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.
Yeah, I know some people really like the Rimrock, but I find it to be sterile and lacking in personality. Feels like a great start to a hotel, but after the drywallers and painters left they just sort of said, good enough.
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It's not. It's fine to stroll up to from town and walk around for a bit, but you'll have your fill in about half an hour. Staying in town is way better.
If this is your first time in Banff, and you can swing it, definitely stay at the Banff Springs. Despite the town being overrun with people, it's hard to deny that the hotel itself is still worth the experience. The rooms there are fairly small, but the hotel itself is just so grand you feel like you are in another time, and swimming in that outdoor pool overlooking the mountain valley on a snowy day is a great memory. We also like taking that little walk down through the forest to the Waldhous for a pint and fondue...I enjoyed it much more than the loud/touristy Grizzly House.
If you've already done Banff, you may want to give the Pomeroy in Kananaskis a consideration though. The scenery is just as nice, the hotel is newly renovated and has lots of places to chill, you can go for quiet hikes or skate in their little pond, and the nordic spa is better than anything in Banff of LL. There's also a nice play to go for a scenic sleigh ride a few KMs away from the hotel.
Last edited by Table 5; 12-05-2023 at 10:34 AM.
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If this is your first time in Banff, and you can swing it, definitely stay at the Banff Springs. Despite the town being overrun these days, it's hard to deny that the hotel is still worth the experience. The rooms there are fairly small, but the hotel itself is just so grand you feel like you are in another time, and swimming in that outdoor pool overlooking the mountains on a snowy day is is a great memory. We also like taking that little walk down through the forest to the Waldhous for a pint and fondue...I enjoyed it much more than the loud/touristy Grizzly House.
If you've already done Banff, you may want to give the Pomeroy in Kananaskis a consideration though. The scenery is just as nice, the hotel is newly renovated and has lots of places to chill, and the Spa is better than anything in Banff of LL. You can always do a day trip into Banff.
Reading through this thread is so awesome. It goes to show why it's such an insane spot we're so lucky to have just an hourish away.
Two really good fondue places that are authentic to the mountains with completely different vibes. Rad.
All the things to do depending on your tastes, style and mood.
All the things to do depending on your budget.
That town is fkn magic.
Also - unpopular opinion - but catching a movie at the Lux is a really chill way to spend a couple hours in an afternoon. I think this suggestion is good because it sounds like OP is looking for some downtime away from the kids. The Lux is an old-school theater with a 1950s vibe. I always enjoy it there and you could at least watch something that isn't rated G for once since you won't have the kids.
Did the hotel give you an explanation on what was going on and why they were at "half strength"?
Not really... I was with my family and the kids were happy/busy enough, which in my mind makes the weekend a success. We knew about the spa going in, so that wasn't a surprise and probably not something we would have had an opportunity to use anyways.
It had been a couple of years since we were there, and there were some changes... The main lounge is now more of a restaurant, and while I remember getting burgers and nachos with the kids a few years ago, the menu is now more formal (which wasn't ideal since my wife and I had a little too much wine the night before)... It would have been preferable to go to the "pub" in the lower level, but it's now "Alpine Social" and wasn't open for lunch... Neither was the other "lounge" (High tea only, yet they were empty) or the Walliser Staub, or the Italian place at the other end of the hotel... So that left the main lounge and the new Mediterranean place on the lower level, which was underwhelmed for dinner the night before...
If I had to guess, it would come down to staffing, which is sort of our fault for booking in the shoulder season and I'm sure they'll ramp up in the coming weeks.
Again, nothing to ruin a trip or anything like that, but something worth knowing going in just to keep expectations in check.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sliver
Yeah, I know some people really like the Rimrock, but I find it to be sterile and lacking in personality. Feels like a great start to a hotel, but after the drywallers and painters left they just sort of said, good enough.
The Rimrock was recently purchased and I believe the new owners are planning on a $100mm renovation, which IMO, would finally mean there are two top-tier hotels in Banff. Otherwise, I agree, as it is, it's just missing something.
Edit: Sliver nailed it on the Rimrock... From Oxford's own investment statement:
"The Rimrock has a great history but has not received the appropriate investment and operational attention in recent years. There is a tremendous opportunity through renovation to transform the property physically as well as through programming and guest experience to build off the beautiful physical setting to ultimately create a truly iconic destination"
FWIW, Oxford partnered with Accor in the acquisition... Accor operates the Banff Springs.
Last edited by you&me; 12-05-2023 at 10:46 AM.
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If this is your first time in Banff, and you can swing it, definitely stay at the Banff Springs. Despite the town being overrun with people, it's hard to deny that the hotel itself is still worth the experience. The rooms there are fairly small, but the hotel itself is just so grand you feel like you are in another time, and swimming in that outdoor pool overlooking the mountain valley on a snowy day is a great memory. We also like taking that little walk down through the forest to the Waldhous for a pint and fondue...I enjoyed it much more than the loud/touristy Grizzly House.
If you've already done Banff, you may want to give the Pomeroy in Kananaskis a consideration though. The scenery is just as nice, the hotel is newly renovated and has lots of places to chill, you can go for quiet hikes or skate in their little pond, and the nordic spa is better than anything in Banff of LL. There's also a nice play to go for a scenic sleigh ride a few KMs away from the hotel.
Man, I hate to be such a contrarian, but I also feel like the Pomeroy would miss the mark for a celebratory weekend away with the wife... The Nordic spa is fantastic, but the dining options are OK at best and frankly, the entire place is over-run with families with young kids (we go a lot!)... Fantastic place for a weekend away with the family, but it seems like 90% of other guests have the same idea and it's definitely not a place to chill with your spouse.
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The Rimrock was recently purchased and I believe the new owners are planning on a $100mm renovation, which IMO, would finally mean there are two top-tier hotels in Banff. Otherwise, I agree, as it is, it's just missing something.
That's awesome to hear and also nice to know as it justifies our impression in a way. I was always trying to see what other people saw in that place and I never could. I've even stayed at one of their best rooms (it was huuge) and it just felt like a large Days Inn in too many ways hah.
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.
We went in there a bunch of years ago. Had reservations. Went for all the nostalgia I felt as a kid going there, when my mom smoked 3 packs a day, so she loved it as well. Walked in and we were both "NOPE" and left. I can't stand deep frier oil smell. Like the Chicago Chophouse/Ceilis restos were but times 20.
Reading through this thread is so awesome. It goes to show why it's such an insane spot we're so lucky to have just an hourish away.
Yeah, it's definitely a place a lot of us (including me) take for granted because of the crowds etc, but it's no doubt still a special place and a true world-class tourist destination. Despite being there many times now, my in-laws from NY still insist we go to Banff every time they visit us, and just can't stop talking it up to people back home.
Wasn't the Rimrock the result of the government trying to "diversify the economy" a bunch of years ago. Never had been there but was expecting a modern banff springs, it was nothing of the sort. Highest coolness of location to lameness of a hotel ratio on the planet. Restaurants were trash as well.
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Wasn't the Rimrock the result of the government trying to "diversify the economy" a bunch of years ago. Never had been there but was expecting a modern banff springs, it was nothing of the sort. Highest coolness of location to lameness of a hotel ratio on the planet. Restaurants were trash as well.
Yeah, no sense of occasion and no gravitas. This $100mm should help.
Ya, I know its crazy expensive and easy to hate on, but a 2-3 day no holds barred extravaganza at the Banff Springs is absolutely fantastic... you do not need to leave the hotel.
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I don’t know anyone who has actually been to the Banff Springs that would hate on it. It’s one of the few hotels… maybe in the world… where it’s both ridiculously expensive and worth every penny.
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I don’t know anyone who has actually been to the Banff Springs that would hate on it. It’s one of the few hotels… maybe in the world… where it’s both ridiculously expensive and worth every penny.
The only caveat is get a room in the original building.
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I don’t know anyone who has actually been to the Banff Springs that would hate on it. It’s one of the few hotels… maybe in the world… where it’s both ridiculously expensive and worth every penny.
The prices really have skyrocketed in the last couple years coming out of covid. We had a (summer) room block about 10 years ago for somewhere around 240 I think, which was then regarded by some in our group as steep. Good god I wish now. There were some awesome prices during the peak of covid and we stayed in a turret suite for our anniversary for a few nights at the same prices as a basic fairmont room now. I just checked now for context and the turret suite this summer is 4000!
Last edited by Flabbibulin; 12-05-2023 at 12:02 PM.
I don’t know anyone who has actually been to the Banff Springs that would hate on it. It’s one of the few hotels… maybe in the world… where it’s both ridiculously expensive and worth every penny.
We once went early December and it was terrible. The corporate Christmas Party crowd was there...couples fighting in the hallways at 3am, wine glasses in the outdoor pool, people in their bathrobes and pajamas at the Gold Lounge for breakfast. I will never stay during this time again. We did get a comp room for a non-holiday weekend and put us up in the A.C. Leighton Royal Fairmont suite with it's own bar which made up for it.
It is part of the experience with such a historic hotel. I do not ever need a TV, regarding the air-conditioning, if you face Waterton Lake you get the breeze blowing off the water at night so unless it is really hot or you do not get a breeze, it can be stifling. The prime rib I ordered was excellent and the special that night but my wife ordered a pork cutlet/chop and it had to be the worst prepared piece of meat I have ever tried, very overcooked. So I said the food was ok based on the entire experience...therefore do not have the pork chop, the Prime Rib was great.
If you didn't want to wander Banff Ave and the shops, I'd suggest one of the cabins at Baker Creek on the Bow Valley Parkway. There's a small cafe on-site or you can bring your own food & cook in the cabin (I know, this is not for some). Gorgeous scenery, quiet, you can hike all around there if you feel up to it, or just stay in the cabin the whole time.
I don't know how good the cafe is, we haven't stayed there since before the Bistro burned down. If you don't have a vehicle, I'd assume there's shuttles into Lake Louise or possibly a taxi, for restaurants. Could get pricey though.
It used to be one of our favorite places to go. We just haven't been able to get out there for a few years now.
