Is The Moose Hotel the Best Hotel on Banff Avenue?
The 4-star Moose Hotel is situated only minutes from the center of Banff, meaning you can easily walk into town and enjoy the services and attractions available. Rooms are well-designed and comfortable, and the hot tub views are likely some of the best you’ll get in the Canadian Rockies.
We recently enjoyed a stay at The Moose, so we could provide the best review. So, is the Moose Hotel the best hotel to stay in on Banff Avenue? Let’s dig in!
Quick Details of The Moose Hotel in Banff
- Address — 345 Banff Ave, Banff (GPS)
- Booking.com — Moose Hotel & Suites
- Expedia – Moose Hotel
How is the Location?
The Moose Hotel is located right on Banff Avenue on the corner of Moose Street. It sits right across the street from Whiteback Cafe, our favorite coffee shop in Banff.
Being right on Banff Ave means you are always only steps away from some of the best Banff restaurants and bars. In just a five-minute walk you can access most things in downtown Banff. Even walking to the end of Banff Avenue to the Cascade of Time Garden will take 10 minutes.
We love staying on Banff Avenue when we visit Banff, and after staying at a few other beautiful hotels like the Elk and Avenue and Mount-Royal Hotel, The Moose Hotel is a step above. To us, it is easily the nicest place to stay on Banff Avenue. After ultra luxurious places like The Rimrock and the Banff Springs, we consider it the best in the whole Downtown Banff area.
The Rooms at The Moose Hotel
The Moose Hotel offers seven different room types. The most common is the Superior Hotel Room, which offers two queens or one king Mountain Luxury Bed.
We stayed in the Superior One Bedroom Suite, which had a spacious room, kitchenette, living room with a fireplace, a large bathroom, and plenty of extra living space for luggage. It was a beautiful spacious room that is often hard to come by in Banff. We particularly loved the fireplace on a cold February day.
There are also other room categories such as the Rooftop One-Bedroom Suite and Rooftop Two-Bedroom Suite. These rooms have spacious balconies with some of the best views in Banff!
The Moose offers pet-friendly and accessible rooms, but it’s essential to inform them at booking if this is the room type you need. There may be extra charges for bringing pets to the hotel.
Lastly, if you want a truly unique vacation, you can book The Corner House, which sits in the middle of the hotel courtyard. The Corner House is an early 1900s heritage house that dates back to Banff’s mining days.
It used to be located in the mining town of Bankhead but was relocated to downtown Banff in 1925. It’s been restored and is a beautiful place to stay with the family and travel back in time.
Hotel Amenities
Being one of the nicest hotels in Banff, you can rest assured that some fantastic amenities are offered here.
The most impressive amenities are the indoor pool for children and the outdoor sauna and hot tubs, which adults will love. We were thoroughly impressed walking out on the rooftop to have unparalleled views of Cascade Mountain right from the hot tub.
There is also a firepit where you can chat with other hotel guests. The hot tubs open early and close late, so you can come back and soak after a long day hiking in Banff.
The Moose also offers a beautiful fitness center overlooking Banff Avenue, an in-house spa, and a restaurant on site. Pacini is an Italian restaurant open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Parking at The Moose Hotel
Parking can be tricky in Downtown Banff, so it’s wonderful that The Moose offers underground heated parking. Oversized vehicles can also park outdoors. If you have an electric vehicle, don’t worry—there are two Tesla charging stations.
Unless you are venturing to Lake Louise or elsewhere, we recommend leaving your vehicle here while exploring Downtown Banff since the town now has implemented paid parking almost everywhere.
Is The Moose Hotel Pet Friendly?
The Moose Hotel is one of the best pet-friendly options in the Canadian Rockies. Both dogs and cats are more than welcome here for a $25 pet fee per night. Make sure to inform the hotel staff at booking if you have your furry friend with you.
The Moose Hotel: Final Thoughts
The Moose Hotel is a fabulous place to stay in Banff. We have toured and reviewed many properties in the Canadian Rockies. As mentioned previously, after the Banff Springs Hotel and the Rimrock, we agree that The Moose Hotel is the nicest place to stay in Downtown Banff. It is undoubtedly the best property located on Banff Avenue, and you won’t be disappointed with a stay here.
The rooms are stylish and comfortable, and many feature a gas fireplace. The Moose also offers air conditioning in rooms, which is rare for hotels in Banff. Air conditioning may not seem like a huge deal, but even cooler places like the Canadian Rockies are affected in the summer by the earth’s warming.
The Moose is great for families as it has an indoor pool, two rooftop hot pools, a fitness room, and a sauna. Its room categories make it easy for families and groups to stay connected, and you never have to leave the hotel at night to get a great meal.
Its location on Banff Avenue means you are always 5 minutes away from many great sites. When you want to leave, you can hop in your car, parked nicely in the underground parking area, and be on your way.
Being one of the best hotels in Banff, room rates are high, especially in the summer. In July, August, and around Christmas in Banff, expect the hotel to sell out. Booking in advance is highly recommended.
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Natasha
Visiting first time Calgary and plan to visit Banff National Park and Jasper National park. Being strict Vegetarian where should I stay in both locations? not expensive. Is it worth staying in Canmore for Banff?
Both have great vegetarian options! https://thebanffblog.com/banff-vs-canmore/