Banff is one of the most picturesque places in all of Canada, a popular destination for tourists all year round in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. It’s filled with beautiful gem-like lakes like famous Moraine Lake and Lake Louise with their intense teal blue shades and offers a ton of things to do for outdoor adventurers. The question isn’t whether to visit, but where to stay? These hotels offer a great option for an especially unforgettable experience.
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
A stay at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise offers breathtaking mountain views and lots of luxuries. It has terraces and lawns that stretch down to the famously dazzling aquamarine-hued lake which enjoys dramatic backdrop of the Victoria Glacier. In the summer, guests can enjoy horseback riding and canoeing, and during the chillier months of the year, rent ice skates to glide around the lake or enjoy a magical sleigh ride through the wintry wonderland. The hotel also offers multiple dining options, including the elegant Fairview Dining Room.
Fairmont Banff Springs
“Canada’s Castle in the Rockies” has been wowing guests since it first opened back in 1888. There are few hotels that can rival the majesty and opulence of this famed resort that was styled after a Scottish Baronial Castle. Located in the heart of Banff National Park it offers a long list of experiences that can be enjoyed right onsite, including golfing at two golf courses, pampering at the world-class spa with its extensive menu of treatments, and dining in a dozen restaurants and lounges. Each one of the guest rooms and suites offer views of the woods, courtyard or the mountains.
Tunnel Mountain Resort
Tunnel Mountain Resort is popular with families as its rooms feature full kitchenettes with dishwashers, full-sized refrigerators, sofa beds, and gas or wood fireplaces with free firewood. Most include a balcony as well. It offers lots of perks like summertime ice pops and barbecue areas for grilling, bear spray and bus passes. The property also hosts an indoor pool, steam room and sauna, and a large Jacuzzi. The entire family can come along, including Fido, as it’s pet-friendly too.
Royal Canadian Lodge
Royal Canadian Lodge offers a prime location in central Banff close to all its popular restaurants and entertainment, and is loaded with impressive features. It hosts an indoor heated pool inspired by a cave and basin stonework with beautiful brick columns and a stained glass window. A raised tiled whirlpool sits at the top with a waterfall edge that plunges into the pool. The holistic Grotto Spa offers a variety of massages and treatments using Whistler Natural products. While there are lots of great dining options nearby, the hotel’s own Evergreen Restaurant is a popular spot to be serving mouthwatering dishes made with fresh, local ingredients.
Rimrock Resort Hotel
The Rimrock Resort Hotel sits on the slopes of Sulpher Mountain, as close as you can be to the Rockies without pitching a tent. Guests who book one of the Grandview suites or a room on one of the higher floors enjoy fantastic views of the mountains. There are four dining options, with the most popular being the Primrose Dining Room that serves exceptional Italian cuisine, along with a gorgeous spa and pool. When you want to get out, there is free access to the local bus system from the hotel to downtown, and the helpful concierge can arrange activities like horseback riding, whitewater rafting, dog sledding and snowshoeing.
Moose Hotel & Suites
The Moose Hotel & Suites offers a convenient downtown Banff location on Banff Avenue, the main thoroughfare. From here, guests can walk to multiple shops, eateries and entertainment options. The highlight may be the heated rooftop pools where guests can enjoy a dip while taking in views of the spectacular surrounding Canadian Rockies and then warm up by the outdoor fire pit. Rooms have a warm cozy feel and include a flat-screen TV and bathroom with a rain shower. By booking a suite, you’ll get a kitchenette and a fireplace too.
The Fox Hotel and Suites
The Fox Hotel and Suites is just four blocks from downtown Banff and three miles from the Sulphur Mountain Gondola. Rooms are contemporary and include comfortable beds and slate bathrooms – book a suite and you’ll enjoy more room to stretch out along with a kitchenette and pullout sofa. The property hosts an enticing grotto-style hot pool and an onsite Chili’s Restaurant along with a small gym and heated parking.
Buffalo Mountain Lodge
Buffalo Mountain Lodge is tucked among nine acres of forest at mountainside where deer and elk can frequently be spotted grazing. It offers comfy rooms with wood burning fireplaces, many with a balcony or patio, along with highly attentive personal service and award-winning Canadian Rocky Mountain fare. Banff’s shopping, dining and nightlife are just a short stroll away while the mountains are just steps from your door. The outdoor stainless steel hot tub is heavenly after a day hiking, mountain biking or skiing.
Hidden Ridge Resort
Hidden Ridge Resort sits in a secluded location on Tunnel Mountain and features condo-style rooms with fabulous views, wood-burning fireplaces and full kitchens. When you want to go out exploring, free bus passes are available for a ride to Banff Avenue delights, and bike rentals are offered as well. Guests especially appreciate the mountainside hot pools, while the massive rustic sauna, and barbecue areas with gas grills are popular too.
Juniper Hotel
The Juniper Hotel enjoys a secluded hillside location with breathtaking views surrounded by wildlife. Elk, coyote, and deer pass by each day while downtown Banff is only minutes away. The contemporary rooms offer stunning views, and duplex chalets with full kitchens and lofted bedrooms are ideal for families and groups traveling together. Enjoy soaking in the hot tub overlooking the valley and the mountains and dining at The Juniper Bistro, with its delicious bites and spectacular views from the patio.
