Best Banff Hotels – Where to Stay in Banff

Where to Stay in Banff Last Updated: January 27, 2023

If you’ve been following us for a while, you probably know how much we love Banff. For people who love the outdoors, love the mountains, love beautiful clear turquoise-coloured lakes, and love skiing in a winter wonderland, Banff is the ultimate paradise. Living in Calgary, we’ve been to Banff more than a hundred times, which has enabled us to truly figure out where to stay in Banff.

With all of these visits, we’ve had the opportunity to try out a variety of hotels and lodges. Whether it was a budget stay in the Dorothy Motel or a luxurious stay in the Fairmont Banff Springs, we know a lot about accommodation in Banff.

In this Banff hotel guide, we’re going to list out the best Banff hotels for your next trip to this magical destination.

Best Places to Stay in Banff

When it comes to Banff, there’s certainly no shortage of places to stay. As one of the most popular destinations in all of Canada, Banff has become a tourist mecca. Don’t let that scare you though. Despite its immense popularity, it remains extremely beautiful and is home to so much mind-blowing scenery and outdoor adventure, that it absolutely remains a must-do in Canada.

Banff is also a convenient place to find accommodation. Due to its small size, no hotel is really in a bad location. All of them have their pros and cons and almost all hotels are within walking distance of the downtown core and the many incredible and delicious Banff restaurants.

Luxury Hotels in Banff

If you’re looking for luxurious accommodations in Banff, none are more popular than the two mentioned below.

Fairmont Banff Springs

When it comes to luxury hotels in Banff, Fairmont Banff Springs is the clear winner. Not only is it a luxury hotel, but it’s also an icon of Banff. Whether you stay here or not, it’s an absolute must-visit, even if you just see it from the outside. Also known as the Banff Castle, this stunning hotel is surrounded by mountains and trees. This is the most expensive option in Banff, with costs ranging from about $400/night and up. We had a date night here once and it really was beautiful. There’s just something about the history of it all. However, one of the downfalls is that everything here, including the parking, is quite expensive. At the same time, if you have the budget for spending some nights here, perhaps those things don’t matter.

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The Rimrock Resort Hotel

Although this is one of the few hotels we haven’t stayed at yet, the Rimrock Resort is the second-best luxury resort after the Fairmont Banff Springs. It’s also conveniently located within walking distance of both the Banff Gondola and the Banff Hot Springs and is more of a modern hotel with bigger windows and rooms. It’s also cheaper than the Fairmont, which means you can still enjoy luxury in the mountains for a fraction of the cost. Besides the gorgeous views from all sides of the hotel, you’ll also find a number of fancy restaurants and bars, a spa and fitness centre, and an incredibly dressed concierge service.

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Best Hotels in Banff

If you’re looking for nice accommodations in Banff but not wanting to break the bank, below are some of our top options. These hotels offer wonderful amenities and are quite beautiful, yet not too expensive.

Best Western Plus Siding 29 Lodge

If you follow our YouTube channel, you probably know that we work quite a bit with Best Western hotels. We love them. They’re located almost everywhere and provide very good service and amenities for a decent price. When we stayed at the Best Western Plus Suding 29 Lodge in Banff, they were under renovation, but now that it’s complete, it’s quite beautiful. Located on Marten Street, a short walk from all the action, this is a great hotel. With rates as low as $150/night during the winter months, which include a hot buffet breakfast and free parking, this really is one of the best values in Banff.

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Mount Royal Hotel

Located right across the street from the King Edward Hotel, the Mount Royal Hotel offers the same incredible location but with a much nicer hotel. This historic hotel is as beautiful on the inside as it is on the outside and offers some unique amenities such as a full-service restaurant, general store, library, and museum! This hotel has been a staple in Banff for more than 100 years and has been recently renovated. It’s also home to Brazen, which instantly became one of the best restaurants in Banff.

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Buffalo Mountain Lodge

If you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle of Banff’s main avenue and stay a little closer to nature, consider the Banff Mountain Lodge, which is located on Tunnel Mountain, within walking distance of the Tunnel Mountain hiking trail. With 9 acres of fir, pine, and spruce trees, it feels like a little mountain oasis that’s just a 3-minute drive or a 15-minute walk to town. During our stay, we really enjoyed sitting in front of our very own wood-burning fireplace and eating at the delicious Sleeping Mountain Dining Room, which was also featured as one of our top Banff Restaurants to dine at. We also enjoyed the outdoor stainless steel hot tub, which is always a perfect way to end a day of outdoor exploration.

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Banff Caribou Lodge & Spa

Another wonderful hotel to stay in Banff is the Banff Caribou Lodge & Spa. This hotel is located at the far end of Banff Avenue, right after you enter the town, and offers spacious rooms, a beautiful lobby with a wood-burning fireplace, The Keg Steakhouse on-site, and a popular pool and spa. In fact, we’ve noticed that families tend to enjoy this lodge, probably in part due to the pool that all the kids love. For those who are in Banff to go skiing, we also love the fact that the underground parking has storage lockers for the skis. This made it very convenient as lugging them up to the room each evening is not ideal. Plus, they need to dry! So whether you’re skiing or not, this is a great mid-range lodge to stay in.

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Banff Aspen Lodge

Another popular place is the Banff Aspen Lodge, which is located on the main road but roughly a 5-minute walk from where all the action starts. They serve a very good hot breakfast, have two beautiful outdoor hot tubs, and for those travelling as a family, the beds (If you’ve opted for two beds) are separated by the bathroom, giving you much more privacy. At times, we find this hotel a little bit on the pricey side, but that often depends on the season and their availability. Another nice feature is the free parking and the balconies that overlook Banff Avenue.

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Sunshine Mountain Lodge

Although Sunshine Mountain Lodge would be inconvenient for those looking to explore the town of Banff, it’s definitely in the best location for those looking to hit the slopes. This mountain lodge is located right at Sunshine Ski Resort, up high in the mountains. In fact, to get there, you need to take the gondola! If you’re looking to be the first one on the lifts, this is the lodge for you. They have nice mountain-style rooms, an outdoor hot t