Banff is amazing!!!!

[princess pooh]

I got back from Banff two days ago and I already can't wait to go back! I wanted to thank everyone who gave me suggestions on where to stay and eat, and what sights were worth seeing. We toured all around Banff and Lake Louise and I couldn't imagine such beatiful places existed before. Each sight was more breathtaking then the next! I was looking at my pictures this morning and I still can't believe all the lakes, mountains, and animals I saw. I'm the least outdoorsy person ever but Banff is still my new favourite place in the world . I actually cried when I left

I would highly recomend the Royal Canadian Lodge in Banff and the Chateau Lake Louise (where we were upgraded to a 1 bedroom suite!). Both hotels had amazing service and we were treated very well.

We didn't have time to see the Columbia Icefields or do high tea at the Banff Springs, so I have an excuse to go back. We're planning a trip for next July

 

[disney funseeker]

Glad to hear you enjoyed your trip.

We're headed there again in a couple of weeks. Can't wait.

 

[calgarygary]

As amazing as Banff is, it sounds like you missed out on the best scenery out here. Make sure next time that you allow the time to drive Lake Louise to Jasper. The trip is only a few hours but you could easily take a day in each direction if you stop to enjoy the views. Also, Sunday bruch at the Banff Springs is a must do!

 

[grover]

I was wondering how your trip went as I remember you posting about it ealier!
We also got back recently from a trip there-gorgeous!
We stayed in Canmore at the Westridge Country Inn-I highly recommend it-very nice!
We spent time in Banff, LaKe Louise ect.Went on the Gondola and into the hot springs. I think we stopped at every point of interest-lol! We would have went up to Jasper had we had more time.
Our exciting adventure was going white water rafting on the Kicking Horse River--wow-that was so exciting! We later drove to see Takakkow Falls-such beautiful scenery!
It was a wonderful trip-so much to see/do.
Glad to hear you enjoyed it!!
Vanessa

 

[princess pooh]

Oh I'm so jealous Grover! I was dying to go rafting on the Kicking Horse River!!! That's also on my list of things to do next time.

 

[chasbos]

princess pooh - Did you stay at the Royal Canadian Lodge in Banff the entire time? Could you also give me an idea of the room rates that you paid?

DH and I are taking our 4 DD's next July out to the Stampede and I am wanting to book well in advance to ensure that we have adequate sleeping space for us all! (suites or connecting rooms).

Also, did you rent a vehicle while you were out there and what was the rates for that.

Thanks for any info you can give me!

 

[princess pooh]

Chasbos, The Royal Canadian Lodge was $240 a night for a deluxe room. Dfh has been to Banff many times and also suggested the Banff International Hotel (less expensive and closer to downtown). Most of the hotels on Banff Avenue near downtown looked pretty much the same and I don't think you can go wrong with any of them. The only one I would avoid is the Arrow hotel - it looked really yucky.

We rented a car from Hertz at the Calgary airport. It was $450 for a compact

If you have any questions I'm sure Dfh could help you out

 

[chasbos]

Thanks princess pooh - that is what I was expecting to pay. We are in a tricky position next though, as friends have decided to join us on our vacation! They are well...very cheap and I think that is going to be a problem. I like nice accomodations and restaurants - we are on vacation and anything goes. But I think we will have to tone down our vacation a little.

My kids and DH are looking so forward to this trip, me not so much! I really like to All-Inclusive vacations and cruises, when the kids are hungry or thirsty I just send them off and they come back with what they want.

I am thinking that this is not really going to be a vacation! How did you do meals? Was there plenty of dining options?

Also, how far in advance did you book your airfare and hotel rooms? With 6 of us travelling in my family alone, I want to make sure everything is going to run smoothly.

TIA for any additional info you can give me.

 

[princess pooh]

Chasbos I felt exactly like you did before I went. I was hoping for a week in Cuba at an all-inclusive place but this kind of vacation worked well too. Downtown Banff is pretty small, so if your hotel is near there a lot of restaurants or stores are within walking distance. I was surprised to see a few chain restaurants, fast food places, and even a food court. It's a very kid-friendly place and there were strollers everywhere!

We booked the flight about four months in advance because we were worried about the stampede. The hotels were done two months in advance and there were plenty of options available. The car was done a few weeks before we left.

Hope this helps!

 

[KatieKateKate]

I love Banff. I went when I was 15 with my parents. Really that was more than 10 years ago, but you're giving me inspiration to want to go back!

 

[CamAnd]

Princesspooh-

Where are the places you've eaten at Banff? I am looking forward to the hiking and coming back to some great dining. Was the area very busy since I read that July and August are the peak tourist times?

We will be staying at the Rimrock Resort at Banff in two weeks. It will be a first for all in my party.

Any other advice or recommendations before we go?

 

[grover]

If you like fondue/hot rock ..we dined at the Grizzley Bear..it is right on the main street in Banff there...food was great-and the service was excellent as well!
We were there the first week in July and there were plenty of tourists but it was not crowded-we didn't find it to busy at all.
If you are going to travel to/from the lake louise area the 1A is a very nice route to take, plenty of places to stop. Also Takakkaw Falls is gorgeous (not far from lake louise).
Have a wonderful holiday!
Vanessa

 

[princess pooh]

CamAnd, we mainly ate at Japanese restaurants. Sukiyaki House on Banff Avenue has amazing sushi!!!! We ate at the downstairs part of Saltlik but I wasn't that impressed (I've heard good reviews for the upstairs part though and it has a different menu). Bumpers Steakhouse was okay and fh thought the steak was decent. There wasn't much variety for a non-steak eater like me though . We ate a few times at the Rose and Crown Pub and the food was suprisingly good. Where we ate most was Ardvarks, a take-out pizza place. My fiance loves the soft shell tacos there.

If you are going to travel to/from the lake louise area the 1A is a very nice route to take, plenty of places to stop. Also Takakkaw Falls is gorgeous (not far from lake louise).
Have a wonderful holiday!
Vanessa

I saw so many animals on the 1A!!!!! We spotted Elk, deer, and a black bear right off the road!

 

[golfgal]

We were in Banff about 5 years ago and are going again in January. It is an amazing place. It is my favorite vacation place of all time. We went snowmobiling in the mountains, in British Columbia, so we got to see quite a lot of the countryside. We stayed at the Banff Springs and spent two LOVELY days in the incredible spa there--WELL worth the money spent-you don't need to stay at the hotel to use the spa, plan an entire day there if you want to go.

 

[oracle]

Princesspooh-

Where are the places you've eaten at Banff? I am looking forward to the hiking and coming back to some great dining. Was the area very busy since I read that July and August are the peak tourist times?

We will be staying at the Rimrock Resort at Banff in two weeks. It will be a first for all in my party.

Any other advice or recommendations before we go?

There are some great places to enjoy a meal here in Banff, you don't have to worry about that. This is my second summer working at the Fairmont Banff Springs hotel, so I've gotten to know a lot of the restaurants here pretty well. A few I would recommend:

Castello Ristorante- if you like Italian, this is the place to go. It's part of the Banff Springs hotel, and is easily one of the best meals I've ever had. You won't be disappointed.

Coyote's- this has more of a southwestern theme to the menu, and any time we've eaten there, the food has been outstanding.

Fuze- a new restaurant, just opened a few months ago, but it's also excellent. A lot of interesting and unique food combinations, it's definitely worth the money


Beyond that, there are other options if you want to spend a lot of money, you can try the Five Diamond winners, The Banffshire Club(at the Fairmont) or Eden(at the Rimrock Resort). There are less than 10 Five Diamond restaurants in Canada, and two are in Banff, so if you're looking for really fine dining, you're in luck. If you'd like any more information, feel free to ask, best of luck with the planning.

 

[golfgal]

There are some great places to enjoy a meal here in Banff, you don't have to worry about that. This is my second summer working at the Fairmont Banff Springs hotel, so I've gotten to know a lot of the restaurants here pretty well. A few I would recommend:

Castello Ristorante- if you like Italian, this is the place to go. It's part of the Banff Springs hotel, and is easily one of the best meals I've ever had. You won't be disappointed.

Coyote's- this has more of a southwestern theme to the menu, and any time we've eaten there, the food has been outstanding.

Fuze- a new restaurant, just opened a few months ago, but it's also excellent. A lot of interesting and unique food combinations, it's definitely worth the money


Beyond that, there are other options if you want to spend a lot of money, you can try the Five Diamond winners, The Banffshire Club(at the Fairmont) or Eden(at the Rimrock Resort). There are less than 10 Five Diamond restaurants in Canada, and two are in Banff, so if you're looking for really fine dining, you're in luck. If you'd like any more information, feel free to ask, best of luck with the planning.

How is the new Spa update? I am excited to see it. Last time we were there they just upgraded and now it sounds like they have done it again!