I have cabin fever – that is to say, whenever the opportunity presents itself, I stay in a cabin. Naturally, when I researched accommodations in Jasper, I focused on cabins. I selected Patricia Lake Bungalows on the strength of its being the #1 rated place on TripAdvisor. Plus, the website for the bungalows presented tantalizing photos of tidy cabins, beautiful surroundings, and liberal use of words "peaceful," "beautiful," and "quiet." Add to that the fact that a friend who grew up in Jasper gave the place a thumbs-up, and I reckoned I’d picked a winner.
Had I?
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Well, for the most part, yes. Patricia Lake Bungalows does indeed offer "breathtaking views" (to quote the website) of one of the area’s loveliest lakes. The units are well maintained though modestly furnished and the grounds painstakingly landscaped. Wire netting protects each shrub or tree that deer or elk might eat, and each bungalow sports cheerful window boxes and hanging baskets. Our suite featured a separate bedroom, a double bed in an alcove off the living area, and a sleeper sofa, more than enough room for the three of us. The kitchen was fairly well equipped and practically spotless, plus I liked the note encouraging me to leave recyclables in or under the sink to be picked up for recycling.
Jack enjoyed reading in the Adirondack chair out front, while Greg made a beeline for the kayak rentals at the dock. (Luckily, there were laundry facilities at the bungalows, as on his first outing, he capsized and came in dripping wet.) I also liked the nearby hiking trail along the lake, where we spotted loons, elk, and other wildlife.
But there were a few things I wasn’t completely happy with. For one, our "family suite" was a duplex, meaning we shared a wall with an adjoining unit. Unfortunately, there was poor soundproofing between the units, so whenever our neighbors washed dishes, used their stove, or did anything else in the kitchen or bathroom, it was fairly audible.
Next, there was the placement of our bungalow – right across from the children’s playground and a basketball court. Now, this would’ve been great if we had small children, or even a child interested in playing basketball, but we didn’t. As a result, our evenings were filled with the sound of children playing – sometimes rather noisily – and basketballs thumping until past 10pm.
Would I stay here again? Yes, without hesitation. The setting is lovely, the rates are reasonable, and the bungalows are comfortable. Plus, almost every day we saw elk and other wildlife. If we came again, though, I wouldn’t book a family suite and would request a bungalow away from the play areas instead. The single bungalows sited among quiet groves of trees near the lake would probably be the best choice.