Stayed for 2 nights on our way to Calgary for the stampede. The new Reno on the middle room was swanky. The rest of the hotel didn't seem as swanky but hey....all I care about is our room anyway.

I stayed here in September 2011. My room was unbearably hot when I arrived. There was no air conditioning and the windows didn't open. I could open the balcony door, but it had no screen. The balconies are not private, and as a single traveller I was not going to leave mine open all night. The single fan did nothing to make the room cooler. I tried calling the front desk a few times but no one answered, so I took the elevator downstairs and talked to the desk clerk in person. She provided a second fan which helped to make things more comfortable. At their rates I knew I wouldn't be getting the Banff Springs, but I expected a room that wasn't uncomfortable.

The restaurant is at their sister property, the Banff Park Lodge, which is next door. The meals were fine and in fact dinner was quite nice. The hotel is in downtown Banff so you are close to shops and restaurants. If you decide to stay here make sure to ask for a room with a river view. One morning I saw two elk by the river bank which was a real treat.

Personally I wouldn't stay here again.

Bow View Lodge has been around forever (I even worked there one summer back in ancient times). The main office is adjacent to the miniscule parking lot and you can quickly ascertain that people once smoked throughout the building. Our room on the third level had floor to ceiling windows facing the river, a wingback chair, loveseat, and two chairs and circular table beside the TV cabinet. Oh, and a small fridge stored in a dresser that matched the TV console. The bathroom is basic and the king size bed was firm without any extra frills. If that doesn't turn you off, than you will be happy staying here.

Not a speck of dust or stray hair to be found anywhere. The room's thermostat was at 22C and we couldn't adjust it, so we opened the sliding door and slept with it open all night long in order to achieve the desired temperature. There was a fan in our room as well.

Swimming pool and restaurants are located in Banff Park Lodge, just across the parking lot, if you so desire. The best part was being so close to downtown and starting the day to sun shining on the frozen river.

This is not Banff Springs hotel and your bill reflects that.

We spent a week at the Bow View and loved it. The location is great with beautiful views of the Bow View River and moutains. There is a great walking path behind the lodge around the river and only minutes from shops and restaurants. We walked all over the town. The rooms are somewhat cozy but comfortable. The staff are wonderful and very accomodating. Their amenities are limited and consist of free wi-fi, coffee maker, and hair dryer. The linens are great. Only complaints were lack of a microwave, the beds are too firm, and the icemaker is on the second level. We stayed in two different rooms on our stay and both rooms had hard beds. Their sister hotel, the Banff Park Lodge is located right next door. They allow you access to their spa, pool, and laundry facilities. You really can't find a better location and price in town.