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All 33 Banff hotels

Sunshine Mountain Lodge: Traveler Reviews

2.5 of 5
One Sunshine Access Road, Banff, Banff National Park, Alberta T1L 1J5, Canada (Formerly Sunshine Village Resort)
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Sunshine Mountain Lodge
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77%
Ranked #14 of 33 hotels in Banff
Most recent review
4 of 5 stars Reviewed March 10, 2013
DebD88 Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
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79 reviews from our community

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Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Senior Reviewer
6 reviews 6 reviews
6 hotel reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
37 helpful votes 37 helpful votes
“6 days on the mountain”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed March 10, 2013

Stayed here 6 nights, which appears to be a longer stay than most. My husband is a "skier" (first chair, last chair kind of guy)....me not so much. So we usually try to stay ski-in ski-out to give me the option of as much or as little skiing as desired. Obviously this is the only hotel with ski-in ski-out in this area. We arrived shortly after 5pm after skiing Lake Louise in the morning, since the gondola closes at 5:30pm. I had read other reviewers suggesting taking your own bags up the gondola as the luggage service can be slow. However we were told "2 hours" at most and had 2 large suitcases and a double ski bag as well as carry-ons so we figured it would be just as easy to let them transfer suitcases, while we enjoyed our gondola ride up with just our carryons and some essentials, ate dinner up top and had a look around. Sure enough, it took nearly 4 1/2 hours for the luggage to be delivered (after they called our room and asked if we were sure the luggage was not there...hee). Actually the skis made it to the ski locker but the 2 large cases were missing (apparently put in the wrong room down at the base, so never really sure how they finally located and transferred) The front desk and manager did make amends with lots of apologies, a half bottle of wine, and offered dinner on them the next night which we very much enjoyed at the Eagles Nest (the formal restaurant). Considering the inconvenience (we finally went to bed before the luggage arrived), the situation was well handled by management. I would advise if you are checking in during the AM, it would be fine to send your luggage up with the staff, then you could take advantage of skiing right off the gondola. Upon checking out, indeed we brought our own bags down the gondola, they were very helpful with a sled across the slopes to get the bags to the gondola and though our cases were big, it is an 8 person gondola so we had enough room. Rest of the stay and our experience with the staff was lovely. Yes, lots of young staff here working from around the world, mostly Aussie's in their 20's...but very nice. Hotel was NOT busy at all, ordered room service several times and took only 13-20 min to be delivered. We though prices for Service for dinner at the Eagles Nest was very attentive (though I realize they were trying to make amends). Menu via room service, formal restaurant, and bar restaurant all very similar apps, dishes, desserts, but we are not picky so were able to change it up enough to not be entirely bored of the food by the end of the 6 days. Must go to Trappers for the ambience...original day lodge, now a bar, though odd hours as kitchen closes at 4pm, bar closes 6pm, then re-opens 8-midnight, presumably mostly for the workers. Front desk has free DVD's to watch in your room with fairly recent titles. There is a game room with table hockey and pool, though never saw anyone utilizing, probably because you had to pay for each game....would be nice if no additional cost for guests as there is certainly limited things to do once gondola closes. First night checked into room 103 which is not a true ski-in ski-out as the balcony hangs close to the hot tub. There was also a boisterous group in the hot tub that first night, but seemed to be an isolated incident, and hot tub closed at 10pm?so that limited their disruption. Upon checking in, we requested a true ski-in ski-out room but were told not available until next day, but we were willing to move after first night. Transferred to room 114 so could walk off porch onto slope. Probably only last 4 rooms on first floor have this feature (115 thru maybe 112), and these are the NON-loft, queen/queen rooms. 114 was a little more worn around the edges but I would probably not have noticed if we had not seen 103 first. Heated tile floor, nice tub shower but relatively small bathroom area and counter space. Limited shelves, storage, hanging areas for clothes, so we mostly kept clothes in the suitcases. Unfortunately, no in room safe. At night, "turndown" service would close blinds and remake bed, but not restock towels. Daily housekeeping was variable in timing, pretty sure they didn't sweep vacuum or actually change sheets daily but did restock towels, coffee, and take out trash. Had to call once in the afternoon as they had not serviced room by nearly 1pm though they did come up quickly. Their website states wifi is additional ?9$/day but front desk told us they changed policy this year and free to guests with access code, but wifi was EXTREMELY slow, so glad it was at least free. Long review, but since we had a long visit, I feel we experienced most of what they had to offer, though didn't utilize any spa services, which appeared to be in one of 2 rooms in the gym area, and locker room very basic. Difficult to go down into Banff or other areas for touring if not skiing (20 min gondola ride each way, 10 min drive out of canyon each way), have to be back before gondola closes. But if skiing is a priority, this place certainly is complete for what if offers. As long as you realize this place does not bill itself as a 5 star, you will be pleased as we were overall.

  • Stayed March 2013, traveled as a couple
    • 3 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 3 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 3 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 3 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes 3
Ask DebD88 about Sunshine Mountain Lodge
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Mark B, Manager at Sunshine Mountain Lodge, responded to this review
March 16, 2013
Deb,

Thank-you for the detailed review of your stay at the Sunshine Mountain Lodge. I’m glad your husband enjoyed first tracks and I’m sure he got in quite a few early-morning powder turns. I appreciate your invaluable feedback on the luggage and room service, and can assure you that your message has been passed along to my team and will be used to improve our level of service.

I hope to see you again soon,

Mark Bell, Hotel Manager, Sunshine Mountain Lodge
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Calgary, Canada
1 review
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
“Can't Recommend”
3 of 5 stars Reviewed February 25, 2013

Arrived Thursday evening for four nights, we left after three. Gondola stops at 5:00 pm, so go early. $75 for ride up to hotel by snow cat/truck. Reminded me of the days before the gondola, they used school buses. We saw advertising for Friday night skiing, but they don't do that anymore. Please update the room guide/book. The rooms are well decorated, but walls are paper thin. Baby next door cried all night on one side, guy on other side coughed all night. Staff is friendly, but inexperienced. All four resturants serve the same limited menu. "Handmade" Pizza... I've made better frozen pizza. WiFi is $9 per day, but dial-up speed. The only advantage it has is it's on the ski hill.
I've been skiing/boarding at SunShine Village for over thirty years. It has alway been the default go-to hill. We stopped buying season passes years ago, now I remember why.

Room Tip: Spend the money for a suite in the newer section. Maybe a top floor room, the floors are paper thin...
See more room tips
  • Stayed February 2013, traveled as a couple
    • 2 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 1 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 2 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes 2
Ask smconnor007A about Sunshine Mountain Lodge
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Mark B, Manager at Sunshine Mountain Lodge, responded to this review
March 16, 2013
SMConnor,

Thank you for taking the time to post a review of our hotel. We appreciate your business and apologize for not meeting your expectations. I can assure you that your feedback is extremely important and would like to further discuss at mbell@skibanff.com.

Kind regards,

Mark Bell, Hotel Manager, Sunshine Mountain Lodge
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
newport
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
“Don't bother”
1 of 5 stars Reviewed February 23, 2013 via mobile

Pretty underwhelming experience from start to finish. The lack of training and management is the most significant impression, ..very friendly Gap year students running the place, full of smiles but quick to point out 'they don't know' , 'it's not my job' or 'sorry we can't help you'. In a nutshell, a bit of a gong show starting with the reservation...to be informed they do not have the ability to email confirmation. Then, to arrive at 6:30 pm for checkin to find the gondola up to the lodge has shut, but it will cost 75$ to collect us by shuttle. Then given a lower catagory of room than paid for..resolved only after more phone queries. Overall, a sense of indifference. The lobby reeks of sewage, the manager I have since read will write some 'so sorry for the inconvenience' blurb on trip advisor, and hope customers like us will crawl under a rock. The bottom line, we are not the first to write this sort if review, yet nothing changes...high prices, questionable food, yahoo service. Not enough interest or business savvy to truly comprehend their weakest link.
Bottom line ..don't bother ..and those that have, will surely not be back.

Stayed February 2013, traveled with family
Was this review helpful? Yes 2
Ask wierd about Sunshine Mountain Lodge
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Mark B, Manager at Sunshine Mountain Lodge, responded to this review
March 16, 2013
Hi Wierd,

Thank you for taking the time to provide us with feedback on your stay. We are sad to hear about your experience and we would like to sincerely apologize for not providing the service you expected. As hotel manager, please do not hesitate to connect with me at mbell@skibanff.com to further discuss.

Kind regards,

Mark Bell, Hotel Manager, Sunshine Mountain Lodge
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Red Deer, Alberta
Reviewer
4 reviews 4 reviews
3 hotel reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
“Great location,great skiing, poor food, good rooms.”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed February 16, 2013

Stayed feb 13&14. Loved the location, service overall was really good- excellent. All staff work hard to accommodate every thing. The front desk, the java lift, the check in and check out, all excellent!!!the ski hill staff are awesome too!!!!!!
Our whole stay was great!!! One little thing, but to some might be important. The food at the chimney corner was sub-standard at best. Nachos were good, calamari, was greasy, ordered clam chowder and realized why it had some familiarity to it. Ah, yes, Campbell's cream of celery soup, with a few sparse carrots, a few tiny potato chunks, and a can of clams. That's how they made it, then charged 8.00. Service was super slow, quite ridiculous, both nights we were there.
My kids liked their hot dog and chicken fingers. The fruit cup that came with the kids meal was good, my husband liked the. Steak sandwich, but the 2 pads of cold butter on top was not so great,
I would say, try to greens salad, that was decent. The burger my husband had the night before was not so good.
Java life was good for a grab and go breakfast.
Again location superb, we had a ski in, out room and that was wonderful.

Hot tub was nice, however in the entrance there is strong smell of sewer, and the change rooms smell really bad too. hopefully that was just temporary.

I do recommend this hotel just because the experience is pretty great, being this close to the stars, and the access to the hill is awesome.

  • Stayed February 2013, traveled with family
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes 1
Ask vacationseeker42 about Sunshine Mountain Lodge
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Aberdeen, United Kingdom
Senior Contributor
33 reviews 33 reviews
17 hotel reviews
Reviews in 20 cities Reviews in 20 cities
33 helpful votes 33 helpful votes
“Great location, great hotel”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed February 11, 2013

We stayed here a week and would do this again.

First and foremost, you are on site at Alberta's best ski resort.This gives you lots of options for making early or late starts, taking breaks from your skiing, all at a fantastic ski resort where the snow is always real and good, even when they are having to make snow at other nearby resorts.

I wondered how I would get on with the hotel and restaurants having read other reviews. I liked the room we were given - I asked for a quieter room and our fifth floor waterfall room was perfect in that respect. I wouldn't bother to upgrade as at least one other reviewer suggested. I doubt noise from the bar would reach any of the bedrooms as there is an admin floor between the bar and Chimney Corner lounge on the 2nd floor and the 4th floor bedrooms.

I was concerned that the meals in the restaurants would become a bit 'samey' by the end of the week, but this wasn't a problem for us as we could chop and change between the Chimney Corner and the Eagle's Nest restaurants. We enjoy a catholic diet, so I could imagine that someone with more conservative eating habits might struggle during a longer stay. Our accommodation was bed and breakfast, and we were given vouchers to cover the cost. This allowed us to go for the buffet - I tend not to choose breakfast buffets because some of the cooked items aren't generally refreshed often enough, even at top quality hotels. The vouchers were more than sufficient to order off the menu, where eggs Benedict, other cooked and healthier options were all excellent. I thought the service in the restaurants was excellent where waiting staff were attentive, efficient and always very friendly. Because they are mostly into their snow sports, you can pick up tips from them on where to go in the mountains.

The huge hot tub was great. For extra zest, head through the gate to rub snow onto your tired muscles.

I have a couple of gripes - the room service was pretty poor, and we had to ask them to do a few basics, such as replace toiletries or cleaning, that we shouldn't have had to ask for. Towels for the hot tub are supplied, but the changing rooms weren't checked, so often there were no towels, and the showers weren't kept particularly clean.

Room Tip: Try Mad Trappers for an evening drink as well as apres ski. There's much more character and life...
See more room tips
  • Stayed February 2013, traveled as a couple
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes 1
See 2 more reviews by WebbyABZ for Banff
Ask WebbyABZ about Sunshine Mountain Lodge
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Mark B, Manager at Sunshine Mountain Lodge, responded to this review
February 19, 2013
Webby ABZ

Thank-you for sharing your experience from your stay. We are glad to hear that you enjoyed the comfort of your room and our attentive and friendly service. However, we are disappointed to read your comments about the inconsistent room service and spa facilities and for that we sincerely apologize. We truly hope you would consider another stay with us and we are looking forward to welcoming you back soon.

Best wishes,

Mark Bell, Hotel Manager, Sunshine Mountain Lodge
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
 
 
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Additional Information about Sunshine Mountain Lodge

Also Known As:
Sunshine Mountain Hotel Banff
Sunshine Mountain Hotel
Sunshine Mountain Resort
Sunshine Village Inn
Address: One Sunshine Access Road, Banff, Banff National Park, Alberta T1L 1J5, Canada (Formerly Sunshine Village Resort)
Region: Canada > Alberta > Canadian Rockies > Banff National Park > Banff
Amenities:
Bar/Lounge Business Center Fitness Center Free High-Speed Internet Free Parking Kids Activities Restaurant Room Service Shuttle Bus service Suites
Hotel Style:
#8 Romantic Hotels in Banff
#17 Family Hotels in Banff
Price Range: $$$
Hotel Class:2.5 star (2.5*)
Official Description (provided by the hotel):
Nestled high in the Canadian Rockies in Canada’s oldest and most famous national park, this eco-boutique hotel delivers extraordinary luxury surrounded by breathtaking scenery. It is place unlike anything you have ever experienced.World-famous dining. Opulent rooms . Friendly, courteous staff. Outside, a sky so full of stars you won’t believe your eyes. And some of the best skiing you’ll ever find, just footsteps from your room. The Sunshine Mountain Lodge is the ONLY ski-in, ski-out hotel in the Mountain National Parks. It offers casual and fine dining, the area’s largest hot tub, spa services and family friendly activities. Our new West Wing offers rooms with in-floor heating, jetted tubs, large-screen LCD TVs, all in a rustic mountain theme.It’s the vacation you and your family will never forget. ... more   less 
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