Has anyone been to Banff?

[princess pooh]

We just booked our honeymoon to banff for July . Dfh loves it there but I've never been. We're staying at the Royal Candian Lodge and then one night at Chateau Lake Louise. Are these places nice? Can anyone recomend any good restaurants or fun things to do?

Oh for anyone confused by the countdown timer...I can't get time off after the wedding so we're going on our honeymoon a few months before

 

[grover]

Well the Chateau Lake Louise would be the "bling bling"!!
Don't know about the other hotel.
Have a great time..we are vacationing in banff as well this summer!
Grover

 

[KlippertFan]

Banff is BEAUTIFUL! Yeah the Chateau is definitely the bling, bling. I haven't stayed at it or been inside it (I stay in Calgary with friends and Banff is a day trip) but from the outside it looks like a castle (if it's the one I'm thinking of). I spent a day just walking through the town and checking out all the stops. If you don't live in a mountain town then it's quite the experience just WALKING THROUGH Banff, everywhere you look there's mountains and the most incredible scenery. I would definitely do the Gondola ride up Sulfer Mountain when there, VERY COOL! And VERY BEAUTIFUL!

Have fun! Congratulations!

 

[hockey mom]

I love Banff. Make sure you get to the hot springs. Chateau Lake Louise looks beautiful, we spent both our trips at Douglas Fir Chalets.

 

[grover]

I forgot to mention..if you have airmiles you can redeem them for admission to the Gondola, the hotsprings ect..pretty much the only thing we are paying for is the white water rafting--great deal and they were not that many airmiles!
Grover in Winnipeg

 

[carolfoy]

Adore both lake louise and banff, they both have beautiful scenic walks and some great horseriding, have a tea at the banff springs hotel and enjoy the grounds, you wno't regret the expensive of the chateau lake louise its the ONLY place to watch a beautiful sunrise over the lake

 

[princess pooh]

I'm so relieved! Everything seems so expensive and I wasn't sure it was worth the money. Ironically we're getting the bling-bling resort with our airmiles . Now I'm really excited!!!!

 

[ducklite]

The Rimrock is the place to stay in banff. It's exquisite!

Anne

 

[mickeys_girl]

I live right outside Calgary, so Banff is not far. It is absolutely gorgeous out there. I would definetly go to the hot springs. Amazing and so relaxing. Also the gondolas would be so romantic. Also, you could see if there is a bus that goes from Banff to Jasper for a day trip, and go to the Columbia Ice Fields. Also beware that because it is so touristy, it is very expensive. Summer is very busy as a lot of students go there to work for the summer. The air is so clear up there, and your chances of seeing wildlife is very high.

 

[disney funseeker]

We were in Banff in April. It's so beautiful there.

The Gondola ride up Sulfur mountain is very nice.

Banff Upper Hot Springs is right by the Gondola but just a little info. on the Hot Springs. Hot Springs are formed naturally when water seeps kms deep into the earth, where it is heated and pressurized. The water is forced back to the surface. In the last 2 yrs. there has been a drought that has caused the water to stop flowing so the pool has been supplemented by municipal water. There is a notice on the board there that will tell you this. It costs $7.50 to enter.

Buffalo Mountain Lodge on Tunnel Mountain Road has excellent food and service. They serve wild game such as grilled buffalo tenderloin, grilled elk ribeye, medallions of wild northern caribou, as well as other normal fare (I have their menu in front of me). We enjoyed our meal there as much as we did the last time we visited, 10 yrs. ago.

Bow Valley Grill in the Banff Springs Hotel is excellent as well. Just walking through that hotel is amazing.

For a real treat since it is your honeymoon, why don't you try a massage or something like that at the Willow Stream Spa in the Banff Springs Hotel. They have packages for 2 and for men. My dh splurged on a Spa Day for me there as a once in a life time luxury. There were so many couples there, that I was in fact surprised to see so many men partaking in a spa treatment. I think that even if you have one treatment, you have access to the facilities all day (not 100% sure). For example you would be able to use the mineral bath, lounge, etc. until 10pm. Anyway for one day, I thought this is how it must feel like to live like the rich and famous. The website is www.willowstream.com

As suggested by mickeys girl, you would probably enjoy the Columbia Icefields. Haven't done this yet, but plan to this summer. It is 2 hrs. north of Banff and 1 hr. south of Jasper. Brewsters fares are $31.95. Their web site is www.columbiaicefield.com

Enjoy your trip!!

 

[off to neverland]

I've stayed at the Chateau Lake Louise. It's the most beautiful place in the world, I swear. Make sure to try the hike to the tea house.... I've only been there when the weather forced it to close so never made it, but I've heard it's great. Have fun!

 

[princess pooh]

Thanks for all the great suggestions everyone! At first I thought Banff wasn't a great place for a honeymoon but now it sounds fabulous

 

[ChisJo]

I cannot explain how marvelous Banff is - honestly one of the most romantic places I have ever been. For a luxurious dinner, try La Beaujolais. We had eaten there a few years ago, had the chef surprise 6 course meal, and was not the least bit disappointed. Our dinner for 2, with 2 drinks each and the meal was $250, and it was worth every penny. We found out later that this restaurant is considered one of Canada's top 10.

You must try the Willow Springs spa - as suggested earlier. It too is considered one of the best spas in North America, so to splurge, I would definately go there.

The nice thing about Banff is how surreal it is. It is honestly so beautiful that you cannot believe that a place like that actually exists. You have the mountains everywhere you look as well as wildlife everywhere. There are the more beautiful lakes all around. In the morning, take your cup of coffee (or tea) and go out on your patio. Just sit there and listen to the wilderness. It is breathtaking - makes you almost want to cry at the sound of nature and just pure silence.

Have a great honeymoon. I would recommend Banff to anyone for a honeymoon. I live in Edmonton and sadly don't get there as often as I would like, but when I'm finished school, it will be more often.

Jo

 

[matsterrocks]

We honeymooned in Banff it is beautiful. We did lot's of neat things like dogsleding, helicopter tour, skiing, carraige rides, ect. You can't do most of those during the summer but there is lots to do still. Make reservations at the Banff Springs Hotel for there Sunday Brunch it is very very yummy I actually just won a one night stay at the Banff springs yesturday so we will be heading there on the 4th of June Might do the icefields as I have never done that yet? Definatly do the brunch thing and give yourself a couple hours to check out the Banff springs hotel aswell Haver a great honeymoon!!! There is also a neat fondue restarunt called the Grizzly House it's a bit expensive but a neat place it's on the main strip.

 

[lisa and john]

I agree - try the Sunday brunch at Banff Springs! Grizzly house ia also an experience. We also had the best steaks we have ever had at Saltlik. There is a trendy lounge downstairs and a nice restaurant upstairs. Everything is a la carte, so it's a bit pricy, but very good. I have also heard many great things about Le Boujelais. I have been to the Columbia Icefields and it's pretty neat! Both hotels you mentioned are great - have a fabulous trip!

 

[matsterrocks]

Le Boujelais just about forgaot about that we did that on our honeymoon too vey good food and very expensive but a great experiance. I think that when we went it was rated as one of the top ten for food in Alberta?

 

[RedRuby]

We just booked our honeymoon to banff for July . Dfh loves it there but I've never been. We're staying at the Royal Candian Lodge and then one night at Chateau Lake Louise. Are these places nice? Can anyone recomend any good restaurants or fun things to do?

Oh for anyone confused by the countdown timer...I can't get time off after the wedding so we're going on our honeymoon a few months before

You mentioned Banff and then Lake Louise at the same time, please excuse my confusion but...here goes:
I've been to Baniff Springs Hotel which is a Fairmont hotel, which is predictably in Banff. Chateau Lake Louise is the same chain, but near, predictably, Lake Louise.

I've been to both, but have clearer recollections of Banff Springs. The wine bar there is a lovely quiet spot, the pool is part inside, part outside which is fun in freezing winter temperatures to be submerged in hot water and stare up at the open prairie sky, and see the stars twinkling like they never do in the city!

My cousin works as a sous chef at Chateau Lake Louise, so if that's where you're going, send me a pm. Maybe you can pass a message onto Rob H in the French restaurant? He does amazing sauces!

 

[Medicmouse]

I was married at Chateau Lake Louise almost 3 years ago. I felt like a princess. We stayed there for a week - eloped - just the two of us. We stayed there but went off exploring everyday. There is a hike at Lake Louise around the lake - its easy but beautiful. We couldn't go to the tea house - it was closed. We easily spent two days in Banff walking around and exploring - had a picnic way up on a hill side park. We also went fishing just out side of Banff. The gondola ride was beautiful - although my husband had his eyes closed on the trip up and down. We went to the Radium Hot Springs - heard they were better than Banffs. Banff too has a provincial park on the history of the area - we accidently stumbled on it but really enjoyed it. The Hoo- Doos are a must see there too. We went to Jasper for a day (pretty but really we didn't do much there) and into BC to do a little hiking. There are beautiful hiking trails and rest stops all over the highways. There is a glacier - I can't remember the name of it right now but we rode up on it - it was totally cool - one of the best things we did.
You will totally love it - its AMAZING!!!
Have fun!
Paula

 

[Jax]

The one recommendation I have for food is the Grizzly House.

I have only been there once and I can't wait to go back. They have all sorts of fondue platter, I especially recommend the Dessert one. Tobblerone chocolate bar fondue, soo yummy.

Congratulations on your wedding and I hope you have a wonderful honeymoon in Banff.

 

[matsterrocks]

I second that recomendation"Grizzly House". Make it even more of a night to remember and add on a side of something you have never eaten before such as shark, snake, alligator, etc.