The Best Bed and Breakfasts in Banff, Alberta

The name is apt: gaze out the window from the newly built Carriage House at this B&B in Banff, and you’ll discover a full postcard-worthy vista of jagged peaks. Fresh, contemporary stylings fill the two rooms – which can be booked together for a family of four – as they do in the nearby Main House, with its patio and outdoor fireplace. Famous Canadian friendliness comes courtesy of your hosts, Edwina and Kevan, who will happily dish out recommendations for local hikes.

Ever dreamed of living in your own private log cabin? You’ll love this two-bedroom self-contained bed and breakfast hideaway in Banff, with a private terrace facing out towards Mount Norquay and Cascade Mountain – a dreamy spot for watching elk graze or sipping sundowners. Breakfast supplies are provided so you can rustle something up at your leisure, but as it’s just a short walk into town, opt for the breakfast poutine – potatoes, bacon, eggs, cheese, hollandaise – at Tooloulou’s instead.

You’re a 20-minute walk from downtown, but the location more than makes up for it. Buffalo Mountain Lodge is coddled in wilderness on the slopes of Tunnel Mountain – blanketed by wildflowers in the summer and snow drifts in the winter. Rooms at this Banff bed and breakfast come with wood-burning fireplaces for coziness, while a new outdoor hot tub soothes sore muscles after a day’s skiing or hiking. Don’t miss the restaurant, which stars fabulous produce such as bison and elk from the lodge’s own game ranch, and top Canadian wines.

Homemade pumpkin crunch granola; baked camembert egg custard with caramelized onions; maple syrup-smothered buttermilk pancakes – the breakfast spread at Buffaloberry B&B in Banff is reason enough to stay here. But hosts Theresa and James do more than just cook well, in a bid to make your stay comfortable. Their Western country-style decor – which extends to the warmly lit bedrooms – is enticingly homey, with sandstone fireplaces and characterful metal railings, as well as sink-in leather chairs.

From the grand stone fireplace to the wood-paneled ceilings and light fixtures fashioned from horns, this place feels epically Canadian. Book the Hudson’s Bay room at this Canmore B&B and you can cuddle in a rustic wood-framed bed with fuzzy striped blankets (from the country’s iconic department store of the same name). Rise and order a breakfast of chewy waffles or fruit parfait, the perfect start to the day before hiking the trails along the Bow River, just steps away.

If a dynamic, social vibe is what you’re seeking, this hostel ticks the boxes. On-site bar and restaurant the Beaver dishes up beers and burgers to groups of friends after a day on the slopes, while dorm rooms and laundry facilities make it an affordable pick for longer term stays. No need to splash out on a car hire, either: staff will help sort transport to the ski slopes and the National Park highlights, such as Moraine Lake and Banff Hot Springs.

This family-owned B&B in Banff combines decades of hospitality experience, courtesy of owner Clara Tarchuk, with a fresh perspective from her son Randy and his wife Debbie, who joined the team in 2019. Clean, homey rooms have a simple decor of raw wood and white, and there’s a common area when you need space for a quiet afternoon’s reading or a round of board games. The location is serene, even though you’re only a few minutes from the action in central Banff.

Planning on staying a while, to really make the most of all that Banff National Park has to offer? This inn is designed for just that, with full kitchen access from its suites, plenty of storage for your kit (including rental bikes and skis) and free on-site parking. The decor is relaxed and warming, and the Deluxe King category comes with an electric fireplace and an oversized soaking tub for pampering.