Hidden Ridge Resort

We enjoyed watching deer, squirrels and woodpeckers among the tracks in the wooded area behind the accommodation. The resort also provided free Roam Bus service into town and nearby areas, and the price seemed okay. I’d book Hidden Ridge again. The staff were welcoming, though service was inconsistent. When I asked how often the fancy passenger train passes through Banff, the staff member didn’t know and didn’t think to find out. Our room had a lovely view, comfortable beds, warm rooms and a great fireplace, but unit 207 was showing its age. There was a lot of dust on top of the dishwasher, visible from the dining table. The bathroom ceiling was peeling and the kitchen tap fixture was very loose. The outdoor hot tubs were great but needed attention.

The staff were friendly, and when we mentioned we were there for a birthday, they brought us a bottle of wine and a card. The location is a bit far from the main road, which could be good or bad depending on what you want. The room and facilities, though, were a mess. The pool was gross, with things floating in it and a sandy, gritty bottom that made it seem poorly filtered. The place looks like it was built in the 60s and badly needs major renovations. I had to fix the toilet handle so it would flush. The taps at the bathroom sink, tub and kitchen sink were ancient. The fireplace flue seemed blocked or clogged. We checked it was open, but it wouldn’t stay closed, and smoke started filling the room, so we put the fire out and couldn’t use it. The couch was visibly filthy, the floor hadn’t been vacuumed and had gravel all over it, and the coffee table was just two little end tables pushed together. Both TVs were ridiculously tiny and old, and there was virtually no soundproofing between units, so you could hear everything as if you were in the same room. The list goes on. Nearly $300 for a Thursday night, outside prime time and not even close to Banff’s main street, felt pathetic and like straight-up gouging. I rarely leave reviews, but this was sad. The company that owns this and many other Banff hotels seems to be pocketing most of the money and putting only the bare minimum back into the place. I definitely wouldn’t recommend it.

A beautiful, cozy spot for a weekend getaway. Our room was below another, and the guests’ ski boots thumping overhead were pretty bad, though that wasn’t the hotel’s fault. A beautiful mule deer came by our window each morning. The property is a little way from the town center, but they provide free bus passes, with a stop right across from the lobby. It’s only three or four stops into town, so you can skip the hassle of parking.

Getting into town was easy since the resort is on the bus route, even though it's set up Tunnel Mountain away from downtown. That tucked-away spot was quiet, with lovely views from the balcony and pool, and we spotted deer around the property and on the way there. We really enjoyed our stay and would come back. The condo-style room had what we needed, including firewood for the fireplace. It was a little dated, but clean and tidy.