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Solara Resort & Spa in Canmore

Solara Resort & Spa is one of Bellstar‘s newest properties! It offers a new modern ambiance, and the interior decoration and design is very sleek, modern and masculine. The resort opened it’s doors to the public at the end of 2010, where it was loved by many – even with the amenities not completed. Today, the pool has opened, and the kids water play area, and some other, but I have not been back yet!

The resort is really warm, and quiet! The floors are cork flooring, which really softens any noise you may hear around! The patios/balconies are really large, and the space overall in any suite is really big and comfortable! It is an excellent resort to park yourself at! Solara offers complimentary secure underground parking with a car rinse stall for you to wash off all the highway pest!

My favourite part about my Solara experience would have to be the bathrooms. In our suite we stayed in, it had a lovely stand alone soaker tub that I took advantage of! After a long day of hike, my feet were tired, and really appreciated the tub. In the morning, I loved the walk in shower! It has a large rain shower faucet, as well as body jets!! You can use both either to relax after a long day, take a nice refreshing shower to start a long day, or just use the extra faucets to get wet, and rinsed as fast as you can!

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Blackstone Mountain Lodge – Canmore, Alberta

I got to stay at Bellstar’s Blackstone Mountain Lodge, and I absolutely loved it! We ended up in a 2 bedroom suite, which was quite exciting! The suite was bigger than my condo at the time, and I really could see people living there for a season! I wish I could.

The 2 bedroom suite that I stayed in had a master bedroom with a King bed, and an en-suite bathroom. The second room had a queen bed, and a general bathroom. The kitchen was fully equipped with the basic cooking/eating utensils, which makes it an ideal place if you’re looking to do some cooking while you’re away in Canmore.

With that said, these suites also have washer/dryers which add to the convenience, and the use of Aveda Bathroom amenities makes the stay extra special!

The lovely outdoor heated pool wasn’t enjoyed by me, but it was definitely enjoyed by a lot of other guests. There are also 2 hot tubs beside the pool. I think the layout is great!

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Mystic Springs Chalets & Hot Pools – Canmore, Alberta

Who doesn’t like to travel well?? Traveling from your own house to another house is what Mystic Springs really feels like! These chalets are complete 2-story town homes with 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms!

This luxurious style of living is wonderful for families as it offers 2 double beds in the second bedroom — so kids don’t need to sleep on the same bed! On top of that, there is a pull out sofabed downstairs in the main living area. The master bedroom has an uber comfy king bed.

I found the space to be very comfortable, and with TV’s in each of the room, you’re always able to go find your own space if you need to step away for a bit inside the condo.

The bathrooms are full and complete with AVEDA bath amenities and quite satisfying for both guests who like soaking in a tub, or getting a quick shower. The master bathroom however is a walk in shower only.

The dining space as you enter the condo is a large comfortable table that looks into the kitchen. It is a very convenient set up for any meal if you were going to stay back and prepare your own meals! The kitchen comes completely stocked with all the cooking and eating utensils you would need to prepare, cook and eat your meals! On top of that, there is a dishwasher for you to clean up after yourself — as required!!

The living area is one of the highlights of the chalet for me. There is a door that opens straight back towards the pools, and it just looks great! The fireplace quickly fills the room with warmth, which is fantastic for those cold winter days when you come back from your cold adventures outdoors.

The outdoor heated pools are opened year round and even though I didn’t go out to enjoy either the pool or hot tub, lots of other guest were outside having a blast over the weekend! I was happy to hear them enjoy themselves! Outside in the courtyard where the pools are is a lot of common area amenities such as the barbeque area, the fitness machines, and even coin laundry! Other amenities the resort has to offer is a spa treatment room right behind the front desk agent, and there is also the Riverstone Hall, which is like a beautiful space you can rent with large windows and with a kitchenette and fireplace! Mystic Springs is truly a nice place to stay, and is pet friendly in most of their suites!

Mystic Springs Chalets & Hot Pools

140 Kananaskis Way
Canmore, AB

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Fairmont Banff Springs

I’ve been really fortunately to have been able to try the luxurious Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel in Banff, Alberta, and I have always wanted to return since the first visit. I’ve really liked the style of the resort as it is very historic, yet warm and inviting. Some of the rooms were really small, and crammed, but it is the experience to be able to say you’ve stayed at a Fairmont Resort. I have stayed there about 3 times total, and all times it’s been really different.

The great outdoor heated pool is definitely something to rave about. I remember sitting in the heated pool in the heart of winter with snow falling down, and an elk came by the pool to see what the guests were all about. While all the guests in the pool were so excited to see the elk, of course security for the hotel kept a close watch on the wildlife.

We once got a room that seemed to be tucked in the corner, and everything was really crammed, and the location was noisy — this room was near a walkway where tour groups walk by and it made for a different type of experience. This room is the only pictures I have…

We were lucky once, and got upgraded to a different type of room where we had a great fireplace, great view and great everything! So, it’s hard to say what the actual feeling of the resort is as we seemed to stay in very different room types… so it’s been really challenging for me to say whether or not I like it here… I must say, when I’m given further opportunities, or if it costs the same as other resorts, absolutely, I will be back for the Fairmont Experience. I really do like the valet service they have in the winter as well, as they do take the extra effort and scrap your windows! 🙂 It’s definitely worth the extra for that kind of service!

I do keep an eye out for specials and promotions and try to reason with myself to make a trip out and stay at the Fairmont Banff Springs. Hopefully I’ll be returning soon!

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Mirage Volcano Las Vegas

We walked the strip, and the funny thing is.. we finally set a tripod up at 11PM at the rail of Las Vegas’s Mirage to “hopefully” take a nice video shot of the Volcano eruption.

We waited for about 35 minutes, and couldn’t understand why no one else was getting ready to watch the next Mirage Volcano eruption show, until we finally decided to walk away as well. Just as we walked about 20 steps over, we saw a nice sign that read “last eruption at 11PM” Oh well.

After dinner the following evening, we decided to go find ourselves a nice spot to definitely catch the Volcano eruption and I’m sure glad I did. It is quite different from when I was young — and that eruption show. I’m not too sure which one I like more, but here’s the one we took. Who knows, maybe 10 years from now, this will be the old eruption video! 🙂

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The standard rooms at the Mirage is very nice, newly renovated and spacious!