Banff vs Canmore: My Honest Review + Hotel & Town Comparison
When it comes to Banff vs Canmore, the winner will utlimately depend on what you are looking for, your group size, and your budget! Both are great options, so it will just come to down to your needs and preferences. We’ll reviews various categories and considerations to help you make the best decision for your trip! I’ll also share why we chose Canmore and if I’d choose it again.
My Go-To Travel Tools
Hotels | Booking.com
Hotels & Cars | Expedia
Tours | Viator
Research & Hotels | Tripadvisor
Travel Insurance | Insubuy
Overview | Banff vs Canmore
Banff
Banff is the heart of Banff National Park and the most popular home base for travelers visiting the Canadian Rockies. It’s a compact, walkable town surrounded by mountains, with easy access to hikes, scenic spots, and iconic sights like the Banff Gondola and Bow Falls. The town itself has a charming but touristy vibe — full of shops, restaurants, and tour operators — and it’s bustling in the summer. If you want to be in the center of the action, Banff is the spot. That convenience, though, often comes at a higher price.
Canmore
Canmore sits just outside the Banff National Park gates, about 25 minutes from the town of Banff, and offers a more relaxed, local feel. It’s still surrounded by stunning mountains, but with fewer crowds and a lower price tag. Many travelers choose Canmore for its more affordable accommodations, easy access to both Banff and Kananaskis Country, and its laid-back vibe. While you’ll need a Parks Canada pass and a car or shuttle to explore the park, Canmore makes a great base if you want more space, better parking, or a quieter stay — all without sacrificing those epic mountain views.
Best for Luxury
When it comes to Banff vs Canmore, one definitely takes the lead on luxury. Banff and Lake Louise have the iconic and luxurious Fairmont hotels! We never made it to the Banff Fairmont, but we did enjoy lunch at the Lake Louise Fairmont during our 5 days in Banff. Of course, these are not the only luxury options in Banff, but they are iconic.
Rimrock Resort Hotel is perched on Sulphur Mountain. This upscale resort has 346 rooms, a spa, lounges, and high-end dining. Sunshine Mountain Lodge, Banff’s only ski‑in/ski‑out lodge offers year‑round alpine access, a hot tub, and spa services.
Even though Banff has the edge on Luxury with the iconic Fairmont hotels, Canmore has a few to consider! Solara Resort & Spa is a retreat with roomy suites, a spa, indoor pool, and a sleek design aesthetic right at town’s edge. Recent reviews mention a broken elevator, so be sure to check on that and request a ground floor if needed. The Malcolm Hotel, Canmore’s premium boutique hotel with mountain-view pool, shared hot tubs, upscale dining at Stirling Grill. Stoneridge Mountain Resort, a modern, all-suite mountain resort situated on the edge of Canmore.
Banff vs Canmore: Best Luxury Hotels Comparison
| Hotel Name | Location | Highlights | Style | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairmont Banff Springs | Banff | Iconic “Castle in the Rockies,” luxury spa, golf, multiple restaurants | Grand, historic luxury | Bucket-list trips, spa retreats |
| Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise | Lake Louise | Stunning lakefront views, elegant dining, historic charm | Classic lakeside opulence | Romantic getaways, iconic stays |
| Rimrock Resort Hotel | Banff (Sulphur Mountain) | Upscale mountain resort, fine dining, full spa | Elevated, secluded elegance | Relaxation, views, fine dining |
| Sunshine Mountain Lodge | Banff (Sunshine Village) | Only ski-in/ski-out lodge, alpine location, hot tub | Rustic, adventure-friendly | Ski trips, hikers, summer escapes |
| Solara Resort & Spa | Canmore | Spacious suites, modern spa, indoor pool | Stylish wellness retreat | Groups, wellness, long stays |
| The Malcolm Hotel | Canmore | Boutique hotel, mountain-view pool, upscale dining | Boutique luxury | Couples, foodies, small events |
| Stoneridge Mountain Resort | Canmore | Condo-style suites with kitchens, pool, fireplace, laundry | Modern home-style luxury | Families, extended stays |
Best for Big Families or Large Groups
When our group of 8 was searching for a place, Canmore had more options overall! Additionally, Canmore had better prices as well. Of course, Banff does have some options, but the bigger the group size the more limited you’ll be in Banff.
I pulled some of the top rated options with a search for places that fit 8 people. The option in Banff is definitely the biggest and some options in Canmore would be a tighter fit for 8, but overall there are more options for bigger groups in Canmore.
- Banff | Rocky Mountain Retreat- Enormous House Sleeps 23
- Canmore | P1 – Private Hot Tub – 3 Bedroom Home – Mountain View
- Canmore | BUNKS, HEATED POOL & HOT TUB, KING BED *CHALET*
- Canmore | Silverhorn Hydeaway at The Crossing
- Canmore | Luxury retreat*private hot tub* Best Mtn view* AC *3BD Suites*Walk to DT
Review of Our Stay
We stayed in a newer listing, Luxury retreat*private hot tub* Best Mtn view* AC *3BD Suites*Walk to DT. The place was well decorated and clean!
It has small couches that convert to twin beds in each of the rooms, so they are not legitimate twin beds, but you can fit three people in each room. I didn’t end up sleeping on the small “twin bed” couch and instead opted for the couch in the living room once my brother-in-law arrived. My 10 year old nephew did sleep on it and was fine for the week.
Overall, the stay was comfortable in this townhome, but you will have a lot of steps to navigate. The garage and entryway were on the bottom floor and the living room and kitchen on the next floor. Then another set of stairs for bedrooms one and two with the master at the top after navigating another set of stairs.
Each bedroom had a bathroom and shower and there was a half bath on the kitchen and living room floor, so the bathroom count was great! The top level (where the master bedroom is) has a hot tub that we never ended up using. The washer and dryer worked well and the kitchen was decently outfitted, though we only cooked breakfast. The garage fit one vehicle and we were able to find parking across the street for the other car. However, if you visit during a busier season, the home rental gave advice on a paid parking option.
Overall, the stay was great! My criticism is the lack of blackout curtains. Some eye masks would have helped, but we didn’t think to bring any and they didn’t provide them. I do recommend eye masks when considering what to pack for Banff in summer. When I stayed in one bedroom, it was only the natural light to deal with, but when I slept on the couch, some outside lights turn on automatically when it gets dark! So I had to deal with the lights even after the sun went down.
I enjoyed staying in Canmore! It’s a cute, mountain town with beautiful views! I loved seeing the “The Three Sisters” from the rental! The mountains from Canmore stood out to me more than the mountains from downtown Banff. Both locations are beautiful, but it’s worth noting that you don’t have to sacrifice mountain views if you stay in Canmore!
Best for Solo Travelers
Overall, Banff seems like a better choice if you decide to visit solo and don’t want to rent a car. There is a bus system and some shuttles that make Banff easier. Of course, if you rent a car, Canmore is an option as well. You can also book tours from either spot, but there are more from Banff than Canmore. Overall, when it comes to Banff vs Canmore for solo travel, Banff wins.
- Canmore | Party Hostel- Canmore Hotel Hostel
- Banff | Banff International Hostel
- Banff | HI Banff Alpine Centre – Hostel (30 minute walk to downtown Banff)
- Banff | Samesun Banff – Hostel
Best for Affordability
When it comes to affordability, Canmore has more to offer. It is about 20 minutes from the gate, but is surrounded by mountains, so you don’t lose the beauty! It’s not cheap in Canmore, but it’s cheaper than in Banff overall.
Banff vs Canmore Hotels Comparison Table (Summer Rates)
| Tier | Banff | Price (USD/night) | Canmore | Price (USD/night) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upscale | Fairmont Banff Springs | $600–$1,200+ | Stoneridge Mountain Resort | $400–$700 |
| Mid-range | Banff Aspen Lodge | $250–$550 | Rocky Mountain Ski Lodge | $180–$300 |
| Budget | Samesun Banff Hostel | $60–$150 | Canmore Alpine Hostel | $40–$120 |
Best for Dining and Shops
When it comes to Banff vs Canmore, Banff has more shops and restaurants overall, but Canmore feels less touristy and also has some great restaurants! We enjoyed eating in both towns! My brother and younger sister made the dinner reservations and did a good job choosing a variety. It’s worth noting that reservations are recommended regardless of group size, especially in Banff during high season!
The only shopping we did in Canmore was for groceries, so I can’t really speak to the Canmore shops. Banff has a lot to offer, from plenty of souvenir shops to outdoor apparel shops like Patagonia, there is plenty to peruse.
There are plenty of options beyond what we tried, but I’ll share the places we went in case you want to add them to your Banff itinerary.
Banff
LUPO Italian Ristorante was delicious. My friend in Calgary recommended it and we all enjoyed it! The food and atmosphere were great! We had a delicious lunch at Wild Flour Bakery and the line suggested this casual place is popular!
We wanted to try ice cream at COWS, but the line was out the door and down the block and we never quite made it back. Instead we went to Little Wild: Coffee & Gelato, which was good but didn’t blow us away. I enjoyed coffee at Mountain Folk Coffee Co., which seemed to have more locals than tourists (at least when I was there)!
For additional suggestions, my friend from Calgary mentioned LUPO and Hello Sunshine Sushi & Karaoke as her favorites. She also mentioned bowling at High Rollers, if you’re looking for a fun activity. Be advised that even the bowling should be booked in advance, per my friend’s recommendations!
Canmore
Overall, we had more dining experiences in Canmore, since this is where we stayed. Our first dinner was at Bridgette Bar Canmore. Not only did my friend in Calgary recommend this place, but our sunset at Moraine Lake tour guide and another local did as well! We enjoyed it and would recommend it as well!
Another night we ate at The Wood Restaurant & Lounge. It was an elevated bar atmosphere, and my brother was happy to watch Miami win the Stanley Cup. I enjoyed the dragon bowl, and I know my nephew enjoyed his burger! I wouldn’t say the food was a standout, but it was good.
The Drake Pub is more of a true bar, but we ended up there for Trivia night! The food is what you can expect from a bar, but trivia ended up being fun even though we didn’t win.
Half of our group enjoyed a dinner at Table Food + Drink. We didn’t have a reservation, but thankfully they let us eat even though it was a Friday. They just said we had to be finished by a certain time, which wasn’t a problem as we had to meet the Sunset at Moraine Lake & Stargazing Tour. I really enjoyed the meal here and the decor was earthy modern, which I liked as well.
We are an ice cream loving family, and Lovely Ice Cream & Treats was good! However, I will say our favorite ice cream of the trip was Made by Marcus in Calgary!
Our tour guide had recommended this place and my younger sister said she already had it bookmarked, but this French bakery is definitely worth a visit! We stopped here before our driving day along the Icefields Parkway, and the turkey and cheese baguette was stellar! My only regret is that we experienced it on our last day and I never got to return. Whether you’re staying in Canmore or just passing through, Le fournil Bakery is worth a stop. As an added bonus, the workers are so pleasant!
Best for Scenery
This might surprise you, but I was more blown away by the mountains when walking around Canmore! The scenery is also beautiful in downtown Banff, but for some reason the mountains stood out to me more in Canmore. Perhaps Canmore has less buildings in the way, but the views left me in awe! I distinctly remember being amazed walking into and out of the grocery store!
You really can’t go wrong on the scenery when it comes to Banff vs Canmore, but the Three Sisters peaks seen from Canmore really charmed me!
Best for Convenience
In this showdown of Banff vs Canmore, Banff is generally more convenient. Obviously, being in Banff means you’re closer to all the places you’ll want to see! Canmore is about 25 minutes by car from downtown Banff. You’ll have to drive at least 30 minutes or more to get the places you’ll want to see in Banff National Park. Lake Louise was about an hour, but from Banff it’s about 40 minutes.
Overall, Banff is more convenient, but not by much. It really comes down to what you want to see and do and if the extra drive is okay with you.
Banff vs Canmore: At-a-Glance Comparison
| Category | Banff | Canmore |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | First-time visitors, luxury stays, short trips | Budget travelers, longer stays, relaxed pace |
| Solo Travelers | Great walkability, hostels | More affordable Airbnbs, hostels |
| Families | Lots of kid-friendly sights & walkable town | More space, quieter, easier parking, but still walkable |
| Budget Trips | Can be pricey, especially hotels & parking | More affordable lodging, dining, & parking |
| Scenery | Iconic mountain views everywhere in town | Gorgeous mountain views including “Three Sisters” |
| Dining & Shops | More variety, but more crowded/touristy | Fewer options, but more local charm |
| Convenience | You’re already inside the park | Short drive (20 min) to Banff, near Kananaskis |
| Access to Hikes | Walk to some trails from town | Easy drive to trails + hidden gems nearby |
Why We Chose Canmore
When my siblings and their families started looking for a place that would fit eight of us, Canmore took the lead as the better option when comparing Banff vs Canmore. It was easier to find home rentals that could fit our group and as a bonus they were more budget friendly.
Visiting Banff from Canmore was easy enough and I really enjoyed the charm of Canmore! Staying in Banff would also have its perks, but I didn’t feel like we had the lesser option. And yes, I was worried we’d feel like we missed out staying in Canmore, but that wasn’t the case.
The charming mountain town that sits just outside Banff National Park was a beautiful and perfect spot for our trip. You can’t really go wrong when it comes to Banff vs Canmore! I’m not sure if the winter experience would change my opinion, but for summer, both are great options!
Banff vs Canmore
I hope this article helped you decide which of these mountain towns will be best for your trip! When it comes to Banff vs Canmore, you can’t really go wrong, but one might take the lead for your needs and preferences.
I absolutely loved our 5 days in Banff! This bucket list destination did not disappoint as the scenery is truly spectacular! Once you decide where you’re staying, I can help with what to pack for Banff in summer! The weather was beautiful the first part of the trip and actually snowed the last two days!
I hope you have the best time in Banff and that you enjoy this beautiful part of Canada as much as I did!
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