Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
The Banff Caribou Lodge is centrally located on Banff Avenue, Banff's main street. It offers the Keg Restaurant, Red Earth Spa (a full service spa), free underground parking, free wifi, fitness room and hot pool. This lodge type accommodation has a large and inviting lobby to greet you to Banff. Enjoy your stay.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Business
Quiet
Languages Spoken
English, French
Location
521 Banff Avenue, Banff, Banff National Park, Alberta T1L 1H8 Canada
Banff Caribou Lodge & Spa
4 reviews
Getting there
Somewhat walkable
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travelers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
This summary was created by AI, based on recent reviews.
Powered by AI
Nestled in a prime location, Banff Caribou Lodge & Spa is celebrated for its charming atmosphere and cleanliness, with guests frequently commending the well-kept facilities. However, some guests have expressed concerns about the outdated nature of the decor and rooms, suggesting a need for modernization. While the service is often described as friendly, offering perks like complimentary bus passes, there are occasional reports of sluggish service.
The hotel's amenities have been called out for being less than impressive, including malfunctioning fitness equipment and early closures of dining options. Despite its appealing location, many travelers question the value, pointing to the high costs associated with the dated offerings.
Location
Convenient
Atmosphere
Charming
Rooms
Dated
Value
Pricey
Cleanliness
Mixed
Service
Inconsistent
Amenities
Underwhelming
Was this helpful?
Tripadvisor is not responsible for this summary or the opinions in it. For more information, please read the traveler reviews and learn more about how the site works.
Foyer was nice and breakfast service at the restaurant was great but avoided the buffet because eggs tasted like powdered, inexplicable for a restaurant charging these prices. Dinner one night was good but barely worth the cost. Lemon water in the foyer but it disappeared after 2 days and never returned. Rooms were OK although toothpaste spatters on bathroom walls from previous tenants unappealing. Ski locker storage was rusty, dirty and located in the garage. Best thing was the service.
Read more
Date of stay: February 2025
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip:Avoid the hot tub. Chlorine fumes are strong.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This was our family’s first time travelling to Banff and we decided on Banff Caribou lodge because of availability, location and cost. We couldn’t be happier with our choice.
We loved the rustic feel of the lodge and that it was right in town but not in the middle of the hustle and bustle of downtown. It was quiet but populated enough to feel safe. The hotel even provided Roam passes for us to get around and it was incredibly quick, easy and well organized.
The room was a good size and had a tiny balcony we could sit on. Beds were comfy and there was a table with a few chairs as well as a fridge. Our fridge didn’t work when we got there but maintenance fixed/replaced it within 3 hours which we found acceptable but not quick.
We were on the second floor so it was only half a flight of stairs up to our room which was nice. The times we took the elevator it came quickly and wasn’t busy.
Parking was underground and I felt safe going down alone however we really didn’t use the vehicle except for a trip to Lake Louise or when we arrived and left.
Besides the roam busses, one of the best things about the location was the park right next door. We visited it 3x a day with the kids.
The staff was great from the front desk to the room attendants. They were able to do daily room cleanings but we just asked them to take our garbage. They offered extra towels and toilet paper (anticipating our needs).
We had an amazing stay, would visit again and would absolutely recommend Banff Caribou Lodge to anyone that asks! In fact, we’ve already recommended it to a couple families!
Read more
Date of stay: August 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A lot to digest? Read an AI-generated summary of recent traveler reviews.
This was our 5/6th visit to this hotel over 10 years. In that time absolutely nothing has changed. We’ll probably go back again. The hotel is now rated as ‘budget’ which I can understand. The Spa was as good as ever. This year we noticed that the complimentary tea of coffee in reception had gone, along with the table candles in the evenings. Our room had several maintenance issues and a previous guests child had drawn on the wall with crayon. (No attempt had been made to clean this off) That said, the room was made up perfectly every day, although none of our party ever heard the sound of a vacuum cleaner and none of our rooms vacuumed in our 10 night stay. The main issue was the bar which is run by the Keg restaurant. It closed at different times at the will of the staff. Sometimes being told before 10pm that they had already called last orders. We stopped trying to use this and went to nearby hotels in our way back. This did give us an insight into the quality of the other hotels…
Read more
Date of stay: February 2025
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Comfortable bed, hotel not as luxurious as it sounds. Quiet at night. Didn’t eat in the restaurant at all so can’t say what that’s like. Good size laundry room in the parking lot downstairs with very reasonable costs for a wash and a dry and the machines are fast. The place is clean enough. No issues with staff, housekeeping are good that they don’t disturb you when the ‘do not disturb’ sign is on the door. Some places do anyway! Room smaller than expected. It’s quite a walk to the shops downtown but it is the first stop for the ski buses in the morning. Stayed at the Ptarmigan last time and that one is closer to town so better location and there was never a problem getting a space on the bus so I don’t think it’s essential to be at the first ski bus stop. Pretty much all of the hotels down Banff Avenue are owned by the same company. The swimming pool is more like a large hot tub. The gym is very small with a rowing machine, a treadmill, an exercise bike and some dumbbells. Good amount of hand sanitiser available in the public areas. The corridors are noisy from people walking past your room talking loudly so it would be nice if other guests didn’t stand outside your room talking especially at 7 am. Tips for Banff Sunshine, the food on the hill is overpriced and not very good, pretty much all junk food, they don’t let you take rucksacks into any of the restaurants so take your own lunch and eat it in the white domed buildings, they are heated, plenty of room and none of this ‘you can’t bring your back pack in’ business. I found that annoying.
Read more
Date of stay: January 2023Trip type: Traveled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What an absolutely fabulous stay! We stayed at the Caribou from 3rd March for 10 nights and had the best time. We had room 319, a corner superior room and the size of the room was more than adequate. Perfectly sized to fit both myself and husband plus all of our ski gear. The free lockers on the ground floor were an added bonus (reception give you a locker and key for the duration of your stay). The hotel was also located in a great part of town, one of the first pick ups and drop offs to the slopes - a compromise meaning you have further to walk into downtown Banff for restaurants and bars but one I was so glad to have made. The room was cleaned each day, and new towels provided (even though we hung them up and didn’t need or ask for them to be replaced). The free filter coffee in the room each day was also a lovely gesture. The bed was comfortable and we had a balcony (although if you want a Mountain View try and get a different room). Whilst looking a little dated and in need of a bit of TLC in places we had a brilliant stay and couldn’t have asked for more. We will definitely be returning in the future.
Read more
Date of stay: March 2025Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Our room (109) was spacious, beautifully clean and contained 2 comfortable double beds. The bathroom was a good size and had a shower over a bath. Toiletries were in refillable containers both at the hand basin and the bath/shower. There was a laundry for guest use - $2 each for washing machine and dryer, $2 for laundry powder. Very handy! The hotel restaurant, The Keg, served delicious meals and a lovely buffet breakfast. Located on the edge of town, it was a 25 minute walk to the centre. However, it was right on the route for the Roam bus which was convenient for getting to sightseeing spots. The hotel provided complimentary 2 day transit passes for the Roam bus! We would definitely stay here again!
Read more
Date of stay: August 2023
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The hotel is old n really needs a refurb. The rooms are clean, but drawers are falling to pieces. No aircon in the rooms. We were lucky as they loaned us one of the six mobile units that they have on offer in the hotel, it worked, but was very noisy. The bedding didn’t fit very well either as my sheet fell off every night. The pool n sauna were not in use for most of the 6 days we were there which was quite disappointing as we had planned on spending a day chilling out around it. They did offer us an alternative in their sister hotel the Fox which was about a five minute walk away and which was being used by their residents when we went. My cousin booked an accessible room, which you couldn’t navigate either a walker or wheelchair around the beds. They also have a residents bar ran by a third party who were very awkward with us when we wanted to sit in the sun on the patio, they refused to allow us to move tables around and wanted us to sit on a table for 3 and one for 4 across the patio even though they charge an extra 18% for serving more than 6. The bar also shuts at 10 and you can’t get food past 9.30. When had travelled on the rocky mountaineer and arrived late only to be told there was nothing on offer. We tried to order room service which also stopped at 9.30. Shame really as when you walk in to reception it looks quite inviting.
Read more
Date of stay: August 2024Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed here for 4 nights. Check in staff very helpful and friendly. Room was large and comfortable, fridge though between beds which would be giving odd heat so odd placement. Decorated tastefully, although spillage marks all up the walls, would be easy enough to clean those off. Our room was directly across from the pool and spa, there was an odour of chlorine continually. Evidence of ski use hotel which in summer months was still welcome, hooks and shelf by door used for walking gear and jackets. Window opened with a mesh that gave air but kept bugs out! It’s around a 1km walk into town which we did but they provide free bus passes if you wish to use them. Parking below hotel was always available. We had on two occasions drinks in the bar and the staff were friendly with prompt service, for drinks you do not get a table it’s bar stools only! We had buffet breakfast on a few occasions which was $23 each. Great choice available including eggs benedict, good value for money option without heading into town.
Read more
Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Our stay at Caribou Lodge overall was a good experience, due to Canada Day Weekend it was busy and staff was very cordial and accommodative. We were surprised to find no AC in the room (something we assumed) but keeping window open it worked out overall as night time temps were cooler. The best part was the way rooms are organized, even though room looked small at first but their drawer space, additional space in the bathroom sink area was helpful. Although it is at the end of line of hotels on Banff avenue, it wasn't a bad walk and having complementary Roam transit pass helped. The underground parking lot can be little tight for bigger SUVs or trucks. Overall a good experience.
Read more
Date of stay: June 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip:Parking lot can be tight for bigger SUVs and trucks
No AC just Heat (for winter), although AC in...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed here for three nights as part of a Rocky Mountaineer package and I do not feel this hotel comes even close to competing with others at a similar price point. I would not stay here if booking on my own. There appeared to be many other nicer looking properties within downtown Banff. The charm of the lodge decor in the lobby ends there. The rooms are really outdated, dark and in desperate need of a an update, including air conditioning. The onsite Keg restaurant was handy for breakfast when you wanted to get an early start. The onsite amenities are somewhat of a joke however…my son couldn’t use the fitness room as the air conditioning was broke and the room was dangerously warm. The hotel needs to upgrade everything from its rooms to its facilities. I would not stay here again and cannot recommend.
Read more
Date of stay: July 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip:No air conditioning in the room. Beds are uncomfortable.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Great Notley, United Kingdom49 contributions54 helpful votes
There is a fridge in room which I used just for water bottles.
There’s an IGA in town which is approximately 15min walk.
Alcohol in Canada is sold separately in licensed stores and there is store along the same road on way to town.
Hello Sunshine15636108053,
Thank you for your question.
We offer our guests complimentary access to the Local Roam Transit Routes. You do not need reservations to use Roam Transit within the Town of Banff. The closest bus stop to our hotel is "Rotary Park", just steps away from the front door.
The Roam Transit reservations system does allow you to reserve a seat when travelling to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake (fall service only).
You can find more information, including schedules, on their roamtransit website.
Warm Regards,
Team Banff Caribou Lodge & Spa
Hi Cathy,
Roam Public Transit Service does have a listing on TripAdvisor - sorry it will not let me put in a link.
The 2023 schedule says you can catch the 8x at the Banff High School Transit Hub - this is 2 blocks from the Banff Caribou Lodge & Spa
Banff High School - 330 Banff Ave
Banff Caribou Lodge & Spa - 521 Banff Ave
Spruce Grove, Canada25 contributions15 helpful votes
No there was no balcony on the side we were on. I believe the opposite side had some suites that had fireplaces and possibly a balcony. I wouldn’t stay there again for a romantic week end though. There were a lot of people having little parties and babies crying.
Hi von5670,
Thank you for your question. Rates depend on travel dates, length of stay, room you'd like to stay in, and also number of guests.
You can find rates and availability on our website, or you can contact our Reservations Team directly.
Warm Regards,
- Team Banff Caribou Lodge & Spa
There are more places to choose from in the Banff area.
PRICE RANGE
$97 - $172 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
banff caribou hotel banff, banff caribou lodge and spa, caribou banff, caribou lodge banff
LOCATION
CanadaAlbertaCanadian RockiesBanff National ParkBanff
NUMBER OF ROOMS
190
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
Is This Your Tripadvisor Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
