Grande Rockies Resort - Bellstar Hotels & Resorts

The pool was a huge hit with the kids, especially the waterslide, which helped them burn off energy between hockey games. We were in town for a kids’ tournament and got a fantastic group rate compared with other places in Canmore, particularly during peak ski season. The central location made it easy to get to the rink and local restaurants. We also liked the extra space and full kitchen in the suite, and the steam shower was a highlight. It even has a “fun button,” though I couldn’t tell you what it does. The rooms feel a little dated and could use a modern refresh, but for the price and convenience, we’d stay here again for future tournaments. A great spot for families.

The pool might be a hit with kids, but as adults without children we didn't enjoy it much. It was crowded with screaming kids running around, and the indoor and outdoor hot tub sections were basically full all the time during New Years. We had a king suite in the main building. The room had almost no soundproofing: we could hear every word from across the hall, and the noise overhead sounded like 15 kids playing floor hockey. The bed creaked loudly, the TV remotes barely worked, and the shower was so tiny that anyone over 6 ft would probably struggle. There was also a small device low in the shower covered in black gunk, maybe mold. Parking was a hunt because many spaces are reserved for owned suites. I don't know if people renting privately owned units through Airbnb have a different experience, but I wouldn't recommend the hotel. We got a huge deal on the room, otherwise I'd likely be asking for a refund. Calling this a 4 star hotel is laughable. Save your money and book somewhere else.

It’s the little details that make this place feel cheap, and most of them wouldn’t take much to fix. The Annex building was news to me, and apparently staying there means you can’t use the pool. Nobody mentioned that at check-in; I only learned it from a sign in the elevator. The parking stalls are extremely small, and the painted lines are so faint. In my room, the heater kept waking me when it kicked on. I thought I’d switched it off in the middle of the night, but it still started up somehow. I should have unplugged it. The mini fridge leaned enough that my things went everywhere when I opened the door, and window guards made it very hard to open the blinds and enjoy the view. There was just one coffee pod for the morning, plus the bathroom soap dish was chipped. The second-floor stairwell exit device is broken and slams every time it tries to close. I think I woke the whole second floor when I went to get ice last night.

The pool and hot tub were just what we wanted after a day of exploring. We had no trouble relaxing or sleeping with a good playlist on, even though this family-friendly place has kids and the party crowd can get a bit noisy sometimes. The rooms are lovely, and the location in Canmore is top notch. Emma and Josh were easy to reach, full of useful information, and keen to make the stay a good one. Great place to hang your hat while visiting. We'll definitely be back!