May 2010 is, when the Grande Rockies Resort has its official opening, a new Canmore hotel owned by Edmonton’s SFJ Hospitality and managed by luxury hotel brand Metropolitan Hotels.

Whether you invest in the real estate, or simply come to stay for a family ski holiday, it’s the latest trend in Rocky Mountain accommodation.

Unlike many of the new condo-style hotels lining this popular lodging strip between the Trans-Canada Highway and Canmore’s Railway Avenue—most with fully or fractionally owned self-contained units—the suites at Grande Rockies Resort have the added amenities of a full-service hotel. That means a restaurant, lobby bar and a large family-friendly indoor pool with waterslide. It also has a small business centre, and plenty of conference and meeting space for corporate retreats and weddings.

Inside, the 150 one- and two-bedroom suites come with full-sized kitchens, granite countertops, laundry, large flat-screen TVs with Blu-ray players and wireless Internet. Computerized shower units translate into everything from back and foot massage jets to rain showers and telephone service. Comfortable Vera Wang beds with crisp white Italian linens, Margaret Kisza’s modern mountain canvasses, plus finishes in dark wood, granite, leather and stone give Paul Waddell’s interior design a contemporary feel.