|
Banff Hotels
Banff hotels run the full spectrum, from the luxuriously pampered to the basic traveller (i.e. motels and hostels). An abundance of options includes the iconic Fairmont Banff Springs, the Rimrock, and the Chateau Lake Louise on the luxury (and of course, more expensive) end of the spectrum and value/discount options at the other end, with the full range of affordable options for all pocketbooks, whatever the size, in between. While cost is usually the most important factor in choosing accommodations, location and whether a particular hotel is suitable for families or for romantic couples seeking a secluded geteway is also important. We have divided our favourite hotels into various price points and will note which hotels offer kitchen facilities and may be more suitable to families (although all hotels, obviously, can accommodate families). High season for Banff hotels is typically considered to be summer, from June to mid-September, and low or winter season is typically considered to be from October to May, although given the popularity of Banff as a ski destination, there are many peak periods in Banff's low season, including around Christmas and New Year's Eve and late March to early April (spring break/reading break for Alberta's students), when rooms are more scarce and rates increase.
OUR PRICE POINTS We have divided up the hotels by price point as follows: Luxury Hotels - Rates vary depending on the season and the level of luxury you prefer, but generally start at around $250-300 per night with the only limit being your imagination and the amount of room left on your credit card. Excellent Value Hotels - Again, rates vary by season, but range generally in the neighbourhood of around $200 and up a night. By and large, one can find some lovely amenities, great deals, and great service in this price range. In general, the bar for hotel quality is quite high in Banff owing to the incredible competition for guests in this resort town, so really our term "Excellent Value" means that they are excellent hotels that will not hurt your wallet quite as much as the Banff luxury hotels. The Cheap Hotel Banff/Discount Hotel/"I Just Want a Room to Sleep In" Budget Hotels - up to about $200. PLEASE NOTE that if you do not absolutely have to stay in Banff, Canmore hotels are less than twenty minutes away and are often cheaper than their counterparts in Banff. Visit our Canmore hotels page for more information. You can also find timeshare units available for rent in Canmore that come with full kitchens and living rooms. Check out Canmore timeshares by clicking here. You can also search for and book your Banff hotel or your Canmore hotel by clicking here:
Luxury Hotels
The Banff Springs Hotel exemplifies luxury and charm. A former Canadian Pacific Railway hotel that was built to shelter and pamper the well-heeled, this hotel never ceases to reinvent itself and has been a favourite of visitors to Banff for over a century. Located slightly outside of the town centre at 405 Spray Avenue, the Fairmont Banff Springs enjoys one of the most enviable and most photographed locations in Banff and the Bow Valley. A stop at this Banff hotel is an absolute must for every visitor, even if you do not book a room there. Tour the lobby, galleries, and grounds for free and steep yourself in the history and beauty of Banff. Visit our Banff Springs Hotel page for more information.
The Rimrock Hotel is a beautiful Banff hotel with arguably the best and most panoramic views of Banff period, not just among the many Banff hotels. Situated adjacent to the Banff Hot Springs, it overlooks the Bow Valley, Banff town site, and even the Banff Springs Hotel, and if you can snag a room with a view you will likely never want to stay anywhere else. The only minor drawback is that Banff town site is about two kilometres down the hill, but, again, you are right next to the Banff Hot Springs, the restaurants in the Rimrock are wonderful, and taxi drivers definitely know how to find the Rimrock from Banff town!
With a fairy-tale, pitcturesque setting that is out of a postcard and away from it all, the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is a worthwhile place to spend a night or two or ten. We include the Chateau Lake Louise among the Banff hotels as it is truly one of the first hotels that people think of when they think of beautiful Banff lodgings, however we note that it is an approximately 45 minute drive from the Town of Banff. Click here for more info on the Chateau Lake Louise.
Excellent Value Hotels
Here is a listing of our favourite excellent value Banff hotels: BANFF CARIBOU LODGE AND SPA Visit our Banff Caribou Lodge page for more information. BREWSTER'S MOUNTAIN LODGE THE MOUNT ROYAL HOTEL THE FOX HOTEL & SUITES BANFF PTARMIGAN INN DELTA BANFF ROYAL CANADIAN LODGE
"I Just Want a Room to Sleep In" Budget Hotels and HostelsCHARLTON'S CEDAR COURT INN Very conveniently located on Banff Avenue just a few minutes away from the Cascade Mall, Charlton's Cedar Court Inn is an excellent upscale value choice. VOYAGER INN Situated at the start of the hotel row on Banff Avenue as you drive in (taking the first exit off the highway if you are heading from Calgary), the Voyager Inn is one hotel in Banff that has been providing basic accommodation for decades to those whose primary focus is on skiing, hiking, enjoying the nightlife and not on staying in their room. DOUGLAS FIR RESORTS AND CHALETS HIDDEN RIDGE RESORTS DRIFTWOOD INN RUNDLE MANOR THE JUNIPER HOTEL HOMESTEAD INN BOW VIEW LODGE HI BANFF ALPINE CENTRE HOSTEL Hostellers can check out the Banff Alpine Centre Hostel, a Hostelling International Canada hostel, located at 810 Coyote Drive. Call (403) 762-4123 for bookings.
Do You Have a Banff Hotel Review to Share?Have you had a great, average or bad experience at a Banff Hotel? Share it! |
