Shops of Canmore, Canmore

Canmore Downtown Hostel

★★★★★

The Canmore Downtown Hostel is the most budget-friendly modern stay in the Bow Valley and a smart choice for travellers who want to explore Banff and Kananaskis without paying national-park hotel prices. It is located in the Shops of Canmore complex just off the Trans-Canada Highway, with Calgary airport and Banff shuttles stopping next door, local transit nearby and restaurants and shops in the same building. Elevation Place, Canmore's recreation centre with pools and a climbing wall, is about a block away. The accommodation is clean and thoughtfully designed. Dorms have up to eight beds, each with a privacy curtain, a shelf and power outlets, with shared or private bathrooms depending on the room, and there are private rooms with two or three beds for couples or small families. The hostel says every room has mountain views. Guests share a fully equipped kitchen, a lounge with TV and laundry facilities, and lockers are available for gear. Bedding is provided, and sleeping bags are not permitted. Children must be accompanied by an adult in the same room. The trade-offs: it is a hostel, with shared spaces and some noise, and the location is near the highway rather than on Main Street, about a fifteen-minute walk from downtown. But for skiers, climbers and travellers on a budget who want a comfortable bed and a kitchen, it is excellent value.

Why it works. Accommodation in Banff is expensive, especially in peak seasons. Staying in Canmore saves money, and this hostel's location by the highway and shuttle stops makes it easy to reach Banff, Lake Louise and the Kananaskis without a car. The full kitchen allows you to cook your own meals, which helps keep the budget under control.

Room choice. Solo travellers can take a dorm bed with a privacy curtain. Couples should book a private room. Families can use a private room with three beds, keeping in mind the rule that children must be in the same room as an accompanying adult. Bring a padlock for the gear lockers and earplugs for shared dorms. Downtown Canmore, with its cafes, galleries and the Engine Bridge, is an easy walk away, and the Canmore Nordic Centre and Grotto Canyon are short drives for winter outings.

Practicals. The hostel is at 302 Old Canmore Road, in the Shops of Canmore. No smoking or pets indoors. Ask about parking when booking. Fit: budget travellers, solo adventurers, couples on a budget and active visitors who spend their days outdoors.