When traveling to Banff National Park in the Rocky Mountains of Alberta, Canada there are many great places to stay. Staying in the resort town of Banff is the natural choice for many, but you may also wish to consider getting a hotel in Canmore.
Ideally located just minutes outside the Banff National Park gates, in the stunning Canadian Rocky Mountains, there are many advantages to finding a place to stay in Canmore instead of Banff for your trip to the Canadian Rockies.
Canmore, Canada is our hometown, so we have used our local knowledge to curate this list of the best Canmore hotels. Whether you are looking to fully explore the wilderness of the Canadian Rockies, or simply relax by the pool, we’re here to help you find the best Canmore hotel for your needs.
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Our Top Picks for Best Canmore Hotels
- Most Secluded Hotel: WorldMark Canmore – Unlike the others on this list of the best Canmore hotels, this hotel outside downtown Canmore and is surrounded by nature.
- Most Romantic Canmore Hotels for Couples: Malcolm Hotel – Quite possibly Canmore’s nicest hotel in the most beautiful setting. After a day of play in the mountains, soak in views of the majestic Three Sisters Mountain from the outdoor hot tubs or the outdoor fire pit area.
- Canmore Hotel with the Best Amenities: Quality Resort Chateau – This Canmore hotel is loaded with amenities such as a fitness gym, dry sauna, fresh coffee 24/7 in the lobby, indoor pool, outdoor hot tub, and more.
- Best Affordable Canmore Hotels: While the Georgetown Inn and the Super 8 are two of the cheapest hotels in Canmore, they have certainly earned their spot on this list of the best Canmore hotels.
- Best Family-Friendly Canmore Hotel: Malcolm Hotel – If you are visiting Canmore with kids, you’ll love the outdoor heated pool, hot tubs and outdoor firepit area, but the fun doesn’t end there. The Malcolm Hotel also has an awesome games lounge with foosball and a giant scrabble wall. If you want to bring your family’s dog, the Malcolm Hotel is also one of the best pet-friendly Canmore hotels.
- Most Relaxing Canmore Hotel: Blackstone Mountain Lodge – There are so many ways to relax at the Blackstone Mountain Lodge, including the spa, jacuzzi, heated pool, and more.
Should You Stay in Canmore or Banff?
The beautiful mountain towns of Canmore and Banff are both in the heart of the Canadian Rocky Mountains and are a mere 20 minutes away from each other. There are a few other small towns to stay in around the area (Dead Man’s Flats, Exshaw, Field, BC, etc), but Canmore and Banff are the most popular places to stay.
Many people may wonder if they should stay in Canmore or Banff. After all, isn’t it better to stay in Banff? What’s the difference between these two towns?
3 Differences Between Canmore and Banff
The Town of Banff and Canmore are two Alberta mountain towns which share the same beautiful Rocky Mountain setting, but there are some key differences. For many visitors to the Canadian Rockies, staying in Canmore is the better choice. Here are three key reasons why you may wish to stay in Canmore instead of Banff:
1. Canmore is less touristy
The biggest difference between Banff and Canmore is that Banff is the idyllic, charming mountain town built for tourism, while Canmore is a small town (~12,000 people) just outside national park. It also has an alpine charm to it, but it’s more understated than Banff, as there is more to Canmore than just tourism. Real people (like us), live here too.
2. Canmore Hotels Cost Less
There’s no denying a trip to Banff is expensive, especially if you stay at a 5-star resort such as the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. If you are traveling to Banff on a budget, getting a hotel in Canmore will help you save money. No need to worry about skimping on your experience as the Canadian Rocky Mountain scenery is every bit as stunning in Canmore as it is in the national park.
3. Easy Access to Kananaskis Country
If you’re not from around here, you’re probably asking Kana-what-kis Country?? Banff National Park gets all the international glory, being a UNESCO World Heritage Site and all, but you should also know that there’s a collection of Alberta Provincial Parks in the Rocky Mountains just south-east of Banff, collectively called Kananaskis Country.
Locals love Kananaskis Country as you get all the Rocky Mountain scenery without the crowds. And Canmore is perfectly situated at the gates of both Banff National Park and Kananaskis Country.
Want to do a quick scenery check to ensure Kananaskis is just as stunning? Check out our list of the best Kananaskis hikes and you’ll see what we mean.
The 10 Best Canmore Hotels
There are so many great hotels in our hometown that it was hard to narrow it down to the 10 best hotels in Canmore. We’ve tried to curate a list of excellent places to stay in Canmore which will meet meet the needs and budgets of most visitors to the Canadian Rockies.
Based on our local knowledge, here are the 10 best places to stay in Canmore:
1. The Malcolm Hotel
One of the best hotels in Canmore is the Malcolm Hotel where you can choose between suites, double rooms, and quad rooms. All rooms at the Malcolm Hotel include a coffee machine, a flat-screen TV, a desk, a shower, and a hairdryer.
The location of the Malcolm Hotel is very scenic, nestled in-between two tranquil natural creeks. There are many beautiful spots near the Malcolm Hotel with beautiful natural scenery, along with benches to sit an soak it all in.
Best of all, the excellent restaurants and shopping in downtown Canmore are within walking distance of the Malcolm Hotel. The path to get there is along Policeman’s Creek – one of our favorite easy walks in Canmore.
With incredible mountain views like this, it’s no wonder that the Malcolm Hotel topped our list of the best Canmore hotels with a pool.
2. Coast Canmore Hotel
The Coast Canmore Hotel is very close to the charming neighborhood of Spring Creek and is next door to the brand new Shops of Canmore, filled with many great shopping and dining options. If you want even more dining and shopping opportunities, the Coast Canmore Hotel is a short 10 minute walk from downtown Canmore.
The Coast Canmore Hotel has a wide variety of rooms, including two queen-sized beds or a single king-sized bed; some with patios and some with soaker tubs. As you’d expect, many of the rooms have excellent views of the Canadian Rockies.
If you are visiting Banff without a car, the Coast Canmore Hotel is extremely well set-up for getting around.
The Banff Airporter (a popular shuttle bus from the Calgary International Airport) makes a stop at the Coast Canmore Hotel. In addition, the bus stop for the Roam public transit bus from Canmore to Banff is just minutes away.
The Coast Canmore Hotel staff can recommend a wide array of activities for you to do: everything from horseback riding to fishing. Popular amenities at the hotel include an indoor pool, hot tub and weight room.
3. Georgetown Inn
Located on Bow Valley Trail in the heart of the Canmore hotel district, the Georgetown Inn is one of the closest hotels to Canmore city center on this list. Although there aren’t many recreational facilities on the property, the onsite Georgetown Pub perennially wins the award for Best Fish and Chips in Canmore, as voted on by locals in the Rocky Mountain Outlook newspaper.
The Georgetown Inn has three different kinds of lodging options. All three options can be pet-friendly. Let the front desk know if you’re planning on bringing a furry friend.
The William Room at the Georgetown Inn has two queen beds and a fireplace. The Elizabeth room has a standard king-sized bed and has a fireplace too. The Regency Suite is larger than the Elizabeth room and has a king-sized bed. The highlight of the Regency is its elegant claw-foot tub.
4. Blackstone Mountain Lodge
The Blackstone Mountain Lodge is one of the best family-friendly Canmore hotels. Guests of the Blackstone Mountain Lodge can choose between traditional hotel rooms or condo-style suites.
Families visiting Canmore with kids will love the option to rent a condo-style suite at the Blackstone Mountain Lodge with anywhere from 1 to 4 bedrooms! Kids sleep better with their own room, and well-rested kids are much more likely to be happy and co-operative on your family trip to Banff.
No doubt you are visiting Banff and Canmore for the fresh mountain air, so why not take the time to enjoy the outdoor heated pool, or one of the two outdoor hot tubs. If you are looking to treat yourself after a day of play in the Canadian Rockies, book a treatment at the Verde Day Spa, which offers wonderful massages and facials.
And, here’s a unique feature for hotels in Canmore – the Blackstone Mountain Lodge even has a car wash in their underground heated parking!
5. Quality Resort Chateau Canmore
The Quality Resort Chateau Canmore is a budget-friendly option offering a wide array of amenities which will appeal to a wide variety of guests. At the Quality Resort Chateau Canmore, you’ll find an indoor wood sauna, indoor swimming pool, and outdoor hot tub, a stand-up tanning booth, and a games room. The hotel has a unique feature: 24/7 fresh coffee in the lobby.
There are few places more beautiful to play golf than in the Canadian Rockies. For those coming for a little Canmore golf, the Quality Resort Chateau Canmore is only 3 minutes away from the Canmore Golf & Curling Club. A locals favorite golf course, it’s a much more affordable Canmore golf course to the Silvertip and Stewart Creek resort golf courses.
If you love a good breakfast, one of the best places to eat breakfast in Canmore is on site. Guests of the Quality Resort Chateau Canmore get a discount at Chez Francois – a local favorite for over 30 years!
If you own a Tesla, there is a Tesla charging station in Canmore just across the street behind the Canadian Rocky Mountain Inn.
6. Pocaterra Inn & Waterslide
Another of the best family-friendly hotels in Canmore, the Pocaterra Inn is a great place to base your family trip to the Canadian Rockies. The Pocaterra Inn has a great location, as it’s close to both downtown Canmore and the Trans-Canada Highway towards the Banff National Park gates.
The Pocaterra Inn has many amenities that make it one of the best Canmore hotels for staying with kids. Your kids will love the indoor swimming pool with a big waterslide, while you can relax in the hot tub or sauna.
If you are bringing your dog, the Pocaterra Inn is one of best pet-friendly hotels in Canmore. It’s also one of the few hotels in Canmore which offers rooms with an in-room fireplace.
Fuel up for your day of fun in the Canadian Rockies with a complimentary continental breakfast with hot options. If you are looking for a family-friendly restaurant for lunch, another of Canmore’s best family restaurants (Craig’s Way Station) is right next door.
7. Basecamp Lodge Canmore
One of the newest hotels in Canmore, you’ll love your stay at the Basecamp Lodge. A Built Green hotel, the Basecamp Lodge offers modern amenities such as virtual check-in, eliminating the need to visit the front desk upon arrival.
Proprietors of several popular hotels throughout the Canadian Rockies, the folks at Basecamp are known for well-designed hotels with good locations. For example, the Basecamp Lodge is conveniently located near the Shops of Canmore, Elevation Place (the beautiful recreation centre) and downtown Canmore.
In-room amenities at the Basecamp Lodge include blackout shades, Keurig coffee machines and luxurious bath products from our local favorite Rocky Mountain Soap. Chances are good you’ll stop at the Rocky Mountain Soap store in downtown Canmore to bring some home.
There are plenty of great Canmore dining options near the Basecamp Lodge. Start your day with a fun and unique complimentary breakfast – a basket of healthy foods delivered to your room each morning. The BLAKE Brewhouse, one of the most popular Canmore restaurants, is right across the street. And for quick bites, Canmore Shawarma, one of our favorite take-out restaurants in Canmore, is just a minute away.
One of the coolest amenities which makes the Basecamp Lodge one of the best Canmore accommodations is the free bikes in summer. Canmore and Banff are loaded with excellent bike trails to explore on your complimentary bike, including the super-popular Banff Legacy Trail (connecting Canmore and Banff), which is just minutes away.
8. WorldMark Canmore Hotel
One of the reasons people are drawn to the Canadian Rockies is the chance to get away from it all. With millions of annual visitors, this can be easier said than done. With forest surrounding the property on three sides, a stay at the Worldmark Canmore Hotel feels like a real mountain getaway.
It’s beautiful natural setting means the Worldmark Canmore Hotel is the furthest Canmore accommodation on our list from city centre, but to put it in perspective, it’s only a 6 minute drive away.
Guests at this top Canmore hotel will enjoy the choice of a standard hotel room, or a 1 or 2 bedroom condo. While you are not off playing in the mountains, enjoy a dip in their heated outdoor pool, or relax in the indoor or outdoor hot tubs.
Enjoying the Alberta mountains can be a messy business, but you won’t need to worry with onsite laundry facilities. The large rec room with a pool table and fireplace are also popular with guests of the Worldmark Canmore Hotel.
Some of our favorite Canmore hiking and mountain biking trails can be accessed from the doorstep of the Worldmark Canmore Hotel.
9. Stoneridge Mountain Resort
Stoneridge Mountain Resort doesn’t just have incredible amenities; this all-suite property is a beautiful place to stay and is one of the few luxury Canmore hotels, so you’ll always be surrounded by beauty.
If you don’t enjoy eating at restaurants for three meals a day, you’ll love that rooms at the Stoneridge Mountain Resort have full kitchens, with stoves and full sized refrigerators. Each unit at the Stoneridge Mountain Resort comes with a balcony and BBQ, allowing you to grill up some famous Alberta Beef at the end of your day of Rocky Mountain adventures.
While at the Stoneridge Mountain Resort, spend even more time enjoying the outdoors with the year-round heated outdoor pool and hot tub (perfect after a day of fun Canmore winter activities). There are endless ways to get outdoor exercise around Canmore, but if needed, you can always supplement with a visit to the 24-hour fitness center.
10. Super 8 Canmore
As I’m sure you’ve noticed during your trip planning, but there are not many cheap Canmore hotels, which is why we’ve included the Super 8 Canmore. The Super 8 is one of the most affordable accommodation options on our list of the best Canmore hotels, but you can tell by the consistently high guest reviews that it is a great place to stay.
As budget-friendly Canmore accommodation, you may be surprised to discover that the Super 8 Canmore offers complimentary breakfast and features a fitness center and indoor hot tub.
I often worry about standards when staying at a cheap hotel, but the Super 8 Canmore is highly rated by guests for cleanliness and comfort.
Two of our favorite international restaurants in Canmore are just down the street from the Super 8 Canmore. Our family loves our monthly feasts at Mii Sushi, and when we crave Indian food, Spice Hut is our go-to restaurant.
The Super 8 is a great budget option as it’s one of the cheapest Canmore hotels. So if you are looking for just a clean place to lay your head so you can spend all of your time in the mountains, this is definitely the Canmore accommodation for you.
The Best Hotels in Canmore – Final Thoughts
We hope you found a great place to stay from our list of the top Canmore hotels. From the budget and family-friendly Canmore hotels to the luxurious, there is accommodation for everyone to have an amazing stay in the Canadian Rockies. We hope you enjoy your stay in our hometown!
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Dan Brewer, a life-long Alberta resident, calls Canmore home along with his wife and two kids. He is the co-owner of Travel Banff Canada, where he gets to share his passion for the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Dan, along with his family, love being outdoors doing one of the many activities they enjoy in the mountains: hiking, mountain biking, paddleboarding, skiing, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
When he's not in Canmore enjoying one of his favourite local hikes, you can find him hoping on a plane to explore a new country with his family or working on one of their other two travel sites: Family Can Travel and Baby Can Travel.