The Rimrock Resort Hotel is an upscale property with 343 rooms nestled into the side of Sulphur Mountain in Banff National Park. It's a five-minute walk from the Banff Upper Hot Springs and the gondola, but getting to town requires a car or the free area bus service. Mountain views from the hotel are spectacular and rooms are spacious and modern -- some, of course, come with large balconies and unbelievable views. Two restaurants, two bars, and a coffee shop keep everyone fed, and guests can work off calories in the 24/7 fitness room. The indoor pool also offers nice views, and there's a spa, sauna, and steam room. Travelers looking for even more luxury and amenities could check out the Fairmont Banff Springs, but rates are much higher there.
The Rimrock Resort Hotel is an upscale property with 343 rooms nestled into the side of Sulphur Mountain in Banff National Park. It's a five-minute walk from the Banff Upper Hot Springs and the gondola, but getting to town requires a car or the free area bus service. Mountain views from the hotel are spectacular and rooms are spacious and modern -- some, of course, come with large balconies and unbelievable views. Two restaurants, two bars, and a coffee shop keep everyone fed, and guests can work off calories in the 24/7 fitness room. The indoor pool also offers nice views, and there's a spa, sauna, and steam room. Travelers looking for even more luxury and amenities could check out the Fairmont Banff Springs, but rates are much higher there.
Tunnel Mountain Resort is a three-pearl property popular with families who have kids. Most of the hotel's 96 rooms are visibly dated with a hodgepodge of furniture and appliances from different decades and designs, though some rooms appear more contemporary than others. Expect full kitchenettes with dishwashers and full-sized refrigerators, sofa beds, wood or gas fireplaces (with free firewood), dated bathrooms, and balconies in most rooms. On-site features include an indoor pool, steam room and sauna, and large hot tub. There are also tons of freebies, from bus passes and bear spray, to barbecue areas and ice pops. For even more kid-friendly features or for a few more conveniences like in-room AC, check out the Douglas Fir Resort & Chalets.
Tunnel Mountain Resort is a three-pearl property popular with families who have kids. Most of the hotel's 96 rooms are visibly dated with a hodgepodge of furniture and appliances from different decades and designs, though some rooms appear more contemporary than others. Expect full kitchenettes with dishwashers and full-sized refrigerators, sofa beds, wood or gas fireplaces (with free firewood), dated bathrooms, and balconies in most rooms. On-site features include an indoor pool, steam room and sauna, and large hot tub. There are also tons of freebies, from bus passes and bear spray, to barbecue areas and ice pops. For even more kid-friendly features or for a few more conveniences like in-room AC, check out the Douglas Fir Resort & Chalets.
Located in the heart of downtown, the three-pearl Brewster's Mountain Lodge is one of Banff's best all-around values for folks who prioritize location. The 77 rooms here are simple and rustic, with pine furniture and handmade-iron details. Originally an office building, this hotel used to be owned by later generations of one of Banff's founding families, and the duality of the town's history is reflected through indigenous patterns and vintage settler photos. Most on-site features, including a fitness center and breakfast room, are in the basement, though there are also two bright and quiet lounge spaces. Unlike several spots in town, there are fees for parking and local calls, but guests can expect free Wi-Fi and a free continental breakfast. There's no AC here, so anyone needing to stay cool should consider the Moose Hotel & Suites.
Located in the heart of downtown, the three-pearl Brewster's Mountain Lodge is one of Banff's best all-around values for folks who prioritize location. The 77 rooms here are simple and rustic, with pine furniture and handmade-iron details. Originally an office building, this hotel used to be owned by later generations of one of Banff's founding families, and the duality of the town's history is reflected through indigenous patterns and vintage settler photos. Most on-site features, including a fitness center and breakfast room, are in the basement, though there are also two bright and quiet lounge spaces. Unlike several spots in town, there are fees for parking and local calls, but guests can expect free Wi-Fi and a free continental breakfast. There's no AC here, so anyone needing to stay cool should consider the Moose Hotel & Suites.
Charlton's Banff is a 57-room boutique that falls in between the area's beat-up budget properties and pricier mid-range hotels. The rooms here are well-equipped if not quite stylish, with carved wood headboards, patterned wallpaper, and shower-only bathrooms. Loft Suites and Kitchenettes offer slightly more spacious layouts and a few extra amenities such as fireplaces and kitchenettes, respectively. Features are limited but in good condition, particularly the heated indoor pool area with steam room and nine-person whirlpool, and the contemporary lobby cafe area where a light free breakfast is served. Free Wi-Fi (that tends to be spotty), ski and golf storage, and bike rentals are available. Folks looking to be closer to the action, or for more contemporary rooms, should check out the Banff Aspen Lodge.
Charlton's Banff is a 57-room boutique that falls in between the area's beat-up budget properties and pricier mid-range hotels. The rooms here are well-equipped if not quite stylish, with carved wood headboards, patterned wallpaper, and shower-only bathrooms. Loft Suites and Kitchenettes offer slightly more spacious layouts and a few extra amenities such as fireplaces and kitchenettes, respectively. Features are limited but in good condition, particularly the heated indoor pool area with steam room and nine-person whirlpool, and the contemporary lobby cafe area where a light free breakfast is served. Free Wi-Fi (that tends to be spotty), ski and golf storage, and bike rentals are available. Folks looking to be closer to the action, or for more contemporary rooms, should check out the Banff Aspen Lodge.
The 211-room Banff Park Lodge Resort and Conference Centre is a mid-range property featuring many amenities that come with a price. If guests want to use any of them, it'll cost extra, even Wi-Fi and parking in the heated underground lot. Still, this spot remains popular with families, couples, and the occasional conference groups. Rooms here are spacious, largely dated (though with contemporary bathrooms), and furnished with mini-fridges, comfy beds, and balconies. The main restaurant has kids' menus and a popular Sunday brunch buffet, while a classy Italian restaurant serves lounge tapas and fine dining. Other top features include an indoor heated pool with hot tub, small gym, steam room, and the small promenade stretch of shops. For air-conditioning and free Wi-Fi, it's worth checking out rates at the nearby and more contemporary Banff Aspen Lodge.
The 211-room Banff Park Lodge Resort and Conference Centre is a mid-range property featuring many amenities that come with a price. If guests want to use any of them, it'll cost extra, even Wi-Fi and parking in the heated underground lot. Still, this spot remains popular with families, couples, and the occasional conference groups. Rooms here are spacious, largely dated (though with contemporary bathrooms), and furnished with mini-fridges, comfy beds, and balconies. The main restaurant has kids' menus and a popular Sunday brunch buffet, while a classy Italian restaurant serves lounge tapas and fine dining. Other top features include an indoor heated pool with hot tub, small gym, steam room, and the small promenade stretch of shops. For air-conditioning and free Wi-Fi, it's worth checking out rates at the nearby and more contemporary Banff Aspen Lodge.
The upper-middle-range Castle Mountain Chalets are ideal for anyone who is looking for a nature retreat in the park without having to camp. Located between Banff and Lake Louise, this secluded spot is just a few minutes' drive from the freeway, yet it feels miles away. Roaming wildlife (particularly chipmunks) and noise from speeding trains are a common occurrence, but the 21 well-spaced out, rustic chalets still breed enough privacy if needed. Plenty of on-site features help guests feel connected, like a well-stocked general store, gas station, fire pit, and communal lodge with game room, TV, hot tub, and gym. There are free, if unpredictable, Wi-Fi and a few cross-country ski trails. Travelers looking for a similar property with a restaurant should check out the Baker Creek Mountain Resort up the road.
The upper-middle-range Castle Mountain Chalets are ideal for anyone who is looking for a nature retreat in the park without having to camp. Located between Banff and Lake Louise, this secluded spot is just a few minutes' drive from the freeway, yet it feels miles away. Roaming wildlife (particularly chipmunks) and noise from speeding trains are a common occurrence, but the 21 well-spaced out, rustic chalets still breed enough privacy if needed. Plenty of on-site features help guests feel connected, like a well-stocked general store, gas station, fire pit, and communal lodge with game room, TV, hot tub, and gym. There are free, if unpredictable, Wi-Fi and a few cross-country ski trails. Travelers looking for a similar property with a restaurant should check out the Baker Creek Mountain Resort up the road.
Fox Hotel & Suites is a three-and-a-half-pearl property located within a 10-minute walk of downtown Banff. Its 116 rooms are spotless and contemporary with slate bathrooms and comfy beds, though suites are the only rooms with air-conditioning, and even then it's only in the living rooms. Guests tend to find the regular hotel rooms small (and a bit stuffy in summer without AC), while suites are spacious with kitchenettes, pullout sofas, and lofted configurations. The beautiful grotto-style hot pool is a favorite among the many new and returning guests, and the hotel's on-site Chili's Restaurant is almost always lively. There's also a small gym, laundry, free Wi-Fi and heated parking, and 24-hour reception. If you're looking for quiet or seclusion with self-catering, Hidden Ridge Resort could be a better fit, and has comparable features plus gorgeous views.
Fox Hotel & Suites is a three-and-a-half-pearl property located within a 10-minute walk of downtown Banff. Its 116 rooms are spotless and contemporary with slate bathrooms and comfy beds, though suites are the only rooms with air-conditioning, and even then it's only in the living rooms. Guests tend to find the regular hotel rooms small (and a bit stuffy in summer without AC), while suites are spacious with kitchenettes, pullout sofas, and lofted configurations. The beautiful grotto-style hot pool is a favorite among the many new and returning guests, and the hotel's on-site Chili's Restaurant is almost always lively. There's also a small gym, laundry, free Wi-Fi and heated parking, and 24-hour reception. If you're looking for quiet or seclusion with self-catering, Hidden Ridge Resort could be a better fit, and has comparable features plus gorgeous views.
Nestled in its own corner on Tunnel Mountain, the mid-range Hidden Ridge Resort doesn't have much by way of immediate neighbors. The 107-room, condo-style property has huge multi-level units with great views, full kitchens, and wood-burning fireplaces. An overall lack of renovations means guests can expect basic, dated decor with a lodge-like feel and evident wear. Notable features include mountainside hot pools, a huge but rustic sauna, barbecue areas with gas grills, and a tiny climbing play area for kids. There's no booze allowed in public areas and a quiet time is enforced, though that doesn't always stop large party groups from taking advantage of the value of the 10-person occupancy units. This property is a bus ride away from Banff Avenue (free passes provided) and 8-minute walk to nearby properties; anyone looking to be less secluded should check out the nearby Tunnel Mountain Resort.
Nestled in its own corner on Tunnel Mountain, the mid-range Hidden Ridge Resort doesn't have much by way of immediate neighbors. The 107-room, condo-style property has huge multi-level units with great views, full kitchens, and wood-burning fireplaces. An overall lack of renovations means guests can expect basic, dated decor with a lodge-like feel and evident wear. Notable features include mountainside hot pools, a huge but rustic sauna, barbecue areas with gas grills, and a tiny climbing play area for kids. There's no booze allowed in public areas and a quiet time is enforced, though that doesn't always stop large party groups from taking advantage of the value of the 10-person occupancy units. This property is a bus ride away from Banff Avenue (free passes provided) and 8-minute walk to nearby properties; anyone looking to be less secluded should check out the nearby Tunnel Mountain Resort.
Lower rates and tons of features make this pet-friendly value property popular with young families and budget tour groups. Most of the 244 rooms look worn and are in need of a complete makeover (particularly the Standard Rooms), though higher category rooms are clean, contemporary, and go beyond the standard amenity offering of coffeemakers and flat-screens. There are plenty of on-site features, including a gift shop, scooter rentals, indoor pool and sauna, pub with live music, and selection of restaurants, but there's no free breakfast. Parking, Wi-Fi, and bus passes are free. If you're looking to be closer than a 20-minute walk to downtown, check rates at the Red Carpet Inn, though it has fewer features.
Lower rates and tons of features make this pet-friendly value property popular with young families and budget tour groups. Most of the 244 rooms look worn and are in need of a complete makeover (particularly the Standard Rooms), though higher category rooms are clean, contemporary, and go beyond the standard amenity offering of coffeemakers and flat-screens. There are plenty of on-site features, including a gift shop, scooter rentals, indoor pool and sauna, pub with live music, and selection of restaurants, but there's no free breakfast. Parking, Wi-Fi, and bus passes are free. If you're looking to be closer than a 20-minute walk to downtown, check rates at the Red Carpet Inn, though it has fewer features.
The upper-middle-range Banff Caribou Lodge & Spa is on Banff Avenue and home to one of the two full-service spas on the street. The 190 rooms and suites sway toward contemporary with stylish bathrooms and creative decorative touches, though several guests have complained of subpar housekeeping. The casual steakhouse on-site serves a busy breakfast (fee) and dishes up room service during regular hours, while the spa offers numerous treatments, as well as a 26-person hot pool, huge steam room, and much smaller gym. Freebies include parking, Wi-Fi, ski storage, and free bus passes that help alleviate the woes of being around a 15-minute walk from downtown. For comparable features and a more central location, it's worth checking out the rates at Moose Hotel & Suites, one of Caribou's sister properties.
The upper-middle-range Banff Caribou Lodge & Spa is on Banff Avenue and home to one of the two full-service spas on the street. The 190 rooms and suites sway toward contemporary with stylish bathrooms and creative decorative touches, though several guests have complained of subpar housekeeping. The casual steakhouse on-site serves a busy breakfast (fee) and dishes up room service during regular hours, while the spa offers numerous treatments, as well as a 26-person hot pool, huge steam room, and much smaller gym. Freebies include parking, Wi-Fi, ski storage, and free bus passes that help alleviate the woes of being around a 15-minute walk from downtown. For comparable features and a more central location, it's worth checking out the rates at Moose Hotel & Suites, one of Caribou's sister properties.