Upon arriving at the family-friendly Moose Hotel & Suites I was pleased to see it had a prime spot just steps from downtown Banff. A resort town in the province of Alberta, Banff is located within Banff National Park in Western Canada.
The hotel is walking distance to markets, boutiques, souvenir shops, museums and bus stops on or near Banff Avenue, the main thoroughfare. I arrived at about 8 p.m. on a snowy evening in mid-April and was pleasantly surprised to see it was still light outside. Although it was a bit nippy, the sidewalks were cleared of snow, so I went to the IGA market around the corner to buy some snacks for my suite.
Banff is a walkable town with views of Mt. Rundle and Mt. Cascade, part of the Rocky Mountains.
The surrounding, nearly 2,600-square miles of parkland are home to wildlife including elk and grizzly bears. In fact, I was thrilled to see about 10 elk and half a dozen bighorn sheep grazing on the side of the road during my trip! With a downtown location and easy access to natural features in the Canadian Rockies, I couldn’t have been happier with my stay at the Moose Hotel & Suites.
The Hotel
When the 4-star Moose Hotel & Suites opened in 2016, it was the first new hotel built in Banff National Park since 2007. It’s one of several Banff hotels in the downtown area. From the moment you walk inside there’s a warm, welcoming ambiance.
My check-in experience at the front desk was smooth and the staff was friendly throughout my four-night stay. When I needed something (like more coffee in my room), it took less than 10 minutes for someone to bring it up – and with a smile!
Location
Since the hotel is just about a one-minute walk from downtown Banff, it was a convenient location for me and everywhere I wanted to go. For one thing, it’s located adjacent to the Banff Ptarmigan Inn, where there’s a bus stop to pick up skiers headed for the slopes. That made it super convenient for me to walk next door and catch a free bus for skiing.
In addition, there’s another bus stop across the street at Banff High School. From there, I took a Roam Transit bus for the 45-minute drive to Lake Louise. So whether on foot or by bus or taxi, getting around Banff is easy from the Moose Hotel & Suites.
Read More: Best Ski Resorts for Families
The Guest Rooms
The 174-air conditioned guest rooms are a combination of hotel rooms as well as spacious one- and two bedroom suites with private balconies. I stayed in a one-bedroom suite (about 494-square-feet) with a king bed on the second floor. The suites have king or queen beds and a living room with a double sofa bed, a gas fireplace, flat screen TVs (in the living room and bedroom) and a sitting area.
Windows have shades and blackout blinds. The ensuite bathroom has a rainshower head. In fact two, because one is handheld. The kitchenette is equipped with a mini fridge, sink, microwave, toaster and coffee maker. In addition, there are plates, bowls, mugs and a basket of silverware. So, the kitchenette is really quite sufficient to make simple meals, especially breakfast for those early mornings before skiing or other activities.
In-room amenities include Alberta-founded Rocky Mountain Soap bath amenities and complimentary in-room coffee from Banff’s Evelyn’s Coffee (the coffee shop is located just down the street).
Private Balcony
The hotel architects did a great job of designing the balconies so they don’t face each other. My spacious balcony felt very private and had two chairs to enjoy the mountain views.
Moose Hotel & Suites Amenities
The lobby has a cozy mountain lodge ambiance with a large fireplace and comfortable furniture. The property showcases artwork by Jason Carter, one of Alberta’s most accomplished contemporary Aboriginal visual artists. Hand-painted moose characters and colorful landscape adorn walls in public spaces and guest rooms.
Hotel amenities include an onsite restaurant, business center, meeting rooms and sauna. The rooftop fitness center has 360-degree views of Banff’s Rocky Mountain peaks. There’s also a large indoor pool. On my trip, most people seemed to gravitate toward the two rooftop Jacuzzis and a firepit with views of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Afterall, what better way to unwind after a day of outdoor activities?
All guests receive free wifi, free parking and free Roam Transit bus passes. The bus passes are super handy for exploring area attractions.
Not only is the hotel family friendly, but pet-friendly and provides a pet bed, water and food bowls. The pet fee is $25 per pet per night.
Pacini Italian Restaurant
Located on the main level adjacent to the lobby is the Pacini Italian Restaurant. There’s also a bar/lounge area. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and features a tasty all-you-can-eat Bread Bar® with a variety of breads and Pacini spreads. The children’s menu, for ages under 12, offers soup, pasta and pizza.
In addition, a pet-friendly patio welcomes leashed dogs.
The Meadow Spa & Pools
Situated on the third floor, the spa has seven single treatment rooms, two couples rooms and an esthetic room for group manicures and pedicures. Services include massages, body treatments, facials, nail services and more. Plus, there’s a relaxation lounge and private outdoor hot pool with views of the Fairholme Mountain Range.
Hotel Details
The Moose Hotel & Suites is located at 345 Banff Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1H8, Canada. It’s about a 90-minute drive from the Calgary International Airport to the hotel. The Banff Airporter is a convenient way to travel between the airport and Banff. It’s the original Calgary to Banff airport shuttle. From its location inside the airport, employees transfer your luggage to the shuttle and bring you directly to your hotel.
Once you’re in Banff, transportation is readily available. Roam Transit is the public transit system for the towns of Canmore, Banff and Lake Louise and in the Bow Valley of Alberta’s Rockies. Taxis are also available. In addition, sightseeing tours have pick-up locations at various hotels, including the adjacent Ptarmigan Inn.
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