The YWCA Banff Hotel

The YWCA Banff Hotel

102 Spray Ave P.O. Box 520, Banff, Banff National Park, Alberta T1L 1A6 Canada
Traveller (108)
Panorama at The YWCA Banff Hotel
360
Panoramas (9)
One of our private mountain-view rooms.
Room & Suite (86)

View prices for your travel dates

Did you already book this hotel?
Tell us so we can help you plan.

About

#5 of 5 hostels in Banff
4.5 of 5 bubbles
Location
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Rooms
3.6 of 5 bubbles
Value
3.5 of 5 bubbles
Cleanliness
3.5 of 5 bubbles
Service
3.2 of 5 bubbles
Sleep Quality
YWCA Banff Hotel is a perfect mountain hideaway for travellers looking for budget-friendly, cozy accommodation in downtown Banff. Gearing up for the ski season or planning a summer of hiking and biking? We have great options for you! Choose from a range of room types to suit your needs; private double & single rooms with ensuite or shared bathroom, family suites and 4-10 bed dorms- all at unbeatable rates! Our hotel offers you the unique opportunity to experience life in the heart of Banff National Park while directly contributing to the health and safety of our charming mountain town. We are proud to be a social enterprise, which means that by booking your stay with us your vacation dollars are reinvested into programs and services that protect local women, children & communities from violence. In return for your support, we provide a 24-hour Guest Services team, complimentary WiFi, clean & safe rooms, free guest parking, security lockers, & the lowest rates in Banff! Come settle in.
Read more
Suggest edits to improve what we show.Improve this listing
Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Wifi
Meeting rooms
Baggage storage
Non-smoking hotel
Self-serve laundry
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
2.5 of 5 stars
HOTEL STYLE
Centrally Located
Budget
Languages Spoken
English, French

Location

102 Spray Ave P.O. Box 520, Banff, Banff National Park, Alberta T1L 1A6 Canada
Getting there
Good for walkers
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
Grade: 87 out of 100
87
Calgary Intl Airport
109.2 km
See all flights
Traveller rating
  • 52
  • 83
  • 81
  • 49
  • 50
Time of year
Traveller type
Language
Selected filters
  • Filter
  • English
Sort by:
Detailed Reviews
daisybabe73 wrote a review Mar 2024
Edmonton, Canada
3.0 of 5 bubbles
We stayed in a third floor room with two double beds and a washroom, which included a shower.

Pros: Friendly staff, nice clean, quiet building, reasonably priced (two nights for the price of one at any other Banff hotel).

Cons: The building is quite old, & has radiators on the walls that are only controlled by a central boiler. Our room was well over 30 degrees at check in. With both windows wide open and a fan the front desk gave us, it was still too warm to sleep comfortably, even though it was -15 degrees Celsius outside. Also, beds are only doubles, not queens, so sharing is a bit tight.
Read more
Date of stay: March 2024Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip: Ask for a fan at check in.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cruiser2951 wrote a review Jul 2023
belle river Ontario, Canada
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Banff is expensive in the summer. After searching many places, prices were $400 to $500 or more per night. I found YWCA and Reading many reviews I was a bit worried. Some rooms you have to share a hallway bathroom with others ( which was not for me) but they did have rooms with private bathrooms in your room. Some pictures I seen showed very plain, nothing fancy, minimal accommodations. We knew what we signed up for but were still a bit worried.
Check in seemed normal, friendly service, quick and easy. Parking can be limited at certain times of the day and we had to park around back. . We were in a one bedroom on the 3rd floor facing the back of the property. Room was basic with a double bed, a nightstand with lamp, a desk/table with 2 chairs and a fan. Bathroom was very small. With toilet sink and small shower. Everything was clean. The room had newer flooring. There is no a/c, but many hotels don’t. But while we were there it cooled off at night and we had the windows open and did use the fan one night. Hôtel is close to town, you can walk over the bridge and you’re in downtown Banff. You can walk along the river to Bow Falls. I was happy with the stay. It saved us money. It was clean and close to town. Wifi worked well. We were barely there, only to sleep and shower. Other reviews said something about strange people roaming around, but we barely seen anyone at all. Front desk had extra bear spray for us to use. I would recommend this hotel to anyone trying to save some money, that just wants a clean no frills place to stay close to everything.
Read more
Date of stay: August 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Asheire wrote a review Feb 2020
Perth, Australia
4.0 of 5 bubbles
We stayed for a total of 5 nights. Our room was a private room with a double bed and a private shower. It was clean, tidy and toiletries were regularly topped up by the cleaner. The front desk staff were very helpful with giving information about the town of Banff and with responses to our questions about our booked tours with Brewster tours. It was quiet at night and close to some great tourist locations like the Buffalo nations museum and food joints like The Silver Dragon. All in all, I would definitely recommend this hotel and we'll be returning here in the future. There was laundry facilities that you could use and a kitchen with ovens, cooktops, microwaves and fridges for guests to use as they needed. The heating was also great in our room, not once did we feel cold during our February stay.
Read more
Date of stay: February 2020
5.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
Room Tip: Private room with a private shower had great views.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JC wrote a review Jul 2023
London, United Kingdom
5.0 of 5 bubbles
The YWCA Hotel was perfect for what we needed. It is difficult to find a place to stay in or around Banff that does not cost the Earth. The YWCA is a budget accommodation which many other that have left reviews seemed to have forgotten! I would not pay attention to a number of the reviews that have been left. I would also recommend reading the website, as you will see where the profits are spent...to benefit those who are in need.

We never had any issues with parking, there was always room at the property in the mornings and evenings.

Yes, the rooms are basic but you are staying in one of the most amazing areas in Canada so you really do not spend much time at the hotel anyway. The property is located a short walk from the center of the town, just over the Bow River. The Bow Falls are are short walk from the hotel, which is a must visit.
Read more
Date of stay: September 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sandra’s impressions wrote a review Jul 2023
London, United Kingdom
5.0 of 5 bubbles
We stayed here for four nights during our stay in Banff. It is in a great location and we always managed to find parking on the premises (although we always left and came back early!). Following booking the accommodation we saw the negative reviews that people had written about the place, which made us slightly apprehensive. Following our experience, there really was no cause for concern - we never experienced anything or anybody unpleasant. It is important to remember this is budget accommodation. We stayed in a private room with private bathroom. The room remained cool throughout the day and evening and the bed was fine. The shower was a little temperamental, but perfectly usable. Staff were always very friendly and approachable and we had no problems during our stay. Would recommend for a budget option in Banff.
Read more
Date of stay: July 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: Arrive before dinner time to guarantee a parking space
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
poppythesurfingdog wrote a review Jul 2024
Ballymena, United Kingdom
1.0 of 5 bubbles
This is a “Hostel” and NOT a hotel!!!!! !!! On the website the rooms look simple but clean, bright and airy. This is not how we found it.
On our arrival the receptionist also told us how they had permanent residents in the hostel/ hotel, as it was a YWCA.
Our room was so dark and dreary with hardly any light. It was clean, but that was all that we found remotely nice. Shower didn’t work properly and I got scalded and couldn’t turn the temperature down so had to jump out of the shower as quickly as possible. It was also tiny and the water ran all over the floor.
Location was also good…but for a few extra pounds we could have stayed somewhere much nicer.
Read more
Date of stay: June 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: Book somewhere else!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
valeriebrainy wrote a review Feb 2020
Montreal, Canada
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Well located for the price. The rooms and bathrooms are clean but the kitchen is a real nightmare :/ We ended up eating in the hallway. There are also many rooms/living space, employees rooms but the guests can not use them and they are pretty much empty ....
Read more
Date of stay: January 2020
4.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
2.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
3.0 of 5 bubblesService
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from ywcabanffhotel, Marketing Coordinator at The YWCA Banff Hotel
Responded Feb 12, 2020
Bonjour Valerie, Merci d’avoir pris le temps de nous laisser vos commentaires et suggestions sur de multiples plateformes. Nous apprécions grandement votre choix d’avoir passer une nuit dans notre établissement lors de votre séjour à Banff. Nous somme toutefois désolé de ne pas avoir été en mesure de vous offrir un séjour gratuit, tel que demandé, en tant qu’influenceuse, et qu’en consequence, nos installations n’est pas comblés tous vos standards, aussi élevé soient-ils. Nous travaillons d’arrache-pied afin de maintenir nos aires communes irréprochable, mais il semblerait que, lors de votre séjour, nous ayons eu quelque lacune. Malgré tout, dans l’éventualité où vous séjourneriez à nouveau dans l’ouest, nous espérions avoir droit à une seconde chance. Enfin, laissé nous souligner que votre séjour au YWCA, qui est une entreprise à but non lucratif, a profité à des programmes qui viennent en aide aux femmes, aux enfants et aux familles de notre communauté. Nous espérons que vous profitez du reste de votre voyage. Sarah Hello Valerie, Thank you for taking the time to leave us reviews across multiple platforms. We do greatly appreciate that you chose to stay with us for a night during your trip to Banff! We are sorry we were unable to provide the free stay you requested as influencers and that subsequently, you found our accommodations didn’t meet your high standards’. We work hard to maintain our communal facilities and it sounds like on this occasion we may have fallen short, despite this we hope you will consider giving us another chance if you end up back out west. As a social enterprise, your stay has gone directly to supporting programs and services that empower women, children and families in our community. We hope you enjoy the rest of your road trip! Sarah
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
These reviews are machine translated from their original language. Show machine translations?
Bufalo1 wrote a review Nov 2024
Rome, Italy
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Little more than a hostel, as expected. Extremely spartan. However clean and quite functional but, above all, cheap compared to the crazy, crazy, crazy prices that there are in Banff. Good location, just across the Bow river: the centre of Banff is a short walk away. Staff particularly helpful and friendly. There is a spacious communal kitchen for those who want to cook there. There is also a few parking spaces, but there are not many. Appreciated the philosophy behind the management of the hotel. Recommended for not spending much and for short stays
Read more
Automatically translated
Date of stay: August 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
900Rob wrote a review Oct 2024
Tavistock, United Kingdom
5.0 of 5 bubbles
We wanted self-catering, & this had the cleanest kitchen we have ever stayed at!
Friendly Staff will lend you a bear spray. Free car parking.
Perfect location for downtown & for public transport to The Gondola & Lake Louise etc (car parks there fill up fast).
Room not large but nice.
Read more
Date of stay: September 2024
5.0 of 5 bubblesValue
4.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
5.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
5.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
5.0 of 5 bubblesSleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
chat-noir-paris wrote a review Jul 2024
Toronto, Canada
1.0 of 5 bubbles
You may think you're saving a buck to stay here. But in fact you're destroying your vacation. This is the worst place I have ever been to. Isn't the main function of a hotel to be able to sleep in it? Well, can you in a room temperature of over 30? The photos in this listing probably belong to decades ago. The room are awful. When we arrived the private washroom was unclean, there was hair in the bed. All would be OK if the room was livable. The communal kitchen is terribly smelly. Really should be classed down. Avoid. Avoid. Avoid.
Read more
Date of stay: July 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Answer from Ajit
Ingleburn, Australia327 contributions216 helpful votes
If you booked a room ensuite bathroom then it will have a private bathroom But, If you booked a room with share facility then you won't get a private bathroom
poppythesurfingdog wrote a tip Jul 2024
Ballymena, United Kingdom347 contributions268 helpful votes
1.0 of 5 bubbles
"Book somewhere else!"
Read full review
daisybabe73 wrote a tip Mar 2024
Edmonton, Canada34 contributions7 helpful votes
3.0 of 5 bubbles
"Ask for a fan at check in."
Read full review
Sandra’s impressions wrote a tip Jul 2023
London, United Kingdom70 contributions15 helpful votes
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"Arrive before dinner time to guarantee a parking space"
Read full review
Vee R wrote a tip Jul 2023
3 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
"Not value for money. YWCA claim to be a 2 Star hotel but it not. All you get is 4 walls, a bed, bed bugs & table. No comfort whatsoever. "
Read full review
Asheire wrote a tip Feb 2020
Perth, Australia34 contributions3 helpful votes
4.0 of 5 bubbles
"Private room with a private shower had great views."
Read full review
Not the right property for you?
There are more places to choose from in the Banff area.
PRICE RANGE
C$84 - C$104 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
banff y mountain hotel banff
FORMERLY KNOWN AS
Banff Y Mountain Lodge
LOCATION
CanadaAlbertaCanadian RockiesBanff National ParkBanff
NUMBER OF ROOMS
42
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
Is This Your Tripadvisor Listing?

Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.

Claim Your Listing

The YWCA Banff Hotel - UPDATED Prices, Reviews & Photos

Frequently Asked Questions about The YWCA Banff Hotel
Which popular attractions are close to The YWCA Banff Hotel?
Nearby attractions include Cascade Gardens (0.2 km), Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies (0.5 km), and Banff Park Museum (0.3 km).
What are some of the property amenities at The YWCA Banff Hotel?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, free parking, and meeting rooms.
Is parking available at The YWCA Banff Hotel?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to The YWCA Banff Hotel?
Conveniently located restaurants include The Balkan Mediterranean Restaurant, Chuck's Steakhouse & Patio, and BeaverTails.
Is The YWCA Banff Hotel located near the city centre?
Yes, it is 0.5 km away from the centre of Banff.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at The YWCA Banff Hotel?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and French.
Are there any historical sites close to The YWCA Banff Hotel?
Many travellers enjoy visiting Cave and Basin National Historic Site (1.6 km), The Luxton Home Museum (0.6 km), and Old Crag Cabin (0.6 km).
Is The YWCA Banff Hotel accessible?
Yes, it offers wheelchair access. For specific enquiries, we recommend calling ahead to confirm.
All Banff HotelsBanff Hotel DealsLast Minute Hotels in BanffHotels near The YWCA Banff Hotel
Things to DoRestaurantsFlightsVacation RentalsTravel StoriesCruisesRental Cars