Jasper Way Inn Resort & Campground

For $250 a night, I found it pretty run down, though maybe the view makes the price worthwhile. The bathroom was spacious, but the tub surround was held on with duct tape, and the toilet and vanity were so close that you had to sit at an angle. On the plus side, our family of six fit easily: there were two bedrooms, three comfortable queen beds, and a kitchen. The view and location were hard to beat, and the staff were nice.

WARNING, BED BUGS!! My local clinic confirmed it. I spent three nights in one of the three rooms beside the parking lot. The day after I left, I counted at least 35 bites around my body, and new ones are still appearing. Ten are just around my hand and wrist, as shown in the photo. I learned that bed bug bites can take 24 to 48 hours to show up, so by the time you notice them, it's too late. I'm hoping I didn't bring any home, since they can lay up to 7 eggs a day. This has been a nightmare, and it overshadows everything else about the place. The owner should be compensating me with a nightly fee for what I'm dealing with.

The rooms look out over beautiful Dutch Lake, but they're very old, with aging bed frames and mattresses. The beds squeaked so much that we didn't get the rest we expected from a hotel. We also had to wash our own dishes, with a 25 fee applying. If you're on the second floor, you have to keep the windows and doors closed, whether it's day or night, because of smoking.

The lake is the reason I'd come back. It was one of the cleanest I've swum in for a while, with a groomed beach, blooming water lilies, and little turtles swimming around. I loved having coffee in the morning and watching fish jump. I'm a nature lover, so a few footsteps above me and a creaky mattress didn't bother me for that view. We met a couple staying nearby who wished they'd chosen somewhere right by the lake for the convenience. We got a last-minute room on our Vancouver to Edmonton road trip and were thrilled to find this lovely spot. The rooms are listed as 2 star, and felt quaint, like a granny's cabin. They're tidy and well equipped, though they could use updates and fluffier pillows. Think glamping by the lake, where you might need to deal with a spider or fly. There are fire pits with wood for sale, barbecues, Adirondack chairs, kayaks for rent, swimming docks, and a playground nearby. Families might enjoy it, and kids may love the pink bathtub without minding the decor.