Downtown Banff Hotels, Honestly Sorted

Banff Boutique Inn is adults-only, so families with children cannot book it, and I list it here for that reason. It suits parents travelling without their kids, or adult family groups: uniquely decorated rooms with en suite bathrooms and high ceilings, free WiFi and complimentary parking. The inn is a short walk from Banff town centre and close to the Banff Gondola. Rated 9.3 across 687 reviews, I would choose it for a quiet grown-up break in the Rockies.

Buffalo Mountain Lodge is a four-star lodge on the slopes of Tunnel Mountain, a short walk from downtown Banff. Every room has a wood fireplace and a private bathroom, which makes winter evenings with children simple and warm. The hot tub and sauna help after a day outside, there is a gym, and a lounge with its own fireplace gives the family somewhere to sit. I would recommend it to families who like a calm mountain base.

Sunshine Mountain Lodge sits inside Sunshine Village Resort, about 20 minutes west of Banff town centre, with ski-in, ski-out access that spares families the morning shuttle with children and gear. Ski storage keeps equipment out of the room, and the outdoor hot pool is a memorable end to a day on the slopes. Several restaurants on site cover every meal, and parents can use the spa, gym or dry sauna. A guest score of 8.8 from 868 reviews is excellent.

Canalta Lodge Banff includes a complimentary breakfast, the first thing I would mention to families planning early starts in the national park. After a day on the trails or slopes, the hot tub and sauna help everyone recover, and ski storage keeps equipment out of the room. Rooms are air-conditioned with a seating area, giving a little extra space. The on-site coffee shop is handy, and pets are welcome. It sits a short drive from Banff centre.

Brewster Mountain Lodge is a three-star historic lodge in downtown Banff with ski-in/ski-out access, and I would recommend it to families who like heritage character. A spa and wellness area has a hot tub and sauna, free WiFi is included and a daily continental breakfast is served. Pets are welcome. It is a lodge with character rather than modern resort polish.

Royal Canadian Lodge sits on Banff Avenue, so families can walk into downtown Banff for meals and shops without moving the car. The indoor mineral pool and hot tub are the highlight after a day on the trails or the slopes, and the steam room and fitness centre give parents their own time. Rooms mix modern design with a mountain feel. A guest score of 8.4 from 1,064 reviews suggests a dependable, comfortable stay in the Rockies.

Bow View Lodge is a three-star lodge set directly on the Bow River in Banff National Park, a short walk from Banff city centre, and I would recommend it to families who like a river view. Rooms have a cable TV, a seating area and a private bathroom, and some look onto the river. A swimming pool, fitness centre and sauna are available nearby, and there is a launderette on site.

Banff Caribou Lodge and Spa is a three-star mountain lodge in Banff city centre, and I would recommend it to families who ski and like warm water after the slopes. It has ski-in-ski-out access, an indoor pool, a hot tub, a hot pool and a steam room, plus a full-service spa with six treatment rooms for the adults. Pet-friendly rooms are available, and some suites have fireplaces. Ask for a fireplace suite when you book.

Charltons Banff is an Alpine-style hotel on Banff Avenue, with a choice of deluxe rooms, lofts and kitchenette units that suit families of different sizes. Lofts give children their own sleeping level, and kitchenettes help with breakfasts. The indoor pool, hot tub and sauna fill the evenings, and ski and golf storage keeps gear out of the room. Some rooms have gas fireplaces and mountain views, and bikes can be rented in summer. A guest score of 7.9 from 750 reviews.

Fox Hotel and Suites is a four-star hotel in Banff with a cave-inspired hot pool that children and adults remember. A free shuttle runs to downtown and to the Banff Ski Gondola, which spares the walk with ski gear. Rooms have a flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, a coffee maker and a sofa bed, useful for a family of three or four. A gym and an on-site restaurant are included, and pets are welcome.

Red Carpet Inn is a three-star Banff stay close to the city centre, and I would recommend it to families who want a simple base and a hot tub. Rooms have free WiFi, a flat-screen TV and a mini-refrigerator, which helps with snacks and children's milk. Ski storage is available, and some rooms have a balcony. The rating of 7.7 means a basic stay, so keep expectations practical.