Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel

Banff is a wonderful destination. The natural beauty of Banff National Park is absolutely breathtaking. In fact, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site. And the town is packed with good restaurants and cozy pubs.

In summer, you can choose from hundreds of spectacular trails, take a gondola up a mountain and then ride a bicycle down, or just relax with a pint on a roof-top deck with a sensational view. In winter, you can ski, dog-sled, snowshoe, snowmobile, or go for a sleigh ride.

There’s a Banff hotel to suit every budget and travel style.

The grand dame of Banff hotels is the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. Built by the Canadian Pacific Railway to facilitate tourism in the area, the Banff Springs opened in 1888. Looking like a castle majestically towering over the Bow River, the hotel is one of the most photographed places in Banff. If you ask us, no trip to Banff is complete without a visit. Over the years, the stately stone structure has been expanded, renovated many times, and today, it’s equally historic and up to date. As you’d expect of an older property, some of the rooms are on the small side, as are the bathrooms. But all are beautifully furnished with luxurious beds and linens, top-quality toiletries, and fine fabrics. You’ll find every conceivable amenity, including 15 restaurants, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, a state-of-the-art spa, and tennis courts. The only downside, aside from the price, is the traffic — the place is always packed.

The Rimrock Resort is about a five-minute drive from town on the side of Sulphur Mountain. Most rooms have spectacular views of the forested slopes, and it’s only a five-minute walk to the hot springs and Banff gondola. Because the Rimrock offers shuttle service to the center of town, it offers the best of both worlds. The lounge off the lobby opens onto a gorgeous terrace and the views from both are some of the best in Banff. The décor is smart and sophisticated with lots of dark wood and polished marble. The rooms are spacious and well equipped with sitting areas that take in the views. There’s a spa, two restaurants — including Eden, a AAA Five Diamond award winner — and a heated pool that opens onto the terrace. We stayed at the Rimrock last August, and thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s one of the top Banff hotels.

Banff

A short stroll from Banff’s shops and restaurants, the Delta Banff Royal Canadian Lodge has 99 nicely decorated rooms with WiFi, coffee makers, and mini fridges. Many have fireplaces. With its heated indoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi, and sauna, the Grotto Spa is a great place to relax after a day of hiking or skiing. The Evergreen restaurant serves Canadian specialties like Alberta beef, trout, and Arctic char. The lounge has a ski-lodge ambience, and service is friendly and professional.

Four blocks from downtown, the Fox Hotel and Suites is one of the newer hotels in Banff and it offers good value for money. From the outside, it looks like a ski lodge with lots of wood and stone. The interior continues the theme with Craftsman furniture, wood paneling, and open beams. Loft suites have living rooms with fireplaces, kitchen nooks, upstairs bedrooms, and open onto a small terrace or balcony. The pool area here is modeled after the original hot springs cave in Banff. There’s also a fitness center. Chili’s Grill & Bar in the hotel is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. But a free continental breakfast is included in the rate.

A mile from Banff township on Tunnel Mountain, Buffalo Mountain Lodge is a great Banff hotel for those looking for peace and quiet. Since the city bus stops out front, getting to town doesn’t take much effort. Set on eight natural acres, the accommodations are in several small buildings scattered around the property. Rooms vary in size and amenities, but all have fireplaces, DVD players, balconies or patios, and down duvets. With its post-and-beam construction, huge fireplace and soaring ceilings, the Main Lodge is a great place for a drink. The Sleeping Buffalo and Cilantro are two of Banff’s best restaurants. And the outdoor hot tub is large enough to seat 25.

1) Fairmont Banff Springs Resort
2) Rimrock Resort
3) Delta Banff Royal Canadian Lodge
4) Fox Hotels & Suites
5) Buffalo Mountain Lodge

View Hotels in Banff. in a larger map

Read more Canada trip planning tips here.

Auberge Bonaparte

Fifteen years ago, there were no great places to stay in Old Montreal.  But that’s all changed, and today, the city’s Old Town is home to some of the most attractive hotels in Montreal.

The 30-room Auberge Bonaparte, which overlooks Notre Dame Cathedral, is one of the most romantic Montreal hotels.

Rooms have wrought iron furnishing, hardwood floors, and spacious armoires.  Many have whirlpool baths.  The Centaur Theatre is next door.   And the street-level restaurant is one of the best in town.  With Duck Confit, Chicken with Brie and Port, and Veal with Morels and Cream, it would be equally at home on the Left Bank.

In summer, the roof-top terrace is hard to beat.  For reservations, visit http://www.bonaparte.com.

Auberge Les Passants du Sans Souci has just nine rooms in an old fur warehouse that dates from 1723.  With open beamed ceilings, stone walls, hardwood floors, whirlpool tubs, and electric fireplaces, the rooms are cozy and inviting.  A first-class breakfast is included in the room rate, and its served by a lovely French fireplace.  The lobby also doubles as an art gallery.  http://www.lesanssoucy.com.

If you’ve always wanted to crash an exclusive British men’s club, Hotel Le St-James is just the ticket.  It’s probably the most luxurious hotel in Montreal.  Housed in an old bank building that dates from 1870, the St-James has 60 guest rooms that combine elegant 19th century amenities like leather club chairs with up-to-the-minute niceties including video-controlled lighting.

The Old Town location is convenient to Notre Dame Cathedral and the Convention Center.   XO Le Restaurant — Canada’s highest rated in 2009 — is one of Montreal’s top restaurants.  And as a member of the Leading Small Hotels of the World group, service is first rate.  The 3,500-square-foot Penthouse Suite with it’s wrap-around terrace sets the standard for Montreal accommodations.  http://www.hotellestjames.com

Named for Quebec’s best known poet, Hotel Nelligan may be the most romantic hotel in Montreal.  It opened in 2002, and was so popular that the owners bought several adjoining buildings dating from the 1850s.  Today, there are 105 rooms, 59 of which are suites — some have terraces, others overlook the atrium.

The Old Town location on St. Paul, a block from Notre Dame Cathedral, is a big plus.  With views of Old Montreal, the St. Lawrence, and the port, the rooftop terrace is great for breakfast, drinks, or dinner.  And the lobby bar doubles as a gallery.    www.hotelnelligan.com

Hotel Place d'Armes Montreal

Just across the Place from Notre Dame Cathedral, the Hotel Place d’Armes is the largest boutique hotel in Montreal’s Old Town with 83 rooms and 52 suites.  Many have stone or brick walls and most have large bathrooms.  The hotel occupies three old buildings dating from the 1870s.   There’s a roof-top terrace and a popular lobby bar.  But the big draw here is the 2,000-square-foot Rainspa, and its Middle Eastern Hamman — a great way to relax after a full day of sightseeing.    http://www.hotelplacedarmes.com

If business takes you downtown,  Hotel Le Crystal has 131 first-class suites with sitting areas, work stations, WIFI access, flat-screen TVs, and kitchenettes with espresso makers and microwaves.  Penthouse Suites come with either a balcony or fireplace and have a separate rain shower and soaking tub.

With four outdoor terraces, the hotel’s La Coupole restaurant is delightful for brasserie classics like onion soup, foie gras, and rib steak, especially in summer.  And the Millesime Wine Bar is a great spot for a glass of wine or a morning pastry.  A 9,000-square-foot spa and fitness center makes it easy to keep to your routine.  http://www.hotellecrystal.com.

The best hotel in Montreal if you’re visiting McGill University, Hotel Le Germain offers 99 minimally decorated rooms with amenities like 42″ LCD TVs, iPod clock radios, and ergonomically designed work areas.  The Laurie Raphael restaurant serves authentic Quebec cuisine.  And two bi-level suites are available for those who need a little more room.  This stylish boutique hotel was renovated in 2009. http://www.hotelgermain.com

Located on trendy Boulevard Saint-Laurent, Hotel Opus is a stone’s throw from some of Montreal’s most fashionable shops and restaurants.   The original Art Nouveau building, designed in 1914 by Arthur Godin, is joined by a thoroughly modern brick and concrete addition.  The juxtaposition is very dramatic.  The stainless steel and primary-color interior is modern and minimal.  There’s not a breath of chintz in sight.  The 24-hour fitness center is just the thing for keeping that beautiful-people physique — which you can show off in the stylish lounge.  http://www.opushotel.com

Fans of the W Hotels chain will enjoy the W Montreal, housed in the old Bank of Canada building.  It has the requisite red-on-grey color scheme, the Hotel Costes play list, and the attractive young staff.  The bars and restaurants here are as popular with the local as with hotel guests.  Rooms are designed for business as well as pleasure.   Wow Suites have 20-foot windows and outdoor terraces.  www.whotels.com/montreal

Read more Canada travel articles here.

Auberge Bonaparte Image Flickr: adie reed

Hotel Place d’Armes Image Flickr: duluoz cats