By Toni Owen
The Banff International Hotel.
Located in
Canada's famed Banff National Park and close to downtown's fine restaurants, specialty shops and activities, the three-story Banff International Hotel has 165 spacious rooms, many with views of the Canadian Rockies.
It features a steam room, dry sauna, jacuzzi, exercise room and boutique. The Mountain Grill and a lobby lounge with two stone fireplaces offer in house convenience and there are free ski storage lockers and wireless Internet access.
Its free heated underground parking is convenient in any season.
Wows and Woes
The hotel entrance on Banff Avenue.
The unique loft rooms are perfect for groups and families with beds on the main floor and upstairs in the loft. Most rooms have great mountain views to experience from the sitting room.
The hotel is close to the bus and train depots. Shuttles offer skiers a lift to ski areas from the front door.
Although temperatures in the Rockies don't often soar above 80 degrees F, a lack of air conditioning can make summer nights hot even with windows wide open.
While many hotels have made some of their rooms pet-friendly, the Banff International does not allow animals.
Insider Tips
hotel rooms have coffee and tea making convenience, but lattes are available for coffeeholics on the other side of Elk Street at Starbucks just inside the Safeway store.
The hotel can be noisy as it is close to downtown and busy Banff Avenue. Your best bet is to ask for a room along the back (Marten Street), well away from strolling tourists and passing traffic.
Author's Most Memorable Moment
The boutique features Canadian and local gifts and curios.
When I got to reception in the lobby, I recognized with pleasure a painting by one of my favorite Banff artists hanging behind the desk. The oak furnishings in the rooms were designed and made by local craftsmen as well. It is good to see the hotel feature and support local artists so prominently.
Bottom Line
The Banff International Hotel's stone exterior and logo.
The Banff International Hotel has convenience, friendly service and spacious rooms for reasonable rates right on the edge of the action in Banff, with free parking as a definite bonus.
About the Author:
Toni Owen started writing in 1975. Owen is a journalist published in "Newsweek" and the "San Francisco Chronicle." She was an editor in the San Francisco Bay Area and in Banff, Alberta. Owen has a master's degree in English education and won the national C. Everett Koop Award.
