22 Best Hotels in Banff National Park, Alberta

Affectionately known as "The Castle in the Rockies," this massive property—originally developed by the Canadian Pacific Railway, debuting in 1888 and ushering in Banff's tourism boom—is a destination in itself thanks to magnificent views of the Bow River and the surrounding mountains and an abundance of modern amenities. Pampering is an art form at the world-class Willow Stream spa. Restaurants, bars, and lounges of varying formality and cuisine create a small culinary universe. Riding stables and a championship golf course can be found on the extensive grounds. If you join the free Le Club AccorHotels loyalty program prior to your visit, during your stay you can enjoy complimentary premium Internet access and a free shoeshine.

Many of the large rooms at this lodge have fireplaces, hot tubs, and sitting areas, and although its location is second to none—close to area trails, ski resorts, and golf courses—it's almost a destination unto itself thanks to a large indoor pool and waterpark, hot tubs, tennis courts, a eucalyptus-infused steam room, a large fitness area, and a spa. Several on-site restaurants serve everything from pizza to haute cuisine, and the Summit Spa offers treatments for both men and women. In summer, you can rent bicycles in Kananaskis Village and enjoy miles of excellent trails, or enjoy a round of golf at the nearby Kananaskis Country Golf Course. The nearby Nakiska ski resort is popular with winter guests, and there are cross-country ski trails near the resort and equipment rentals in the village. There are children's activities during peak seasons. The large Kananaskis Nordic Spa is also located beside this resort.

The only lodge in Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park is also the oldest backcountry ski lodge in the Canadian Rockies. Built by the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1928, the rustic Assiniboine Lodge sits in a meadow in front of Lake Magog and its namesake peak. The main lodge has six double rooms with shared bathroom facilities and a communal dining room. There are six historic one-bedroom log cabins and one newly built cabin in the trees and meadows surrounding the main lodge. Each cabin has running water and uses propane for light and heat. Furnishings are handmade and beds have cozy goose-down duvets. Outhouses and showers are shared. Home-cooked meals are included in the cost of a stay. Breakfast, afternoon tea, and dinner are served in the rustic dining room and guests can pack their own picnic lunch each day after breakfast. You can reach the lodge on foot or by helicopter.

Surrounded by trees and mountains, this rustic ecolodge overlooking Abraham Lake has six lodge rooms, one apartment with a full kitchen, and two duplex cabin units with kitchens. The lodge is designed and operated to have a minimal impact on the environment---from waste management to energy and water usage. A home-cooked breakfast is included with lodge rooms and dinner can be provided for an additional charge of C$35.  Rooms are comfortable, bright, and spacious with a minimalistic European design. Most rooms are designed to accommodate two guests, but the corner suite has a pullout futon that could accommodate a family and the duplex cabins allow dogs. There are no phones or televisions in any units and no cellphone coverage in the vicinity of the lodge. Limited Wi-Fi is available for guests in lodge rooms only.

Tucked away off the scenic Bow Valley Parkway, this intimate, amenities-loaded, log-cabin resort has main-lodge rooms as well as private cabins with kitchens and fireplaces. In summer, take advantage of a volleyball court, free-use bicycles and fishing rods, and firepit areas along Baker Creek, which flows directly behind the resort. In winter, grab some complimentary skates, and head to the on-site rink, or borrow a pair of snowshoes, and head out on nearby cross-country ski trails. At any time of year, you can browse for gifts in the shop; work out in the fitness center; or chill out in the library, sauna, or steam room.

Two properties—the Lloyd Hall Hotel and the Hotel at the Professional Development Centre—with standard rooms and a variety of suites comprise the lodgings at the Banff Centre, which is perched on the side of Tunnel Mountain and has superb dining, arts, and recreational facilities. Guests have full access to a large library, the Walter Phillips Gallery, and the Sally Borden Fitness and Recreation Centre, which has a 25-meter (82-foot) swimming pool, a hot tub, a wading pool, an indoor running track, a climbing gym, a huge fitness center, and a full-size gymnasium where you can play basketball, volleyball, and badminton. Parking and Wi-Fi are free, and excellent on-site restaurants provide room service. Standard hotel rooms, kitchenette suites, and executive suites with fireplaces and jetted tubs are among the room types. Look for deals on the lodgings' website that include show tickets, meals, and accommodations.

Some rooms at this hotel, a short walk from busy downtown Banff, have mountain views, while others overlook a courtyard; all have contemporary minimalist decor, flat-screen TVs, mini-refrigerators, coffee stations, and free Wi-Fi. On-site amenities include a restaurant and lounge, coffee bar, 12-person hot tub, dry sauna, ski lockers, laundry facilities, and an underground parking lot.

The view out the Fairmont's back door is dramatic and then some, with terraces and lawns that reach to the famous aquamarine lake, itself backed by the Victoria Glacier. Some guestrooms at the hotel, which opened in 1890 as a wooden chalet but was given a stone facade after a 1924 fire, have private terraces; all have neo-colonial furnishings. Eating options range from family dining in the Brasserie to night-on-the-town elegance in the Fairview Dining Room. Horseback riding and canoeing are available on the property during the summer. In winter, you can enjoy a sleigh ride around the lake, rent ice skates for a spin on Lake Louise, sign up for a guided mountain adventure or enjoy a wellness experience at the spa. Join the free Accor Live Limitless loyalty program prior to your visit to receive complimentary premium Internet access.

The Fox is close enough to downtown that you can walk to most of the shopping and nightlife, but far enough away that you won't be bothered by noise while staying in its comfortable standard rooms or suites with kitchenettes and separate living areas. All rooms open to an outside central courtyard area; some rooms at the back have mountain views. In the basement, artificial hot springs with faux rock walls evoke Banff's Cave and Basin National Historic Site. Other amenities include free Wi-Fi, Banff transit passes, and heated underground parking.

Banff's newest hotel has well-appointed, spacious rooms with kitchen nooks and air-conditioning and suites with gas fireplaces. Dedicated to sustainability and quality guest experiences, hotel guests are presented with a no-waste customized coffee/tea package and a free Roam transit pass at check-in. The on-site restaurant and lounge, Sudden Sally, serves breakfast lunch and dinner alongside creative cocktails, craft beer and carefully selected wines. There is onsite underground parking.

A little oasis only a short drive from downtown, this independently owned hotel sits at the base of Mt. Norquay, surrounded by the woodlands of Banff National Park. It's popular with skiers in the winter; hikers come in summer to enjoy the Discovery Trail, right on the property. Accommodations, which include standard rooms, two- and three-bedroom suites, and cabins (no air-conditioning), have sterling views and are simple yet comfortable and pet friendly; some are also wheelchair accessible. Among the amenities are an excellent restaurant, an eight-person hot tub, bike rentals, in-room coffee and tea fixings, free W-Fi, and complimentary seasonal shuttle service to and from the town or the ski hill.

Done in neutral tones and decorated with works by local artists, rooms at this hotel, which opened in 2017 not far from downtown, surround a lovely interior courtyard that is itself anchored by one of Banff's most unique lodgings: a heritage house that was moved here from its original location and restored. All rooms have mini-fridges, air-conditioning, rain showers, and coffee makers/tea kettles; some rooms have gas fireplaces, kitchenettes, and mountain views. Facilities include a restaurant, a large swimming pool, a sauna, a fitness room, free underground parking, a full-service spa, and two large roof-top hot tubs.

Close to the action, with prime shops and restaurants right outside the door, this classic hotel combines the old with the new: it was built in 1908 and rebuilt in 2018 after having suffered damage in a devastating 2016 fire, and while the original facade wasn't changed, everything on the inside is up to modern standards. On-site are a restaurant, lounge, museum, library, general store, and two rooftop hot tubs. There are many different room types and although only some have kitchenettes and mountain views and those in the Cascade section are smaller, all rooms are decorated in cool neutral colors and have flat-screen TVs and mini-fridges.

This new property, a result of a $30 million makeover of Banff's first motor inn, has an expansive lobby with modern furnishings and a playful vibe that's evident in the game machines, comfy seating areas, and lobby restaurant that looks like a food truck. There's also a non-traditional check-in—head to the lobby bar to get your room key and a free signature drink. The outdoor hot tub area features two large hot tubs surrounded by more seating and several fire tables. Rooms have a retro ski theme and some even have retired chairlifts in them.

Secluded in a forest near beautiful Lake Louise and owned by the same family for more than 50 years, this property offers comfortable, upgraded, 1930s suites and cute cabins—each with a unique name and country-style furnishings, most with kitchenettes, some with jetted or claw-foot tubs. There are no phones, and breakfast isn't served, but Wi-Fi is free; rooms are stocked with granola bars, instant oatmeal, and a coffeemaker; and tea and coffee are always on hand in the main lodge.

The lobby of this newly constructed hotel is open and airy and when you walk down the hallways, it feels like you're walking in a forest with leaf motifs in the carpet and etched interior glass. Rooms are modern with clean lines, neutral colors, and comfortable furnishings. All rooms have large walk-in showers, mini-fridges, coffee/tea makers, flat-screen TVs with cable channels, hairdryers, safes, and phones with free local calling; suites also have microwaves. There is free Wi-Fi throughout the property, laundry service, and valet parking in an underground heated garage. Though the property has no pool or restaurants, guests have access to the pool, hot tub, steam room, and fitness facilities at its sister property, the Banff Park Lodge, directly across the street; Peaks Hotel guests can also charge meals at Banff Park Lodge restaurants to their room.

A bright red roof and post-and-beam construction have made this Swiss chalet–style, Relais & Châteaux property—one of the finest retreats in the Rocky Mountains—something of a Lake Louise landmark; understated elegance, stellar dining, and lots of amenities have made it internationally renowned. Accommodations range from standard doubles to deluxe suites with king-size beds and river-stone fireplaces to even more spacious units with sleeping lofts, fireplaces, and whirlpool tubs. If you like old-fashioned, in-the-mountains romance, try one of the three stream-side log cabins. The restaurant uses fresh, seasonal ingredients and has an incredible wine selection. Amenities include a large pool; a steam room; a hot tub; a fitness room; and the Temple Mountain Spa, which offers a broad range of treatments and packages. There are complimentary bikes in summer and a free ski shuttle in winter.

Luxurious appointments and natural splendor coexist harmoniously at this nine-story hotel on the steep slope of Sulphur Mountain: the Grand Lobby has a 25-foot ceiling, giant windows, a massive marble fireplace, and a balcony facing the Rockies. There are two lounges, two excellent restaurants (including one of Canada's finest), a top-notch spa and fitness area with squash and racquetball courts, an indoor pool, a steam room, a sauna, and a hot tub. Nearly all the rooms have views of the Bow Valley or Spray Valley, though the views from the lower floors are compromised by trees. The hotel offers a free seasonal golf and ski shuttle and heated underground parking. Guests can utilize the excellent on-site concierge services before as well as during their stay to plan a vacation itinerary and assist with reservations.

Established in 1928, this backcountry retreat is located near gorgeous Shadow Lake surrounded by stunning mountain peaks. The lodge is operated by the Alpine Club of Canada and is a perfect spot to unplug and unwind. There's a dining cabin, a wash house, and individual cabins for sleeping. Each cabin has its own private deck where guests can relax with a glass of wine and enjoy the views. You can hike or mountain bike in during the summer months and snowshoe or ski in during the winter months. Delicious meals are included with a stay and there are many wonderful trails to explore nearby.

Situated in a stunning high alpine area of Banff National Park, this historic lodge built in 1931 is a wonderful accommodation for hikers and skiers. The main lodge and three surrounding cabins provide accommodation for up to 22 guests, and while there's no electricity, a wood stove heats the lodge. Ski memorabilia and historic photos decorate the log walls, and there's always warm water for washing and kerosene lamps for light. The lodge is a great base for further explorations into the backcountry and five nearby valleys; an 11-km (6.8-mile) trail climbs over two high mountain passes from Lake Louise before reaching the Skoki Valley. The valleys are known for their beautiful alpine wildflowers in summer and there are cross-country ski trails, ski touring, and telemarking slopes to enjoy in winter. Delicious home-cooked meals and afternoon tea are included in the cost of a stay. The lodge has a two-night minimum stay unless you're booking two weeks or less prior.

Built in 1991, this 10-room log lodge is surrounded by trees and sits on the ends of a river with stunning views of the Sundance Mountain Range. A 16-km (10-mile) horseback ride gets you from the Warner stables in the Town of Banff to the lodge in summer, while in winter, you can ski, snowshoe, or fat bike in. From the lodge, there are several lovely guided horseback rides as well as snowshoe and ski areas. Unlike many backcountry lodges, this one has solar-powered electricity and running water, though guests do have to share bathroom facilities.

The only ski-in, ski-out accommodation in Banff, the lodge has two on-site restaurants, a coffee shop, a massive outdoor hot tub, and a fitness center. There's also an on-site day spa and a games room with a pool table and a flat-screen TV. Rooms are decorated in a rustic mountain style with neutral colors and plenty of wood. Each room comes with a ski locker, but the best feature is the location---just steps from the runs at 2200 meters (7200 feet). In summer, amazing hiking trails are right out the front door.