best places to stay in Banff

[MacDaddy77]

Wife and I are going for a weekend in Banff (without kids).

What are some suggestions for the best places to stay/eat and some can't miss things to do.

Thanks,

[TylerSVT]

Rimrock if you dont mind the price.

The food there apparently is incredible.

[Flabbibulin]

We got married at Banff Springs, so I've always been fond of it, but it is quite pricey. Plenty of amazing restaurants at the Springs, but I'm pretty sure you're looking at 300-400 a night for a room.

Rimrock is great as well and a little cheaper.

Saltlik in Banff is by far my favorite restaurant. Long waits on the weekend though. Grizzly House is probably the most famous restaurant in Banff.

Mt. Royal hotel is the biggest dump in Alberta.

[VladtheImpaler]

I would recommend the Delta (damn, sorry can't remember the actual name of it). We went for a weekend last fall - I used priceline and was able to pick up a room for $135. I just bid on any 4 star or better in Banff/Lake Louise and the Delta took my offer (I had to incrementally increase it from $120).

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler

I would recommend the Delta (damn, sorry can't remember the actual name of it). We went for a weekend last fall - I used priceline and was able to pick up a room for $135. I just bid on any 4 star or better in Banff/Lake Louise and the Delta took my offer (I had to incrementally increase it from $120).

Delta Royal Canadian Lodge. I stayed there a couple times before it got branded a Delta, and loved it. Great place for a romantic weekend (fireplaces in many/most rooms, great pool/hot tub/sauna)

[troutman]

Buffalo Mountain Lodge is nice, and great restaurant too.

http://www.crmr.com/buffalo/

[Drury18]

I'll second the Buffalo Mountain Lodge. My sister got married there and while some of the rooms can be pricey, its a nice atmosphere and great view. My balcony looked out into wildlife and a massive mountain.

There was a good little Greek resturant in Banff called Balkan. It's right on the main street by the Candy Store. If you can make it there on the Thursday night they have traditional Greek dancing and plate smashing. The food was good and authentic.

http://www.banffbalkan.ca/

[Fozzie_DeBear]

The Banff Centre is a good find...the Three Ravens Restaurant is amazing (the glass walled part of the dining centre) food is reasonably priced and outstanding.

The view is ridiculous


You may even be able to catch an interesting show depending on when you go.

Rooms are basic but reasonable too.

[Option84]

Check out Barpa Bill's under the Lux Cinema for awesome Soulaki wraps!

[bizaro86]

Depending on your budget/taste, the Banff Springs might be a good option as well. At 3-400/night, it's a bit expensive for a quick weekend, but Fairmont has a monthly sale from the 1st to 2nd wednesday of every month, and the Banff Springs has select availability for $159/night.

Only weekend I could find was the first weekend in May, $159/night for a room with 1 Queen bed. Upgrade to the King was $199/night.

More info here: http://www.fpcnews.com/greatrates/index.aspx

Must book by tomorrow (April 12)

Edited to add: Jasper Park Lodge is also a neat place for a romantic weekend, and has more availability on the same sale. It's also only $149/night, but it's quite a bit further to drive.

[Sainters7]

Rimrock is pricy but in a great location if you're planning on going to the Hot Springs and up the gondola. Can practically walk there in 5min.

I'll second the Royal Canadian Lodge (didn't even know it was Delta now), especially if you don't wanna pay upwards of $300/night at the Rimrock or Banff Springs.

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by Flabbibulin

Saltlik in Banff is by far my favorite restaurant.

+1 for Saltlik.

[Nammer403]

i always liked goin to the grizzly house every time i went to banff

[troutman]

Saltlik is real expensive for what it is - a rip-off of Ruth's Chris

[loob job]

Join the Fairmont Presidents Club, you get crazy good deals at the start of every month including the Banff Springs. Just checked and Banff Springs is on there right now for $159 a night but you have to book by tomorrow. Do that, i booked my whole honeymoon using the Presidents club, it worked awesome.

[arloiginla]

The Keg at the Caribou Lodge is really really good.

Unless you are looking for something a little more unique to Banff.

[Northendzone]

might also want to consider lake louise - some of the hotels theer might be a little more quiet than banff.....

otherwise a weekend away witht eh kids during playoff season means only one thing - you can watch hockey in peace all day....

[Shazam]

I usually stayed at the Rimrock before the kids popped out. Nice swim area and there's always rich young babes in bikinis.

Banff Springs is of course the best but can be ludicrously expensive and the rooms can be super tiny because the hotel was built back when guests shared the floor's bathroom. There's a great area though behind the hotel where you can skate and toboggan for free. Bonfire and hot chocolate included! Just ask the concierge for directions.

Chaya is a great place for Japanese ramen; better than any place in Calgary IMHO. Athens for pizza. Best restaurant is probably the Bison. There's also a place that sells shakes and Nathan's hot dogs called Shakes. There's a great veggie restaurant called Nourish.

[MacDaddy77]

Thanks for the heads up about the Fairmont Presidents Club.

Sweet deal $200/night is good for the Springs.

[8 Ball]

Me and the wife used to stay at the Rimrock for her birthday every year before we had kids. We would get the romance package which included reservations to Eden and a few other perks. We realy enjoyed it.