When it comes to value for money, Banff Aspen Lodge is up there with the best in the ski business. But there is so much more to love about this hotel than its exceptionally reasonable price tag.
For starters, there is its simple modern style that uses a clean crisp palette of primarily stone, wood and whites – which makes it stand out in a town that is flooded with log cabin lodges and dated 80s hotels. The hotel and all its rooms went under a major refurbishment in recent years, so it feels fresh.
Banff Aspen Lodge also serves up what is arguably the most delicious breakfast in town, giving you more than enough fuel to tackle the slopes with gusto. All the baked goods are made every morning by an onsite baker, and the granola is exceptional. There are also several hot items every second day and some good healthy items too. If you’re in a rush to get to the slopes you can even get breakfast to-go. The best part of all this is that breakfast is included in the nightly rate!
And not that you’ll be needing coffee since it’s so easy to sleep in the spacious bedrooms, but the coffee here is fantastic. We went to Whitebark Cafe twice a day for 6 days and it never once let us down.
To get to the slopes, you can take your own car from the free underground parking or use the ski resort shuttles that leave from across the street. Then when you return, you can unwind in one of the two outdoor hot tubs, or the steam room and sauna. Then you’ll be ready to hit the town, and fortunately the restaurants and bars of Banff are just a short stroll down the street – about 5 minutes.
Like many revamps of older buildings, Banff Aspen Lodge does have a few noise issues, but nothing major. The best room location is a matter of personal preference – the lighter rooms with a potential for mountain glimpses are located at the front-facing Banff Avenue, while the quieter rooms are out the back or side. Most rooms have a balcony or patio, and the bedding (in the Premium rooms) is very flexible for families and groups.
All in all it’s a great choice for those that don’t seek (or want to pay for) superfluous luxuries. The Banff Aspen Lodge is a fantastic and great value option for those wanting to be close to the action in Banff.
