Douglas Fir Resort and Chalets is the family-friendly self-catering choice in Banff, set on Tunnel Mountain Road on the edge of the townsite. The booking page counts 130 units in 24 buildings, with studios, lofts and apartments that come with kitchens, fireplaces, balconies or patios and free Wi-Fi. The studio sleeps four with a queen bed and a sofa bed, the loft in the lodge sleeps six and the one-bedroom apartments and lofts in the fourplexes sleep up to six, which makes the resort a good fit for families and small groups. The facilities are the real draw: two hot tubs, a children's pool, a waterslide, free water park access, a twenty-four-hour gym, a barbecue area and a picnic area. In winter the resort offers a free ski shuttle and ski storage, and parking is free on site. The property is rated in the middle class on the booking page. Nearby restaurants are a short drive or walk away, and the Banff Avenue centre is a few minutes by car, so a vehicle or the bus helps. The resort is not a boutique stay, but it is very practical, particularly for stays of several nights when a kitchen and a washer-sized space save money and hassle.
Units and layouts. Studios are compact and good for couples or small families, lofts add a sleeping level for six and the fourplex apartments give the most space and privacy. Kitchens let you cook breakfast and packed lunches, which is a real saving in a town with high restaurant prices. Fireplaces and balconies or patios add comfort, and the older buildings have a mountain-cabin feel rather than a modern hotel look.
Living here. Days start in your own kitchen, then a drive or a bus ride into Banff or toward Lake Minnewanka and the Cave and Basin. Children can burn off energy at the water park, and adults can settle in a hot tub after a ski day. The resort sits near the forest, so the walk to the Tunnel Mountain area is short, and the quiet at night is a pleasant change from downtown.
Who should stay. Families, groups and longer-stay visitors who want a kitchen, space and free parking will like Douglas Fir. The trade-offs are the location away from Banff Avenue, so you will want a car or the bus, and the older buildings, which are less polished than a new hotel.
Restaurants are not on site, so plan your meals. For a downtown base, look at the hotels on Banff Avenue; for a practical family base with a water park, this resort is hard to beat. Check the facilities and dates when you book, since water park access can be seasonal.
Why stay here
- ✓130 units with kitchens
- ✓Studios, lofts and chalets
- ✓Two hot tubs
- ✓Children pool and waterslide
- ✓24-hour fitness room
- ✓Free parking
- ✓Free ski shuttle and storage
- ✓Fireplace and balcony or patio
Good questions
Do the rooms have kitchens?+
Yes. The units listed have kitchens, fireplaces and balconies or patios, which suits families and longer stays.
Is parking free?+
Yes. Free self-parking is available on site.
Is there a water park?+
Yes. The resort has a children pool, a waterslide and free water park access. Check opening times when you book, as facilities can be seasonal.
