THE SPRUCE GROVE INN HAS UNDERGONE A 5 MILLION RENOVATION AND HAS BEEN REBRANDED IS NOW THE CANALTA LODGE. WE WILL UPDATE OUR REVIEW AS SOON AS WE CAN.The 120-room Spruce Grove Inn is a budget hotel located about a 10-minute walk outside Banff. It's connected by underground walkway to its sister hotel, the Banff Voyager Inn, where all amenities are found, including the restaurant, bar, pool, sauna, steam room, and meeting facilities. Rooms at the Spruce Grove Inn are in need of an update, as some still have tube-style TVs and all have dated floral bedspreads. The loft rooms are the best choices, as they offer separate living areas with fireplaces, kitchenettes, and hot tubs in some. Rooms at the nearby Bumpers Inn are about the same price, and they are a bit more fresh, with microwaves and mini-fridges.
THE SPRUCE GROVE INN HAS UNDERGONE A 5 MILLION RENOVATION AND HAS BEEN REBRANDED IS NOW THE CANALTA LODGE. WE WILL UPDATE OUR REVIEW AS SOON AS WE CAN.The 120-room Spruce Grove Inn is a budget hotel located about a 10-minute walk outside Banff. It's connected by underground walkway to its sister hotel, the Banff Voyager Inn, where all amenities are found, including the restaurant, bar, pool, sauna, steam room, and meeting facilities. Rooms at the Spruce Grove Inn are in need of an update, as some still have tube-style TVs and all have dated floral bedspreads. The loft rooms are the best choices, as they offer separate living areas with fireplaces, kitchenettes, and hot tubs in some. Rooms at the nearby Bumpers Inn are about the same price, and they are a bit more fresh, with microwaves and mini-fridges.
The 99-room Banff Inn is a mid-range hotel situated on the main road leading into the town of Banff. It's within walking distance of a number of restaurants, and guests can get to the center of Banff town in 10 minutes on foot. Rooms are basic and homey, but clean, and come with flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers. Some have beautiful views from tiny balconies. There is an on-site pizza place serving food and drinks in the evening and the indoor hot tub, sauna, and steam room are pluses here, but there is no pool. Travelers looking for another affordable option with a pool could check out the Inns of Banff, which has pools indoors and out.
The 99-room Banff Inn is a mid-range hotel situated on the main road leading into the town of Banff. It's within walking distance of a number of restaurants, and guests can get to the center of Banff town in 10 minutes on foot. Rooms are basic and homey, but clean, and come with flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers. Some have beautiful views from tiny balconies. There is an on-site pizza place serving food and drinks in the evening and the indoor hot tub, sauna, and steam room are pluses here, but there is no pool. Travelers looking for another affordable option with a pool could check out the Inns of Banff, which has pools indoors and out.
Royal Canadian Lodge is an upper-middle-range property within walking distance of downtown Banff. This spot is popular with tour groups and older guests, though some travelers feel the contemporary-classic decor and hallways feel too dated for the price tag. Notable on-site features include an indoor heated pool and hot tub, tiny spa area, and the casual upscale restaurant The Evergreen, serving Canadian Rockies cuisine and exotic game. There's no free breakfast here, but guests will get free parking, slow Wi-Fi, window washing, and access to a small gym, large steam room, and free Starbucks coffee and tea in the morning. If you are flexible on location, the stylish Sulphur Mountain's Rimrock Resort Hotel is worth a look and around the same price.
Royal Canadian Lodge is an upper-middle-range property within walking distance of downtown Banff. This spot is popular with tour groups and older guests, though some travelers feel the contemporary-classic decor and hallways feel too dated for the price tag. Notable on-site features include an indoor heated pool and hot tub, tiny spa area, and the casual upscale restaurant The Evergreen, serving Canadian Rockies cuisine and exotic game. There's no free breakfast here, but guests will get free parking, slow Wi-Fi, window washing, and access to a small gym, large steam room, and free Starbucks coffee and tea in the morning. If you are flexible on location, the stylish Sulphur Mountain's Rimrock Resort Hotel is worth a look and around the same price.
The 70-room High Country Inn is a top mid-range choice for travelers who want a cozy and clean spot with good on-site features, including an indoor pool and two hot tubs. Thanks to a 2016 renovation, rooms are up-to-date and have a fresh color palette, as well as 40-inch flat-screen TVs, individual AC units, and more diverse amenity kits than comparable properties. Guests receive a discount at the attached Swiss-Italian restaurant and at partner ski shops in town. This hotel is an unexpected bargain and often books up early, so if you miss the boat, try your luck at the slightly less cozy Banff Ptarmigan Inn, where rooms are more contemporary and you'll get free breakfast.
The 70-room High Country Inn is a top mid-range choice for travelers who want a cozy and clean spot with good on-site features, including an indoor pool and two hot tubs. Thanks to a 2016 renovation, rooms are up-to-date and have a fresh color palette, as well as 40-inch flat-screen TVs, individual AC units, and more diverse amenity kits than comparable properties. Guests receive a discount at the attached Swiss-Italian restaurant and at partner ski shops in town. This hotel is an unexpected bargain and often books up early, so if you miss the boat, try your luck at the slightly less cozy Banff Ptarmigan Inn, where rooms are more contemporary and you'll get free breakfast.
The 54-room HI-Banff Alpine Centre is a budget hostel situated a five-minute drive outside of the town of Banff. It's in a beautiful mountain setting, with all sorts of outdoor recreation close at hand. Simple, but cozy rooms come in dorm or private configurations, and while some have en-suite bathrooms, many share a bathroom with the floor. Private rooms and Cabins have flat-screen TVs. There's a popular pub on-site serving breakfast and dinner, and there are two communal kitchens for those who prefer to self-cater. The pub also offers activities like karaoke or trivia, and the hotel organizes hiking, skiing, and snowboarding trips. Travelers wanting to forego the communal atmosphere should consider the Inns of Banff, where rates aren't much higher and there are two pools and a hot tub.
The 54-room HI-Banff Alpine Centre is a budget hostel situated a five-minute drive outside of the town of Banff. It's in a beautiful mountain setting, with all sorts of outdoor recreation close at hand. Simple, but cozy rooms come in dorm or private configurations, and while some have en-suite bathrooms, many share a bathroom with the floor. Private rooms and Cabins have flat-screen TVs. There's a popular pub on-site serving breakfast and dinner, and there are two communal kitchens for those who prefer to self-cater. The pub also offers activities like karaoke or trivia, and the hotel organizes hiking, skiing, and snowboarding trips. Travelers wanting to forego the communal atmosphere should consider the Inns of Banff, where rates aren't much higher and there are two pools and a hot tub.
Bumpers Inn is one of Banff's most affordable (and basic) properties. The 39 spotless rooms have little to nothing in terms of decor, and feature forest green carpeting, metal keys, wood-paneled walls, comfy beds, and large windows with motel drapes. Bathrooms have hairdryers, shower/tub combos, and Rocky Mountain Soap company toiletries. You'll also get convenience items like microwaves, mini-fridges, flat-screen TVs, and an extra vanity area in rooms. There's not much on site outside of a courtyard and ice machines, but guests have free access to the facilities a three-minute walk away at Inns of Banff (also where you check in for Bumpers). This is a non-smoking, pet-friendly spot ideal for folks on a budget who don't need bells and whistles. If you want a little more, the nearby Voyager Inn has low rates (for Banff), free breakfast, and more on-site features (including a pool).
Bumpers Inn is one of Banff's most affordable (and basic) properties. The 39 spotless rooms have little to nothing in terms of decor, and feature forest green carpeting, metal keys, wood-paneled walls, comfy beds, and large windows with motel drapes. Bathrooms have hairdryers, shower/tub combos, and Rocky Mountain Soap company toiletries. You'll also get convenience items like microwaves, mini-fridges, flat-screen TVs, and an extra vanity area in rooms. There's not much on site outside of a courtyard and ice machines, but guests have free access to the facilities a three-minute walk away at Inns of Banff (also where you check in for Bumpers). This is a non-smoking, pet-friendly spot ideal for folks on a budget who don't need bells and whistles. If you want a little more, the nearby Voyager Inn has low rates (for Banff), free breakfast, and more on-site features (including a pool).
This mid-range hotel has become a popular choice for leisure travelers since its 2014 renovations, though its higher rates than comparable properties are a downside. The 89 rooms here are filled with natural light and contemporary, albeit generic, style, but they lack air-conditioning (which has been an issue for some in hot months). The generous free breakfast with hot and cold fare and the interior-courtyard hot tubs are favorites among guests, as is the hotel's excellent location just two blocks from downtown Banff. Other amenities include a hip and popular cafe off the lobby, steam and sauna rooms, and a small conference room. For roughly the same rates, it's worth comparing rooms and features at the upscale Moose Hotel & Suites, which has in-room AC.
This mid-range hotel has become a popular choice for leisure travelers since its 2014 renovations, though its higher rates than comparable properties are a downside. The 89 rooms here are filled with natural light and contemporary, albeit generic, style, but they lack air-conditioning (which has been an issue for some in hot months). The generous free breakfast with hot and cold fare and the interior-courtyard hot tubs are favorites among guests, as is the hotel's excellent location just two blocks from downtown Banff. Other amenities include a hip and popular cafe off the lobby, steam and sauna rooms, and a small conference room. For roughly the same rates, it's worth comparing rooms and features at the upscale Moose Hotel & Suites, which has in-room AC.
In 2017, Banff Ptarmigan Inn did a revamp on its 134 rooms and hallways making it more of a contender among the area's mid-range properties. That said, public spaces are still a bit tired, and some balconies face an interior atrium instead of the mountains -- be aware when booking. All rooms have mini-fridges and Keurigs, and some suites have gas fireplaces, though all lack AC. Guests have access to hotel features like the health club (with two hot tubs, steam room, sauna, and gym), on-site Italian restaurant, ski lockers, computer station, and freebies like fast Wi-Fi and heated, underground parking. There's also two meeting rooms, bike rental discounts, and a mediocre (at best) free breakfast buffet. Since rates are often the same as upper-middle-range properties, it's worth comparison shopping with the nearby Moose Hotel & Suites and Elk + Avenue.
In 2017, Banff Ptarmigan Inn did a revamp on its 134 rooms and hallways making it more of a contender among the area's mid-range properties. That said, public spaces are still a bit tired, and some balconies face an interior atrium instead of the mountains -- be aware when booking. All rooms have mini-fridges and Keurigs, and some suites have gas fireplaces, though all lack AC. Guests have access to hotel features like the health club (with two hot tubs, steam room, sauna, and gym), on-site Italian restaurant, ski lockers, computer station, and freebies like fast Wi-Fi and heated, underground parking. There's also two meeting rooms, bike rental discounts, and a mediocre (at best) free breakfast buffet. Since rates are often the same as upper-middle-range properties, it's worth comparison shopping with the nearby Moose Hotel & Suites and Elk + Avenue.
Bow View Lodge is one of the most affordable hotels in town. This 58-room value spot is a dated but clean option for anyone not fussed with the minimal on-site features and no-frills rooms. Rooms have basics covered, like boxy TVs with cable, comfy beds, and coffeemakers, and most have outdoor space (sometimes semi-shared) and pleasant views. Features like the buffet breakfast, pool, and fitness room listed on the hotel's website are actually located (as with a ton of other accessible features) next door at the hotel's sister property, the Banff Park Lodge and Conference Centre. The hotel itself only has Wi-Fi (fee), free lot parking, and free newspapers. Downtown Banff's only other value property is the Homestead Inn, which has similar decor and rates.
Bow View Lodge is one of the most affordable hotels in town. This 58-room value spot is a dated but clean option for anyone not fussed with the minimal on-site features and no-frills rooms. Rooms have basics covered, like boxy TVs with cable, comfy beds, and coffeemakers, and most have outdoor space (sometimes semi-shared) and pleasant views. Features like the buffet breakfast, pool, and fitness room listed on the hotel's website are actually located (as with a ton of other accessible features) next door at the hotel's sister property, the Banff Park Lodge and Conference Centre. The hotel itself only has Wi-Fi (fee), free lot parking, and free newspapers. Downtown Banff's only other value property is the Homestead Inn, which has similar decor and rates.
Irwin's Mountain Inn is a good lower-middle-range option for anyone looking for something a bit better-equipped than a basic motel. Although some aspects are contemporary, there's still an undeniably dated vibe (common throughout Banff), particularly in the lobby, halls, and the 65 spotless rooms. Expect individual AC units, some noise, 37-inch flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and Cuisinart coffeemakers with mugs in rooms. You won't get free breakfast here, but you can grab a bite at the attached Latin-inspired restaurant, soak in the seven-person hot tub (plus sauna), and workout while you do your laundry in the basement. While this is a much more convenient and contemporary spot than Inns of Banff, for something a notch higher, check out the Banff Ptarmigan Inn a few hotels closer to town.
Irwin's Mountain Inn is a good lower-middle-range option for anyone looking for something a bit better-equipped than a basic motel. Although some aspects are contemporary, there's still an undeniably dated vibe (common throughout Banff), particularly in the lobby, halls, and the 65 spotless rooms. Expect individual AC units, some noise, 37-inch flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and Cuisinart coffeemakers with mugs in rooms. You won't get free breakfast here, but you can grab a bite at the attached Latin-inspired restaurant, soak in the seven-person hot tub (plus sauna), and workout while you do your laundry in the basement. While this is a much more convenient and contemporary spot than Inns of Banff, for something a notch higher, check out the Banff Ptarmigan Inn a few hotels closer to town.