The Gateway Inn

The room was noisy because it's so close to the highway, though it was clean and the beds were comfortable. The property could use better upkeep: the garbage bin was overflowing, the outdoor stairs were long and unlit, and the bathtub was rusty with what looked like mold where the silicone was missing. The Prime TV stations advertised on the website weren't available either.

The location near Banff and Canmore is great, and the scenery from the hotel is stunning. Still, after spending about a week here on a summer vacation, I'd give it two stars. July gets hot, and there's no air conditioning. Opening a window and using a fan would usually help, but the highway and train tracks are right beside the place. Freight trains pass at all hours, and it can get incredibly loud at night. The walls are very thin too, so from a lower floor you hear everything upstairs. Neighbors walking around until 2am were part of my stay. The building feels old and run down, with water damage on the walls and ceiling and foundation issues, despite what looks like a recent cosmetic facelift. The beds were soft and squishy, and not very comfortable. I would have preferred camping outside, where it was cooler and quieter. Maybe I'd return in a cooler season and stay on an upper floor. It seems much better suited as a ski trip base than for summer hiking.

The area is convenient for groceries, fast food, restaurants, and gas stations. Inside, the house was clean and organized, with almost everything we needed. We had a great stay and would definitely recommend it to friends and family. Until our next vacation in Alberta. 🙂

I came to Alberta to look for work, but a housing scam left me homeless in January with nowhere to go. I was scrambling to find somewhere that allowed pets, so I contacted this motel and explained what had happened. The owner was kind and understanding, and let me and my pup stay for two weeks at a very reasonable price. She was friendly, helpful, and easygoing, and the room was clean and spacious. It was a good stay, and I'd recommend this motel, especially if you're traveling with pets. She saved my pup and me from freezing, and I'm very grateful for her hospitality.