A winning accommodation

Elizabeth Lake Lodge has once again taken home awards for service and pricing

1 of 3The Freitag family: Rachel and George with their sons, Paul and Lochlann. — Photo courtesy George Freitag

2 of 3The lodge offers quality accommodations. — Photo courtesy George Freitag

3 of 3Elizabeth Lake Lodge is beautiful any time of year. — Photo courtesy George Freitag

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Elizabeth Lake Lodge in Cranbrook has earned itself serious bragging rights. The lodge has won TripAdvisor's 2012 Traveller's Choice Award in the category of best service for the second year in a row, and in the category of best bargain for the fourth year. We asked the owner, George Freitag, a few questions about what made this business the success that it is.

What do you feel has been the biggest factor in your success?

The sexy answer is the "The Black Book." After finishing hotel school and apprenticeships at the Pan Pacific and Meridian Hotels in Vancouver, I joined a small team opening new hotels across North America, predominately Ritz Carlton but also Weston, Radisson and Outriggers. For seven years I kept filling in my little black book with the best aspects that I felt each hotel offered. Having our own lodge has finally given me a chance to use the ideas. That being said, building it is less than half the battle. My wife Rachel is meticulous in maintaining our standards and our staff has all been with us since the beginning.

What do you love most about working and living in Cranbrook?

I grew up in Cranbrook. You don't realize how beneficial those early roots are. So many people that I have known or grown up with in the past are there to support me.

What aspect of Elizabeth Lake Lodge are you most proud of?

When I look across the 250-acre Elizabeth Lake bird sanctuary I see my old junior high school. Except back then most folks didn't think much of the water body, often referring to it as a swamp. Yet now 25 years later the citizens of Cranbrook have beautified and embraced this gorgeous walking area. Rachel and I are just two of hundreds of volunteers that have really helped make this one of the many jewels of Cranbrook.

What makes Elizabeth Lake Lodge unique?

Well the location is a big plus for us—being able to walk out your door and directly onto the Elizabeth Lake trails. Our most commented-on room features usually come back to our imported English beds that have received the Queen's warrant. The heated bathroom floors and heated towels usually catch a few people off guard. And with our business travellers they appreciate the fact we have wired and wireless Internet by two different providers. In trying to maintain our top green rating by the Hotel Association of Canada we have a few changes coming. Our entire property has been outfitted with solar with the final step, the panels going up, later this year.