Wekiva

We are in the early stages of planning a trip to the Banff area. We looked at the Banff Springs Hotel and the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise but they are a bit more expensive and a bit larger than we'd like. Are there any nice hotels...or even bed/breakfasts that are remote and yet have fantastic views of the mountains and the lakes? I would assume there are many but all of my searches keep sending me to hotels in the middle of the town of Banff. I DON'T want to be stuck in the middle of a town.

We would be going in late spring/early summer so this is more of a hiking, touring trip than a skiing trip. We love the Lauterbrunnen valley area of Switzerland and are looking for something similar yet closer to home.

Thanks

qwovadis

Good personal experience here many other options below.
http://www.booking.com/hotel/ca/rimr...-banff.en.html

laverendrye

Because it is a national park, Banff does not have many accommodations outside the two townsites of Banff and Lake Louise. However, here are a few that you might look at: Lake O'Hara Lodge, Moraine Lake Lodge, Num-Ti-Jah Lodge and in the nearby Yoho NP, Emerald Lake Lodge. I have not stayed in any, so cannot make a recommendation.

out_and_about

There are some real gems in the surrounding area, you'll also want to consider Storm Mountain Lodge - about 25 minutes away from either Banff or Lake Louise; Moraine Lake Lodge - about 25 minutes to Lake Louise. Even if you don't stay at either of these, do consider taking breakfast or dinner on a hiking day, both offer excellent fare. Less remote but not in town, check Deer Lodge or Paradise Lodge on Lake Louise Drive; Baker Creek Resort or Castle Mountain Chalets are located on the old #1 Highway, now called Bow Valley Parkway (keep in mind trains move through there regularly) - do take this alternate, more leisurely route at least once when driving between Banff and Lake Louise! You likely know that distances stretch out much further here than in the Alps, which has its pro's and con's. I would also recommend you be clear on when late spring occurs here - since you're planning to hike, early summer is usually better to avoid late snow pack and/or muddy trails. There are *spectacular* hikes, and you'll find lots of alpine flowers out in early July (one of my hobbies). Welcome to our part of the world, and Enjoy!

Wekiva

Thanks for all these recommendations. I don't mind staying a bit away from the towns if it can get us into something remote. We haven't nailed down the time of year (looking at summer of 2013) but I do understand about finding out when hiking season starts.

tomfuller

There is a series of Wilderness HI Hostels if they meet your needs. Certainly not the Fairmont. http://www.hihostels.ca/westerncanad..._Hostel.hostel
I have stayed more than once at the Jasper Hi Hostel about 3 miles SW of the town of Jasper.

krp329

All of the "front-country" (road accessible) accommodation in Banff National Park is on the www.banfflakelouise.com website. It doesn't include backcountry (wilderness) lodges like Skoki Lodge, or Lake O'Hara Lodge.

Stairgod

Although I haven't stayed at Storm Mountain When I drive past it I always wonder because of its high elevation it looks like a real cool place. The same with Baker Creek I have met the owner and have driven past it many times and have made a mental note to stay there. The Douglas Fir Resort although it is in town is up the side of the mountain is reasonably priced and is not downtown but is located next to other resorts. Castle Mountain I feel is to close to the rail lines and highway. Johnston Canyon( maybe spelled Johnson) has cabins located next to an amazing creek that goes up to the ink pots, three small springs that are round about 8 feet and diameter and very cold. On your way to the ink pots there are also some cascade water falls the upper and lower as well as metal walk ways attatched to the side of the canyons. Up further from the ink pots are some mountain lakes which I have camped at and have met people who do speed hiking who go up and back during a day. You could also consider Kananaski Country which is located between Calgary and Banff. Kananaski Villiage has several hotels and is minutes from several great hikes and the view of the Bow Valley is amazing. There are other places to stay in the Bow Valley but I have never tried them.

Howdey

Great suggestions

krp329

If you want to get into Lake O'Hara Lodge for the summer of 2013, you need to enquire soon. I had hoped to stay there last summer, and enquired in January and was told it was already booked. When I asked when is the best time to enquire for summer, she told me to do it before September, the year before. Also, she didn't say this, but I have friends who have stayed there many times and have heard this from them... your chances of getting in are better the longer your stay is. Apparently they slot in their reservations starting with the longest requests.

Note that Lake O'H is a wilderness lodge - totally off the grid, and 14 km from the highway. It's a hiking destination. There are limited seats on a bus that get you in there; no other vehicular traffic is allowed.

If you are interested in subalpine and alpine hiking, it would be best to come after mid-July. Many trails are accessible by mid-June, but there is still a lot of snow in the higher areas, and some passes are still impassable then.

Eschew

Based on persoanl experience, look up Buffalo Mounatin Lodges in Banff. remote, atop the Tunnel mountain, great view, fire palce in every room. Food is good in teh dining room. For Lake Louise, look up Post Hotel and Deer Lodge. Both are great. Post Hotel is a bit more remote. Deer Lodge is that "old" hotel that you past just before you get to the Fairmont Lake Louise. Walking distance to the lake, freindly staff, roof top hot tub with great view.