Hotels in Banff + Beyond – Where to remain in Canmore, cosy cabins and extra…
The Canadian Rockies conjure up visions of days spent climbing, photographing wildlife, canyons, alpine lakes, and epic surroundings. If you’re planning a visit, I wish to share a private lodging advice with you that can can help you expertise staying in a couple of spots, absorbing somewhat of every city and its surrounding images areas.
Let me introduce you to Basecamp Resorts. A group of lodges, residences and cosy cabins scattered all through the Rockies area of Alberta, and Kootenay Rockies of British Columbia. You’ll discover them in Canmore, Banff, Baker Creek, Golden and Revelstoke, all of the spots I’d counsel somebody go to in the event that they’re exploring the Rockies for the primary time.
They’re well-located, sustainably centered, inexpensive, and classy – fairly the mix of goodies I search for when researching the place to remain. From May 1st 2023, they’ve additionally partnered with One Tree Planted and are donating a proportion of every visitor’s reservation to replant timber in both Alberta or British Columbia. With the objective of planting 75,000 timber yearly to assist restore native forests, create habitats that encourage biodiversity, and make a constructive social impression of their areas of operation, it’s good to know that staying at a Basecamp Resorts property can be contributing to protecting the surroundings pristine.
Due to the number of areas, you possibly can decide to plan an itinerary that encompasses a couple of nights at every location as you make your manner from Canmore to Revelstoke, or take it simple and choose one to unpack and name residence for every week or two if you happen to’re planning to spend extra time in Banff National Park for instance. Most images areas listed in The Wandering Lens Banff Photography Location information might be reached on day journey adventures from any of the Basecamp properties in Canmore, Banff or Golden!
On my current journey to Canada I stayed at two areas, Canmore and Banff. While they’re simply 20 minutes aside, it was nice to get an perception into each properties as every city has its personal environment. Back in 2018 I’d additionally stayed on the lodge in Canmore too, so it’s with three properties below my belt that I carry this text to you.
Let’s take a peek at my stays –
BASECAMP SUITES CANMORE
The brightly colored yellow doorways are an indication of the sunshine and good occasions ready inside. A welcome area stuffed with residence comforts, trendy decor and beds that can aid you recharge and relaxation after a day exploring outside.
Our keep in Canmore started after a 26hr stint with out sleep after flying into Calgary from Australia. Having visited the realm earlier than, I used to be excited to strive one of many newer choices positioned within the city centre. I knew all I needed after touchdown was to get to Canmore and get up surrounded by mountains and my earlier expertise at Basecamp Lodge had been good!
Check-in at Basecamp Suites Canmore was a breeze with coded keypad entry and keep particulars emailed previous to arrival. What greeted us inside was virtually extra thrilling than the mountains themselves. Art that includes native wildlife and a relaxing color palette, precisely what we would have liked after our flight. Not to say there was area to stretch out, a shower tub, and comfy lounge space with views towards the Three Sisters.
Little extras like 100% pure lemongrass soaps and oat milk lotions made by the Rocky Mountain Soap Co, pair with thick, fluffy towels and residential comforts. Oh, and did I point out there’s a rooftop sizzling tub!?
Just a two-minute stroll from Basecamp Suites Canmore is the beginning of the river stroll, a phenomenal boardwalk that meanders alongside a transparent water stream towards Spring Creek. The good spot to wander with a espresso and digital camera whereas listening to birdsong and taking within the views.
Nearby suggestions for nibbles and occasional –
CommuniTEA – the best spot for a wholesome breakfast, takeaway salads and snacks, just some doorways down from Basecamp Suites Canmore
Canary Coffee – strive the Macadamia Milk iced latte…so yum!
The Bicycle Cafe – an incredible mixture of crops, bikes, scrumptious espresso + pleasant service!
Photogenic Highlights inside 30mins:
Three Sisters vantage level at Policeman Creek (learn behind the scenes article right here)
Quarry Lake
Rundle Forebay
Elbow Lake
Scenic Heli Flight with Alpine Helicopters
Kananaskis Country
Lake Minnewanka
Banff and the Bow River Trails
See extra areas inside The Wandering Lens information to Banff National Park, which begins simply north of Canmore.
BASECAMP SUITES BANFF
Banff is the busiest city within the Canadian Rockies however it’s for good purpose, it’s beautiful. Not solely does the city itself provide sufficient to maintain anybody and their digital camera completely happy for every week, however it’s additionally the best base for exploring all the wonder that Banff National Park has to supply proper as much as the Icefields Parkway. I spent a very long time researching accommodations in Banff however struggled to search out wherever higher priced, positioned and geared up than this property.
I used to be on the town to replace The Wandering Lens information to Banff National Park, and on daily basis set out from Basecamp Suites Banff to {photograph} someplace new. From the close by Bow River Falls and Sulphur Mountain to Johnston Canyon, Lake Louise and the pure wonders that line the Icefields Parkway.
Similar in type and stage of consolation to Basecamp Suites Canmore, the second I walked into suite 304, I knew it might be an incredible base for the week. Natural gentle flowed by means of each window and each morning introduced the possibility to open the curtains and see how the mountain peaks had been wanting so I may plan the place to go first.
Basecamp Suites Banff is positioned smack bang in the midst of city, perfect for grabbing a espresso and lunch in your day journey or having fun with a night meal after adventures. Depending on the season you’re visiting, you’ll both be absorbing sunshine late into the night time, or having fun with a heat bathtub after a day on the slopes. My choose for espresso is the Whitebark Café, and as a creature of behavior, I took an Earl’s salad with me for picnics by Bow Lake three days in a row, my goodness it was good!
Opting to base your self in Banff opens the door to photogenic dawn and sundown experiences close by. In the summer season months, you’re inside strolling distance or a brief drive to the Sulphur Mountain Trail (or gondola!), or you possibly can wander the Bow River Trail and seize the mountain surroundings as cascading falls and little rapids create the soundtrack. The city has a shocking connecting net of strolling trails, stroll out the entrance door of Basecamp Suites and wander lower than 400m to start out the Bow River Trail. Just a little additional down the street is the Fenland Trailhead and Echo Creek, each tremendous near Banff but providing a peaceable stroll amongst pure environment.
If you’re up for an extended hike and wish to summit a mountain, flip left when you exit the suites, left once more on to Wolf Street and observe it for roughly 10mins till turning proper on to St Julien Rd for one more 5mins to succeed in to the beginning of the Tunnel Mountain Trailhead. In lower than two hours in whole you’ll be on prime of Tunnel Mountains the place extraordinary views look out over Banff and the encompassing peaks.
Less than one minute’s stroll from the suites is a model new IGA, permitting you to take full benefit of the spacious and well-equipped kitchen in each condo. Because I lack primary expertise within the kitchen, I solely made a heat tea every night time to accompany me as I cosied up on the sofa and edited my photos from the day.
If like me, you’ll have a automobile with you, parking is out there contained in the advanced for a day by day price with loads of areas unfold throughout two ranges, permitting quick access to every flooring of Basecamp Suites Banff. Alternatively, there are quite a few free parking areas round Banff if you happen to don’t thoughts a brief stroll!
One tip, if you happen to’re staying in Banff and travelling north on a day journey, ditch the freeway and take Route 1A to gradual issues down somewhat, enhance your possibilities of seeing wildlife and provides your self loads of alternatives to tug over and seize some photos.
Nearby suggestions for nibbles and occasional –
Whitebark Cafe – as famous above, this was my choose of locations to get a espresso for the street…I’ll have ordered 1 x sizzling latte, and 1 x iced latte, it was Spring in any case!
Wildflower Bakery – pastries, muffins, sandwiches, soup and occasional…plus there’s a courtyard if you happen to favor to sit down and revel in.
Peak Cafe – Delicious Vietnamese meals, no fuss, nice high quality.
Photogenic Highlights inside 60mins:
Johnston Canyon
Lake Louise
Lake Minnewanka and Two Jack Lake (take the Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive to see each, inside 15mins of Banff)
Vermilion Lakes
Sulphur Mountain
Castle Mountain
Bow Lake
Peyto Lake
Emerald Lake
See extra areas inside The Wandering Lens information to Banff National Park.
Wish record of Basecamp Resorts –
On my subsequent go to to Canada I’ll be hoping to check out among the cabins, tents and model new resorts which can be opening their doorways for the primary time this summer season!
If you’re in a position to get to Canada earlier than I do, right here’s a listing of locations to take a look at –
Baker Creek by Basecamp –
Luxurious picket cabins positioned beside a beautiful creek, surrounded by forests and mountain peaks. Staying right here vastly will increase your possibilities of a bear sighting (I’m guessing!), as you’re out of the bustle of downtown Banff and positioned proper on Route 1A, my most popular street to {photograph} wildlife.
Opt for a room with a jacuzzi, hearth, loft area, kitchens, a number of bedrooms after which benefit from the scenic out of doors hearth pits, an ice rink in winter, entry to close by climbing trails or leap on board a shuttle bus direct to Moraine Lake….the one solution to entry the lake now’s through a shuttle service so why not journey direct out of your cabin!
Recent Basecamp Resorts Openings –
MTN House by Basecamp, Canmore
Below imagery provided by Basecamp Resorts –
*The Wandering Lens was offered a media fee with the intention to {photograph} and share the expertise of staying with Basecamp Resorts. Just to notice, this was upon my request as a earlier visitor as I needed to spotlight their different unbelievable properties as a result of I beloved my keep again in 2018 a lot. As at all times, opinions are my very own and I prefer to let the photographs do the speaking 😊
Hello! I’m the founder and photographer behind The Wandering Lens.
With 17+yrs expertise as knowledgeable journey and panorama photographer, all recommendation discovered on this web site is from my private expertise on the street. I hope it’s helpful in your personal travels and would love to listen to within the feedback about your journeys and experiences world wide.