Charmed Resorts

The cottages have an astonishing amount of thought in their details. We brought four teenage girls for three days and two nights, and they had a wonderful time. They especially enjoyed the wood-fired hot tub and gathering around the campfire to make smoreos. We also bought each girl a tiara, and they loved it. There are several interesting historic places nearby, and a trip into town for the farmers market was a lot of fun. Charmed resort is well worth checking out.

Rapunzels cottage made our quick overnight trip really fun. My daughter especially liked the swing, and we enjoyed seeing all the different little cottages. Though it was small, the space was used so well that it felt cozy instead of cramped, and the beds were comfortable. I'm already thinking about coming back to try another cottage.

My mom and I both love fairytales, so this was a fun stay for us even though we're not kids. We stayed in the Snow White cottage, where the loft bed was a favorite, and there were lots of charming touches. The beds were comfortable, and I enjoyed seeing the kids play in the little village formed by the cottages facing one another. Outside, there's a front fire pit with a picnic table and a cedar wood fired hot tub at the back, facing the trees. The location is beautiful, and we liked exploring the interesting history of Crowsnest Pass. Before you arrive, check what to pack: there's a fridge and microwave, but no stove or cookware.

The cottages are clearly made with a lot of care. Elvyn's Cottage was cute, clean inside, and having a bathroom was nice. The kids found a painted fairy rock left for them, which was a sweet touch. We took a short nearby hike and went to playgrounds in Blairemore and Coleman, both quaint, welcoming towns. The resort entrance is unusual, curving and fairly steep beside a cemetery, so the provided carts came in handy. Our stay had some frustrating moments. The lock wouldn't open when we arrived; after calling, we were abruptly told to try again in a few minutes, and it took about 20 minutes before we got in. At dinner we couldn't light the outdoor stove because neither tank had fuel. There was also a fire ban, which wasn't the resort's fault, but when we called again we got a curt reply telling us to take a tank from another site, which felt awkward with people there. We ate at the campsite one night and in town the next. We expected to see someone from the resort but didn't. The kids' upper bunks were so high that our older child didn't want to sleep up there, and I wasn't comfortable with the younger one using them because a fall seemed dangerous. The kids shared my queen bed, and my husband took the bunks meant for them. At the end of July it was hot inside, especially up high, and sleeping with the windows open was difficult. The cottage was small, so we ate outside at the picnic table. Read the instructions closely and bring everything you'll need. We found it expensive, especially with the extra cleaning charge, and wouldn't return. The beautiful cottages didn't match the service or sense of welcome we experienced. We did come away with some cute photos, though.