Any Banff/Calgary experts out there?

[princess pooh]

After realizing that DH would not last in the Florida humidity, we've postponed Disney for now and booked a trip to Banff this summer instead.

Has anyone stayed at the High Country Inn? Dh worked at the hotel next door for the summer but he doesn't remember it . We're basically looking for something clean, reasonably priced, and close to the restaurants and stores. Also, are their any restaurants that are good but not too expensive. This is more of a budget trip

We also need a place to stay near the Calgary Airport for the first night of the trip. Does anyone know if there's a restaurant within walking distance of the Days Inn or Holiday Inn? We don't pick up our car until the next day and we'll need somewhere to eat a late dinner.

Thanks! I can't wait to be going back to Banff

 

[revelstoke]

Not sure if I qualify as an expert BUT...I lived in Banff/Canmore for about 5 years (from 94-99)...

The High Country Inn is very nice...it has been recently renovated (I suppose a few years ago now) but most of the hotels down mainstreet have been redone in Rundle rock and rough timber facades...they look great you won't be disappointed.

If I recall correctly the restaurant in the High Country Inn is Tocino's...a Swiss delacacy! It is awesome and that's an understatement...Have the Raclette for an appetizer and the cheese fondue...mmmmm! Tocino's (when we were there) won the "taste of Banff" competition at least 2 or 3 years in a row...

I'm afraid I can't help you much with the Calgary thing...It has changed so much in recent years and is so crowded and congested, but you'll find many restaraunts in and around the airport...

Oh, yah GO OILERS GO

 

[princess pooh]

Thanks you Revelstoke!

 

[ronandannette]

Hi Princess,

I hope you enjoy your trip West, but as you probably already know, Banff is the farthest thing from a 'budget' destination . I'm not sure what kind of rate you're getting at the High Country Inn, but during high season (summer) even very modest accomodations run about $200.00/night. At Tacino (the Swiss/Northern Italian restaurant in your hotel) plan for about $100.00 for dinner with wine. Many of the nicer places will be in this price range. If you're up for it though, I HIGHLY recommend the Grizzly House. It's a fondu restaurant that serves everything from alligator to elk. Excellent food and a true dining experience! Some less expensive choices are available. Consider the Rose & Crown Pub, Earls, Boston Pizza, Coyotes Deli, The Old Spagetti Factory and Phil's Pancake House. A really nice Sunday Brunch can be had for about $25.00/pp at The Banff Park Lodge. Daily activities will take a chunk out too; other than just driving or walking around almost everything will have an entrance fee (including Banff Park its' self - about $75.00/week just to be there). I sure do hope your finances will allow for a little bit of sight seeing - you're coming too far to miss the good stuff!

As for your time in Calgary, how do you plan to get from the airport to your hotel? Be aware that both the Holiday Inn Airport and the Days Inn Airport are not ACTUALLY NEAR THE AIRPORT! Both are about 12km south. The Holiday Inn has a full service restaurant in it, the Days Inn doesn't but there is a Tim Hortons and McDonalds in the same parking lot. Those will be your best bets as these hotels are located in a very busy commuter area called Sunridge Business Park that is not conductive to walking (I'm not even sure there are sidewalks ). There are lots of other hotels and restaurants in the general vacinity though. If you decide you want to go out I'd really suggest cabbing it.

Anyway, welcome in advance, and I hope you have a great time here!

Annette

 

[donkthemagicllama]

I used to work right by the Days Inn in Sunridge... as ronandannette said, it's not really near the airport. You can walk to Sunridge mall area where there's a few restaurants (a Montana's and an Eastside Mario's if I remember correctly). There's an Earl's, Joey Tomatos, Chili's and Cactus Club relatively close by (just North on Barlow Trail), if you're willing to take a cab. This part of Calgary is all about the big chain restaurants...

I second the Grizzly House in Banff, it's great, but make a reservation unless you're planning on dining really late. If you're not into the exotic stuff (alligator etc.) their normal (chicken, beef, shrimp, etc.) is great too.

 

[grover]

we stayed at the Holiday Inn Airport..
the bedding was not changed when we checked in...and the front clerk had to come change it-no one else around to do it at 5pm (???)
the resturant (last summer) was a Thai resturant-we were on the first floor-so that is all we smelled, and it opened up right onto the pool-I don't mind food-I just don't want to smell it 34/7-kwim.
there was nothing close by to eat..we had to drive around to find something.

 

[ducklite]

I'm not an expert, but can give a bit of advice...

As far as a hotel near YYC, the Hilton Graden Inn the closest offsite, and looked very nice, it's maybe five years old now. The Delta is right at the airport, but is more $$.

As far as Banff, I stayed at the Rimrock, and it was truly one of the nicest resorts I've ever stayed at. The prices were actually quite reasonable given the incredible views, great location, amenities, and exquisite rooms.

They run a shuttle to and from downtown that lasts until the wee hours. We actually liked being able to get out of the hubub of downtown.

When are you planning on going?

Anne

 

[ronandannette]

Thanks! I can't wait to be going back to Banff

Hi Princess,

Did you make it out west yet? Just curious as to what you ended up doing and how you enjoyed it.

Annette

 

[princess pooh]

I wish I had read about the Holiday Inn before leaving for vacation. It wasn't near the airport and it took the shuttle an hour to pick us up after we called for it. All the other hotels had their shuttles there within 10 minutes . It was more expensive then the other "airport hotels" so I won't be staying there again.

The High Country Inn is in a great location but I can't recommend it. The room was really dirty and the service was non-existant. Next time I would pay more and stay somewhere nicer.

Other than the hotel, the vacation was AMAZING!!! We drove on the Icefields Parkway and visited Peyto Lake, Mystaya Canyon, and the Columbia Icefields; walked around Lake Louise and went on the gondola; walked around Morraine Lake; rode the gondola up Sulpher Mountain; and hung out in town. It's my favourite place in the world and I hope we can go back soon