By Contributing Writer
Banff, in the Canadian Rockies, is located in
Canada's first National Park which was discovered in 1883 when several railroad workers came across a cave with natural hot springs inside. From then on, the area gained notoriety until it became a national park and a vacation destination for thousands each year. The Banff area offers multiple seasonal activities from snowmobiling and ice fishing, to boating, hiking or hang gliding. Banff has always been a popular family destination and because of this, many of the hotels and
resorts in the area are focused on making their facilities as family-friendly as possible.
Douglas Fir Resort and Chalets
The Douglas Fir resort and Chalets is located only four minutes from downtown Banff. Accommodations range from single rooms to loft condos to multiple room rustic chalets and every unit includes kitchen facilities to help you save on meal expenses. The resort has two indoor water slides, a regular sized pool and a kiddie pool. In addition, there is an indoor multilevel playground just for the kids. Outdoor playgrounds, barbecue stations and basketball courts present fun family activity options during the summer months. The Douglas Fir Resort and Chalets offers a free shuttle to downtown Banff for registered guests as well as free Internet and cable.
Douglas Fir Resort & Chalets
Tunnel Mountain Road
P.O. Box 1228
Banff, Alberta T1L 1B2 Canada
Reservations: (800) 661-9267
www.douglasfir.com/home.html
Johnston Canyon Resort
The Johnston Canyon Resort is located between Banff and Lake Louise and is an ideal retreat for those who wish to stay in a more rustic setting without losing any comfortable amenities. Accommodations are all cabin style but come equipped with all the benefits of modern lodging. The resort sits in a tranquil setting and although it is still within a very reasonable distance to all the Banff hot spots, it does not feel like it is a part of the tourist bustle. Cabins come in multiple sizes and room options, making it ideal for any size family and has a restaurant on site as well as multiple barbecue stations.
Reservations: (888) 378-1720
www.johnstoncanyon.com/index.htm
The Fairmont Banff Springs
The Fairmont Banff Springs is one of Banff's most luxurious and historical hotels having been established in 1886, shortly after the park's discovery. Often referred to as "The Castle of the Rockies," it is a leader in luxury but is also very accommodating toward family groups. It offers babysitting as well as an adventure package, including milk and cookies on arrival and various activities such as family bowling, in-room movie and pizza nights and passes to the popular Banff Gondola. The Fairmont Banff Springs also has both an indoor and an outdoor pool to accommodate squirmy kids in any kind of weather.
The Fairmont Banff Springs
405 Spray Avenue
Banff, Alberta, Canada T1L1J4
Reservations: (866) 540-4406
www.fairmont.com/Banffsprings/
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