Ptarmigan Inn

This hotel is in an excellent location for visiting Banff, the room was clean and well appointed, beds were comfortable and there were plenty of towels. However, we were given room 305, this room has no external window, only a window looking out into the lobby. No privacy, and so we had to keep the blinds drawn all of the time. Being located above the lobby also meant the room was very noisy, the noise from the lobby bar and restaurant all echoed round an atrium of sorts, we needed earplugs to sleep. The bathroom was so small that the sink was in the main body of the room, not really ideal at all 305 is also located directly across from the ice machine, many guests wanted ice at 6am, not the sound I wanted to be woken with. Our stay was OK, but we will not be making a return visit.

So I rarely write negative reviews but... We had booked a rail tour via Rocky Mountaineer from Vancouver to Jasper then added on days at Jasper, Lake Louise and finally Banff. The trip was awesome until we checked in the Banff Ptarmigan Inn (allegedly a preferred partner of Rocky Mountaineer). The room we were assigned was an atrium facing room. The windows and a door faced the interior part of the hotel, basically a view of other rooms and the hallway that went past our door. Zero privacy, zero view and zero light coming up because you need to keep the blinds closed. A very dark room or hotel cave as we called it. Front desk lady was not pleasant at all, even as we were first checking in. We were told there were no other rooms that we could be moved to. Again this is a Rocky Mountaineer "preferred partner" so not sure why we were stuck with this type of room. Be aware when booking here as there were many atrium rooms. Not sure if other hotels in Banff have this same idiotic type of rooms.

This hotel has an excellent location for exploring Banff without a car. Public transportation is literally just steps away. The Roam Route 1 and Route 2 bus stop is directly outside the hotel, the Route 8X stop is across the street, and Routes 1, 2, 4, and 6 are all within a two-minute walk. Whether you are visiting Lake Louise, local attractions, or simply getting around Banff, the transportation options are extremely convenient. The front desk staff were always courteous, welcoming, and happy to help. We especially appreciated their assistance with using the hotel’s microwave. They were patient and accommodating every time we asked, and their friendly attitude made us feel genuinely welcome. Another benefit that added great value to our stay was the complimentary three-day Roam transit pass( Routes 1, 2, 4, and 6) provided by the hotel. It made getting around Banff easy while saving us both time and money. With its convenient location, excellent public transportation access, thoughtful service, and free transit passes, this hotel is an excellent choice for visitors who plan to explore Banff without driving. We would be happy to stay here again.