Banff Hotels - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

albertGQ · 01-23-2008, 03:15 PM

Thinking of taking my girlfriend there on Saturday night for her birthday AND Valentine's (being cheap and doing the two in one gift). What hotels do you guys recommend that isn't too expensive. I've heard Banff Springs is pretty expensive, so that will be out of the equation.

I don't want suggestions of Super 8 or something on that level.

What hotel has the best value for what you pay for?

Restaurant suggestions would be helpful too. Something along the same lines as a Moxie's, Joey Tomatoes is preferable. Or even a Vintage (on 11th ave) comparable would fit into my budget

Thanks guys!

OILFAN #81 · 01-23-2008, 03:23 PM

I know you said Banff Springs is too expensive but that is by far the best hotel in Banff. Definately worth the price.

Anyways, other ones that are good are the Banff Caribou Lodge and Spa, Delta Banff Royal Canadian Lodge, and Charlton's Cedar Court.

In terms of restuarants, there are a couple really good chinese restuarants that we went too. I'll find a name in a bit.

V V Eden is a good place too!

troutman · 01-23-2008, 03:24 PM

Rimrock.

Dinner at Eden - expensive, but impressive.

albertGQ · 01-23-2008, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troutman

Rimrock.

Dinner at Eden - expensive, but impressive.

Yeah, took my previous girlfriend there. That was pretty expensive too. Might do that again though.

I shouldn't have too hard of a problem booking a hotel two days in advance hey? (I prob won't book till tomorrow, if at all)

albertGQ · 01-23-2008, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troutman

Rimrock.

Dinner at Eden - expensive, but impressive.

What type of restaurant is this?

OILFAN #81 · 01-23-2008, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by albertGQ

What type of restaurant is this?

http://www.igougo.com/travelcontent/...71675&oIndex=6

It's good. Went there a few times.

Sainters7 · 01-23-2008, 03:30 PM

Awesome thread to start. I am planning on a similar idea and was just researching hotels myself. Only its not for Valentine's Day, rather just a weekend getaway. On top of that, I'm a student, so it really doesnt have to be expensive at all. So not to derail this, but if people could also suggest some not as expensive hotels that still give you a good "bang for your buck", itd be appreciated

troutman · 01-23-2008, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by albertGQ

What type of restaurant is this?

http://www.rimrockresort.com/eden.html

Our AAA Five Diamond award winning restaurant is an exquisite dining experience, offering French cuisine with regional accents. Combined with Eden’s Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence and ALTO award winning service, this restaurant provides each guest with the finest in dining, service and the most scenic views in Banff. Wine sommeliers are on staff to offer the best wine paring to compliment the experience.

Try the twelve-course tasting menu.

surferguy · 01-23-2008, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sainters7

Awesome thread to start. I am planning on a similar idea and was just researching hotels myself. Only its not for Valentine's Day, rather just a weekend getaway. On top of that, I'm a student, so it really doesnt have to be expensive at all. So not to derail this, but if people could also suggest some not as expensive hotels that still give you a good "bang for your buck", itd be appreciated

Hotel Dey Ray - although it is not in Banff, it is downtown San Jose, Costa Rica.

Give it a try and report back.

troutman · 01-23-2008, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by albertGQ

Yeah, took my previous girlfriend there. That was pretty expensive too. Might do that again though.

I shouldn't have too hard of a problem booking a hotel two days in advance hey? (I prob won't book till tomorrow, if at all)

Don't mention to the new girlfriend that you took a previous girlfriend there.

jammies · 01-23-2008, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troutman

Don't mention to the new girlfriend that you took a previous girlfriend there.

And hope you don't get the same waiter - "Good evening, sir! I must say every woman you bring here impresses me with your refined taste for quality!"

FlamesKickAss · 01-23-2008, 03:46 PM

That new fox one looks nice. We normally stay at the banff Inn but some of the rooms are dumps.

Claeren · 01-23-2008, 03:53 PM

I always liked staying at 'Inns of Banff'. It is kind of dumpy, and admittedly when i am trying to impress i go to Chateau Lake Louise or Rimrock, but the rooms are huge (nicer on the inside then the outside) and the roof-top hot tub is pretty hard to beat on a cold night! And best of all it is usually pretty damn cheap!!

It is more where i stay when i am not trying to impress, am doing a lot of skiing, and want to be able to wander around in my sweaty clothes, hit the tub, and THEN hit the strip for a nice dinner - without it being totally gross either.

www.innsofbanff.com

The Mount Royal Hotel is pretty nice i guess, and it has the advantage of kick-ass location! You can drink a few bottles of wine and wander right to your room directly!

Claeren.

Sainters7 · 01-23-2008, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jammies

And hope you don't get the same waiter - "Good evening, sir! I must say every woman you bring here impresses me with your refined taste for quality!"

...and asks if your date will have the usual, roofie colada.

ken0042 · 01-23-2008, 04:32 PM

As suggested in the last thread, we went to the Charleton over Xmas.

$130 per night, fireplace, king bed, loft room. Nice little pad.

CubicleGeek · 01-23-2008, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claeren

The Mount Royal Hotel is pretty nice i guess, and it has the advantage of kick-ass location! You can drink a few bottles of wine and wander right to your room directly!

I second that. The price is somewhere between Banff Springs/Rimrock and Holiday Inn/Super 8. It's a little on the older side, but clean and nothing touches the location.

redforever · 01-23-2008, 06:00 PM

The POST, and if you really want something special, try to get one of the 3 little cabins right by the river, although I would think they are booked already.

Excellent restaurant, and multiple awards for best wine selections.

8 Ball · 01-23-2008, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by albertGQ

Yeah, took my previous girlfriend there. That was pretty expensive too. Might do that again though.

I shouldn't have too hard of a problem booking a hotel two days in advance hey? (I prob won't book till tomorrow, if at all)

I have taken my wife there 3 or 4 times for her birthday, and loved it. If you reserve a room and ask for the romance package it includes the room, reservations at Eden, and breakfast buffet the next morning along with a few little extras.

RW99 · 01-23-2008, 06:39 PM

Hey, finally a topic I know something about

For hotels, I worked at the Rimrock for two years. It's the best alternative to the Banff Springs, larger more modern rooms, better pricing most of the time, still 4 to 4 1/2 diamond property.

Going down from that, I'd say the Fox is good. New property, nice grotto type hot tub in the middle (though not private

). Caribou is also pretty good, in the same line of quality. Mount Royal is pretty good, best location, good prices. From there it's pretty average and below.

Eden is crazy good, but expensive. The Banff Springs has one too, the Banffshire Club. I haven't been there though, but it's the only other five diamond restaurant in Alberta.

What type restaurant are you looking for? Maple Leaf is good for fancy, but not too fancy as above. Giorgio's for fancy Italian. Fuze is pretty good, sort of a trendy type of place. Same with Typhoon but with Asian influences. Some of them have menus up here: http://rockymountainroomservice.com/

Mike Oxlong · 01-23-2008, 08:47 PM

GRIZZLY HOUSE for dinner......
That is my favourite restaurant in Banff by far. It is a Fondue/Hot rock place.

A little different than a typical restaurant but it is very romantic. It is almost modelled like a seventies swingers type place but the food is incredible and you fondue it or use a hot rock right at your table. Very romantic and you can share each others food if your into that type of thing. They say it is a restaurant for lovers and hedonists.

They have all types of crazy things to try if you want like Buffalo, Alligator, Frogs legs, shark, deer, ostrich and a bunch of others or if you want to stick to Chicken and beef they have that as well.

Each table has a phone as well so if you get really bombed you can start calling all of the other tables and chatting with them, you can even call the washrooms and see how things are going for people in there. They even have a private room where nobody can see you. The one time we went there the waitress said that she would knock before coming in. She did knock and wait for us to say it was ok to enter everytime she came by. Don't know what usually goes on in that place.

If you get the main "feast" it is a good couple hours you will spend there and it all finishes with a chocolate fondue with Fruit.

Not your typical quiet candlelit romantic setting. More of a fun experience romantic type place. If your date is into that type of thigns she will love it.
http://banffgrizzlyhouse.com/

Check it out.....