Recommendations for weekend trip to Banff

[Slava]

The best part of Hello Sushi is that after too much sake or beer, they have private karaoke rooms in the back. Super fun night, if you're with the right group!

[Huntingwhale]

Originally Posted by Slava

I don't know, someone suggest the Old Spaghetti Factory which is just hilarious to me. I feel like that's the ultimate troll here, but maybe some people love that place?

Ha! I actually find that place to be pretty underrated, yet affordable and pretty good ambience. Probably the restaurant I've been to the most in Banff and I have yet to be disappointed.

I personally find Grizzly house overrated AF. Last time we went there I requested the private room, was told it was mine. Even got a call back from them the night before confirming my reservation, only to be put in the side wall directly beside another table that was so close the smoke from their grill was right in our face. I asked the server why we didn't get the private room and she said it was already booked . Food there was bland, way overpriced and is not a place I will return to.

[Muta]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

Ha! I actually find that place to be pretty underrated, yet affordable and pretty good ambience. Probably the restaurant I've been to the most in Banff and I have yet to be disappointed.

I don't hate it, as long as you know what level of food / service you're in for before going in. That said, the Italian side of my family would beat me with baseball bats if I even stepped foot in that franchise.

[Huntingwhale]

Yeah, nobody is going to mistake it for 5* Italian cuisine. But after a long day of hiking/skiing, I think it's a great place to load up on carbs.

[Yeah_Baby]

Also I caught a Flames game at the Elk and Oarsmen. Pretty good sports bar.

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by fotze2

Definitely would also suggest/confirm these good recommendations in this order:

1. Ole Spaghetti Factory
2. Grizzly house so you can throw your clothes out after because it smells like 50 years of boiling fryer oil and cigarettes. Oh ya there are phones on each table so you can phone other tables for some reason. (are those still there). German swinger owners back in the day?
3. That pub with no windows and smells like sick and sewer back-up because its in a basement.

Peter Steiner(Swiss). He was a weird dude. Opened a nudist colony on Lake Shuswap which I had the pleasure(not) of visiting at 13. He bought a paddle wheeler to bring people there, and tried to hire the disgraced captain of the Exxon Valdez(he wasn't interested).

He'd come into the gas station driving "The Ark" which was a wooden camper styled like a gypsy wagon on the back of the oldest crappiest truck I ever did have to work on. And he wore these leather pants all the time.

Spoiler!

He once tried to drown me because I kept splashing him jumping off the dock while he was sunbathing. I probably deserved it. Crusty old dude, but a real character.

[you&me]

Banff is my go-to getaway with my wife and even over a few nights, we often find ourselves just staying at the Springs the whole time... The spa and pools are the best in Banff (bonus that you can have a cocktail at / in the pool, if that's your thing) and many of the onsite dining options are among the best in town as well, so rarely do you feel like you have to leave. On top of that, there's skating, bowling, snowshoeing and sleigh rides keep you busy, if needed.

I would echo the recommendations for the gondola Sky Bistro and also Eden, if you're into the whole tasting menu experience.

For a fondue experience that won't leaving you stinking of grease for days, the Waldhaus is sooo much better than the Grizzly House (best caesar I've ever had, too).

1888 (steak) and Castello (Italian) are also best-of-their-kind in Banff.

Someone mentioned the Chateau Lake Louise... while there are some spectacular views, the ammenities and options are far more limited than the Springs. We were just there a couple weeks ago and currently the spa is undergoing renovations and the restaurants had odd hours (not open for lunch; one was closed indefinitely), so there's even less to do.

[Sliver]

Grizzly House overhyped? Not a fkn chance. That is fun AF. The private room (sucks about Huntinwhale's experience there) is absolutely unique AFAIK. It's the real deal.

Phones are fun as well, but I don't think OP would like them, but you can enjoy yourself without even thinking twice about those.

Def bring some clothes you don't mind throwing in a garbage bag until you get home. You will totally stink after.

IDK, maybe some of these guys are just tired of it? But it's a weird old Swiss-style building that is a bazillion times more "Banff" than, like, SALTLIK or something basic like that. And Old Spaghetti? Yeah, that's absolute madness. Try McDonald's for breakfast if that's your jam.

If you have a few too many beers at some point make sure you stumble over to Aardvark for a slice of pizza. I don't care what anybody says, there is nothing better than munching on one of those to cap off a Banff night.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by you&me

Banff is my go-to getaway with my wife and even over a few nights, we often find ourselves just staying at the Springs the whole time... The spa and pools are the best in Banff (bonus that you can have a cocktail at / in the pool, if that's your thing) and many of the onsite dining options are among the best in town as well, so rarely do you feel like you have to leave. On top of that, there's skating, bowling, snowshoeing and sleigh rides keep you busy, if needed.

I would echo the recommendations for the gondola Sky Bistro and also Eden, if you're into the whole tasting menu experience.

For a fondue experience that won't leaving you stinking of grease for days, the Waldhaus is sooo much better than the Grizzly House (best caesar I've ever had, too).

1888 (steak) and Castello (Italian) are also best-of-their-kind in Banff.

Someone mentioned the Chateau Lake Louise... while there are some spectacular views, the ammenities and options are far more limited than the Springs. We were just there a couple weeks ago and currently the spa is undergoing renovations and the restaurants had odd hours (not open for lunch; one was closed indefinitely), so there's even less to do.

Only thing that is 10,000x better at Chateau Lake Louise than Banff Springs is the skating. I think the rink at Banff Springs is embarrassingly bad, whereas I've never skated at a more beautiful Norman Rockwell-style place than in front of the Chateau. Probably will be some ice sculptures while he's there, too. If they really are just going to stay in their room and enjoy views, Louise is actually a solid option.

Waldhous is great for fondue and I love the vibe of the restaurant.

OP, for fondue Waldhous is a little higher end and kind of special. Grizzly is more rustic. Think of Waldhous like the upper deck of the Titanic where Rose took Jack to eat and Grizzly House is like third class where Jack took Rose to party and dance. Just depends on which vibe suits your mood when you're there.

[you&me]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Grizzly House overhyped? Not a fkn chance. That is fun AF. The private room (sucks about Huntinwhale's experience there) is absolutely unique AFAIK. It's the real deal.

Phones are fun as well, but I don't think OP would like them, but you can enjoy yourself without even thinking twice about those.

Def bring some clothes you don't mind throwing in a garbage bag until you get home. You will totally stink after.

IDK, maybe some of these guys are just tired of it? But it's a weird old Swiss-style building that is a bazillion times more "Banff" than, like, SALTLIK or something basic like that. And Old Spaghetti? Yeah, that's absolute madness. Try McDonald's for breakfast if that's your jam.

If you have a few too many beers at some point make sure you stumble over to Aardvark for a slice of pizza. I don't care what anybody says, there is nothing better than munching on one of those to cap off a Banff night.

None of what you've said here is wrong, but - without knowing the OP - may not be the most on point advice for this particular trip.

The Grizzly House has a time and place... Going with family or a bunch of friends for a night of drinking, hell yeah, it's definitely something to experience... But the smell cannot be understated... You will reek and people you encounter will smell you and know why you reek... Probably not the best for a night out with your wife.

Again, I don't know the OP or his wife, but I'd save Aardvark and McDonalds for another time in Banff...

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by you&me

Someone mentioned the Chateau Lake Louise... while there are some spectacular views, the ammenities and options are far more limited than the Springs. We were just there a couple weeks ago and currently the spa is undergoing renovations and the restaurants had odd hours (not open for lunch; one was closed indefinitely), so there's even less to do.

Thanks I didn't know that

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Grizzly House overhyped? Not a fkn chance. That is fun AF. The private room (sucks about Huntinwhale's experience there) is absolutely unique AFAIK. It's the real deal.

Phones are fun as well, but I don't think OP would like them, but you can enjoy yourself without even thinking twice about those.

Def bring some clothes you don't mind throwing in a garbage bag until you get home. You will totally stink after.

IDK, maybe some of these guys are just tired of it? But it's a weird old Swiss-style building that is a bazillion times more "Banff" than, like, SALTLIK or something basic like that. And Old Spaghetti? Yeah, that's absolute madness. Try McDonald's for breakfast if that's your jam.

If you have a few too many beers at some point make sure you stumble over to Aardvark for a slice of pizza. I don't care what anybody says, there is nothing better than munching on one of those to cap off a Banff night.

wrong Grizzly House sucks and is for foolish tourists.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Suggested alternative: Waterton.

[you&me]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Only thing that is 10,000x better at Chateau Lake Louise than Banff Springs is the skating. I think the rink at Banff Springs is embarrassingly bad, whereas I've never skated at a more beautiful Norman Rockwell-style place than in front of the Chateau. Probably will be some ice sculptures while he's there, too. If they really are just going to stay in their room and enjoy views, Louise is actually a solid option.

Waldhous is great for fondue and I love the vibe of the restaurant.

OP, for fondue Waldhous is a little higher end and kind of special. Grizzly is more rustic. Think of Waldhous like the upper deck of the Titanic where Rose took Jack to eat and Grizzly House is like third class where Jack took Rose to party and dance. Just depends on which vibe suits your mood when you're there.

It truly cannot be understated how spectacular skating at Lake Louise is.

There was no ice when we were there, though some people chose to do a polar bear swim instead!

As bad as the skating at the Banff Springs, I think the pool at Lake Louise is equally disappointing... And with no spa and only 2/5 restaurants serving lunch (when we were there, on a long weekend, with a lineup of non-guests restricted from the hotel), I'd caution anyone going to the Chateau to have their expectations in check... Though again, if you're just going to spend the whole weekend in the room...

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by you&me

It truly cannot be understated how spectacular skating at Lake Louise is.

There was no ice when we were there, though some people chose to do a polar bear swim instead!

As bad as the skating at the Banff Springs, I think the pool at Lake Louise is equally disappointing... And with no spa and only 2/5 restaurants serving lunch (when we were there, on a long weekend, with a lineup of non-guests restricted from the hotel), I'd caution anyone going to the Chateau to have their expectations in check... Though again, if you're just going to spend the whole weekend in the room...

Did the hotel give you an explanation on what was going on and why they were at "half strength"?

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Suggested alternative: Waterton.

I've been meaning to stay at the Prince of Wales.

Would love to hear about the experince.

[Muta]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Phones are fun as well, but I don't think OP would like them, but you can enjoy yourself without even thinking twice about those.

One time I was there with my GF at the time, and I left to go to the washroom. When I came back, there was a group of guys calling her multiple times on the phone at our table. I look over and they're all waving and laughing and it was all in good fun. Turns out they were on the Swiss national ski team, they were damn good dudes, bought us drinks and were an absolute riot there the whole night.

[Johnny Makarov]

Visit the Banff Springs but stay at the Rimrock. It's so much nicer. Plus you can walk to the Gondola and the Hot Springs from there.

[Redlan]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

I've been meaning to stay at the Prince of Wales.

Would love to hear about the experince.

Prince of Wales is great, not open in the winter. it has no TV's and air conditioning, which is fine by me. The food is ok and the High Tea is a good time. Cocktails and beer were not overpriced, they will send a nice plate of cheese and fruit if you are there for an anniversary.

[Johnny Makarov]

Originally Posted by Redlan

Prince of Wales is great, not open in the winter. it has no TV's and air conditioning, which is fine by me. The food is ok and the High Tea is a good time. Cocktails and beer were not overpriced, they will send a nice plate of cheese and fruit if you are there for an anniversary.

How is that great?....