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Buffalo Mountain Lodge
Category: Event Planning & Services Hotels Hotels & Travel Hotels Hotels [Edit]
700 Tunnel Mountain RdBanff, AB T1L 1B3
(800) 661-1367
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
5 reviews for Buffalo Mountain Lodge
5 reviews in English
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Review from Starsia E.
Calgary, AB
1/4/2012
We stayed here for one night the day before new years eve. The hotel was worth every penny. It is located on tunnel mountain Rd right next too the Douglas Fir where we have stayed on numerous occasions.
The check in desk is small so it could be slow if a few people checked in at once. There are two restaurants in the hotel. They have a large outdoor hot tub which feels amazing in the winter. They also have a steam room and indoor change rooms. Each room has a fire place and many rooms have claw foot tubs.
Our room had a claw foot tub in it. I had a bath after we got back from the outdoor hot tub. The tub only fills about a third full and the water doesn't get very hot so don't add cold. Still it's big enough for two people to sit in.
Our fireplace made Colin happy. They put kindling, paper, a few pieces of wood and a box of matches in the fireplace for you. There is a large pile of wood outside your room. Our fire alarm went off a few times even though it was not smoky. If you plug in the fan in your closet and set it to low that seems to stop the alarm and makes the room evenly heated.
The balcony off our room had a beautiful view of the mountains and the hotel is a short drive from main street but far enough to be private and quiet.
We ordered room service from the restaurant and fifteen mins later a delicious plate of meats were driven to our door. You can order room service till ten pm.
The biggest complaint I would have is about the parking. There is not enough parking for each room. When we got back from dinner we had to park a little away from our room. If you pay for a hotel room you should either have underground parking or be able to park in front of your room.
Out of all the places I have stayed in Banff this was one of the best. The price was reasonable and the room was nice. -
Review from Sandon H.
Calgary, AB
1/20/2012
Ooh the Buffalo, see how it grazes? So furry....so large....a seemingly gregarious bovine with a shaggy mane and shiny pretty black horns. But don't be fooled, the Buffalo is highly unpredictable and therefore dangerous to humans - it has never been domesticated.........and neither has Buffalo Mountain Lodge.
Well, that is if you stay in their "Lodge Room".
The BF (no, that's not short for buffalo) and I rented a room at Buffalo Mountain Lodge through a crazy little website called http://hotels.com. It promised a holiday promotional rate of $125 for a room regularly priced at $250 (or so it seemed to lead visitors to believe). Who could have passed up that deal?! We wish we would have.
When we arrived in mid December, presents in tow (this was our own little family-free Christmas get-away) we checked in at the front desk with a rather snarky male who asked us if we'd like to "upgrade". Thinking we already had a decent room at a good price, we wondered "upgrade to what?" He replied that we were in a standard room and we could upgrade if we so chose to. We explained what we were expecting and what we had purchased off http://hotels.com to which he replied "Do you have proof of that?". One would assume a reservation done through http://hotels.com would be "proof" and carry all of the necessary information, but apparently not for this bison! We were a bit perplexed but declined the upgrade. We pulled up to our lodge door, noticing that there was no one else staying at BML, not a soul! Perfect, it'll be a nice quiet few days of relaxation, wine and a cozy fire place.
Our room was a standard room. Disappointed, we tried to make the best of it and settled in. Enjoyed our evening, without the jacuzzi tub and heated floors that the premium rooms boasted.
After the distraction of wine, the out door hot tub (the only thing we enjoyed here) and gifts dwindled, the problems started to appear;
1. Because the room was so small, the fire place seemed to heat the room up so much that we needed to open the window, except we couldn't...because the window was broken. So we had to open the door to our lanai which had empty beer cans strewn about. Nice touch.
2. We couldn't put the fire out because the thermostat didn't work.
3. The TILE floors in our first level room were SO freezing cold we couldn't walk on them. We eventually had to strategically place towels in path way shapes. Laughable.
4. The walls were paper thin. Even though BML was deserted, the one other couple that checked in after us happened to be placed right beside us. We could hear them...all night. Although they were just conversing, we could hear them through the paper thin walls. I'll never forget her voice at 3am "how now brown cow". Yes, she actually said that. Numerous times. And I heard it. Through the wall.
(BML would rather make it more convenient for their cleaning staff to clean rooms by putting the only two guests right beside each other than give the guests a little bit of space during a slow week to enjoy their stay in peace.)
5. Because the walls were so thin, we actually could hear the gentleman's urine splashing into the toilet. Did I have to go into detail? Yes.
6. The pillows were so soft that when you lay your head down the pillow actually wrapped around to your face and smothered you. No lie.
We were up til 3 or 4 in the morning, woke up, jumped in a shower borrowed from munchkin land and decided that we'd rather go home and be comfortable than stay here one more night. Even though we had paid for another night. This room was not worth $50, let alone the $125 we paid OR the regular price they charge $179!! OR the $250 BML or http://hotels.com illustrated.
We didn't experience the BML restaurants as we couldn't fathom another disappointment even though we were told they were good. We went into town for a nice dinner. Not exactly a "side step" to get to the city either as BML's website claims.
We checked-out that afternoon. The concierge questioned why we were checking out early, to which I explained to her all of what I just explained above and her response was "Oh, okay. Well you are free to go."
We went home, lit my boyfriends couch on fire and toasted marshmallows. We were having a nice evening, Buffalo's be damned!
Since this incident, BML did in fact contact us and apologize. Sent us a credit for a premium room and asked us to come back. So for that, they are receiving 2 stars instead of 1 star. That shack "lodge room" really deserves 1 star.
If you are going to stay here, make sure you go for the premium and make sure you have "proof".
Now if you'll excuse me, it's Buffalo Week on National Geographic. -
Review from Bethany W.
Calgary, AB
6/19/2011
A fairly brief menu of inventive dishes, focused heavily on meats complimented with interesting sides. The wine list is comprehensive.
The service was alright - there was some confusion with our reservation, but once that was sorted out the staff were flexible and helpful.
The space is very mountain-y; big wood beams and high ceilings. And, like all things in Banff, the view out the window and drive to get to the restaurant are fantastic! -
Review from Machelle H.
7/26/2010
The chef at the restaurant - the Sleeping Buffalo - specializes in game. This was one of 4 rocky mountain cuisine restaurants that we tried in Banff, and it was our favorite.
The wine list is outstanding. And their wines pair perfectly with their food.
We had either game platters or fondue that came with cured game at several restaurants, all with excellent cured game meats. But this cured game platter excelled in no small part because of the unique pickled melon and dried cranberry fruit relishes. They perfectly complemented and magnified the flavor of the cured meats and our old vine shiraz. Our waitress told me that they sold the relishes, and I thought about buying some, but decided I wouldn't have enough room in our efficiently packed suitcases. Now I wish I'd bought some and just shipped it to myself. Maybe I can order it from them...
The restaurant apparently works with particular ranches/farms to have a steady supply of excellent quality fresh game, or at least our hotel concierge told us something vaguely to that effect, I think. We had elk carpaccio (usually a first course, but the game platter was filling) and caribou medallions, all expertly prepared. I didn't think I was still hungry, but I could not stop eating after I tested a spoonful of the warm-melty-dark-chocolaty lava cake, which we paired with a well-crafted Canadian ice wine.
The decor was inoffensive wilderness lodge style, focused on a cozy stone fireplace. The chairs were easy and inviting, and we had a pleasant (nothing impressive - just pleasant) view from the window next to our table. The whole experience was perfect for relaxing and chatting after a day of hiking. -
Review from Eric B.
8/12/2008
The Buffalo Mountain Lodge is located an easy drive or walk away from downtown Banff along Tunnel Mountain Drive. The Company that owns this property, also operates the Deer Lodge in Lake Louise and the Emerald Lake Lodge near Yoho National Park (BC).
This is a handsome property with a Main Lodge that includes an excellent restaurant and very nice acccomodations in other surrounding buildings. The Main Lodge is of square timber, post and beam construction, and has high open ceilings. There is also a huge stone fireplace, conference rooms, indoor recreation area, steam room and an outdoor hot tub.
I thorougly enjoyed my stay here.Listed in: Unique Places to Stay
