1818 Mountain Ave, Canmore, Canada | (888) 989-6591
Comfortable hotel with rustic decor and some upscale features
Convenient location close to the highway, restaurants, and gas station
Spacious guest rooms with fireplaces and deep tubs
Suites have full-sized kitchens, balconies, and laundry
Asian-themed spa with Aveda products and unique treatments
Outdoor hot tub and yoga deck
Small fitness center and steam room
Good Japanese restaurant with outdoor patio
Free locker storage for ski equipment
Free underground heated parking
No full-service restaurant
Free Wi-Fi is only accessible in guest rooms
Housekeeping is only three days per week
Not wheelchair accessible
The four-pearl Silver Creek Lodge is a 52-room property on the western edge of town, within walking distance to plenty, but you'll likely need a car to hit the town center. There's not much space to lounge around here, though the hotel packs in several notable features, like a hot tub, yoga deck, and gym, plus an Aveda spa and a great Japanese restaurant. Hotel rooms have a stylish vibe, kitchenettes, and platform beds, and the condo-style suites add outdoor space, full kitchens, and in-room laundry, but their decor isn't as attractive. Drawbacks include no breakfast or lunch service, Wi-Fi that's in-room only, and there's no pool. For who want a more social vibe and don't need to self-cater, it's worth checking out the Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Center, which has a pool and restaurant with a lounge bar.
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Scene
An upscale East Asian vibe, with little public lounging space but solid features
From the outside, Silver Creek Lodge looks a lot roomier than it feels once you're inside. The rustic, brick exterior with stained-wood beams reflect the area's typical lodge decor, and there's minimal parking out front. The hotel's small lobby has a seating area with slick leather sofas and a slate-backed waterfall that gives the space an upscale and elegant feel. The pebbled floors add an earthy vibe, and there are East-Asian elements, such as wood-paneled walls, bonsai trees, and stone statues, which are also present in the spa. The lobby serves as the hotel's only lounge space, other than the hot tub and deck on the lower level, and so the hotel's atmosphere doesn't feel very social. Aside from a collection of tourist pamphlets and the entrance to the Wild Orchid restaurant (open for dinner only), the remainder of the hotel's features are located on the lower level. Overall, Silver Creek looks and feels like a hidden gem, and it's in an ideal spot for travelers looking for a quiet, private hotel and a solid selection of features that won't breaking the bank.
Location
Quiet location with double-sided mountain views, near the highway and restaurants
Silver Creek Lodge is located on the western side of Canmore along a quiet one-way backroad parallel to Bow Valley Trail, one of the town's main streets. This area has a slight elevation, giving the hotel better-than-average views of Hau Ling Peak and East Rundle Mountain out back, and Lady MacDonald and Grotto Mountain from the front. - Five-minute walk to 7-Eleven, Tim Hortons, and Wendy's
Rooms
Comfortable and well-equipped, with kitchens, fireplaces, and deep bathtubs
Guest rooms at Silver Creek are offered as either traditional hotel rooms or self-catering Suites. Somewhat surprisingly, decor in guest rooms is more stylish than Suites, which can feel slightly dated at the core. Traditional units contain kitchenettes that have microwaves, toasters, and mini-fridges, and all units have electric fireplaces, terrycloth bathrobes, AC, and slate bathrooms with Aveda products and shower/tub combos with deep bathtubs. There are also 32-inch flat-screen TV with cable with DVD players (multiple remotes and specific order of operation are a bit confusing, but there are laminated printouts of instructions). Private in-room Wi-Fi networks mean guests don't have to share bandwidth, but there's no access in the hotel's public spaces. The One- and Two-Bedroom Suites have full-sized (if moderately stocked) kitchens, but space becomes a bit cramped when sofa beds in living rooms are pulled out. Kitchen and living rooms have hardwood floors and bedrooms are carpeted. Suites on upper floors have balconies with mountain views, while ground-floor Suites have patios. Another bonus in Suites is in-room laundry units with free detergent. It's worth noting that none of the bedrooms contain more than one bed, which may be a big consideration for large families.
Features
Excellent spa, hot tub, and yoga deck, but no pool or full-service restaurant
Silver Creek Lodge may be low on public space, but it offers several top-notch features on-site, thanks to its large basement level. There's the quiet and tranquil Bodhi Tree Spa with Aveda products and Asian-themed treatments that range from traditional massages and pedicures to more unique experiences like cupping. There's a steam room, outdoor hot tub and yoga deck, plus a gym, with BodyCraft weight benches and cardio machines, but the hotel lacks a pool. The lower level is also where the hotel's spacious underground heated parking garage is located, and where guests can find locker storage for skis and other items. Upstairs off the lobby, there's an excellent Japanese restaurant that serves moderately priced and delicious dishes for dinner, with vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options. During summer, the patio is open, which is usually a popular spot for cocktails and sushi with a view. There's no public Wi-Fi, and housekeeping only comes three days per week, but families can borrow playpens free of charge. Travelers with limited mobility should be aware that the hotel isn't wheelchair accessible.
