bell Service
- 24-Hour Front Desk
- Concierge Services
- Paid On-Site Parking ($12 per night for overnight guests)
- $20 per Night Amenities Fee Charged at Check-In
- Royal Stewart Dining Room with Breakfast and Dinner
- Afternoon Tea Daily in Royal Stewart Dining Room
- Windsor Lounge with Evening Food and Drinks
- Starbucks Coffee Bar Inside Princess Gifts
- Princess Gifts Gift Shop
- Interpretive Hotel Tours
- Evening Historical Talk
- No Pets
- Non-Smoking Property (designated outdoor smoking areas available)
- Seasonal Operation (mid-May through mid-September)
Click Here to Book the Prince of Wales Hotel
Our stay in a Lakeside 1 King Room
We stayed in a Lakeside king room with a beautiful view of the lake during our stay at the Prince of Wales hotel. The room had a king-size bed, 2 seriously comfortable chairs, a small table, a dresser, and a great bathroom.
One thing to know about this hotel is the wind can gust up the lake and make the rooms really chilly. Being a historic hotel there truly isn't much insulation to stop the wind from getting into the rooms. Make sure and pack warm pajamas if you are planning a stay at the hotel in the Fall, Winter, Spring or any time of the year honestly.
We had access to a shared balcony with a view over the lake. There isn't enough room for chairs but you can stand outside and check out the dramatic amazing view.
One thing to remember is with the shared balconies guests in rooms near yours may be outside enjoying the views. I had an interesting experience when I walked outside to check out our view.
When I turned towards the lake I was a bit shocked to see the guest in the room next to us standing near the window with no clothes on. I don't know which one of us was more shocked at that moment.
That was not quite the view I expected when I walked outside. I quickly turned the other direction and savored the view of the lake and mountains in the other direction.
One thing to know is you will have to use a bellhop to access your room. The elevator can only be run by an employee of the Prince of Wales hotel. Be prepared if you want to give a tip for the service. When you need to leave your room you will need to press the elevator button and wait for an employee to bring the elevator up to you.
Plan to wait a few minutes depending on when you are calling for the elevator. There are only so many staff members and they have to carry luggage up to the 5th and 6th floor from the 4th floor.
If you have mobility restrictions make sure and tell the hotel so you do not get a room on the 5th or 6th floor that can only be accessed by taking at least one flight of stairs.
Book the Prince of Wales Hotel Now
The Royal Stewart Dining Room
The Royal Stewart Dining Room is located right off the lobby of the Prince of Wales Hotel. The restaurant serves authentic Canadian cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Afternoon tea is also served in the lobby of the hotel from 1 pm to 5 pm. If you plan to enjoy tea or dinner at the Royal Stewart Dining Room reservations are highly recommended.
You can call 844-868-7474 to make reservations.
Windsor Lounge
Make sure to spend time in the Windsor Lounge during a visit to the Prince of Wales Hotel. The Windsor Lounge offers prohibition-era cocktails that are delicious!
We were truly impressed with the bartender's skills at making unique and delicious cocktails.
They serve a small menu in the Windsor Lounge that is great. If you want a comfortable relaxing dinner during your stay this is the place to go! They also have a lunch menu!
Reserve Your Room at the Prince of Wales Hotel
Prince of Wales Gift Store
Are you looking for something British inspired for a gift? Head to the Prince of Wales gift shop. From Queen of England bobbleheads to gorgeous tea sets you can find a little bit of everything at the gift store.
Plus there is a small espresso stand in the back to fill all of your caffeine needs.
Prince of Wales Hotel General Information
You will need your passport to stay at the Prince of Wales Hotel! The hotel is located in Canada and you pass through a border control station on your way to the hotel.
Keep an eye out for wildlife during your stay. We saw a very wet bear as we were leaving the hotel.
Check-in time - 3:00 pm
Check out time - 11:00 am
Prince of Wales Hotel Address - Highway 5, Waterton Park
If you are visiting Glacier National Park, make sure to check out all of the Glacier National Park lodging options. All of these hotels are incredibly popular in the summer months and all of these hotels are generally sold out months in advance.
Things to do When Staying at the Prince of Wales Hotel
🏔️ Gaze at the extraordinary view of Upper Waterton Lake and the surrounding peaks from the hotel's iconic hilltop position
🚢 Take a boat cruise on Upper Waterton Lake from the town marina, crossing the international border into Glacier National Park's Goat Haunt area
🥾 Hike the Bertha Lake Trail through forest and alpine terrain for sweeping views of the Waterton Valley
🌿 Walk the Cameron Lake Road for one of the finest scenic drives in the Canadian Rockies, ending at a beautiful subalpine lake
🦌 Wildlife watch for bighorn sheep, white-tailed deer, black bears, and grizzly bears throughout the park
🌬️ Experience the famous Waterton winds, among the strongest in Canada, which give the landscape its open, dramatic character
☕ Take afternoon tea in the hotel's lobby lounge, a beloved Waterton tradition with sweeping lake views
🍽️ Dine at the Valerie's Restaurant inside the hotel, with panoramic views of the lake and mountains
🌅 Watch sunsets from the hotel's hilltop position as the light moves across the lake and the prairie beyond
📸 Photograph the hotel itself from the town below, one of the most iconic architectural images in western Canada
🛶 Rent a kayak or canoe in the town of Waterton for paddling on the upper lake
Book the Prince of Wales Hotel Before it Fills
Best Waterton Lakes National Park Tours & Activities
Waterton & Its Wildlife Tour
⭐️ Rating: 5.0 out of 5 Stars (3+ reviews) | ⏳ Tour Length: 3 hours | 🐻🦌 Check Rates and Availability
One of the most exciting new tours to hit Waterton Lakes in 2026, this guided wildlife experience takes small groups through the park's jaw-dropping mountain and prairie transition zone in search of the Rockies' most iconic residents. Elk, bears, bighorn sheep, bison, and bald eagles are all regular sightings, and your guide teaches you how to scan the landscape like a pro so you stop mistaking distant tree stumps for grizzly bears. Guide Katie earns glowing early reviews for her enthusiasm, deep knowledge of the area's ecology, and her ability to spot and identify wildlife on the fly. Transportation, a knowledgeable guide, and your National Park Pass are all included. Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance. A minimum of 4 guests is required for the tour to operate.
Waterton: Sunrise Peaks & Breakfast
⭐️ Rating: New Activity | ⏳ Tour Length: 2 hours | 🌅🥐 Check Rates and Availability
Is it early? Yes. Is it worth it? Absolutely. This intimate small-group sunrise hike ascends the iconic Bear's Hump trail with a maximum of just 4 guests, arriving at the summit in time to watch the morning light spill over the Rocky Mountains, the prairies, and the mirror-still surface of Upper Waterton Lake far below. Once at the top, guides serve a full alpine breakfast of steaming coffee or tea, fresh pastries, seasonal fruit, and something savoury, all while sharing the park's geology, history, and wildlife secrets you would never get from a standard tour. The hike is short but steep, about 30 to 45 minutes of steady switchbacks. Suitable for fit beginners who do not mind a climb for a big reward. All equipment including hiking poles, headlamps, bear spray, and a satellite communication device is provided. Transportation can be added at booking for guests staying at the Prince of Wales Hotel or Townsite Campground. Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.
Waterton Wildflower Walk
⭐️ Rating: New Activity | ⏳ Tour Length: 3 hours | 🌸🥾 Check Rates and Availability
Waterton Lakes National Park sits at one of the most botanically rich transition zones in Canada, where mountain and prairie ecosystems collide to produce a wildflower display unlike anywhere else in the Rockies. This guided nature walk on the park's easier trails goes well beyond simply pointing out pretty petals, digging into the survival strategies, ecological relationships, and hidden science behind the blooms. Your guide, described by GetYourGuide as a resident plant nerd in the best possible way, reveals how seeds hitch rides on passing wildlife, how blooms outsmart mountain wind, and how every patch of soil tells a story. No need to memorize Latin plant names. It is all about learning to see the tiny, overlooked details that run the entire ecosystem. Hiking poles, bear spray, a satellite communication device, and safety gear are all included. Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance. A minimum of 4 guests is required for the tour to operate.
Additional Lodging Options in Waterton Park
⭐️ 4.7 of 5 Stars - Kilmorey Lodge - Click here for Rates and Availability.
A beautifully rebuilt boutique lakeside lodge sitting directly on the shores of Upper Waterton Lake, rebuilt in 2022 and rated Exceptional by guests with stunning views of both the lake and the Prince of Wales Hotel!
All 18 air-conditioned rooms feature pillowtop mattresses with Egyptian cotton sheets, 55-inch Smart TVs, coffee and tea makers, bathrobes, and hair dryers, with select lake-view king rooms and family suites available. The Ram's Head Pub Lounge and Kilmorey Dining Room serve French, American, and Italian cuisine, with a gorgeous lakeside patio perfect for post-hike pints and sunsets. Bears Hump Trail is a short walk from the front door. Free WiFi, free parking, and open year-round!
⭐️ 3.8 of 5 Stars - Bayshore Inn and Spa - Click here for Rates and Availability.
The only true lakefront hotel in Waterton, sitting right on the shores of Upper Waterton Lake with every room featuring a private balcony overlooking the water and Canadian Rockies!
The property boasts the highest rated restaurants in the park including the Lakeside Chophouse, Thirsty Bear Kitchen and Bar, Red Rock Trattoria, and an on-site Starbucks. The Serenity Spa offers full massage, facial, and wellness treatments. Additional amenities include two bars and lounges, EV charging stations, laundry facilities, gift shop, bicycle rentals, Waterton Lakes Golf Course just two blocks away, and 5,000 square feet of conference and event space. Open May through mid-October, pet friendly!
Click on this link or the map below for a complete list of lodging and vacation rental options in Waterton Park.
https://www.stay22.com/embed/6a9b3a5981ec663c4029b0acCheck out these other great articles
- Epic list of National Park Lodges
- Glacier National Park
- Things to do in Glacier National Park
- Yellowstone National Park
- Things to do in Yellowstone National Park
- Glacier National Park Lodging - Check out all of the options for hotels and lodges within Glacier National Park
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