Lodges in Banff + Past – The place to remain in Canmore, cosy cabins and extra…
The Canadian Rockies conjure up visions of days spent climbing, photographing wildlife, canyons, alpine lakes, and epic surroundings. When you’re planning a visit, I need to share a private lodging suggestion with you that can let you expertise staying in a couple of spots, absorbing a bit of every city and its surrounding pictures areas.
Let me introduce you to Basecamp Resorts. A set of lodges, flats and cosy cabins scattered all through the Rockies area of Alberta, and Kootenay Rockies of British Columbia. You’ll discover them in Canmore, Banff, Baker Creek, Golden and Revelstoke, all of the spots I’d counsel somebody go to in the event that they’re exploring the Rockies for the primary time.
They’re well-located, sustainably targeted, inexpensive, and trendy – fairly the mix of goodies I search for when researching the place to remain. From Might 1st 2023, they’ve additionally partnered with One Tree Planted and are donating a share of every visitor’s reservation to replant timber in both Alberta or British Columbia. With the objective of planting 75,000 timber yearly to assist restore native forests, create habitats that encourage biodiversity, and make a optimistic social affect of their areas of operation, it’s good to know that staying at a Basecamp Resorts property can be contributing to preserving the surroundings pristine.
Because of the number of areas, you’ll be able to choose to plan an itinerary that encompasses a couple of nights at every location as you make your method from Canmore to Revelstoke, or take it simple and decide one to unpack and name house for per week or two for those who’re planning to spend extra time in Banff Nationwide Park for instance. Most pictures areas listed in The Wandering Lens Banff Pictures Location information could be reached on day journey adventures from any of the Basecamp properties in Canmore, Banff or Golden!
On my current journey to Canada I stayed at two areas, Canmore and Banff. Whereas they’re simply 20 minutes aside, it was nice to get an perception into each properties as every city has its personal ambiance. Again in 2018 I’d additionally stayed on the lodge in Canmore too, so it’s with three properties underneath my belt that I convey this text to you.
Let’s take a peek at my stays –
BASECAMP SUITES CANMORE
The brightly colored yellow doorways are an indication of the sunshine and good instances ready inside. A welcome house crammed with house comforts, fashionable decor and beds that can assist you recharge and relaxation after a day exploring outdoor.
Our keep in Canmore started after a 26hr stint with out sleep after flying into Calgary from Australia. Having visited the realm earlier than, I used to be excited to strive one of many newer choices situated within the city centre. I knew all I needed after touchdown was to get to Canmore and get up surrounded by mountains and my earlier expertise at Basecamp Lodge had been good!
Verify-in at Basecamp Suites Canmore was a breeze with coded keypad entry and keep particulars emailed previous to arrival. What greeted us inside was virtually extra thrilling than the mountains themselves. Artwork that includes native wildlife and a chilled color palette, precisely what we wanted after our flight. To not point out there was house to stretch out, a shower tub, and comfy lounge space with views towards the Three Sisters.
Little extras like 100% pure lemongrass soaps and oat milk lotions made by the Rocky Mountain Cleaning soap Co, pair with thick, fluffy towels and residential comforts. Oh, and did I point out there’s a rooftop sizzling tub!?
Only a two-minute stroll from Basecamp Suites Canmore is the beginning of the river stroll, a fantastic boardwalk that meanders alongside a transparent water stream towards Spring Creek. The proper spot to wander with a espresso and digital camera whereas listening to birdsong and taking within the views.
Close by suggestions for nibbles and low –
CommuniTEA – the best spot for a wholesome breakfast, takeaway salads and snacks, only a few doorways down from Basecamp Suites Canmore
Canary Espresso – strive the Macadamia Milk iced latte…so yum!
The Bicycle Cafe – a terrific mixture of crops, bikes, scrumptious espresso + pleasant service!
Photogenic Highlights inside 30mins:
Three Sisters vantage level at Policeman Creek (learn behind the scenes article right here)
Quarry Lake
Rundle Forebay
Elbow Lake
Scenic Heli Flight with Alpine Helicopters
Kananaskis Nation
Lake Minnewanka
Banff and the Bow River Trails
See extra areas inside The Wandering Lens information to Banff Nationwide Park, which begins simply north of Canmore.
BASECAMP SUITES BANFF
Banff is the busiest city within the Canadian Rockies nevertheless it’s for good purpose, it’s attractive. Not solely does the city itself supply sufficient to maintain anybody and their digital camera pleased for per week, nevertheless it’s additionally the best base for exploring all the sweetness that Banff Nationwide Park has to supply proper as much as the Icefields Parkway. I spent a very long time researching resorts in Banff however struggled to seek out anyplace higher priced, situated and geared up than this property.
I used to be on the town to replace The Wandering Lens information to Banff Nationwide Park, and day-after-day set out from Basecamp Suites Banff to {photograph} someplace new. From the close by Bow River Falls and Sulphur Mountain to Johnston Canyon, Lake Louise and the pure wonders that line the Icefields Parkway.
Related in model and stage of consolation to Basecamp Suites Canmore, the second I walked into suite 304, I knew it could be a terrific base for the week. Pure mild flowed by way of each window and each morning offered the possibility to open the curtains and see how the mountain peaks had been wanting so I may plan the place to go first.
Basecamp Suites Banff is situated smack bang in the midst of city, splendid for grabbing a espresso and lunch in your day journey or having fun with a night meal after adventures. Relying on the season you’re visiting, you’ll both be absorbing sunshine late into the night time, or having fun with a heat bathtub after a day on the slopes. My decide for espresso is the Whitebark Café, and as a creature of behavior, I took an Earl’s salad with me for picnics by Bow Lake three days in a row, my goodness it was good!
Opting to base your self in Banff opens the door to photogenic dawn and sundown experiences close by. In the summertime months, you’re inside strolling distance or a brief drive to the Sulphur Mountain Path (or gondola!), or you’ll be able to wander the Bow River Path and seize the mountain surroundings as cascading falls and little rapids create the soundtrack. The city has a shocking connecting internet of strolling trails, stroll out the entrance door of Basecamp Suites and wander lower than 400m to start out the Bow River Path. Slightly additional down the highway is the Fenland Trailhead and Echo Creek, each tremendous near Banff but providing a peaceable stroll amongst pure environment.
When you’re up for an extended hike and need to summit a mountain, flip left when you exit the suites, left once more on to Wolf Road and observe it for roughly 10mins till turning proper on to St Julien Rd for one more 5mins to achieve to the beginning of the Tunnel Mountain Trailhead. In lower than two hours in whole you’ll be on prime of Tunnel Mountains the place extraordinary views look out over Banff and the encircling peaks.
Lower than one minute’s stroll from the suites is a model new IGA, permitting you to take full benefit of the spacious and well-equipped kitchen in each condominium. As a result of I lack primary abilities within the kitchen, I solely made a heat tea every night time to accompany me as I cosied up on the sofa and edited my pictures from the day.
If like me, you’ll have a automotive with you, parking is on the market contained in the advanced for a every day payment with loads of areas unfold throughout two ranges, permitting quick access to every flooring of Basecamp Suites Banff. Alternatively, there are quite a few free parking areas round Banff for those who don’t thoughts a brief stroll!
One tip, for those who’re staying in Banff and travelling north on a day journey, ditch the freeway and take Route 1A to gradual issues down a bit, enhance your possibilities of seeing wildlife and provides your self loads of alternatives to drag over and seize some pictures.
Close by suggestions for nibbles and low –
Whitebark Cafe – as famous above, this was my decide of locations to get a espresso for the highway…I’ll have ordered 1 x sizzling latte, and 1 x iced latte, it was Spring in any case!
Wildflower Bakery – pastries, truffles, sandwiches, soup and low…plus there’s a courtyard for those who choose to sit down and luxuriate in.
Peak Cafe – Scrumptious Vietnamese meals, no fuss, nice high quality.
Photogenic Highlights inside 60mins:
Johnston Canyon
Lake Louise
Lake Minnewanka and Two Jack Lake (take the Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive to see each, inside 15mins of Banff)
Vermilion Lakes
Sulphur Mountain
Fort Mountain
Bow Lake
Peyto Lake
Emerald Lake
See extra areas inside The Wandering Lens information to Banff Nationwide Park.
Want record of Basecamp Resorts –
On my subsequent go to to Canada I’ll be hoping to check out among the cabins, tents and model new resorts which are opening their doorways for the primary time this summer season!
When you’re capable of get to Canada earlier than I do, right here’s a listing of locations to take a look at –
Baker Creek by Basecamp –
Luxurious wood cabins situated beside a stunning creek, surrounded by forests and mountain peaks. Staying right here vastly will increase your possibilities of a bear sighting (I’m guessing!), as you’re out of the bustle of downtown Banff and situated proper on Route 1A, my most popular highway to {photograph} wildlife.
Go for a room with a jacuzzi, hearth, loft house, kitchens, a number of bedrooms after which benefit from the scenic outside fireplace pits, an ice rink in winter, entry to close by climbing trails or bounce on board a shuttle bus direct to Moraine Lake….the one option to entry the lake now could be by way of a shuttle service so why not journey direct out of your cabin!
Current Basecamp Resorts Openings –
Beneath imagery equipped by Basecamp Resorts –
*The Wandering Lens was supplied a media fee in an effort to {photograph} and share the expertise of staying with Basecamp Resorts. Simply to notice, this was upon my request as a earlier visitor as I needed to spotlight their different unbelievable properties as a result of I liked my keep again in 2018 a lot. As at all times, opinions are my very own and I wish to let the images do the speaking 😊
Hey! I’m the founder and photographer behind The Wandering Lens.
With 17+yrs expertise as knowledgeable journey and panorama photographer, all recommendation discovered on this web site is from my private expertise on the highway. I hope it’s helpful in your personal travels and would love to listen to within the feedback about your journeys and experiences world wide.