405 Spray Ave., Banff, Alberta, 403-762-2211 or 866-540-4406,
Rates: Standard room rates $299-$489 January-May and October-December; $449-$659 June-September; and $379-$489 for Christmas. Valet parking is $33 per day; self-parking is $25 per day. Prices listed are in Canadian dollars.
Stay here if: your desire for an outdoorsy vacation is paired with a need for creature comforts like swanky bars, fine dining and relaxing afternoons in the spa.
It’s close to: nearly everything that brought you to Banff in the first place. The picturesque town is just a 10-minute walk that can be made along the town’s main road or — better yet — along the Bow River. The hotel is close to many popular trailheads ranging from easy hikes to more-challenging trips. And it’s only a short drive to Lake Louise and the popular Icefields Parkway. In winter, shuttle service is available to the popular Norquay, Sunshine and Lake Louise ski resorts.
The rooms are: charming and comfortable. Some of the rooms reflect the hotel’s age, but its opulent public spaces and stunning views more than make up for it.
They put all of the money into: maintaining the hotel’s historic elegance. Canadian Pacific Railway general manager William Cornelius Van Horne had this “Castle in the Rockies” built in 1888 to draw well-heeled tourists, and it’s still reaching the lofty goals Van Horne aspired to.
The bottom line: this stunning hotel will undoubtedly put you in a quandary. It’s so beautiful inside that it’s tempting to ignore the beauty outside. Fortunately, you can head to the terrace bar where you can grab a drink, take in the spectacular views and enjoy the best of both worlds. Kristi Arellano
