This December we took a trip out to Banff and spent a winter weekend away at Buffalo Mountain Lodge. This is one of our favorite places to stay and their newly renovated King Studio Suites made it so comfortable and convenient for our little family. I know that many are having concerns about traveling during COVID which is why I wanted to share our experience with you!

Everything was sanitized before we arrived to ensure a safe stay. The hotel even contacted me prior to check-in to ensure that those I was staying with were only members of my immediate household. Their brand new hot tub can be booked ahead of time as well (subject to availability and current restrictions, of course) and can only be enjoyed with the guests in your party.

Our Weekend Away

Spacious King Suite

Having some space to move around when traveling as a family is ideal and the newly renovated King Suites at Buffalo Mountain Lodge are perfect for this! Having designated areas for sleep, dining and relaxing made our stay extra comfortable.

Being able to dine in-room was not only easier with our little one (she’s a year old), but it also made us feel safer when it came to COVID protocols. We were our own self-contained unit! Having the kitchenette to keep and prepare food as well as wash dishes was extra handy for us, too.

Modern Renovated Bathrooms

One of the major changes in Buffalo Mountain Lodge’s King Suites are the newly renovated bathrooms. They are super spacious and modern. The spa-like shower and extra-wide vanity only add to the luxury feeling of your stay. I loved the extra storage that was available in the vanity – it’s just those extra touches that make a stay more comfortable.

Also included are cotton robes to use throughout your stay (perfect for going to and from the hot tub). The room is also stocked with lovely toiletry products from L’Occitane en Provence, plush towels and a hairdryer for your use during your stay.

Wood Burning Fireplaces

Each room has its own wood burning fireplace which only adds to the cozy mountain atmosphere. There’s plenty of seating for the family to curl up together and a great mantle that you could hang stockings from if you were to spend the holidays here. If you’re looking for a classic mountain Christmas, this is the place to have that!

In-Room Dining

Having the option to dine in our suite rather than in the Buffalo Lounge Dining Room was great for us. Traveling with a little one comes with its own set of challenges, but adding in dining out to the mix can be a little challenging at times! The ability to dine in our room was super convenient but also made us feel more comfortable with all of the new restrictions that have been put in place in Alberta.

The entire menu from the Buffalo Lounge is available for in-room dining, including their bar menu. Eating in multiple courses? They can accommodate that for you as well. They were kind enough to provide us with a high chair for the weekend for our little one as well, so we didn’t have to haul one from home.

The dining room is always gorgeous, though, and even with the restricted seating availability, still has a great cozy atmosphere. It’s also decorated in such a tasteful and festive way for the holidays making it really feel like you’re in a mountain lodge for Christmas.

Enjoy The On-Site Amenities

Buffalo Mountain Lodge offers many on-site amenities including a newly renovated hot tub area. This can be booked up to 5 days in advance of your stay. This is the perfect spot to relax in the morning or after a day of hiking or skiing! Hot tub use is subject to current provincial restrictions.

In the hot tub area you will also find an outdoor fire pit that guests are able to enjoy. The log benches surrounded by tall trees are the perfect space to cuddle up under a blanket for some outdoor relaxation.

Nearby Activities

Something that I love about the location of Buffalo Mountain Lodge is its proximity to hiking trails and nature paths. It makes it so easy to enjoy the outdoors when these things are just steps away from your hotel.

The town of Banff’s downtown where you’ll find shops and other restaurants is only a few minutes away, too. It’s always nice to be able to stroll the main streets for a morning or afternoon and then retire back to the quiet of the Lodge.

If you feel like venturing a little further, Lake Louise, Lake Minnewanka, Two Jack Lake, Bow Falls and other places to experience the fresh air and beautiful scenery are only a short drive away, too.

Extra Cleanliness

I’ve always appreciated how clean and well-kept the Canadian Rocky Mountain Resorts properties are, but I felt like they went the extra mile to ensure everything was kept sanitized, mask protocols were taken and social distancing rules were followed all throughout the property.

Holiday Specials

This year, CRMR is offering some amazing holiday specials for both Christmas and New Years! What I love about these options is that you get a gorgeous mountain retreat, a gourmet holiday meal (with no clean up) and breakfast the next morning! Click here for more info!

I also love the idea of giving hotel gift cards as gifts. It can be so hard to shop for people and a night away is always a welcome present, that’s for sure!

Want To Know More?

Click here for more on Buffalo Mountain Lodge and staying in Banff! This article features even more about Buffalo Mountain Lodge!

Click here for more information on their sister property, Emerald Lake Lodge, and staying in Yoho National Park!