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Where to stay in Banff, Alberta!
Banff is a resort town which is located within Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada. It is located in Alberta’s Rockies along the Trans-Canada Highway and is approximately 126 km west of Calgary and 58 km east of Lake Louise. The mountainous peaks of Mt. Rundle and Mt. Cascade, part of the Rocky Mountains can be seen on its skyline. After Lake Louise, Banff is situated at the second-highest elevation in Alberta which is about 1,400 to 1,630 m above sea level. You can find an enormous range of best places to stay in Banff, Alberta. The Town of Banff is known to be the first municipality to incorporate within a Canadian national park and is also a member of the Calgary Regional Partnership.
This resort town happens to be one of Canada’s most popular tourist destinations. Banff is known for its mountainous surroundings and hot springs and it is also a destination for outdoor sports. This place is a tourist hotbed that features extensive hiking, biking, scrambling, and skiing destinations. You can find a vibrant range of places to stay in Banff.
The Banff National Park is Canada’s first National Park. This place has everything to offer from soaring mountains and magnificent lakes and immaculate wilderness. Attracted to the irresistible beauty of this National Park travelers visit this place all year round and indulge themselves in a plethora of outdoor activities like hiking through untouched forests and paddling the turquoise lakes in the summertime, and skiing the slopes, and soaking in the steamy hot springs during the winter.
Additionally, the tourists can also enjoy the warm hospitality of Banff. There are plentiful options of best places to stay in Banff, Alberta in the summers. Banff is one of the region’s charming mountain townships where Sunshine Village, Ski Norquay, and Lake Louise Ski Resort are some of the nearby ski resorts which are located within the Banff national park.
When to visit Banff!
The best time to visit Banff is from late April through early June also known as “Shoulder Season.” Canada’s best-kept natural habitat, Banff, becomes a popular tourist hotspot as winter fades into spring. Summers are best to hit outdoors and explore the city life, while winters become popular with their picturesque backdrop and for snow sports like skiing. There are a good number of best places to visit Banff during the summers.
Banff is also among Canada’s busiest national parks. It’s a ninety-minute drive from Calgary. The beautiful town has something to offer to everyone. Summers are usually jam-packed with tourists.
This small town center also has all great breweries, a range of food options, vibrant nightlife along Banff Avenue along a number of best places to stay.
Park Distillery has a top-notch listing of rye-based spirits set a warm, inviting backdrop topped with a rotisserie-based menu.
On Banff Avenue, exists the main thoroughfare, boutiques, and restaurants which are a blend of château-style hotels and souvenir shops. The surrounding 6,500 square kilometers area of parkland around Banff is home to wildlife like elk and grizzly bears. Banff is also one of the prettiest places in Canada and has enough activities to keep you engaged during a long vacation.
This magnificent town of Banff has a huge range of accommodations for all travelers. From luxurious hotels, family-friendly chalets and condos, cozy bed and breakfasts, or budget-conscious hostels, there are many stellar accommodations in Banff to choose from. Here’s our list of best places to stay in Banff, the best Banff cabins, and B&B’s to stay at.
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1. Fairmont Banff Springs, Banff, Alberta
The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel is also known as Banff’s fairy tale castle. It is a breath-taking hotel that has luxurious suites with an old-world charm. It is one of the popular places to stay in Banff. You can find a number of high-rated restaurants which are located within the hotel like 1888 Chophouse, The Vermillion Room, and Castello Italiana. The place comes with gorgeous views and a phenomenal spa. This hotel is drenched in history which makes it one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
2. Rimrock Resort Hotel, Banff, Alberta
The Rimrock Resort Hotel happens to be one of the best features of Banff National Park: the reason being its magnificent view and luxurious ambiance. This hotel is among the best places to stay in Banff, Alberta. Guests get access to two restaurants, two lounges, a swimming pool, and a hot tub. It also has a fitness center and a heavenly on-site spa. This place is located next to the Banff Gondola and Banff Upper Hot Springs pools. The Rimrock Resort with its lofty mountain view is one of the epic experiences in Banff.
3. Elk + Avenue hotel, Banff, Alberta
Elk+ Avenue hotel is located in Banff Avenue which is the heart of Banff. It is one of the best places to stay in Banff. It is a perfect place for you to relax and recharge yourself. Their suites are warm and cozy for you to spend some quality time with your loved ones. They also have some amazing options for food-lovers like Good Earth Coffeehouse and Farm + Fire, where the guests can satisfy their culinary cravings. Their vibrant wood-fire restaurant promotes locally grown products by transforming simple, Canadian-grown ingredients into unique dishes full of big, bold flavors.
4. Canalta Lodge, Banff, Alberta
Canalta Lodge is one of the newest hotels in Banff, which has a family-friendly mountain lodge with a casual charm. It’s one of the favorite places among tourists to stay in Banff, the reason being their four-season patio, along with hot tubs and fire pits. The hotel is a perfect place to spend time with your family and friends as it has a scenic ambiance. It lies close to downtown Banff, hence you can dine out in the town.
5. Moose Hotel, Banff, Alberta
Moose Hotel and Suites is just a one to two-minute walk from downtown Banff, which makes getting around town easier. It is among the top places to stay in Banff. This place comes with a spa and outdoor hot tubs pools for an ultimate relaxing vacation.
6. Buffalo Mountain Lodge, Banff, Alberta
Located right on top of the tunnel Mountain, the Buffalo Mountain Lodge is surrounded by the great Northern vistas. This mountain lodge falls among the best places to stay in Banff, Alberta. It is a beautiful and cozy place that has a picturesque backdrop where guests can experience the comfort of mountain lodge living. It is a peaceful mountain retreat that offers comfortable accommodation along with fireplaces and unique mountain-style architecture to give off a cozy vibe.
The guest rooms at Buffalo Mountain Lodge come with amenities like wood-burning stone fireplaces and private baths. The room comes with amenities like cozy feather duvets and pillows, telephones, LCD televisions, Blu-Ray players, in-room coffee makers, clock radios, irons/ironing boards, and hair dryers. Many of the rooms have balconies or patios. Buffalo Mountain Lodge also has a limited number of pet-friendly accommodations in all room categories. It is among the top pet-friendly places to stay in Banff. Their new restaurant, The Prow which lies within the main lodge is a must-try for food- lovers. The guests can also enjoy mountain tapas, creative cocktails, and happy hours.
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7. Banff High Country Inn, Banff, Alberta
The Banff High Country Inn is one of our recommended places to stay which has comfortable, clean, pet-friendly rooms. It is close to downtown and the tourists can easily access the main town of Banff. It is a budget-friendly option and offers lots of good amenities which include free wifi, free parking. If you want to save money and indulge yourself in fun activities happening across the town like skiing at the same time, this place is a perfect option for you to check out.
8. Brewster’s Mountain Lodge, Banff, Alberta
The Brewster’s Mountain Lodge offers their guests comfortable hotel accommodation in the heart of downtown Banff. It is one of the luxurious places to stay in Banff. It is surrounded by the splendid Canadian Rocky Mountains. Their decor consists of handcrafted, custom-made log furnishings and historic photos from the Brewster Family archives, and cowboy art that defines the interior of the lodge.
The place has 68 rooms and 9 suites which offer a warm and welcoming retreat after a long day of engaging mountain adventure. Their guest rooms and suite have rich colored Western décor, historical photographs from the Brewster Family archives, log furnishings, cozy duvets and woolen blankets, granite, and fully tiled bathroom, satellite television. The guest stay comes with a complimentary continental breakfast which the hotel serves from 6:30 am to 10:30 am each morning.
Banff Bed and Breakfasts
Nestled deep in the Canadian Rockies Banff also has an enormous number of cozy beds and breakfasts. A good warm bed and breakfast can sure make you feel at home with their personal homely ambiance and a home-style breakfast. There is enough number of the best places to stay in Banff when you are traveling on a budget. Here’s our pick of a few charming B&B places to stay in Banff townsite where you can enjoy good company and great food.
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1. Mountain View Bed and Breakfast, Banff, Alberta
This quaint bed and breakfast are located away at the edge of town. It has two types of accommodations, a room at the carriage house and one in the main house. It lies close to both downtowns and to the Lower Tunnel Mountain Trailhead. Mountain View offers a number of activities for both hikers and townies. This Bed and Breakfast also offers a hearty breakfast, free wifi, and ample free parking.
2. Beaujolais Boutique B&B at Thea’s House, Banff, Alberta
The Beaujolais Boutique is one of the unique bed and breakfasts which offer guests both breakfast and brunch. The Beaujolais Boutique offers an enjoyable platter of spread like homemade jams and locally roasted coffee, fresh cheese, and charcuterie. It also serves some hearty hot breakfast to their guests.
3. HI Banff Alpine Centre, Banff, Alberta
This place is located on the outskirts of town. HI, Banff is a twenty-minute hike from downtown Banff’s away from all the hustle and bustle of the city. It is also only a few minutes’ walks to the silent deep woods and serenity of nature. It is a great place to holiday with your friends. This charming little hostel comes with both bunk beds and private rooms, even a private restroom.
4. Banff Log Cabin Guesthouse, Banff, Alberta
The classic Banff Log Cabin Guesthouse is one of the coziest accommodations in the entire Banff region. It is one of the affordable places to stay in Banff. This guesthouse is a quiet and peaceful cabin which is located in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. It is almost a quick drive away from both hiking trails and downtown activities. The guests can savor their hearty homemade breakfast which can be delivered daily to their quaint pine door.
5. Storm Mountain Lodge, Banff, Alberta
The Storm Mountain Lodge is located roughly halfway between Lake Louise and the Banff townsite. With a rustic ambiance, this cabin is located amongst trees and mountains. It has an on-site lounge and restaurant, along with a deli in the summer which can pack your own hiking lunches. Away from hustle and bustle of the town, the Storm Mountain Lodge has everything you need.
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