Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre

Thanks to a much-needed facelift in 2017, Coast Canmore Hotel & Conference Centre is a breath of fresh air compared to most hotels in its category. It started its life as a Radisson back in 1991, but is now more modern than some of the newer mid-range hotels in town. The lobby has a traditional lodge vibe, with stone-clad front desk and columns, dark leather-like armchairs, and wooden doors and window frames -- but the rest of the common spaces have a decidedly more modern design. The restaurant is particularly appealing, with contemporary minimalist decor featuring wooden slatted partitions in the dining room, stained oak floors, stone fireplaces, and a sofa-filled lounge area. Big windows let in lots of natural light both in common areas and rooms, and views from most spaces are expansive, overlooking Hau Ling Peak, Three Sisters, and Lady MacDonald.

With a wide range of amenities and comfortable rooms, the Coast Canmore draws couples and business travelers alike. However, families wanting to all stay together may prefer the similarly priced Blackstone Mountain Lodge by CLIQUE, which offers multi-room condos with full kitchens. The Best Western Pocaterra Inn is a good pick for families who don’t mind swapping out some style for a full range of amenities and great freebies, while couples looking to relax may want to compare rates at the Silver Creek Lodge, which features a spa, yoga deck, and solid Japanese restaurant.  

Coast Canmore Hotel & Convention Centre is located off Bow Valley Trail, within a five-minute walk of several restaurants, shops, a spa, gas station, and car wash. You can reach the top of 10th street (the main drag) in the town center in under 15 minutes on foot, or under five minutes by car. Trails along Bow River are a five-minute drive or 15-minute walk away. It's 30 minutes' drive to the Mount Norquay Ski Trail, and an 11-minute drive to the Nordic Center. Banff is 21 minutes north by car, while Calagary Airport is just over an hour east. The airport shuttle bus stops right in front of the hotel. 

The Coast Canmore has 164 rooms, all of which underwent a complete renovation in early 2017. Contemporary interior design combines minimalist white furniture with nods to traditional lodges, including contrasting colors of charcoal and white, natural wood accent boards on walls, and headboards featuring macro images of natural materials such as tree bark. Premium Rooms have wonderful panoramic mountain views, but big windows offer good vistas from all but a few Comfort units. First-floor Superior rooms have double doors that open onto patios, while Suites have separate sitting areas with sofa beds and gas fireplaces.

Rooms are outfitted with individual AC/heating units, flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers. Wi-Fi is free and seems to work fine for most guests. Aside from the best views, Premium units also come with a few nice extras (including robes), while Suites feature microwaves. Bathrooms are straightforward but clean, and have modern square sinks over minimalist white metal vanities, as well as shower/tub combos, hairdryers, and toiletries. Bathrooms in suites are sleeker and more upscale, featuring deep soaking tubs and separate rainfall showers. 

Past guests have complained about thin walls and limited storage space. Pets are allowed in nine Superior Queen Rooms for an additional fee.

Coast Canmore has a good array of features catering to both leisure and business travelers alike. One of the best perks is a detached pool house with a small, heated indoor pool, a large hot tub, basic changing rooms, and small lounge area with lockers. Adjacent to the pool is a tiny gym, which offers just three cardio machines and a workout bench. Cold bottled water and free towels are also provided. 

The restaurant, Table Food + Drink, has an open and casual vibe, with a small lounge area featuring lots of comfy seating and a fireplace, a spacious dining room, and small bar area. The restaurant is open for all three main meals (breakfast is not included in the standard rate), and offers seasonal menus made with ingredients picked from its own garden. Lunch and dinner menus feature charcuterie boards, seafood, and small plates to share -- such as salads, mussels and frites, calamari, and pork belly and seared scallops -- along with fish and meat dishes, and desserts. Kids’ menus and room service are also available. 

Meeting and event space includes room for up to 400 within a large, bright banquet hall that can be divided into four sections, as well as four smaller rooms that accommodate up to 30 people each. Audiovisual equipment is available and catering is provided by the hotel's restaurant. The business center features a couple of computers and a printer. Outdoor parking is available free of charge.