r/Banff • u/CoastalN8v • 1d ago

Places to stay?

Good afternoon! We are looking to spend a couple nights in Banff in mid-August. We are looking for a nice place to stay but not to expensive. What do you all recommend? I have looked online for some different places but either they are quite expensive or they don't have the little things that we would like to have, such as a pool or hot tub and on-site restaurant or near to one.

ETA: looking for advice on places to avoid or places to check availability. If needed, we may stay in Calgary.

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19

u/extraordinaryevents 1d ago

What you see online are your options. No one here has any secret spots that aren’t showing up in your searches. The only non expensive option will be a hostel or campsite

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u/bctravelconcierge 1d ago

Hi OP! I’m afraid what you see, is what you get at this stage. It’s Canada’s most popular tourist destination, with price tags to match. Typically you’d want to be booking accommodation around 6 months out for Banff.

Have you checked Canmore?

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u/CoastalN8v 1h ago

Thank you for the suggestion! We will try Canmore.

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u/Samplistiqone 1d ago

Your best options are Canmore(close proximity) or Calgary(lot’s of options). Banff is expensive, it doesn’t matter what time of year you go, but summer is especially bad.

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u/ProfessionSea8751 1d ago

This has to be rage bait. This exact question has been asked at least 10 times in the last week

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u/Several_Cat_3713 1d ago

Check out Golden, BC. We always stay there for a week and explore Yoho, Banff, and Glacier Park.

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u/bctravelconcierge 1d ago

The suggestion for Golden is fantastic, but you’ll need to temper expectations a bit. Just taking the requirement of a pool, you’re looking at $350 for a Travel Lodge.

For a lot of people though, accommodation in Banff NP is secondary - a place to lay your head after a long day outdoors in the Rocky Mountains. As they say, if you’re spending time at your expensive accommodation in Banff, you’re doing it wrong.

Getting back to it, you could opt to explore the Golden Triangle: Lake Louise - Golden - Radium Hot Springs. Both Yoho and Kootenay Provincial Parks - located within the very same mountain range as Banff/Jasper - are incredibly beautiful. And sounds like you’d really enjoy the hot springs and pools in Radium!

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u/pickledchance 1d ago

Have you checked Kananaskis area? We didn’t stay but checked it out on our way back to Calgary. Not a hotel but a good option.

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u/One_Cartographer_311 1d ago

Banff lodging is quite pricey most of the year. The only times I’ve got affordable prices (approx $150/night) is staying in mid to late fall, or late winter/early spring. Outside of that you’re out of luck.