The Craftsman House

Bragg Creek is a lovely change of pace as an entrance to the mountains, and we’ll definitely be back. We’re from Calgary and, apart from the Banff Springs, haven’t found a historic place like this to stay. My family still can’t stop talking about how magnificent it was. We rented the whole house for a family celebration and loved having it to ourselves. The owner lives on the property in a separate private suite, but there are so many shared spaces that even renting one room wouldn’t feel cramped. There’s a sitting room by the kitchen, dining area, indoor sunroom reading nook, living room, an upstairs bedroom sitting area, a covered front deck, and a back patio with an outdoor fireplace. The house is much larger than the website photos suggest, and every corner had another detail to notice. It’s a magnificently restored historic home, with beautiful woodwork, ornate door hardware, antique light fixtures, a working restored fireplace, claw-foot tubs, ornate tin ceilings, stained glass, and a curved wall and staircase. The elegant antiques, colours, and decor all feel thoughtfully chosen. They really don’t make them like they used to. There’s a write-up and scrapbook about the house’s history and restoration, so look for those when you visit. Each bedroom was charming, and the beds were so comfortable, with feather duvets, great pillows, and lovely linens. The sheets felt so luxurious I tried to find the brand tag so I could order some for home. The character of the house comes with modern comforts too, including WiFi, TVs (though you don’t need them), and a good climate control system. We had an early snowfall during our stay, so that was welcome. Steve, the owner, was very kind and available for our questions. Breakfast was delicious with lots of variety, and there’s a well-stocked kitchen, bottled water, plus coffee and tea. My father is a European wood craftsman, and Steve let him visit the workshop on the property to talk about restoration techniques. We also enjoyed seeing Steve’s antique store there. This was a rare find, worth every penny. We couldn’t have enjoyed it more, except by staying longer. I highly recommend it.