Overview
High Country Inn Banff is located on Banff Avenue, two blocks from the downtown core, which may appeal to those wanting to be within a 5-minute walk of this area.

This 100% non-smoking hotel offers 70 rooms over three floors. Standard room features include a TV, a coffeemaker, an iron and ironing board, a hair dryer, a mini-fridge, individual climate control with air conditioning and either one king or two queen beds. Some rooms have balconies. Upgraded rooms may feature a semi-private sleeping area, a microwave, two TVs, a murphy bed, a jetted tub and/or an electric fireplace. One and two-bedroom suites may feature an ensuite bathroom, a microwave and a sitting area. Free Wi-Fi and local calls are available in every room. Pets are not allowed.

Amenities at this hotel include an indoor pool, a hot tub, a sauna, meeting and banquet facilities and an internet kiosk. Ticino Swiss-Italian Restaurant is on site, open for dinner. Complimentary parking and continental breakfast are available to all guests.

There are several shops and restaurants within a few blocks of the hotel. Banff Centre is a 5-minute drive away while Banff Gondola and Banff Upper Hot Springs can be reached in 10 minutes by car. Mount Norquay is a 15-minute drive away. The Trans-Canada Highway is a 5-minute drive from the hotel and Calgary International Airport (YYC) can be reached in an hour and half by car. (All distance and travel time estimates: Google Maps)

Verified by hotel staff on February 21, 2013: pets are not allowed, all rooms include an iron and ironing board and a hair dryer, on-site restaurant is open for dinner.

The Good
Reviews used for this analysis were somewhat mixed, with positive comments focused on the rooms, the staff and the location.

Many guests felt the rooms were clean and spacious. Some guests felt the beds were very comfortable and mentioned that the balcony in certain rooms was a nice feature.

Although there were some complaints about unfriendly or indifferent staff, many guests said that the staff provided quality service with a welcoming and pleasant attitude.

The location was a highlight for many guests who appreciated the convenience of being only two from blocks from the downtown core. Some noted that it was great to find a hotel so close to downtown that had a pool and offered free parking, Wi-Fi and continental breakfast.

The Bad
Reviews used for this analysis were somewhat mixed, with negative comments focused on maintenance and service quality and the continental breakfast.

Despite many guests enjoying their stay, there were some guests who felt that the hotel was poor quality. Guests thought that the whole place could use a deep clean and several mentioned that they had troubles receiving daily maid service and/or that there room was not very clean upon arrival. Heavy chlorine in the pool was also a common complaint.

A handful of guests mentioned that the heating controls in their room did not work properly, resulting in very uncomfortable temperatures and lost sleep. Some felt that problems like these were received with indifference by hotel staff.

The breakfast was also a common complaint, with guests describing it as a meager, strictly continental selection that was not well-stocked.