Moraine Lake Lodge, Alberta

Here are statements one can find in the Moraine Lake Lodge brochure and Web site: "Moraine Lake Lodge is the ultimate holiday escape. It is an unforgettable place and an unsurpassed retreat. Luxury. An indelible vacation includes an incomparable level of personal service. Our staffs are completely dedicated to your enjoyment. They have a well-earned reputation for anticipating your every need and exceeding your expectations. Etc.". The Moraine Lake Lodge is a expensive place but we did not mind paying the price for a quality and superb service. The reality was quite different, just 2 examples: 1- When we arrived in the hotel, after a long journey, we went to the �lounge� (called the 'Library'). This is the only room available for guests to relax. Complimentary coffee was offered till 5:00pm. It was 5:15pm. We were told that the service was closed and it was not possible to order coffee. Is this an "unmatched level of service�? 2- Before dinner, we decided to have a drink. So, we went to the famous Library again. We were told we had to ourselves pick the drinks at the bar. We went to the bar, 2 floors below, to find out that the bar is in fact a vending area with 10's of people coming in and out. So, we bought our bottle of wine and went back to the Library where we were told that the Library was reserved for a private party and that we could not stay. Is this an "unmatched level of service�? In this luxury lodge, there is no room service, the lounge (Library) does not allow you to order drinks and the bar is just a vending area with no decent seats with 10's of people getting in and out. Talking to other (upset) guests, I understand that they used to purchase their drinks at the bar and go back in their room. Lake Moraine is an extraordinary place in the Rockies. It is also very small. There are 100's of cars, buses and visitors coming to visit the place every day. The only problem is that our famous luxury 'Moraine Lake Lodge' found it a good idea to open its doors and sell ice creams and other fast food to these visitors. So forget about �retreat� and �intimacy�, I think it would be easier to find intimacy in a Wall Mart than here. This also explains why there are just no decent seats at the bar which is a vending area for tourists. So, be aware that as a guest of Moraine Lodge, you are expected to stay in your room. I complained at the reception of the lodge and asked to have the manager informed. I also wrote a complaint letter which I gave to the reception (during our stay). This manager never came back to us. I was stupid enough to spend a lot of money in 3 days in this hotel, don't make the same mistake.