Where to Stay in Banff, Alberta – 2023 Best Banff Hotels and Areas

Looking for where to stay in Banff, Alberta? We’ve got you covered. We’ve had the luxury of visiting the town of Banff on several occasions during our travels so we know a thing or two about the best accommodation in Banff National Park and the surrounding area.

We’ve visited Banff and Lake Louise in winter, spring, summer, and fall, and have sampled many of the different accommodations in Banff. From Inns to lodges and full-blown luxury hotels in Banff, there’s something to suit every need and budget. We’ve had the good fortune of testing out several hotels in Banff and can attest that whatever you choose from the list, you won’t be disappointed.

Best Places to Stay in Banff, Canada

Besides the Banff Springs and Lake Louise Fairmont hotels, there are plenty of other options for where to stay in Banff. Be it in the town of Banff, or in one of the nearby towns, you will always have something amazing at your fingertips. Depending on what you are looking for, we’ve got you covered with accommodation options. So without further ado, here you go!

Best Hotels in Banff for First-Time Visitors

The Town of Banff is located directly in Alberta’s Banff National Park and is an excellent base for first-timers. Banff town is where you’ll find restaurants, spas, bars and plenty of accommodation. It is also the place where you can find some more budget options for hotels in Banff. Here are our top choices for hotels in Banff town. Read more: The Best Things to do in Banff, Alberta

1. Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel – Town of Banff

Luxury – Fairmont Springs Hotel: Okay, I know I said “besides” Banff Springs Hotel above, and it’s not the like Fairmont Springs Hotel needs advertising. But if you are looking for where to stay in Banff that is as iconic as it is luxury, this is heaven. The Fairmont is considered one of the best places to stay in Banff and with good reason.

The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel is pure luxury in a historic location. It is located within walking distance of downtown (25 minute walk) and there is a complimentary shuttle to downtown for guests.

The hotel was opened in 1888 and has undergone many renovations since. It is a massive hotel with 11 restaurants, 14 shops, an indoor heated lap pool, and an outdoor heated pool. Check prices at Banff Springs Hotel on Trip Advisor / Booking.com

2. Buffalo Mountain Lodge – Town of Banff

Mid-Range – Buffalo Mountain Lodge: If you want to be in the heart of the action of Banff proper Buffalo Mountain Lodge is a great choice for a hotel in Banff. Situated just a 15 minute walk from downtown, Buffalo Mountain Lodge offers free shuttles for guests to go out for dinner, drinks or downtown shopping.

We loved building a fire in our room as we overlooked our Rocky Mountain view from Tunnel Mountain. Staff provides kindling, newspaper, matches, and wood to create the perfect fire for a romantic or cozy atmosphere.

The Sleeping Buffalo Dining Room is a great choice for dinner featuring local fruits, vegetables, and grains plus hormone and antibiotic-free bison and elk raised on their own game ranch. Check out prices at Buffalo Mountain Lodge – Trip Advisor / Booking.com

3. Hi Banff Alpine Centre

Budget – Hi Banff Alpine Centre : The Hi Banff Alpine Center is a top choice for budget travelers. It has dorm style and private rooms with an onsight kitchen and restaurant. It is just a 20 minute walk from downtown Banff. (4 minute drive) and is just a short drive to top Banff attractions like Cave and Basin National Historic Site, and Banff Upper Hot Springs

Where to Stay in Downtown Banff

Staying in Banff Town is great if you want to enjoy the foodie scene and nightlife. There are so many hotels to choose from in Banff, but these are ones that we have stayed at in the past and found to suit all our needs. Check out: 12 Best Hikes in Banff National Park

4. Basecamp Suites Banff

Luxury: Basecamp Suites Banff is located in the heart of downtown Banff just off Banff Avenue. This exclusive property has 21 elegant suites accommodating 2 to 10 guests. Each suite has a kitchen and living space

Located in Cascade Shops and Plaza, you are steps away from all the shopping and nightlife in downtown Banff. The property has two rooftop hot tubs to take in the beautiful panoramic views of the Canadian Rockies and if you want to hit the slopes, it offers free shuttles to the ski hill for guests. Check out prices for Basecamp Suites Banff on Trip Advisor / Booking.com

5. Fox Hotel and Suites – Town of Banff

Mid Range: Fox Hotel and Suites: Located downtown Banff, Fox Hotel and Suites is within walking distance to all the main dining and hot spots. What sets Fox Hotel and Suites apart from other hotels in Banff is the large hot pool modeled after the Cave & Basin hot pools. The original Cave & Basin was Canada’s first national park.

We had a two-bedroom suite that echoed the perfect ski lodge setting. For roadhouse dining, we ate at Chilis Restaurant located in the lobby. When you’ve had a busy day of adventures in Banff, sometimes a quick meal at the hotel restaurant is in order. Check out prices at Fox Hotel and Suites on Trip Advisor / Booking.com

6. Elk & Avenue – Town of Banff

Mid-Range – Elk & Avenue: f you want to be in the heart of the action, Elk & Avenue is completely central. Located downtown Banff, The Elk & Avenue is an excellent location to walk around the town and be close to everything. Plus it has free parking so you can road trip all around Banff National Park and the Icelands Parkway. 

This Banff Hotel is basic hotel with few amenities (there’s a very uninviting hot tub in a concrete room) but for location, you can’t beat it. Check out prices at Elk & Avenue Louise on Trip Advisor / Booking.com

Best Places to Stay in Banff for Skiing

One of the best things to do in winter in Banff, Alberta is to go skiing. Banff National Park has three ski hills. Norquay is perfect for the whole family, Lake Louise is a world class resort that hosted the 1992 winter olympics and Sunshine village is the only resort with slopeside accommodations in Banff.

7. Sunshine Mountain Lodge – Sunshine Village

For serious ski lovers, Sunshine Mountain Lodge is the top choice. It’s the only slopeside hotel in Banff. This luxury hotel is located at the top of the gondola giving guests the unique opportunity of being first on the hill.

With spa service, ski, and snowboard lockers, and Banff’s largest outdoor hot pool, Sunshine Mountain Lodge is a full-service winter retreat. Their restaurant offers Albertan beef and vegetarian options, and the loft rooms overlooking the ski hill are outstanding.

We turned on the gas fire and ate fresh local cheese as we looked over the ski lifts while staff groomed the trails for our day on the hill. Check out prices at The Sunshine Mountain Lodge – TripAdvisor / Booking.com

Lake Louise Hotels

Lake Louise is also a great place to make a base for skiing and snowboarding near Ski Louise. In the summertime there are plenty of things to do in Lake Louise as well. There are also plenty of things to do in Lake Louise from hiking, ice skating, dog sledding, and good dining options. There are a couple of Lake Louise hotels and accommodation options to choose from and here are our picks for where to stay in Lake Louise.

8. Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise – Lake Louise

Luxury – The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise: Located directly on Lake Louise, The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise has the best view in the entire world. Seriously, the view of Lake Lousie will take your breath away. If you are looking for a bucket list trip to Banff and have the extra cash to spend, this is definitely our favorite accommodation in Banff. This hotel is not only one of the best places to stay in Banff, it is considered one of the top luxury hotels in Canada.

If you are looking for where to stay in complete luxury, this Banff hotel located directly inside Banff National Park is elegant, has all the amenities you could want, and is located directly on Lake Louise. You can play pond hockey in the winter or go canoeing in the summer surrounded by the Canadian Rockies.

By staying at The Fairmont Lake Louise, you’ll be able to enjoy Lake Louise and Moraine Lake before all the crowds arrive. Plus being a Fairmont hotel, you can count on a chic luxurious room. Check out prices and reviews Trip Advisor / Booking.com

9. Deer Lodge – Lake Louise

The sister lodge to Buffalo Mountain Lodge, Deer Lodge is located just a short walk from Lake Louise. If you are snowboarding or skiing at Lake Louise, this is a great nearby choice. During ski season, daily complimentary shuttles run from Deer Lodge to the ski resort.

Originally built in 1923 as a teahouse, it has grown and expanded over the years to a four-season lodge. The accommodation is rustic yet elegant offering fine dining at one of the most noted dining rooms in the Rockies. There is an incredible rooftop hot tub that looks out at Victoria Glacier and a new traditional dry wood sauna. Check out prices at Deer Lodge on Trip Advisor / Booking.com

10. Lake Louise Inn

Mid-Range: Lake Louise Inn – When looking for where to stay in Lake Louise, it doesn’t need to be luxury accommodations to have great amenities. Lake Louise Inn makes for a superb stay with an indoor pool and hot tub, plus two on-site restaurants. There is even a lounge for apres ski cocktails. There is a free shuttle to Lake Louise Ski Resort and there is a ski storage and tune up centre. .

Rooms have views of the Canadian Rockies, flat screen TV and there are all suites apartments with a balcony and fireplace. Check it out on Booking.com / Reviews on TripAdvisor

11. HI Lake Louise Alpine

Budget – Hi Lake Louise Alpine is great for budget travelers to cook inside the hostel with two kitchens. There is private storage for skis and you can get ski passes here. There is a common area with fireplace and flat screen TV. and it also has a sauna/

Where to Stay in Banff for Families

12. Juniper Hotel – Mount Norquay

Juniper sits at the foot of Mount Norquay making it the perfect getaway for families wanting to ski nearby. There’s a trail leading into the woods from the hotel that we took a great little hike on spying a family of deer, and the Juniper Bistro offers delicious home-cooked meals straight from the farm to the table.

Our room at the Juniper Hotel was to die for with a whirlpool bath, a wood-burning fireplace, and a leather couch propped in front of a big-screen TV. But it’s the outdoor hot tub looking at the striking Rocky Mountain view that sticks with us. Check out prices at The Juniper Hotel – TripAdvisor / Booking.com

Best Wilderness and Backcountry Lodges in Banff

If you visit Banff, you really must get into the backcountry. You can ski into lodges in the winter and hike or even go horseback riding in the summer.

But there are lodges that are still in the wilderness without having to do the effort as well. To get the true feeling of Banff, you must stay in one of these lodges.

13. Sundance Lodge – Backcountry Banff

It may not be a typical hotel in Banff, but when visiting the National Park, you really need to get out to the backcountry at least once. Sundance Lodge is a cross-country ski or snowshoe in during the winter months, or a horseback ride or hike in the summertime.

The 10-room log cabin is nestled on the bend of Brewster’s Creek in the valley of the Sundance Mountain Range. Located 16km from Banff, it takes you away from it all where you can truly get away from cell service, noise, and light pollution.

You are in the true Canadian wilderness but you’re not roughing it. Your stay offers a personal chef, wood-burning fire, hot showers, and solar heating. A great Rocky Mountain escape awaits. For backcountry tours, trail rides, and lodge information visit the Banff Trail Riders Website – Check out prices at Sundance Lodge at the Sundance Mountain Lodge Website

14. Storm Mountain Lodge – Banff National Park

Storm Mountain Lodge – For the truly romantic getaway in Banff, Storm Mountain Lodge is our top choice. Guests stay in private cabins ranging in size for couples to families with a spectacular view of Storm Mountain.

The lodge was originally built as a way for the Canadian Pacific Railway to attract more tourists to the Rocky Mountains in 1922. Eight log cabins are still used by guests today. Storm Mountain Lodge is completely self-sufficient with water, power, and sewer creating a sustainable green environment.

Our cabin had a fireplace and sofa where we sipped wine reminiscing about our day before dining at their all Canadian menu. It’s fine dining in a forest setting, nothing could be more superb. It’s a bit away from it all and that is exactly the way we like it. Check out prices at The Storm Mountain Lodge on Trip Advisor / Booking.com

15. Num Ti Jah Lodge – Bow Lake

We last stayed at Num Ti Jah Lodge on Bow Lake back in 2009, but we visited it again this trip to take some winter photos of the mountain setting. Surrounded by mountains with the Crowfoot Glacier towering overhead the lodge is as rustic as it is historic.

Num Ti Jah is closed during the winter months, but I wanted to put it in this round-up because it really is one of the legendary hotels in Banff. You’ll pass it when driving the Icefields Parkway and you must stop to see the legendary Bow Lake reflections.

Founded by Jimmy Simpson in 1898, you really feel that time has stood still here.  If you want to get away from it all, this is the place to be. The main lodge has a cozy fireplace with simple rooms keeping with traditional virtue the simple life. Sample some of the elk or bison on the menu! Check out prices at Num Ti Jah Lodge – Trip Advisor /Booking.com

Should you stay in Banff or Canmore?

If you are visiting Banff for the first time, we suggest staying in Banff. Canmore is about 20 minutes away from Banff proper so to really experience Banff National Park. You’ll want to stay there. If you want a more local and authentic feel, you want to stay in Canmore.

There are also plenty of places to eat in Canmore and a lot of outdoor activities. We love climbing in Canmore, both ice climbing and rock climbing. Read more: The Best Things to do in Canmore, Alberta

16. Holiday Inn – Canmore

We stayed at the Holiday Inn in Canmore during the holidays one year and it is an affordable hotel in Banff. Located just off Highway 1, it offers easy access for driving to Banff, Jasper, Calgary, and Lake Louise. There is a good restaurant, renovated rooms with flat-screen TVs, free Internet and like most hotels in Banff, there is a hot tub! Check out prices at Holiday Inn Canmore on TripAdvisor

17. Stoneridge Mountain Resort

Stoneridge Mountain Resort is a proper resort that is about a 10-minute walk from Canmore. This all suites hotel rooms have kitchens so it is perfect for families. Another cool thing is it has an outdoor heat pool that can be used year-round! Check reviews on TripAdvisor and rates on Booking.com

One of the best things to do in Banff for families is to go dogsledding. Read our post The Best place to go Dog Sledding in Banff National Park or book this dogsledding exursion today.

Where Can you Stay Near Banff?

18. Kananaskis Lodge – Kananaskis

Located 45 minutes outside of Banff, Pomeroy Kananaskis Lodge is an excellent choice for a luxurious escape. It is attached to the Nordic Spa that is a popular Banff Attraction unto itself. Kananaskis is a superb place to make a home base for a couple of days to explore the area around Canmore and Banff. 

It’s not too far away, but it is also relaxing enough to escape the hustle and bustle that Banff sees in the summertime and ski season.  See prices at Kananaskis Lodge Trip Advisor / Booking.com

Calgary

Yes, you can visit Banff from Calgary. Banff is 100 km (60 miles) from Calgary and many people do day trips from Calgary. We recommend staying in Banff or one of the closer towns, but Calgary can be a good option too as it is a great city with plenty of things to do! Check out 21 Best Things to do in Calgary, Alberta

19. Delta Hotels by Marriott – Calgary

The Delta Hotel by Marriott – The Delta Hotel by Marriott was a great stay that was very central to downtown Calgary sites like the Calgary Tower and Chinatown. Our Luxurious room had a great view of the city. The newly renovated hotel has modern and chic rooms with lots of outlets for electronics. I loved the modern feel. Check out prices at the Delta Calgary TripAdvisor

20. Hotel Arts Kensington – Calgary

We have stayed at this boutique hotel in Calgary a few times and it is outstanding. Even if you are only staying the night in Calgary before heading on to Banff, this is a great choice. The Hotel Artis is a luxury boutique hotel that goes the extra mile. Located in the heart of Kensington Village, it has a cool and funky vibe that is great for nightlife.

Taxis to downtown ranged from $11 to $13. They offer free bike loans at the hotel and it is located along the pedestrian path running along the river. Check out prices on TripAdvisor

21. More Calgary Hotels

Budget – Best Western Plus Downtown offers guests spectacular views of the Rocky Mountains. Offering studios along with one and two-bedroom suites enjoy free breakfast and WiFi while being mere steps from the downtown fun.

Mid-Range – In the heart of Calgary, you will find several mid-range hotels, including International Hotel & Spa. The hotel offers generous room sizes, complimentary continental breakfast, a gym, and a heated pool.

Families – Although just out of downtown, Grey Eagle Resort is a great option for families. With separate living spaces and interconnected rooms, each member of the crew will have their own private space. Add in mountain views, a swimming pool along with an onsite restaurant and you have a winning combination.

Golden British Columbia

If you want to add another Canadian province to your travel bucket list, Golden BC is an hour and a half drive from Banff and you can head there for a day trip. During the high season, a lot of people have a hard time finding accommodation in Banff, so this is a good option to check out. There are buses that you can take to get to Banff from Golden. Read more: 15 Top Ski Resorts in Canada For Winter Fun

22. Travelodge by Wyndham

Travelodge by Wyndham is an excellent choice for families with an indoor pool, hot tub, and waterslide. If you want to ski at two iconic Canadian ski resorts, you can ski Kicking Horse Mountain Resort and Lake Louise Ski Resort the next.

Each room has a flat screen TV, refrigerator, and microwave. Plus free WiFi (but who doesn’t these days) Check rates, reviews and availability at TripAdvisor / Booking.com

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Read Next

• Discover Banff Canada – 24 Photos Inspire Wanderlust
• Beautiful Places to Visit in Alberta
• The Best Things to do in Banff, Alberta
• 12 Best Hikes in Banff National Park
• The 52 Best Things to do in Alberta, Canada – The Ultimate Guide
• The Rocky Mountaineer Experience – Vancouver to Banff
• A Spectacular Helicopter Tour in Banff
• The Best place to go Dog Sledding in Banff National Park
• Ice Climbing in Banff – The Ultimate Winter Adventure
• Canoe Lake Louise and Banff National Park, Alberta
• Where to Stay in Vancouver

Our latest trip to Banff was in partnership with Rocky Mountaineer with Banff Lake Louise tourism more information on hotels in Banff, visit the Banff Lake Louise Tourism Website.