Wondering where to spend time in Banff? You’re in the ideal spot! We are fond of the Canadian Rockies, and took two excursions up to Banff within the past five years, including a two week road outing last summer. And we’re here to help you figure out the best location to stay for your adventure.
Banff is one of Canada’s most iconic national parks, if not the single most iconic. While it is a popular winter sports destination, we feel summer is when Banff is at its finest.
The entire area is an outdoor enthusiast`s paradise, filled with countless hiking and cycling paths, some of the most breathtaking scenery you`ll ever see like Instagram-famous Moraine Lake, and great wildlife viewing opportunities.
If you’re like most with limited time in Banff, where to stay is pivotal for making the most of your visit.
In this guide, we’re going to go through our perspective on the best places to stay in Banff.
We will begin with a brief overview of how to structure your trip, which is quite pertinent to choosing where to stay in Banff, before moving on to three potential home bases for exploring the park.
For each place, we will provide an overview of key details about the location, our perspective on potential advantages and disadvantages of staying there, several highlights worth experiencing, and around five lodging options that stand out to us for different reasons.
Importantly, we’ve stayed in each of these three regions, so we are able to provide some advice based on our own personal experience.
Sound good to you? Let’s get into it.
Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post, like hotel links, are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, we make a little bit of money if you click through and book. That being said, we would never recommend something to you that we don’t stand behind 100%.
A Quick Note on Planning For Banff National Park
If you happen to have previously read our Banff itinerary (or our full Canadian Rockies itinerary), then you will know that we strongly advocate splitting your stay in Banff into two portions, spending half of it in either Banff or Canmore (more details on the differences between the two locations below), and the other half around Lake Louise.
The reason?
It takes between 45-60 minutes by vehicle from the town of Banff to Lake Louise, and the parking situation in Lake Louise is problematic, requiring arrival at an early hour (6:30am during summer peak) to have the privilege of paying $21 to park for the day and get an early start on the trail.
Lake Louise is one of the most iconic sights in Banff National Park – all of Canada, we’d say – and as a result, it is exceptionally popular and congested basically all day, especially besides around sunrise.
By staying nearby, you’ll beat crowds (a 7 versus 45 minute drive), capture stunning photos, and get an early start on trails.
We had a similar experience on our first visit to Banff (staying at Paradise Lodge and Bungalows, a wonderful option) and it was truly amazing.
On our latest trip, we had a camping space reserved at Lake Louise Campground. It was also great, despite canine antics, but we learned as we were going to bed that our dog, Lupine, did not enjoy being enclosed in a tent.
Regardless of your selected route, be sure to consult the trail conditions on the National Park Service website before departing.
To maximize your time and minimize unnecessary driving back and forth, we`d recommend basing yourself near Lake Louise for a span of a couple nights (2-3 is sufficient for both Lake Louise and Moraine Lake).
Where to Stay in Banff: The Best Places to Stay for First Timers
Now that we`ve discussed the main strategy for deciding where to lodge in Banff (rotating between multiple accommodations to minimize commuting), let`s explore specific options.
It’s worth noting for transparency purposes that we haven’t personally stayed in all of the hotels and lodges below (we’ll point out the ones we have stayed at), but we have done extensive research to choose some fun places for most travel styles and budgets.
We have personal experience visiting all three locations under discussion – Banff, Canmore, and Lake Louise – which provides some insight into pros and cons as well as highlights we enjoyed from our own trips to Banff.
Now, I realize some may be expressing frustration at the screen wanting me to simply disclose where to stay, so here’s a brief outline of the more extensive guide below.
We’d advise thoroughly examining the full part you’re interested in, since you may uncover a place or two you hadn’t found prior!
Here’s the overview:
- The town located within Banffis considered the ideal location for both temporary visits and initial trips to Banff, due to it truly being at the center of all the activity. Banff Avenue contains many dining establishments and shops (with Mount Rundle`s distinct form towering above the community), and it offers a central position to most of the hikes and attractions in the eastern part of Banff National Park. We remained at Tunnel Mountain Resort, and mostly appreciated it – particularly because of the full kitchen and pet-friendliness – but would entirely opt for Basecamp Suites in the future after a great experience with Basecamp in Revelstoke.
- Canmore is a municipality situated just outside the eastern boundary of Banff National Park, and it provides cooler temperatures with better cuisine and beverage options, more contemporary lodging, and more reasonable costs. However, the disadvantage is that it takes roughly fifteen additional minutes to arrive at most of the attractions in Banff. Based on our latest trip, we decided we will consistently stay in Canmore going forward. We`d look at the Malcolm Hotel if seeking something a bit more upscale, or Lamphouse by Basecamp for something a little more budget-friendly (but still pleasant).
- Remaining within close proximity to Lake Louise Village so as to arrive at Lake Louise in the early morning before large crowds form is something we strongly advise undertaking (further reasoning for this is provided in the subsequent section below). We’ve had both experiences – lodging near Lake Louise (a 2-7 minute drive to the parking area) and staying in Banff (a 45-60 minute drive to the parking area) and can highly recommend allocating a couple of nights close to Lake Louise. Extra incentive is provided for being able to walk to the lake to avoid the nightmare that is parking! The best place to stay – and we’ve stayed there, so we can attest to that – is the Paradise Lodge and Bungalows, which is within walking distance to the lake and offers a variety of room types including those with full kitchens.
And now, to our three recommended places to lodge.
The Town of Banff: In the Middle of All the Action
The primary observation about the town of Banff is that it essentially resembles Disneyland. But rather than being filled with families wearing Mickey mouse ears, those equivalent families have swapped the mouse ears for hiking boots and daypacks.
It suffers many of the same issues that other popular tourist areas, whether it’s a trendy neighborhood in a city (Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco) or a tourist town near a national park (Moab, Utah). That issue is twofold.
Firstly, that all the hotels, shops, bars, and restaurants are consistently at maximum capacity, so there`s no time or incentive to improve and renovate.
Second, it’s too costly for new entrants to try and start a business, so there’s very little excitement in terms of innovation happening (go to Canmore for that).
It’s crowded, expensive, and the places to eat, drink, and shop are generally overrated and full of visitors. Oh, and be sure your hotel or lodge incorporates parking, because it can be a nightmare to find a parking space.
However, all that being said, it is probably the most convenient place to stay, ESPECIALLY if not using our strategy of staying in two separate locations in Banff.
It sits in the center of major attractions, with Lake Minnewanka, Sunshine Meadows, and the Bow Valley Parkway all within a 15-30 minute drive.
Banff Avenue runs straight through the center of town, and most hotels in Banff are located directly on that street or a few blocks away in either direction.
There’s also a collection of places for travelers to stay – including an affordable hostel option – up on Tunnel Mountain.
In summary, Banff makes a good base camp, though like any mountain town near outstanding outdoor recreation these days, it`s crowded and expensive.
Pros and Cons of Staying in Banff
Pros of Staying in Banff:
- It’s centrally located. This is the primary reason why we endorse Banff. Within 15-30 minutes, you can be nearly anywhere east of Lake Louise, including Johnston Canyon, Sunshine Meadows, Canmore, and Lake Minnewanka.
- It offers suitable amenities (groceries, fuel, food and drink, etc).They are busy, but there exist numerous choices for eating and drinking, and several gas stations to choose between. The IGA in Banff is also pleasant for provisions, though we may argue the amenities are not quite as agreeable as in Canmore (but considerably better than Lake Louise).
- Public transportation connections are surprisingly robust. This is somewhat unexpected for a mountain town within a national park, but there are buses running from downtown Banff to Johnston Canyon, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake (during some periods in the year), Lake Minnewanka, and Canmore, to name a few. Check ROAM Transit for details.
Cons of Staying in Banff:
- It’s expensive.All of these places will be expensive, but the community of Banff itself may just be the master of overpriced accommodations.
- Most areas retain nostalgia yet necessitate attention..It recalls national park lodges in America, perpetually filled without renovation chances. Some accommodation options here remain somewhat outdated.
- Parking can be challenging (or pricey).If your hotel doesn’t offer free parking, prepare either to pay for parking at the hotel, or deal with the parking situation in town (which isn`t as bad as we thought it would be, but still subpar).
The Best Places to Stay in the Town of Banff
The town of Banff itself offers an immense variety of lodging accommodations to select from.
Here are seven potential stays that stand out, whether because they appear pleasant and we`d like to experience them, or because they serve another purpose (usually relating to cost effectiveness).
Similar to Lake Louise below, we will omit including the opulent Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, which is stunning, but simply not worth the incredibly steep price.
While the rest of Banff won`t be low-priced to lodge in, the rates at the Fairmont seem unjustified.
Moose Hotel & Suites: A Beautiful Hotel in the Middle of Downtown Banff
The location for Petunia’s certainly can’t be outdone. It’s right downtown, just a few blocks from Powell’s Books, which is a must during your Portland itinerary, along with various other great spots in downtown Portland.
In terms of location, the property is situated on the corner of Banff Avenue, but it is set back a few blocks from the main thoroughfare, so it will likely be somewhat quieter.
The atmosphere here definitely leans more towards luxury hotel than cost-effective lodging, but the amenities are impressive. Rooms come in two basic variations – hotel-style rooms, and more spacious suites with additional areas (like sitting rooms and small balconies). Additionally, innovative two-way fireplaces that warm the rooms in the winter.
However, it is worth noting that those larger suites DO NOT come with full kitchens, which we see as a major inconvenience.
The hotel has a fitness center, a sizable indoor pool, and TWO outdoor hot pools on the rooftop with excellent views out over Banff. That rooftop also has some nice firepit action going on.
They also give you a free pass to use on Roam Transit, Banff’s public transportation company, which has local service as well as service to Lake Louise, Lake Minnewanka, Canmore, and more.
Using public transportation is worthwhile to consider to avoid problems finding parking and dealing with congestion in some places.
Are pets permitted? Some rooms here allow pets, with a $25 pet fee per animal, per night. You need to inform them in advance, and they’ll provide snacks, a water bowl, and a blanket upon arrival.
What’s the parking situation? There is free parking in a secure underground garage, but the clearance is 2.2 meters, so vans, RVs, and some vehicles with roof boxes will need to park offsite (there is a different location for that).
Basecamp Banff Suites: Nice Suites (with Kitchens) in the Middle of All the Action
We`ve stated this quite frequently by now across all our guides to the Canadian Rockies, but we really enjoy Bascamp. We remained at their resort in Revelstoke, and we slept soundly in the comfortable beds and used the modern kitchen to prepare our meals.
They`re based in the Canadian Rockies, and have several properties spread across Banff and Canmore with more in development.
Their “suite” hotels are where it’s at for us, because we like having access to a kitchen when traveling to ensure Matt, who has Celiac Disease and needs a strictly gluten free diet, can eat safely on the road.
This accommodation operates similarly to a hotel, with private rooms that are full apartments (also known as an aparthotel, which provides the amenities of an apartment and service of a hotel).
Their lodging in Banff – Basecamp Banff Suites – is one block removed from Banff Avenue, and is near to the best grocery store in Banff (IGA Banff).
They provide a variety of one, two, and three bedroom residences that accommodate different group sizes nicely. All have fully equipped kitchens and modern comforts, like coffee makers and comfortable beds.
Pet friendly? This Basecamp location does NOT allow pets (otherwise we probably would have stayed here on our last trip, when Lupine was with us).
What is the parking situation? This location also DOES NOT provide free parking. Options include street parking (park free on the street if willing to walk 5-7 minutes each way) or a nearby garage for $30 per day with no in-and-out privileges.
Tunnel Mountain Resort (Where We Stayed): A Mid Range Resort Option on Tunnel Mountain
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We had two particular needs – pet friendly rooms with a full kitchen so we could prepare food – and this place met both of those requirements.
The lodging was adequate, but it was essentially a basement apartment with very little natural light, and we had a rodent companion visit us a few times. After notifying the front desk about the rodent, they basically dismissed it and said “there’s nothing we can do.” The facilities could also benefit from some upkeep and refreshing.
The setting is pleasant as it`s relatively tranquil high on Tunnel Mountain (disregarding our inebriated upstairs neighbors returning late from a wedding celebration and loudly playing music at 3:00 am) and parking is convenient in the hotel lot.
They also provide free transit passes to board the bus that stops right outside the front entrance and transports you directly to downtown Banff within 5-10 minutes.
In general, this place provides acceptable accommodations for the affordable price tag, though you might find better options elsewhere in the area.
Pet friendly? Yes, but only some rooms accommodate pets with a $25 nightly pet fee.
What’s the parking situation? Free parking in the on-location lot.
The Dorothy Motel: An Affordable Budget Hotel in Banff
At the Dorothy Motel, they essentially maintained the basic structure but renovated the interior to lend a considerably more contemporary appearance and feel. The cost here is fairly reasonable for Banff and it is likely to provide better value than anticipated.
Rooms here are straightforward. Choose between one king bed or two queen beds, all of which have a mini fridge, microwave, and tea and coffee.
While a bit further out than some other selections within just a few blocks, it`s still on Banff Avenue but going eastward out of town slightly.
This place is owned by the Banff Lodging Company, which owns many of the hotels and lodges in Banff at this point after consolidation in the low period between 2020 and now. They own, among other places, Tunnel Mountain Resort, where we stayed.
Pet friendly? Yes, with a $25 a night pet fee.
What’s the parking situation? Free parking in the on-location lot.
HI Banff Alpine Centre: Solid Hostel, Nice Location on Tunnel Mountain
If you’re searching for the best place to stay in Banff on a minimal budget, this is it. The HI Banff Alpine Center is run by Hostelling International (hence the HI) and is up on Tunnel Mountain, a brief bus ride away from the action.
It is a dormitory style accommodation, so they offer rooms in bunk style arrangements – including women only rooms – for those seeking extremely affordable lodging, and private rooms with either an attached bathroom or a shared bathroom. Shared amenities included a common kitchen, laundry facilities, and free parking.
An on-site restaurant and bar are included with a packed calendar of events, and your stay comes with a transit pass allowing you to board the bus stopping across the street to access locations to eat and drink on Banff Avenue and the surrounding places.
Two Jack Lake Campground: The Best Campground near the Town of Banff
For what it’s worth, this is our number one recommendation in Queen Anne. Staypineapple residences are always among the best value lodging in whatever city they’re located, and the two on this list are no exception.
The top choice is Two Jack Lakeside Campground (which contains two sites – “Main” and “Lakeside”). There are 74 locations, some directly on the lake, and this camp offers shower facilities.
Two Jack Main is the larger of the two campgrounds near the lake, containing over 300 sites making securing a few summer nights easier. No showers at this campground.
However, if you’re traveling in an RV larger than 27 feet, you likely would want to reserve the Tunnel Mountain campground instead, which has far more RV spots with hookups (though it essentially is just a big parking lot, which kind of sucks).
More data on camping in Banff National Park here.
Canmore: A Cooler Town & Better Value, But Slightly Less Convenient
Next time we’re in the Canadian Rockies, you’ll find us staying in Canmore rather than Banff.
We prefer the atmosphere of Canmore, where there is a blend of residents and tourists, a better selection of places to eat and drink, and you get more value in terms of lodging accommodations.
Canmore lies outside the eastern limits of Banff National Park, meaning it adds approximately 15-20 additional minutes of travel time to reach anywhere within the park.
That being said, Canmore has plenty of outdoor recreation going on in its own right, and is actually closer to some of the less busy hiking trails in Kananaskis.
Essentially, we think Canmore offers a better value and experience than Banff, which is why we’d strongly recommend it.
The biggest disadvantage is the additional driving time, which includes passing through the park entrance where you can sometimes wait in long lines (though there’s a pass-through line if you already have purchased your entry or have a Discovery Pass).
Pros and Cons of Staying in Canmore
Pros of Staying in Canmore:
- Excellent food and drink amenities. From coffee shops to microbreweries to dining establishments, Canmore outperforms Banff (and Lake Louise especially) in culinary and imbibing options. Those seeking to be active during the day and indulge at night would be better served selecting Canmore over Banff.
- More affordable. Now, context is important – you’re still in the Canadian Rockies, so prices are relatively high no matter what – but as we were planning our latest trip, we noticed that prices were notably less expensive in Canmore, and you’re generally getting better value for money.
- More recently renovated units. For reasons unknown – perhaps because Canmore is a less established tourist destination than Banff – lodgings in Canmore seem less in need of renovations compared to many places in Banff. In fact, there are quite a few very modern options (subway tile bathrooms often indicate recent updates).
Disadvantages of Staying in Canmore:
- It’s further out.It’s east of the town of Banff, meaning it’s more distant from just about everything by approximately 15-20 minutes.
- Public transit is unpredictable. While there is public transit from Canmore to Banff via ROAM Transit, you do have to make a connection to use public transportation to get from Canmore to locations like Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, or Sunshine Meadows.
- Lines at the park entrance. We only witnessed this on a Saturday morning entering the park, but there can sometimes be lengthy queues at the park gates. However, if you already have a Parks Canada pass, there are two lanes to bypass the lines.
The Best Places to Stay in Canmore
Here are a few lodging options in Canmore that captured our attention.
The Malcolm Hotel: Canmore’s Coolest Luxury Hotel
The Malcolm Hotelis likely the most beautiful hotel in Canmore, which is not remarkably surprising because it is also one of the newest. It’s located along Spring Creek Drive, which puts you right alongside the creek, and around a 10 minute walk or so into downtown Canmore.
Accommodations are your typical hotel configurations, with options ranging from two queen beds to one king bed. Some rooms have mountain perspectives, but you’ll have to pay a little extra for it.
The crown jewel of the hotel is the rooftop swimming pool, which has jaw-dropping perspectives of the surrounding mountains.
If swimming isn`t your preference (or it`s winter), also available are fire pits atop where the perspectives can be enjoyed accompanied by the warm glow of a (mock) fire.
There’s an on-site restaurant, an on-site coffee shop, and an entertaining game room with foosball, a giant Scrabble wall, and a pool table (among other things).
Pet friendly? Yes, with a $50 fee for pets.
What’s the vehicular access arrangement? Complimentary parking is available in the underground parking area.
Lamphouse Hotel by Basecamp: A Mid Range Hotel in Downtown Canmore
Hey, look, another Basecamp Hotel! If you missed our love letter above, we really enjoyed our stay at Basecamp in Revelstoke, and wish we would have stayed at one of their numerous locations in Canmore instead of where we ended up. Oh well, live and learn!
The Lamphouse Hotel is on the eastern conclusion of the primary stretch in Canmore, which puts you a 3-5 minute walk from our favorite places to eat, drink, and shop in town.
The rooms are arranged motel-style, but have a more boutique hotel ambiance than your average motel. They also feature a pleasant outdoor hot tub, ideal for relaxing tired muscles after extensive hiking.
The rooms here come in hotel-style options, with either one king-sized or two queen-sized beds, and suites that feature a sitting area and slightly more space. Decor has a modern aesthetic, with tile in the bathroom and furniture resembling mid-century modern styles.
Pet friendly? Yes, but only some rooms allow pets (maximum two per room).
What’s the parking situation? Free parking (for one vehicle) in the onsite lot.
Stoneridge Mountain Resort: Beautiful Suites with Full Kitchens (Great for Families)
The location highlighted may be on Railway Avenue, a main road through town where most of the hotels in Canmore are placed, but the luxury resort feels like a small oasis in the mountains.
The principal difference between Stonridge and somewhere like the Malcolm Hotel is that the rooms here are suites, offering more space and full kitchen areas.
We personally prefer suite-style accommodations, which provide the blend of service of a hotel and additional space/amenities of a temporary rental.
The suites here are pleasantly modern and design-forward, with beautiful kitchens, air conditioning, and in-unit laundry.
Each accommodation also includes a private patio or balcony and a private barbecue grill, a pleasant amenity. Floor plans vary but generally separate into one, two, and three bedroom suites.
The amenities at this hotel match the upscale feel of the rooms, with outdoor heated pools available all year round, a fitness center open 24 hours a day, and underground heated parking which is particularly useful in winter.
Pet friendly? No pets allowed.
What’s the parking situation? Free parking in the on-location lot.
Ambleside Lodge Bed & Breakfast: A More Intimate B&B Experience
Compared grandeur and abundance previous two hotels we’ve mentioned, the Ambleside Lodge offers more intimate, rustic bed and breakfast experience despite being roughly equal distant from all action in Canmore.
The spot is pleasant and hushed, just across the Bow River from Canmore`s downtown where quality eats, drinks, and shops await alongside the picturesque riverside trail (hike up to Engine Bridge!).
It’s also a family-run and operated facility, which we always find delivers the most pleasurable experience and service quality.
There are only three guest bedrooms here, so you’ll need to book ASAP if you want to snag one of them. Each room is thoughtfully designed with warm wood hues, private bathrooms, and includes breakfast in the morning.
A spacious living area also features vaulted ceilings, abundant natural light, and a cozy fireplace.
Something to note: no children under 12 are permitted, and rooms have a maximum of two guests, so this likely isn`t suitable for families.
Pet friendly? No pets allowed.
What’s the parking situation? Free parking in the on-location lot.
Canmore Downtown Hostel: The Best Place to Stay on a Budget
If you’re seeking a social atmosphere and an affordable place to stay, Canmore Downtown Hostel is a suitable option.
This place is highly rated, and browsing through their pictures will display you relatively new facilities with a big shared kitchen, a dining room / living room with mountain views, and clean shared bathrooms.
It merits mentioning that, despite the name, this location is really not in downtown Canmore. It`s several blocks away from the main road, but it is definitely within walking distance of the heart of the town and all the excellent places to eat and drink.
As one might expect at a hostel, they provide a mix of dormitories (maximum eight beds, some with private bathrooms) and private rooms. One dorm is solely for women.
Private quarters are available in different floor plans such as configurations containing stacked beds or twin single beds.
Pet friendly? No pets allowed.
What’s the parking situation? Free parking in the on-location lot.
Bow Valley Provincial Park: Best Camping Options near Canmore
If camping is something you desire, Bow Valley Provincial Park is undoubtedly the best choice available. Though, it is also the most populated, which suggests you’ll need to plan ahead to secure a spot here.
There exist multiple campgrounds within the park, and two of the nicest as far as amenities and location are going to be Bow River Campground (66 sites) and Three Sisters Campground (36 sites).
The limitation to these campgrounds is that they are essentially situated right along the Trans Canada Highway, which means they can be loud.
Lake Louise: The Best Place to Stay to Access Lake Louise and Moraine Lake
As covered, we definitely advise spending a night or two (ideally two to experience both lakes early) near Lake Louise given the considerable driving from Banff and Canmore once there and back, as we discovered firsthand.
The largest impediment with that plan is there simply aren’t too many quality lodging options nearby Lake Louise Village, situated at the base of the road leading upward to both lakes.
This means the places available for staying will be limited and expensive.
Still, it’s not like residing in Banff is going to be an economical experience anyway, and we think it’s worthwhile the extra movement to have access to one of the most stunning lakes in the world at your leisure (we definitely recommend seeing it both early in the morning and late in the evening).
An added benefit of staying here is the convenient location for making a day trip along the Icefields Parkway or over to nearby Yoho National Park, only a 15 minute drive west of Lake Louise.
Both destinations promise worthwhile excursions, and you’ll find comprehensive details about both on our extremely thorough Canadian Rockies itinerary.
Pros and Cons of Staying near Lake Louise
Benefits of Staying near Lake Louise:
- Convenient access to Lake Louise. You’ll save 45-60 minutes of total driving time to and from Lake Louise by staying here instead of driving each way twice (once for Lake Louise, once for Moraine Lake). Plus, you`ll be able to visit multiple times per day (early morning and around sunset are especially beautiful).
- Nearer to Yoho and the Icefields Parkway.There are some truly amazing hikes and places to explore in both Yoho and the southern part of the Icefields Parkway between Banff and Jasper, and Lake Louise serves as a good base for accessing them.
Drawbacks of Staying near Lake Louise:
- Far from most things in Banff National Park. While you’re saving travel time between Banff and Lake Louise, the reverse is also valid. This is why we recommend dividing your time between Banff and Lake Louise to experience the best of both locations (without all the driving).
- Very restricted places to stay, and very competitive. There are very few locations to remain near Lake Louise, and the ones that do are highly competitive (like the campground). BOOK EARLY!
- Very Costly.As you might have inferred based on the last bullet point, it’s also very expensive. However, there are a couple affordable options – namely hostels and the campground – but, again, you’ll want to book them as soon as possible.
The Best Places to Stay near Lake Louise
As we`ve already discussed, lodging options here are limited, so we’ll include a couple places with slightly lower reviews than usual simply because alternatives are scarce.
Just so you know, we’re not going to include the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise on our list, simply because we don’t think it’s accessible to most people, and we wouldn’t really even consider paying $600-$900 a night to stay there ourselves.
A better choice would be to stay elsewhere and stop in for a meal or tea to check it out.
Paradise Lodge and Bungalows: A Great Option (Where We Stayed)
We can`t emphasize enough that, according to our own experience remaining there, the Paradise Lodge & Bungalows is the finest place to live near Lake Louise for 99% of people.
It could be argued that the Fairmont Chateau is best, but who can afford that rate? The Lake Louise Campground, which offers lovely scenery, could also be nominated, but not all 1) feel comfortable camping, especially when flying in, and 2) can secure reservations there.
Spoiler alert: you’ll find both of those below.
We would have definitely stayed here on our most recent trip, but they don’t allow pets and we had Lupine with us.
The location is pretty superb. It’s right on Lake Louise road, about a five minute drive to the main lot at the lake.
It’s only a mile from the lodge to the lake, so you could also walk there and avoid the whole parking situation altogether (though it adds two miles roundtrip, which might be a dealbreaker if you’re doing a long hike like the Plain of Six Glaciers or Big Beehive).
When it comes to room styles, there are essentially two categories to choose from: lodge rooms and standalone bungalows.
We stayed in a bungalow, which was rustically charming yet very comfortable. Some – not all – bungalows included full kitchens (ours did not). They generally come in two layouts: a studio without a kitchen, and a studio with a kitchen. All the cabins have a cozy gas fireplace.
Lodge rooms are more akin to a hotel room, and they come in three different layouts: a two bedroom suite WITHOUT a kitchen, a one bedroom suite WITH a kitchen and a pullout couch, and a one bedroom luxurious suite (honeymoon suite) with a soaking tub and kitchen. The latter two room types also have a balcony.
Pet friendly? No pets allowed.
What’s the parking situation? Free parking in the on-location lot.
Baker Creek by Basecamp: Nice Option Along the Bow Valley Parkway
Another place to stay! If you missed my previous mention, we lodged at Base Camp in Revelstoke and enjoyed it so greatly that we wished we`d selected another one of their locations near Banff and Canmore for that part of our trip. Next time!
The lodging of Baker Creek by Basecamp, while a bit farther out than other options at about 20 minutes from the lake, would make a nice home base for visitors. The cozy cabins and suites coupled with the shuttle service stopping there and transporting guests to Louise and Moraine Lakes create a convenient accommodation
There are two basic room configurations here; cabins and lodge suites.
The suites feature a more modern design, with several layout options (all including one bed and partial kitchens without stoves) some including a jetted tub.
The cottages are where we think the ideal lodging option lies. They provide either one or two bedroom configurations, all with cozy fireplaces, kitchenettes containing microwaves and small refrigerators, and relatively spacious living areas.
Some also have jacuzzi tubs in the center of the studio-style format, which is… a decision.
The message being conveyed here is that regardless of if you are traveling with family who may require more space or looking for an intimate escape with a partner, they offer various options for lodging.
One overlooked advantage of remaining at this location: there is a Moraine Lake (and Lake Louise) shuttle that picks up and drops off at the resort during the summer months, which means you don’t have to deal with parking at the lakes, or with lines for the Parks Canada Shuttle.
Full disclosure – it is more expensive than the Parks Canada shuttles, but it’s also more convenient and means you don’t have to drive at all.
Pet friendly? Yes, there is a $40 per night additional fee for pets if you provide advance notification of their presence.
What’s the parking situation? Free parking in the on-location lot.
Castle Mountain Chalets: A Good Option for Both Banff and Lake Louise
The Castle Mountain Chalets, situated directly off the Trans-Canada Highway at Castle Mountain Junction, were a discovery we made later in assembling this guide.
We ultimately decided we had to include them because they are approximately equal distance to Banff and Lake Louise (slightly nearer to Lake Louise, about 20 minutes away), meaning they could actually function well as a home base for your whole trip.
Similar to a lot of the other resorts in the area, they have a mix of rooms split between chalets and suites, but the mix leans much more towards chalets here.
Options include one and two bedroom units as well as chalets having an open concept design allowing accommodation of various group sizes.
All of the room options here seem to include a fully equipped kitchen with stoves and ovens, and provide ample space with room to spread out.
In terms of amenities provided, you have free parking, a shared barbecue area, campfires, communal laundry, and the option to rent snowshoes or mountain bikes.
Pet friendly? Yes (only in chalets, not in suites), with a $25 nightly pet fee (canines only, limit of two canines).
What’s the parking arrangement? Free parking for one vehicle in front of the chalets, others in an overflow lot.
HI Lake Louise Alpine Centre: An Affordable Hostel in Lake Louise Village
If you’re looking for the most cost-effective lodging option (that’s not camping), this is easily the most affordable choice.
The HI Lake Louise Alpine Centre is a hostel found in Lake Louise Village, meaning it’s not within walking distance of the lake, but significantly closer than remaining in Banff or Canmore. Plan on around a 10-15 minute drive to the lake from here.
We have little to contribute about this location, other than pointing out that it provides a bed, in a hostel, situated near one of Canada`s most popular attractions for visitors.
Is it modern? Not really.
Are the facilities top of the line? Not really.
Could it make for a reasonably priced place to spend a few nights exploring the two lakes? Probably.
They offer a combination of bunk-style rooms and private rooms, some of which accommodate 4-5 people if you’re traveling with a group, and some of which include private bathrooms (rather than shared facilities). There’s a communal kitchen and common living spaces.
Pet friendly? No pets allowed.
What’s the parking situation? Free parking in the on-location lot.
Lake Louise Campground: Best Campground near Lake Louise
If tenting is an option (some travelers can`t or won`t transport camping gear by air), this is likely the most economical and centrally located choice.
However, securing a campsite in this area for a specific date range can prove challenging, as users must actively pursue reservations as soon as the spring booking window opens, as outlined on this site.
There are two camp areas here – one for tents surrounded by wire to deter wildlife contact, and one for RVs, trailers, and vans with sturdier accommodations.
We secured a site at the soft-sided camping area and were enthusiastic at having a 5-10 minute drive to Lake Louise.
However, upon establishing our tent, making supper, and spending time at the camp until nightfall, we discovered that Lupine (our dog) does NOT enjoy being confined in a tent. Whoops.
There are more than 200 tent sites (and another 200 or so RV sites) here, so it’s not going to be much of a secluded wilderness experience.
However the facilities are really nice, including showers, and the location could not be better.
