Accommodation Guide for Canmore & Banff Weddings
If you’re planning a wedding in either Canmore or Banff, then accommodation is going to be a consideration as many of your guests are likely travelling from out of town.
The good news: both Canmore and Banff are well equipped, with a large stock of visitor accommodation units.
The bad news: during peak months, the stock of visitor accommodation often books up many months in advance, and can run upwards of $400 per bedroom… yes, you read that right!
Even though the two towns are only 30 km apart, accommodation options in Canmore and Banff differ significantly. In general, Canmore has largely Airbnb/Vrbo-focused accommodations, and builders continue to build properties with investor-owned short term rental properties all over town. These types of suites are generally not permitted to operate in Banff, which means much of the inventory available in the town of Banff are hotel rooms.
Canmore Accommodation Options
Canmore has a variety of different options, ranging from the smallest studio-sized hotel rooms imaginable, to full sized, fully equipped townhouses. These suites, which are most commonly found on websites like Airbnb and Vrbo are plentiful, but do book up well in advance – and for substantial nightly rates – during peak season. One of the major benefits of having your guests book these types of units in Canmore is that the vast majority of those units are located within walking distance to grocery stores, restaurants, the Cornerstone Theatre, and even downtown Canmore.
Canmore does have a variety of hotel options, as well. Some hotels are also willing to offer accommodation blocks if you contact them, like Basecamp Resorts who operates a number of local hotel complexes. The Malcolm Hotel is widely considered to be Canmore’s most well known, and highest end hotel, and is another great option for couples on their wedding night, as well as guests that want a higher end experience.
Banff Accommodation Options
Due to zoning issues and the town’s location inside of Banff National Park, short term rental units on websites like Airbnb and Vrbo are essentially non-existent, leaving only hotel options for your guests.
It’s important to note that the stock of accommodation options in Banff is lower than Canmore, and is generally in higher demand amongst international tourists, so I would suggest getting your guests to book well in advance to avoid any issues.
A quick trip to Google, Expedia, or any of your preferred booking platforms should yield a number of different hotel options at different price points. For larger groups looking for a multi-room suite, Hidden Ridge Resort is a great option in Banff, and is located up the hill from Banff Ave. If you do want to stay in the heart of the action, then a stay at the Mount Royal Hotel is worth considering as well.
And of course, there’s always the famous Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, if luxury is what you’re after and budget is not an issue!
I’m Richard, a wedding photographer and videographer based in Canmore, Alberta, and I would love to capture this chapter of your love story and make your Rockies dream wedding a reality!
If you’re ready to take the next step, click here to connect with me today. Let’s do this!
