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I'd like to drive up to the Banff area this August. Anyone have any advice on hotels? I think the Banff Springs and Chateau Lake Louise are out of my price range, but I would like to stay somewhere nice.
Any other advice is appreciated. I plan to drive from Seattle, so thoughts on places to check out on the way would be helpful, too. I've never been anywhere around eastern BC or AB before, so you can assume I know nothing about the area other than what I've seen in photos.
I stayed in Jasper and Banff a couple years ago. Went camping behind Lake Louise (see pic), too. Stayed at the Chateau Lake Louise for a night. If you've got the cash, do it. That place was unreal. The Banff Springs is sweet, too. But super pricey.
If you want to stay at the coolest place in the area, check out The Emerald Lake Lodge. Unbelievable.
There are a couple of nice hostels in the area (especially west of LL), as for hotels you might get better rates in Canmore. There is a HoJo there, a couple of Best Westerns, and you are only 15 mins from Banff it's self.
I'd drive up to Jasper, as well as head south on 93 towards Radium (looks like there is lots of great hiking etc down that way.)
The drive between Banff and Revelstoke is beautiful, with the Golden - LL stretch being one of a kind.
Thanks Canuk. For the record, I'm not opposed to spending money on a hotel, just not Banff Springs kind of money :)
I was thinking it might be a good idea to drive as far as Revelstoke the first day and stay there.
There is an absolute gaggle of hotels to choose from in Banff.
In Banff if you're looking for a higher end experience you should check out the Rimrock, Charltons Royal Canadian Lodge, Brewster Mountain Inn or the Banff Park Lodge.
In Lake Louise check out the Post Hotel, Lake Louise Inn or the Deer Lodge.
Other very nice options outside of the towns include Storm Mountain Lodge which is about 15 from Banff, Baker Creek Chalets which is about 20 minutes from Banff, Num-Ti-Jah Lodge on Bow Lake 30 minutes north of lake louise and for the very expensive but definately unforgettable experience look into staying at the Lake O'Hara Lodge located in the backside of the mountains towering over lake louise.
if you have any questions PM me, i've been around this valley for a long time and can hopefully help you out a bit.
At least powslut didn't try to sell you on some greek restaurant. His advise is all very sound. I would also add the Buffalo Mountain Lodge, Hidden Ridge Chalets and Rimock Hotel. Hidden Ridge is probably most affordable and Rimrock the steepest but much much better value than the Springs and every room has amazing views. In Lake Louise I would choose the Post, pricey but not as much as the Chateau and again much better value.
Another thought if you want to hike is to go into Skoki Lodge for a night or two. Rustic backcountry affair involving a (14Km?) hike to get in. But they feed you well and the location is awesome and there's a great deal of history. You book that through Lake Louise ski hill 403 522 3555 or else 5333 I always mix it up.
Route up I would either go to Spokane and come up through Trail and the Rossland area, then Nelson and up to Revelstoke and drive up and over Roger's Pass. Or come the bottom of the Okanagon valley into Osoyoos and east on 3 to the same Rossland Nelson area.
You can PM me as well, I don't remember how old powslut is but I may have been around here even longer by virtue of his wet behind the ears youth.