By Toni Owen
The welcoming lobby with fireplace.
The Banff Park Lodge
resort Hotel and Conference Centre at 222 Lynx St. has 17,000 square feet of convention space, 211 rooms from standard to royal suites, a pool, a gallery of shops, two dining choices and is just a block from downtown Banff.
From the soaring three-story lobby to the spacious convention rooms, this is an art-filled, deluxe hotel with great service.
Wows and Woes
The hotel has one of the few indoor pools in Banff (and a sauna), but the niggling extra charges for wireless Internet and parking add to your costs.
Insider Tips
The BPL is across the street from the Canada House Gallery.
Stay in the west-facing rooms. You get a view of the Bow River, which has canoe rentals in summer, ice skating in winter and a river walk to Bow Falls all year.
Before you choose the bed-and-breakfast option, consider that Melissa's Missteak is across the street and serves breakfast from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
Author's Most Memorable Moment
The reception we got in the lobby was as friendly and accommodating as we've ever had. The front office manager couldn't have been more helpful, with not a trace of luxury hotel hauteur.
Bottom Line
For a modern luxury atmosphere, the Banff Park Lodge offers clean, green deluxe rooms a short walk from the galleries, boutiques and dining in Banff.
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.
Photo Credits:
TS Owen photos
