Banff Hotel Deals in September

For many Banff locals September is the best month of the summer. The weather is often quite settled, the crowds have died down, the mosquitoes have all but disappeared, and with some snow already falling on the high peaks, the mountain views seem more impressive than ever. Another reason why Banff is so attractive in September is the fact that there’s a good chance you’ll find a great hotel deal, and to help you find that deal we have scoured the websites of several Banff accommodations to see which hotels are offering special rates during September 2010:

Brewster’s Mountain Lodge is offering up to 40% off regular rates until September 30. You need to use their special discount code when making your reservation, and for the date we tested, it gave us a rate of $161 for a standard room when the full rate was $231, a saving of $70 per night! For details of the offer and the special discount code, click here.

For a limited time, the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel are offering a special deal on their Everyone’s An Original package. For bookings between Aug 23 and Sept 2 for stays between Aug 23 and Oct 15, they are offering the third night free, a saving of at least $299. Rates start at $299 per night and are based on double occupancy in a Fairmont Room. For full details of this package, click here.

The Ptarmigan Inn has some great deals on standard rooms at the moment, with rates as low as $129-$139 per night for a hotel in downtown Banff. For details of this and other last minute specials offered by the Banff Lodging Co, click here.

From September 6-30, the Rimrock Resort is offering a rate of $178 per night for Sun-Thurs, and $188 for Fridays and Saturdays, with blackouts on Sept 12-14 & Sept 21-25. They also have a special nightly rate of $169 for a minimum 3 night stay in September (blackout Sept 21-25), which includes free wireless internet and 15% off spa and food & beverage purchases. For details of these offers, click here.

And finally, the Red Carpet Inn has a web special of 25% off room rates for September 1, 6, 7, 8.

Of course, there is also great accommodation to be found at other Banff properties, and to see the full range of lodging in Banff, please visit the hotel, motel or condo sections of our website.

The above rates are mostly based on double occupancy, are subject to applicable taxes, subject to change without notice, subject to availability and blackout dates may apply. For full details of the offers, packages and discounts, please contact the respective Banff accommodation directly.

Subaru Banff International Triathlon – Sept 11 2010

Against the spectacular back drop of the Canadian Rockies, athletes from across North America will be competing in the first annual Subaru Banff International Triathlon on Saturday September 11 2010. The setting for the race could not be more scenic, with the swim taking place in Two Jack Lake, the bike race around the stunning Minnewanka Loop and then into the town of Banff, followed by the run along the banks of the Bow River, with the finish on Banff Avenue in the heart of downtown Banff.
The race will include two distances, with the Olympic distance starting with a 1.5km swim, followed by a 38km bike ride and finishing with a 10km run, and the shorter Sprint distance including a 500m swim, 25km bike ride and 5km run. There will also be relay teams in both distances.
Our interactive Banff Triathlon Map shows an overview of the full course, as well as all start and transition zones and allows you to zoom in to view detailed close ups of any section of the course. To view the Banff triathlon course map, click here.
For further information about the race, visit the official race website.

Fresh Air and Now… Fresh Beer in Banff National Park

Banff’s first brew pub opened this summer in the heart of downtown to the delight of locals and visitors alike. Located on the second floor of Clock Tower Mall, the Banff Ave Brewing Co. may be new to Banff, but owners Dan Rodrigues, Socrates Korogonas and Brett Ireland are well seasoned, having owned and operated a popular microbrewery in Jasper, the Jasper Brewing Co. since 2005. The brewed on-site beers are created using pure local glacial water (with the added chlorine removed – thanks guys, much appreciated!) and the classic ingredients of hops, malted barley and their own cultured yeast! There’s nothing overly done or fancy here just good honest well-crafted beer and a manageable variety of 7 or so styles to work your way through. The Brewers Oar Cream Ale is superb, an accurate take on the classic English bitter, the Head Smashed IPA (India Pale Ale) is also outstanding as is the Reverend Rundle Stout, dark and delicious. The food is fun casual classics like fish and chips (highly recommended), burgers, steak sandwiches, salads, pastas and loads of tasty appetizers. Great for families, large groups or intimate pairs. Choose from high top or low top tables, booth seating, comfy lounge area, or head out onto the second story balcony overlooking Banff Avenue and the mountains beyond.

Check out the beer and food menus on their website: www.banffavebrewingco.ca

Rooms Available for August Long Weekend

The August Long Weekend is just around the corner and if you haven’t booked your Banff hotel yet, then you’d better hurry as availability is dwindling fast. We did some research ourselves and found a few Banff hotels that still had some vacancies for the long weekend, but be warned, rooms are being booked up quickly, especially for Saturday night.
Here is what we found today, July 28:

The Banff Park Lodge still had a limited number of rooms available for Saturday night, either a superior room for $279 or a Deluxe Jacuzzi Room for $339. These rooms were also available at the same rates for Friday and Sunday nights, although availability for Sunday was also limited.

The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel still had a limited number of rooms available for Saturday night, for example a Fairmont Room for $379, a Deluxe Room for $439, or a Deluxe View Room for $479. These rooms were also available for Friday and Sunday at the same rate.

The Mount Royal Hotel was already fully booked for Saturday night but was able to offer a standard room on Friday night for $179 or on Sunday night for $199.

The Banff International Hotel only had single rooms available for Saturday night, but was able to offer a standard room on both Friday and Sunday nights for $169.

If you are looking for a suite with a kitchen, the Hidden Ridge Resort still had a limited number of one bedroom condos available for a minimum 2 night stay on Friday and Saturday night, starting at $219 per night.

Enjoy your weekend in the Canadian Rockies!

*The above rates are subject to applicable taxes, subject to availability and subject to change. In most cases the rate is based on 2 people sharing the room. To confirm rates and availability, please contact your Banff hotel or Banff condo directly. The August Long Weekend is sure to be busy in Banff National Park and early reservations are strongly recommended.

Get Away From It All

There is no doubt that all Banff hotels can offer a welcome change from city living, but if you really want to escape there are some fantastic resorts and chalets hidden away in their own quiet corner of Banff National Park. Each of the following properties has a unique location and charm, and they all offer a way to bring you closer to nature while providing the perfect base for discovering the rest of the Banff and Lake Louise area.

Johnston Canyon Resort is located west of Banff on Highway 1A, between Banff and Castle Junction, and offers cabins and chalets of various sizes. The resort has an idyllic location at the end of a picturesque canyon, which guests can walk up on a series of interpretive trails and bridges that take you past amazing waterfalls and geological formations.

Castle Mountain Chalets are located roughly half way between Banff and Lake Louise on Highway 1A not far from Castle Junction. The accommodation is in the form of log cabins or chalets of varying sizes, each with a kitchen or kitchenette.

Storm Mountain Lodge is found on Highway 93 south of Castle Junction, around 25 mins from Banff. Accommodation is in log cabins which are well appointed and charming, with the type of rustic feel only attainable in such a historic location. The fine dining restaurant is excellent and is well regarded throughout the area.

Baker Creek Chalets is a charming property located on Highway 1A, approx 15 minutes east of Lake Louise. Choose between 3 types of Lodge Suite or 3 sizes of chalet, each with kitchen or kitchentte. The locally sourced water is magical both for bathing and drinking, and the Baker Creek Bistro provides a fantastic dining experience.

June Hotel Specials in Banff

June is an excellent time to visit Banff National Park. Summer has started, the summer tours & activities are up and running, the Canadian Rockies are glorious with snow still lingering on the higher peaks, yet the area is still fairly quiet compared to the busier months of July and August. Although June can be considered ‘peak season’, there are still some fantastic hotel deals and cheap rates to be found if you know where to look. Here are some of the best Banff hotel deals we found for June 2010:

Banff Lodging Company is advertising several attractive last minute deals on its website. Depending on which accommodation you choose, rates range from $59 per night for the Driftwood Inn to $89 per night for the Ptarmigan Inn. The stay must be within a 2 week period after the reservation is made. Saturday’s are excluded from this deal, and being a last minute deal, the offer is obviously subject to availability. Also, throughout the month of June the Hidden Ridge Resort is offering 15% off their best rate for any room type on any day.
Until June 17th, Irwin’s Mountain Inn is offering a Banff Getaway Package which for $139 includes a one night stay and a $50 gift certificate for the El Toro restaurant.
The Red Carpet Inn is offering $99 room nights until June 16th, with June 11 and 12 as blackout dates.
The Juniper Hotel is featuring a Summer Solstice Getaway Sale which gives you 30% off your rate when you stay 2 or more nights. Rates start at $119 per night (extra charge for Fri and Sat), and the package is valid until June 24th.
At the luxury end of Banff hotels, the Rimrock Resort Hotel is offering a ‘3 for 2′ package which gives you the third night free when staying for 3 consecutive nights, plus you’ll get a 15% discount on food, beverage or spa and free wireless internet. Rates for June start at $270 per night.
Finally, the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel is having a Summer Sale. If you book their Everyone’s An Original package by June 14 you will receive your 3rd night free of charge. and rates start at $199 per night for June based on 2 people in a Fairmont room.

*The above offers are generally based on double occupancy, and are subject to taxes, subject to availability and subject to change without notice. In addition, certain blackout dates may apply. For full information about these offers, and to make a reservation, please contact your Banff hotel directly.

Ticino Swiss Italian Restaurant

Located at the High Country Inn, Ticino is one of Banff’s longest standing restaurants and has been in operation since 1974. Popular among Banff locals for high quality European cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere, the Swiss Italian menu offers mouth watering dishes such as Pork Tenderloin Baked in a Potato Crust, Panfried Veal Scaloppini in Cheese Batter, and Fondue with Gruyère and Emmenthal. With Black Forest Gateau and Tirami Su on the dessert menu, what more could a European food fan wish for?!
See the Ticino food and wine menus here.

Five Diamond Finesse

The multiple award winning Eden restaurant at the Rimrock Resort Hotel combines one of the finest dining experiences in Western Canada with some of the best views anywhere in the Canadian Rockies. Choose from a 3, 4, or 5 course Table D’Hote menu, a 6 course Chef’s Tasting Menu or a 10 course Grand Degustation menu. French cuisine such as Spring Creek Beef Tartare, and Foie Gras Croque Madame, is expertly combined with locally inspired creations such as Alberta White Tail Deer and British Columbia Squab, and with the help of the sommelier each course can be paired with an ideal wine from the cellar of over 17,000 bottles.
View the full menu here.

Thanksgiving Special Menus

If you are coming to Banff for Thanksgiving weekend, you will no doubt be searching for a special meal to mark the occasion. While all Banff restaurants will be open for business as usual, you may find that the following special Thanksgiving menus will make your holiday weekend that bit more festive:

The Bison Restaurant & Lounge is offering a special menu on Sunday October 11th and Monday October 12th for $36pp. The starter is a spiced pear & candied pecan salad along with a roasted chestnut & apple soup. Their main course is a sage roasted turkey with dried cranberry dressing, turkey confit, parsnip & carrot mash, glazed beets, and bourbon gravy. Dessert includes a maple pumpkin raspberry pie and spiced chai ice cream.

One of Banff’s newest restaurants, The Meatball in the Ptarmigan Inn has a Thanksgiving special which includes pumpkin soup to start, followed by a main course of turkey or honey glazed ham, apple sage stuffing, parmesan mash, yams and spaghetti squash plus seasonal vegetables, with a choice of apple crisp or vanilla ice cream for dessert. All for a very reasonable $23pp ($13 for children). The restaurant is open 5pm to 9pm and the special menu runs from Friday to Monday.

At the Banff Park Lodge you can enjoy a Thanksgiving Sunday Brunch on October 11 from 10am to 2pm for $31pp ($21 for children 6-12yrs) or a Thanksgiving dinner from 5pm to 9pm in the Chinook restaurant for $20pp. Also coinciding with Thanksgiving is the Oktoberfest special in the Terrace Dining Room (5.30pm to 11pm), where German specialties such as schnitzel, goulash soup and apple strudel can be ordered from their a la carte menu.

At the Rimrock Resort Hotel, a Thanksgiving dinner is being served in the Primrose Dining Room. The delicious menu, costing $39pp can be seen here. A special children’s menu is also available for $18.

The Fairmont Banff Springs are offering a Thanksgiving dinner buffet from Friday to Monday in the Bow Valley Grill for $50pp ($25 for children 6-12yrs), and the Waldhaus restaurant is presenting a Thanksgiving table d’hote from Friday to Sunday for $54pp ($27 for children 6-12yrs). The excellent regular Sunday brunch also takes place on Thanksgiving Sunday in the Bow Valley Grill and costs $39.50pp ($14.95 for children 6-12yrs). It’s not a “Thanksgiving Brunch” as such, but we wouldn’t be surprised if you find some turkey on the menu!

Please contact the above restaurants directly to book your table.
To avoid disappointment, early reservations are recommended for Thanksgiving events at all Banff restaurants.

Wine Festival Hotel Packages

On May 1st and 2nd 2009 the Rocky Mountain Wine & Food Festival will take place in Banff Alberta, and several hotels are offering special lodging packages for the event.

Buffalo Mountain Lodge are tempting visitors with their Brunello in Banff package which includes one night’s accommodation for two, a Brunello di Montalcino guided wine tasting evening with game platter on May 1st, breakfast for two, and two tickets for the Grand Tasting Hall at the Food and Wine Festival on May 2nd.

The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, where the main event at the Grand Tasting Hall will take place, is offering Festival rates starting at $179 for stays on May 1st and 2nd.

If you would like to take advantage of the fantastic spring skiing conditions in Banff, you should consider staying at Sunshine Mountain Lodge where they are offering an overnight stay and free shuttle to the Grand Tasting Hall on Saturday May 2nd, and free lift tickets for Sunday May 3rd starting at $199 per person.

For further details about these and other Wine & Food Festival packages, visit www.rockymountainwine.com.

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