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15 BEST Hotels in Banff: A Local’s Favourites

ByCameron Published

Looking for the best Banff hotels to stay at? For a small town in the middle of a national park, there are actually some great places to stay and even a few luxury hotels in Banff. So if you’re wondering where to stay in Banff National Park, we have you covered.

All of these Banff hotels will ensure you have a great time during your trip. After booking, be sure to check out our ultimate guide for planning your trip to Banff.

The Best Places to Stay in Banff

Buffalo Mountain Lodge-56

Where is the best place to stay in Banff for you? To answer this, it’s essential to understand that Banff is a small town in the middle of a national park. Most of the hotels in Downtown Banff are located right on Banff Ave, with the exception of Banff Springs and a few others.

Other hotels are also outside town and scattered around Banff National Park. About halfway to Lake Louise, you can find some amazing Banff cabins at Castle Junction, and along the Bow Valley Parkway. Further down the TransCanada are a handful of places to stay around Lake Louise.

If you don’t actually want to stay in Banff National Park, you can also base yourself in the neighboring town of Canmore, at the Emerald Lake Lodge or Cathedral Mountain Lodge in Yoho, or up in the Spray Valley at Mount Engadine.

  • Where Should I Stay For My First Time in Banff? If this is your first time visiting Banff, I would highly suggest staying in Downtown Banff. Along Banff Ave is a great option. This is the most convenient location for visitors who want to get the most out of the park. Either the Moose Hotel or Mount Royal Hotel are our ideal picks.
  • Where to Stay in Banff in the Winter? If you are planning to ski or snowboard at Lake Louise I would suggest staying in the Lake Louise area or Baker Creek.
  • Can I Get Ski In/Ski Out Accommodation? Sunshine Mountain Lodge is the only property in Banff that offers ski in/ski out accommodation.

Want a Full Break Down of What Neighborhoods Are Best For You? We Break It Down!

Best Hotels in Downtown Banff

Fairmont Banff Springs

Banff Springs Hotel

No luxury hotel in Banff National Park is more iconic than the long-standing Banff Springs Hotel. It’s one of the best hotels in Banff, and for a good reason. When you glimpse this grand landmark for the first time, you’ll see why it’s known as The Castle of the Rockies. The hotel has welcomed guests from around the world for more than 100 years.   

The view, overlooking a stunning vista consisting of a valley and the distant Mount Rundle, is just the beginning. Amenities include a championship golf course, fitness center, swimming pool, bowling center, and tennis courts.  

The Willow Stream Spa offers a variety of treatments, including massages and facials. Each on-site restaurant provides a unique experience – but our favorites are Castello and 1888 Chop House. Reservations recommended, especially during high season.

A unique feature of this hotel is the variety of cultural programs and organized activities offered to guests. Guests can enjoy communal campfires with marshmallow roasting, nature walks, hikes up Tunnel Mountain, stargazing outings, guided snowshoeing adventures, and bike tours are just some of the outdoor activities available for all ages. They also doll up the whole hotel with incredible decorations for Christmas in Banff.

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Mount Royal Hotel

Mount Royal

The Mount Royal Hotel is another historic hotel dating back to 1908. It is located in the center of Banff, so you can easily access everything via a short walk.

The historic building has a beautiful exterior that likely makes an appearance in thousands of photographs down Banff Ave of Cascade Mountain. While the building may date back over one hundred years, the rooms certainly do not!

The entire hotel has undergone a recent renovation, and the rooms are modern, clean, and comfortable. We absolutely loved the comfortable interiors here! Beds are luxurious and the perfect way to recharge after a day tackling the mountains.

Each room has a large flat-screen TV, a desk, a mini-fridge, toiletries, and high-speed internet. We love the stylish rooms and the interiors, such as the big cozy fireplace in the lobby and the hotel library. Our favorite part about the Mount Royal Hotel? You don’t have to venture too far for dinner – Brazen is right on site and one of the best restaurants in Banff.

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Elk + Avenue Hotel

elk-Avenue-Hotel

Situated in the town of Banff, only minutes away from the town’s services and the remote backcountry of the national park, Elk + Avenue Hotel is a rugged mountain escape with a touch of luxury.  

Whether you’re seeking a cozy respite after a day on the slopes or a relaxing evening soaking in a jacuzzi after a long day of exploring, this Rocky Mountain escape is an ideal base for your Banff adventures. On-site amenities include complimentary Wi-Fi, a sauna, lockers for storing ski equipment, and a gift shop.

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Banff Aspen Lodge

Banff Aspen Lodge

Located about a 5-minute walk from the main drag of Downtown Banff, the Banff Aspen Lodge is a fantastic place to stay on Banff Avenue. It features modern and clean rooms that are quite spacious for Banff standards. If you’re looking for an outdoor hot tub, you’ll be able to find one here!

Free breakfast is included in most room rates. However, the hotel is connected to Whitebark Cafe, which is our favorite place in Banff to grab a coffee!

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Hotel Canoe and Suites

Hotel Canoe and Suites

Located about 20 minutes walking distance away from Downtown Banff, this is one of the newest hotels in Banff and is making a bit of a splash (pun intended). Canoes are the name of the game here, with gorgeous wooden canoes in the lobby as well as paddles throughout the rooms.

It is away from Downtown Banff, but there is a bus stop right across the street—a bus pass is included with the stay. So only book this hotel if you’re okay sacrificing a bit on location in return for being in a newer, more modern place. The most notable thing about Hotel Canoe is the view from the balcony and hot tub —it is simply out of this world! Complimentary teas from Jolene’s Tea House add a nice touch to the stay, but if you’re more of a coffee drinker, Sudden Sally coffee shop is attached to the hotel.

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The Dorothy Motel

the dorothy motel

The Dorothy Motel is a renovated motel just outside of Downtown Banff, but still within walking distance. It’s a boutique motel with simple rooms that are well set up to meet travelers’ needs. Pets are very welcome at the hotel as they are provided a bed, food and water bowls, a take-home toy, and tasty treats.

The location backs right up to the forest, so it’s quiet, but close enough to enjoy the amenities of downtown Banff. The beds are super comfortable, and modern appliances are included in this brand-new hotel. Room options include two queen beds or a single king bed, and each includes a mini-fridge, microwave, and coffee/tea maker. If you’re visiting Banff on a budget, this hip motel offers fantastic value!

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Canalta Lodge

Canalta Lodge

For a rugged experience in any season, outdoor adventurers can find comfortable accommodation with easy backcountry access at Canalta Lodge. Start each day with a complimentary buffet breakfast, then rejuvenate with a dip in the glacier plunge tub before setting off to explore the lakes.

Return each evening to relax in the outdoor sauna or hot tubs, or kick back in front of the cozy fireplace. Also enjoy access to a gym, coffee shop, ski lockers, and bike rental service. Each modern room offers many amenities, including complimentary Wi-Fi, HDTV, refrigerator, coffeemaker, microwave, and private bathroom.

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Moose Hotel & Suites

moose hotel in banff

The Moose Hotel & Suites is situated only minutes from the center of Banff, so you can easily walk into town and enjoy the services and attractions available. This charming hotel has an indoor pool for the kids, two rooftop hot pools with views in all directions, a fitness room, and a sauna. Their rooftop pools also provide some of the best views in all of Downtown Banff – a reason to book in itself!

The on-site Pacini Italian Restaurant serves good Italian food with a cozy ambiance. Meadow Spa offers massages and various body treatments in a relaxing environment with mountain views.  

Within its many rooms, guests will find many amenities, including air-conditioning (a rarity in Banff), complimentary Wi-Fi, coffeemakers, and safes. Some suites also have kitchenettes and gas fireplaces, making it a great place to have a light meal.

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Banff Caribou Lodge

Banff Caribou Lodge

The Banff Caribou is a great mid-range hotel in Banff. In an ideal location on Banff Avenue, this mountain lodge is surrounded by spectacular mountain views and offers many amenities, including a full-service spa, a jetted hot pool, a steam room, a fitness room, and bike rentals.  

Each guest receives a complimentary Banff Roam Bus Pass, and The Keg Steakhouse and Bar is located on-site. Rooms here feature complimentary Wi-Fi, televisions, coffeemakers, and mini-fridges.

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The Peaks Banff

The Peaks Banff

The Peaks Banff is one of the newer hotels in Downtown Banff and offers modern accommodation in a great location. It’s easily one of the best places to stay in Banff. This upscale hotel sits between Wolf and Caribou Street, just steps from Bear Street and some fantastic restaurants.

While many Banff hotels can feel tired and dated, The Peaks feels the opposite. While the rooms are nice, most guests rave about the impressive location. Away from the noise on Banff Ave, but still close enough to walk everywhere, it truly is hard to beat The Peaks.

For those who have driven to Banff, you’ll enjoy heated underground parking and a complimentary car wash station.

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Buffalo Mountain Lodge

Buffalo Mountain Lodge is one of our top recommendations if you’re seeking a spot in Banff that balances town conveniences with a natural setting. The property sits on Tunnel Mountain Road, a short walk or drive from town. As a result, it escapes the hustle of downtown Banff, and sets you away in a little oasis. This makes it a fantastic spot to enjoy its wonderful views out to Cascade Mountain.

Highlights include The Prow, a wonderful on-site restaurant, plus outdoor hot tubs, cozy rooms with wood-burning fireplaces, and extraordinary views. It’s a great spot for visitors to Banff who want a mountain lodge experience without being too far from the action in town.

Best Hotels in the Lake Louise Area

Storm Mountain Lodge

storm mountain lodge

Storm Mountain Lodge has some of the best cabins in Banff National Park. If you’re a true outdoor lover who enjoys the experience of removing yourself from everyone and everything, a cabin in the forest offers a true outdoor escape, and Storm Mountain Lodge has one that’ll meet all your backcountry needs.  

Situated halfway between Downtown Banff and Lake Louise on Highway 93S near the entrance to Kootenay National Park and the BC border, the remote location of this lodge means you are far from the crowds but close to the things that matter most – mountains, forests, and stunning beauty.

If you expect modern amenities, this might not be the place for you. However, if you prefer to disconnect from Wi-Fi, phones, televisions, and other modern annoyances, you won’t find any of those here.

What you’ll find are cozy cabins with wood-burning fireplaces and full bathrooms, and a lounge serving authentic Canadian dishes made with organic ingredients and an inspiring cocktail menu (reservations recommended).

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Baker Creek Mountain Resort

Baker Creek Cabins

Still wondering where to stay in Banff? If you’re seeking accommodation in a location further away from the hustle and bustle of Banff and closer to the natural beauty of Lake Louise, Baker Creek along the Bow Valley Parkway, is a laid-back escape offering comfortable lodge and log cabin accommodations.  

Now operated by Basecamp, it offers a true Canadian backcountry experience surrounded by stunning mountain scenery and vast wilderness. It’s truly one of the best hotels in Banff, and we recommend it throughout this blog. However, despite charging high rates, it always sells out in the summer, so if you find availability, especially in one of the cabins, book it!

Here you can enjoy a roaring fire under the night sky with access to outdoor fire pits in both the winter and summer. If you’re visiting Banff in the winter, you’ll enjoy the outdoor ice skating rink and easy access to some Banff winter hikes.

Retreat to your cozy room or log cabin, most of which are equipped with a wood-burning stove and small kitchenette so you can dine in, as the closest restaurant is in Lake Louise.

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Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

Fairmont-Chateau-Lake-Louise

The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is another iconic long-standing resort in Banff National Park. Many consider it one of the best hotels in Banff, but personally I just think it has one of the best locations in Banff.

If you’re looking for luxury accommodation with luxury amenities in a location surrounded by mountains and remote backcountry, this is the place for you. Although, be forewarned, this is easily the most expensive place to stay in Banff. You’re paying for location here, because the rooms are nothing to write home about.

That being said, this stately resort overlooking stunning Lake Louise has 530 rooms and suites in various sizes.  On-site amenities include an indoor pool, hot tub, steam room, a fitness area with a stretching room, and plenty of on site restaurants. The resort spa offers many services, including massages, body scrubs, and facials.

The Fairmont plays host to many activities in the summer and winter. Most notable in the winter is the Lake Louise ice bar, ice castle, ice skating rink, and sleigh rides.

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A Word on These Hotels in Banff

Baker Creek Cabins
At Baker Creek in the Winter
  • Book in Advance: If you are planning your trip to Banff between mid-June to late September, and around the holidays, you should book your Banff hotels in advance. How far in advance? At least three months, but I would say six months plus for the more desirable places like the Banff Springs and Emerald Lake Lodge. The longer you wait, the more expensive these hotels typically get. We’ve found it’s rare for hotels in Banff to drop their nightly rates, even for last-minute bookings.
  • Weekends: The mountains are popular with those traveling from the city on weekends, even in the shoulder and off-season. If you are visiting for a weekend trip, even in March or April it is best to reserve in advance.
  • Large Groups: Absolutely need to book well in advance, as many Banff hotels only have so much room to accommodate groups. It’s also best to look at some VRBO options in Banff and VRBO options in Canmore. A single traveler, or a couple will have an easier time finding accommodation on short notice.
  • Shop Around: Unless you are dying to stay at a particular property, you should do some price shopping. Many of the hotels on Banff Ave are comparable and competitive with rates, and they all offer that same amazing location.
  • Summer in Banff: Is not cheap. Even if it’s a budget, mid-range, or hostel, the rates skyrocket between June and mid-September.
  • Consider Staying Outside of Banff: If you are on a budget, you can find better deals outside of Banff. Take a look at nearby Canmore, which is slightly better value, or if you don’t mind driving, you can even look in Calgary, Cochrane, or Golden, BC, which is still set in the mountains and provides plenty to do – like the Golden Skybridge!

Best Hotels in Banff Map

Best Hotels in Banff Map
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Cameron

Cameron

Cameron has been featured as a travel expert with numerous publications worldwide and has spoken on several occasions about the power of travel. He has a passion for all things in the Canadian Rockies and loves to spend his time snowboarding, scrambling, camping, biking, and trail running. You can learn more on the about us page.

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