Canoe Hotel and Suites - Banff, Alberta…read more Following the itinerary created for me by Rail Expert Kevin Guadagnoli through Amtrak Vacations, I left Jasper and headed to Banff, aboard a tour bus operated by Brewster Transportation. While I was not able to participate in the 9-hour excursion to the Columbia Ice Fields that Kevin had booked for me (I was late when that tour departed from my hotel to Jasper via the Ice Fields to Banff), Brewster offered a bus direct from Jasper to Banff, sans icefield exploration, for CA$168, and I arrived in Banff in late afternoon. As had been the case throughout this custom-built trip, Kevin did a great job of choosing my hotel in Banff: he booked my room at The Canoe Hotel and Suites, in the heart of Banff. The Canoe Hotel appears to get its name from the structure itself, which consists of four levels cleverly arranged to look like canoes. The room included a gas fireplace, and a spacious balcony on the fourth floor. My room was within a few minutes' walk to three heated outdoor pools, a sauna, and an outdoor fire area. I found the hotel to be an impressive presence in Banff. Located in Banff's Uptown District (on Banff Avenue), the Canoe is within a ten-minute walk of pretty much all of what Banff offers. The hotel houses Sudden Sally, a full-service bar and restaurant with outdoor and indoor seating, and beautiful vistas wherever you look. It's adjacent to The Otter Hotel and its restaurant, Good Folks, which likewise offers a full-service bar and restaurant. For the budge-minded and for those who crave honest-to-goodness root beer, there's an A&W directly across the street from the Canoe. Front desk staff were uniformly friendly and helpful. Upon my arrival the staff double-checked my reservations for trips scheduled for the next two days - one to visit Banff's glorious waterfalls and one that would take me from Banff to Calgary on the last day of my vacation. Included with the room were two passes allowing me to use local transportation to visit more of the village. On my second day there I joined an 8-hour excursion to nearby waterfalls, and on my third day I completed my vacation joining a 2-hour bus trip to Calgary Airport.

What a gorgeous hotel. We liked how you can park right outside your suite. The views were…read morespectacular and everything was calm and peaceful. The tea options in the lobby were so nice, we really enjoyed relaxing with a cup of tea and soaking in the views. It was fairly spacious and the amenities were great. Can definitely see us coming back.

Check-in was easy at 4pm. Every employee we came across was nice and diverse. There's no elevator…read moreso luckily an employee brought our luggage up for us. You can probably ask them to bring it down for you but to save time upon check-out we brought the luggage down a flight of stairs. The room is spacious for two with the king bed. The bed, pillows, and comforter were plush. Slept easily every night. The view from the room is gorgeous especially with snow. I love how the lamps are step-on to turn on. The outlets are also easily accessible. The bathroom is a decent size. There's a clothesline in the shower you can use if needed. I like how the shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion, and hand soap were from a 1% for the planet brand. There's a shuttle to downtown and back. Pick up and drop off is always at IGA which is easy to find. You just need to call or let the front desk know when you need the shuttle. I needed post cards to go out and was able to leave them with the front desk. If they get your outgoing mail during the week then it will go out the following week. I also borrowed a pen and a key card for when I locked myself out of my room. I highly recommend this hotel and will book again if I'm in town.

Really love this small boutique hotel that is away from the city but not far enough that you can't…read morewalk or cycle or drive to the public parking where you can park for free for hours. They have a fantastic staff who will offer you bear spray, walking sticks, umbrellas and help you with advice. Style here is historical mid century modern. Hot tub is large and very comfortable with a great view of the mountains and they supply a robe in your room. There is enough shelving in bathroom and the bar and restaurant is beautiful also with excellent views of the mountains. They have a fire pit and plenty of tables outdoors on the patio.

My husband and I loved our stay at Falcon Crest Lodge! The location in Canmore was perfect, the…read moreroom was clean and cozy, and the mountain views were amazing. And we just loved the outdoor hot tubs. Such a beautiful, relaxing place to stay. We'd definitely come back!

Great cozy place with a prime locaction and mountain view. Full kitchen: dishwasher, oven,…read morestovetop, microwave, coffee, tea, full fridge, dining table, pull out couch, king size in master bedroom, porch with table and seating for two with bbq. And the shower! Best ever with a ton of pressure and 3 way water jets. This place has it all including very friendly staff. Btw, our balcony overlooks the hot tub. Gym is fair at best. But exercise can be had by doing a walk into the lovely town Canmore. One more thing, the staff knocks on your door every morning asking if anything is needed, such as fresh towels, shampoos, garbage cleaned.... Def well run business!

Found this online while looking for accommodation in Canmore a Rocky Mountain get away. More of a…read morestaycation. We booked a week and had a wonderful stay. The resort is very mountainous looking resort on the outside, in fact very inviting. This location is on the outskirts of the busy Canmore Town. With hiking trails to town or by the river. The staff very friendly and accommodating upon checkin. There is 2 levels of underground parking for guests. Upon arriving to our suite as we entered it was like entering a apartment full kitchen with counter seating for 4 and huge table, 2 bedrooms, 2 huge bathrooms, washer and dryer, living room with fireplace, a balcony with BBQ. Looking over the courtyard and pool. Considering how full this resort was with guests, it's very quiet inside the unit. There is a cafe connected to the resort called Black Dog Cafe. Note: stay away it's very over priced below par food with very slow service. Better off going to Tim Hortons down the road for half the price and fresh hot breakfast. There is a cute Deli called Bohemian smoked meat Czech Deli across the street highly recommend! Freshly made sandwiches and soups. In the Garden centre of all places is a Tea house with gourmet Japanese breakfast or Lunch made fresh everyday called Wagashi. This resort is very well situated amongst the mountains and away from town. Will be back in the future had a fantastic stay.

A Good Price Might Not Be A Good Deal…read more.......... Our family of 5 from California...3 from Los Angeles and 2 from around San Luis Obispo...chose the Canadian Rockies to get together for a week to celebrate a couple of milestone birthdays and a 25th anniversary. We chose Canmore since it was less expensive than Banff and a VRBO in Stoneridge because it seemed a nice place at a reasonable price. We were wrong. Pros: - Stoneridge looks nice from the outside - Our 3 bedroom unit had enough space for 5 family members - We had an end unit, #303, so the views and balcony facing the mountains were very nice - Our walls were white and furnishings somewhat modern - The pool and jacuzzi were fine - Communications with Rockies Rentals, the management firm of our unit, both before and during our week were very good. They promptly responded to most requests....especially Athira - A small restaurant, the Black Dog Cafe, is next to Stoneridge. They make great drinks, serve fine pastries...and really do have a friendly big black dog. Cons: - Stoneridge might look okay from the street, but it's just a 4 story apartment building from the 1980s - We had enough space, but the atmosphere was like my first place in the 1970s with lots of cheap brown wood, hollow doors and "well used" appliances - The hallway outside our unit, #303, reminded us of the movie "The Shining" where a little boy rode his tricycle and repeated the word "redrum". They're long, dark and drab...especially during the day. - Upon arrival on a Saturday, many things were wrong: - The dishwasher was broken - The vacuum cleaner was broken - There were no tissues - The broom was very full of dust - We had 2 soggy bathrobes hanging in the main bedroom closet - Carpets were dirty and, last but not least..... - Lots of black mold in the shower of the main bathroom (the pictures don't do it justice) So what happened with each item? The management company, Rockies Rentals, said: - Dishwasher: "We'll try to get someone quickly". It was Labor Day weekend so not much happened until Tuesday when they said "sorry. Still trying". Meanwhile, we washed everything and put them on racks in the washer to dry. By Thursday, they offered to come by and wash dishes for us daily. Since Friday was our last full day, I said "no thanks". - Vacuum: They replaced it the next day - Tissues: They brought a box for each of the 2 bathrooms - Broom: We just didn't use it - Bathrobes: "They're clean. It's policy to let them hang dry". They brought 2 dry ones the next day. - Carpets: I don't know.....but we used the replacement vacuum to do it ourselves - Black mold: We never heard back.....so I sprayed the shower THOROUGHLY and DAILY with Clorox stocked in the unit (see photo) A few other notes: - The washer and dryer were small. About the size of a refrigerator in a college dorm room - Kitchen appliances worked, but showed lots of wear and tear - There's no garbage disposal in the kitchen - The only bins big enough for bags of regular garbage are dumpsters behind big doors on the 1st floor of parking - Parking is on 2 levels under the 4 floors of units. There are many spaces, but it's dark and tight. Prepare to be a nimble parker and bring a flashlight. For our 3 bedroom unit (one with bunk beds), we paid $6,632 for 7 nights or $947 per night. Take what you want from this experience. Good thing I'm not an attorney.

Looking like a building or castle pulled straight out of Edinburgh Scotland the Fairmont here is a…read moremagnificent hotel and grounds. Nice accommodations and working areas for groups, with one running joke, 'where are the wash rooms". Helpful through and through. Close to downtown with public shuttle just out front riding an on time jitney. Elk wandering in nearby and summer crowds growing I very much enjoyed the overall vibe.

The RUNDLE Bar & Lounge-…read more My client had just completed delivering a 3-day Signature Program in Calgary, and our event location manager said "let's celebrate by going somewhere really nice." So he drove us into Banff NP. We stopped at Lake Louise, Johnston Canyon, Vermillion Lakes, the cascade falls, and then we began driving to the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. What an absolutely beautiful hotel in one of Nature's most breathtaking masterpieces. The beautiful earth-toned cream colored hotel climbs from the lower mountain side and stands beautifully amongst the tall pines surrounding it. We made our way to the Vermillion Bar, where are post worked back in his college days, and were greeted by a super sweet server, Ayala, who lit up whenever she laughed and smiled with you. We enjoyed cocktails, beef, tartare, veggie Credit, charred, avocado, and a unique presentation of hot wings I've never had before - the actual wing that has two bones in it was pre-cut down the middle so you were served the 2 halves as their own individual wing. Great flavors and it was very unique and enjoyable. All of it was delicious and undeniably yummy, and fairly priced for such an elegant location. We were expecting a much higher price point and were delightfully surprised to see that even though it is a luxury location, it was not price gouging or ridiculously inflated that one often finds in so many other locations that are "elegant or nice". If you have the opportunity to treat yourself to a very beautiful sunset under the majestic Mount Rundle, and want to enjoy a modern setting in a historic landmark, this is absolutely a visit you must make while in Banff National Park. Thank you Ayala for treating us so well, and sharing your sweet Australian journey with us. Chris, David, Trisha, and Keith

This is a beautiful hotel in a beautiful location. It was a bit out of the way but with the free…read moretransportation around Banff, it was the perfect place to stay. We came in late from our Rocky Mountaineer train ride that day and headed in to relax and go for some dinner. We ate in their beautiful lounge area (some food pictures attached) for a light bite at dinner. I did get an opportunity to stop by the Farmer's Market and took adnatage of the transportation system here. The room was perfect for a two night stay and the staff here was wonderful. It goes without saying that the views out the window were like every where else, spectacular. We were very busy and therefore did not have much time to enjoy the amenities of the hotel. It really was just for sleeping and eating. Overall, they did a great job! Dinner at the lounge, and a wonderful buffet breakfast. ( A few pictures are also attached.) They really take good care of their guests. I was so surprised to read some of the lower star reviews. Are we speaking about the same hotel here? I do not trust low star reviews when the reviewer also has a low amount of published reviews. This was a fun place and overall did an excellent job with their wonderful team. KUDO's to the team at the Rimrock Resort Hotel

1 STAR -- RIMROCK MANAGEMENT NEEDS TO ANSWER FOR THIS…read more Rimrock management should be absolutely ashamed of how my daughter's wedding reception was handled. This was not a minor service issue. This was not one employee having a bad night. This was a complete failure by the hotel to provide the experience we paid for and, more importantly, a complete failure to understand what a wedding reception is supposed to be. We paid for the reception from 5:00 PM until 1:00 AM. What we got was a night of frustration, embarrassment, unnecessary security involvement and guests who ultimately felt so uncomfortable that they left around 10:00 PM. Three hours of a paid reception simply went unused because of the atmosphere created by the hotel. Management needs to ask themselves how they allowed this to happen. When our guests arrived, the reception room wasn't even properly ready. Tables weren't set. Name tags weren't out. There was no water on the tables. The easel for the welcome sign wasn't set up. And the BRIDE HERSELF had to set up tables at her own wedding reception. How can management possibly think that is acceptable? The bride should have been celebrating with her new husband. Instead, she was doing the hotel's job. Then came the treatment of our guests. The groom was refused alcohol because staff claimed he was drunk, despite the fact that he was sober. Guests were accused of drinking and driving. A mother who had not had alcohol in over a year went to her vehicle to pump breast milk and was followed by staff/security. A guest carrying an approximately 2-inch pocket knife was somehow considered enough of a threat to involve security. And throughout the evening, our guests felt like they were being watched. Security was monitoring people at a wedding reception where everyone was simply trying to celebrate. Staff repeatedly approached the mother of the bride telling her that people were being cut off because they were ordering doubles. Again, nobody expected the hotel to allow irresponsible drinking. But there is a massive difference between responsible alcohol service and making an entire wedding party feel like they are under investigation. This is where management completely lost the plot. You were hosting a wedding. Not a nightclub. Not a criminal investigation. Not a security operation. A WEDDING. These people were friends and family who had travelled to celebrate the bride and groom. Instead of making them feel welcome, your staff made them feel watched, judged and unwelcome. And the consequences were devastating. THE BRIDE AND GROOM NEVER HAD THEIR FIRST DANCE. THE BRIDE NEVER GOT HER FATHER-DAUGHTER DANCE. Those are once-in-a-lifetime moments. You cannot refund them. You cannot reschedule them. You cannot apologize and give them another chance. They are gone forever. And management needs to understand that. You didn't simply provide poor customer service. Your handling of this reception contributed to an environment where the celebration effectively fell apart. People began leaving around 10:00 PM, even though the reception was paid for until 1:00 AM. Imagine paying for a wedding reception until 1:00 AM and having your guests so uncomfortable that they're gone by 10:00. That should be an absolute embarrassment to management. My daughter and her husband deserved to spend their wedding night surrounded by the people they love, dancing, laughing and celebrating their marriage. Instead, they had to deal with hotel staff, security, accusations and a reception that never became the celebration it was supposed to be. The bride even had to help set up the room herself. Management failed this couple when they were supposed to be taking care of them. And I want to be very clear: This isn't about wanting special treatment. It's about expecting the basic service that was paid for. It's about expecting a hotel that hosts weddings to actually be prepared for a wedding. It's about expecting guests to be treated respectfully. And it's about expecting management to understand that a wedding isn't just another event on a calendar. For the bride and groom, this was their wedding day. They only get one. Rimrock management should be asking themselves: How did a wedding we were paid to host until 1:00 AM end with guests leaving at 10:00 PM? How did the bride end up setting up her own reception? Why did the groom get accused of being intoxicated when he wasn't? Why were guests accused of drinking and driving? Why was a mother pumping breast milk followed to her vehicle? Why was security making guests feel uncomfortable at a wedding? And most importantly: Why did the bride and groom leave their own wedding reception without ever having their first dance? Those are questions management needs to answer. An apology after the fact won't give my daughter her first dance back. It won't give her father back the dance he never got. It won't give the bride and groom back the h

We recently stayed at the Best Western in Banff and were originally scheduled to stay from Friday…read morethrough Monday. Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, we had to cut our trip short and leave early. Overall, we had a very pleasant experience. The room was exceptionally clean, comfortable, and well-maintained. We stayed in Room 311, which I would highly recommend. It features a private outdoor jacuzzi on the deck, a separate bedroom, a microwave, and a small refrigerator--perfect for a relaxing Banff getaway. One thing to note is that parking can be a bit challenging if you have a larger vehicle. Our truck exceeded the 5'9" height restriction for some parking areas, and much of the nearby street parking is reserved for permit holders. However, this was a minor inconvenience compared to the overall quality of our stay. What truly stood out was the customer service. Jay Ann, who was working at the front desk and is originally from the Philippines, was absolutely wonderful. She was warm, professional, kind, and very helpful during both our stay and checkout process. Her hospitality made a great impression on us. The hotel's location is another major advantage--it's within easy walking distance of downtown Banff, restaurants, shops, and local attractions. We would gladly stay here again and would recommend this hotel to anyone visiting Banff. Clean rooms, excellent service, and a good location made for a memorable stay.

Location/Vibe - Best Western Plus in Banff is at the edge of town. It is about 5-10 minutes walking…read moredistance from the town - shopping, food, coffee shops, boba, etc. For me, it's nice that it's not right in town. We did come during transition time, so there were not a lot of people to begin with. But it kept us away from the crowds. The vibe was business/family friendly. The decor and aesthetic inside/in the lobby is dark. It reminds me of those hotels in or nearby airports. The room itself is nice enough. I like the high ceilings in our room. It made it feel like we were in a cabin. Services/Staff - We had hot breakfast in their dining room and free parking. They had a fully stocked coffee/tea bar in the lobby available 24/7, which I enjoyed. I would go downstairs before bedtime almost every night to grab coffee and tea. The staff were friendly. They always greeted us whenever we saw them, answered our questions, and gave us assistance when we needed. Would I come back? Yes. I would stay here again. I would recommend it.

Our stay was unfortunately overshadowed by a serious incident involving our room and personal…read morebelongings. After spending our first night at the hotel, we left on our second day to explore the Canadian Rockies.  When we returned around 8:00 PM, our room key no longer worked. Upon speaking with the front desk, we were informed for the first time that we had been moved to a different room. We had received no phone call, email, text message, or any other notification regarding this change. Naturally, we were upset and concerned, assuming we would now have to move all of our belongings because our original room had been reassigned to another guest. A staff member accompanied us to the new room where we discovered that hotel employees had already packed and moved all of our personal belongings without our knowledge or consent. The situation became even more concerning when I requested access to our original room to retrieve our passports from the safe. When we entered, the safe was open and the passports were gone. Learning that hotel staff had accessed our safe, handled our passports, and moved all of our personal belongings and valuables under management authorization without informing us was deeply unsettling. The front staff eventually found our passports, and luckily none of our valuables were lost. No matter how beautiful the property is, guest privacy, security, and trust should be non-negotiable. Having our room changed without notice, our belongings moved without consent, and our passports removed from a safe left us feeling that our privacy was not respected. For that reason, I cannot recommend this hotel and would not stay here again.

The Malcolm hotel was the place that my wife choose for our vacation in the Banff area. They are…read morelocated in a beautiful area of Canmore in a area called Spring Creek. Reservations on their website were confusing as their room descriptions were not very good even after reading the room description. After making reservations, I called them verify that I had reserved the room that we wanted. When I told them that we wanted a room on an upper floor, I was told that an upper floor room would not be a problem. Upon check in, we were given a room on the first floor directly in front of their firepit near the swimming pool. My wife hated the room because she felt she had no privacy and did not want people looking in. It was like we were in a cave as my wife wouldn't open the curtains. I had no choice but to complain to Ihor and Ellie because I didn't want my wife complaining to me throughout our stay. I explained that I had called and wanted a room on a upper floor. Ellie was able to take care of me and was able to upgrade us to a better room the next night. The new room was significantly larger with a king bed. It had a sofa bed. The bathroom was much larger and had a hot tub that we didn't use. The room had a bar area. It was very nice. The hotel had a large gym with treadmills, ellipticals and bikes for cardio. They had some machines and dumbbells for weight lifting. The equipment was a little old but in working condition. Wipes and towels were available. The Malcolm is not affiliated with any of the big chains. I did not have any status here. No free breakfast for me forcing me to go to local restaurants. They do have the "Stirling" restaurant in the hotel that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. We got off to a rough start the first night. But, Ihor and Ellie listened and were able to rescue me from a potentially angry wife by putting me in a better room.