Best Historic and Heritage Stays in Banff

Peaks Hotel and Suites has family rooms in Banff with air-conditioning, a refrigerator for snacks and drinks, and a tea and coffee maker, which helps with early starts before a day in the mountains. Ski storage keeps gear out of the room in winter, and the outdoor fireplace is a pleasant spot to warm up in the evening. Local museums are within walking distance, and WiFi is free. A guest score of 9.1 from 630 reviews is excellent.

Hotel Canoe and Suites in Banff gives rooms balconies with mountain views, the detail I would mention first, since a balcony makes a family room feel much bigger. After a day outdoors, the hot tub, sauna and outdoor fireplace are where everyone gathers. The restaurant, bar and coffee shop on site cover breakfast through dinner without driving around town. Private parking and free WiFi keep logistics easy, and the hotel welcomes pets.

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.

Balconies with mountain views and an outdoor hot tub make Moxy Banff easy to like for families, and the family rooms have a private bathroom, air conditioning and a refrigerator. The on-site restaurant serves American dishes and an à la carte breakfast, so mornings need no search for a café. Pets are welcome, and an outdoor fireplace gives evenings a focal point after a day in the Rockies.

The Rundlestone Lodge is on Banff Avenue, so families can walk to the shops and restaurants of downtown Banff. Rooms are spacious, with a refrigerator for snacks and drinks and tea and coffee making facilities, and some have a balcony with views of the Canadian Rockies. The indoor pool is the evening treat for children, and the lobby fireplace makes a warm meeting point after a cold day outside. A guest score of 8.3 from 927 reviews is reassuring.

Banff Ptarmigan Inn is a three-star hotel I would recommend to families who ski, hike and travel with a dog. The hot tub and steam room help after a day outdoors, a ski storage room keeps equipment out of the rooms, and heated underground parking is a real comfort in a Banff winter. Local attractions and the ski areas are within walking distance. Pets are welcome, so the whole family can come.

The Hidden Ridge Resort suits families who want space and a kitchen rather than a standard hotel room. The apartments on Tunnel Mountain have full kitchens, balconies and wood-burning fireplaces with firewood included, so breakfasts and quiet evenings in are easy with children. The outdoor hot tub and barbecue facilities fill the hours between outings, and the free shuttle saves the trip down to Banff town. Check the shuttle times before you plan dinners in town.

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.

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.