Built to resemble a Scottish hotel in the heart of Banff, the 770-room Fairmont Banff Springs is a grand landmark hotel, in operation since the late 1800s. Elegant rooms feature flat-screen TVs, bathrobes, and openable windows, and some have fantastic views of the mountain and valley, but note that rooms start at just 175 square feet. Amenities throughout the hotel include bowling lanes, ornate event space, and a 24-hour fitness center with indoor and outdoor pools and a stone-walled hot tub. Willow Stream Spa & Health Club features 23 treatment rooms, an indoor mineral pool, whirlpools (inside and out), steam rooms, and saunas. The hotel has more than a dozen food and drink venues, including a classic steakhouse, a cozy wine and charcuterie bar, and a Bavarian-style restaurant and pub. Seasonal attractions include a 27-hole championship golf course and ski shuttles to Mount Norquay, Sunshine Village Ski & Snowboard Resort, and Lake Louise Ski Resort.
Rimrock Resort Hotel is a handsome and elegant property with a prime location for Banff mountain views. Nestled into the side of Sulphur Mountain in Banff National Park, the 343-room resort is 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-hour 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.