Rimrock Hotel?
 

I've not seen any posting in many months for this hotel. We're thinking of staying there, but it's expensive, so I'd like to get as much feed-back as possible. Same for Lake Louise Chateau and Emerald Lake. We're less interested in wildlife than we are in wonderful scenery. Also like accommodations that are roomy and quiet. (Canadian Rocky prices have been astonishing-- so much more epxensive than, say, U.S. National Parks.) Looking forward to our early Sept trip! Thanks for help.

i haven't read any bad reviews of the rimrock. nice view. basically across the street from the hotsprings. but, unless you like long uphill walks and if you plan on being in the town of banff often, this wouldn't be my first choice as i prefer not to have to take the car out all the time. nice place though.
emerald lake sounds very nice. lake louise chateau is beautiful. i wouldn't want to stay here during july and august just cause there are so many tourists visiting the place.

Thanks for the reply. Rimrock has courtesy shuttle back and forth to town.
Hoping to get more feedback from recent visitors.

I stayed at the Rimrock last July. Our room was roomy, quiet and had a spectacular view overlooking the valley (for which I paid extra for the view, as I recall). I've also stayed at the Banff Springs Hotel and would have to say that for the price (both expensive to very expensive) the Rimrock is better overall in terms of the quality of the rooms, food and service. That being said, the best meal we had in the Banff/Lake Louise/Jasper area wasn't at the much lauded Post House Hotel Restaurant, but rather the restaurant in the Buffalo Mountain Lodge (www.crmr.com). You may have already discovered this website if you're looking at Emerald Lake.

Littlemountain-- Thanks for your reply. Did you see any of the accommodations at Buffalo Mountain? Would you consider staying there? I'd thought of it-- but decided against for I can't remember what reason. Thanks again.

We only saw the exterior of the lodge accommodations as we walked in from the parking lot. They're tasteful low rise buildings, 2 or 3 stories at most, and because the lodge is set in the trees, I would think there are a limited number of panoramic views. Some rooms should look up to the mountains, though. That being said, being closer to the ground and the trees does make one feel a bit more like a national park visitor than an urban hotel guest; we saw deer grazing outside the large restaurant windows while we were dining, which was nice (although I recognize your preference is for scenery). Yes, I would consider staying there, although it is certainly more rustic (although quite suavely so) than the Rimrock. The Rimrock has more of a Swiss alpine feel to it, hanging over the valley from on high.

The price of any good view in the park is simply over the top, as you probably already know. Take the Chateau Lake Louise -- one of the great hotel views of the world, in my opinion. Even in September -- which is shoulder season in the park -- lakeview rooms START at close to CDN$600 per night, and that's for a tiny 165 sq. ft. room.

Not to knock my next door neighbours too hard (I live in Vancouver, B.C.) but no hotelier has got the perfect backcountry retreat quite right in the Banff to Jasper area (for fair value for the premium cost at least). Compare and contrast something like the Aerie Resort on Vancouver Island (www.aerie.bc.ca) where CAD$600 per night will get you a large suite, a wonderful view and better food than anything I tasted in Banff or Lake Louise. But the park is still very nice, and September is a good month to be there.

Thanks for very full response. I guess the inns and hotels around Banff etc. charge that Because They Can. Not the best reason for doing something....

Any other restaurant recommendations?

Not really. Best to pack a picnic -- there is a wonderful preserved meat supplier in nearby Canmore, for example -- and head for the trails.

Why is charging a price because you can not the best reason??

It's called a free market economy. Price is determined by supply and demand. If their prices were too high, the hotels would be empty and they would have to lower them.

I can't afford to pay $600/night for a hotel room, but I'm not angry that they charge these rates........

restaurants - magpie & stumps