If you’ve been craving a friend-cation that balances luxury, comfort, and adventure, the newly renovated Kenrick Hotel in Banff is your go-to spot. Nestled right on Banff Ave. in the heart of town, but down the street enough that there’s a bit of a quiet haven, this stylish hotel is the perfect home base for exploring the Canadian Rockies while enjoying time together in a modern, spacious retreat.
Whether you’re taking a plane from the other side of Canada, or out of the country; or just a short drive away in Calgary or another Albertan city, The Kenrick is going to be on your bucket list to make any getaway feel like a luxurious resort vacation.
The datenight team from both Alberta and Ontario took to the mountains to check out this stunning new build for a group getaway and are already counting down the days until we can return!
Read more about The Kenrick Hotel and our getaway below.
what welcomes you
The Kenrick’s lobby sets the tone for the entire hotel. Walking into the doors you’re greeted with such calming and natural hues that catch the sun beautifully, high ceilings, stylish and contemporary furniture, elegant marble accents in luxurious shades, and stunning coffee table books make it feel like a boutique studio-meets-designer condo.
You can browse their selection of literature and games, that you’re also able to request in your room.
the [deluxe family] suite life
We stayed in the Deluxe Family Suite, and it truly lives up to its name. With two bedrooms that included one king bedroom with a balcony, a second huge bedroom with two queen beds and Juliette balcony views from two sides, the sleeping accommodations were closer to a house than a hotel.
The suite also had two full bathrooms, so accommodating four people getting ready was thankfully a breeze and fit everyone so comfortably.
The living room is open concept and designed for maximum comfort, with a large L-shaped couch facing a large flat screen TV, a record player with The Kenrick‘s curated selection of vinyls (Fleetwood Mac included!), and a counter-height kitchen table with seating.
The full kitchen has everything you need and the layout makes it easy to cook, hang out, or even host a mini game night. Between the record player, board games, and spacious common areas, it’s soo ideal for a group getaway.
emphasis on wellness
THE NORA POOL
The Kenrick Hotel’s wellness hub, the Nora Pool, is a standout – not only a standout experience on this getaway, but a standout among others when it comes to your hotel pool deck.
With floor-to-ceiling windows framing the Banff skyline and Cascade Mountain views, the space is light, airy, full of neutral tones, and calming to the highest degree.
Because we stayed in the Deluxe Family Suite, we had complimentary access to one of their comfortable cabanas, which made our hydrotherapy experience even more relaxing. You can also request books, magazines, drinks, and bites and music to enhance your pool experience!
We worked through the full hydrotherapy circuit that Nora Pool offers: their refreshing saltwater pool, cold plunge pool and showers (it’s a brisk one; definitely colder than most!), invigorating sauna, steam room, and whirlpools.
easy for exploring banff
Location-wise, The Kenrick can’t be beat. We were just under a 10-minute walk from the main shops and restaurants along Banff Ave that make that mountain getaway oh so special.
During our stay, we grabbed lunch at Pizzeria Sophia (and we highly recommend it), enjoyed the Lake Minnewanka Cruise (about a 15-minute drive from the hotel), explored downtown shops for souvenirs, and even grabbed a drink at Banff Ave Brewing.
For dinner with a view, we went up the Banff Gondola (less than 10 minutes from the hotel) and dined at Sky Bistro on the summit of Sulphur Mountain – an unforgettable meal with stunning vistas.
Back in town, we even fit in some fun at High Rollers Bowling along Banff Ave, just steps from the hotel. It really showed us just how much fun having your base at The Kenrick can be when spending time in Banff!
One of the highlights of our stay was meeting The Kenrick Hotel’s owners, Greg and Linda Irwin. Spending time with them at the Nora [aka Elizabeth] pool and hearing their stories about the transformation of the hotel, their family, and the history of Banff from their eyes and legacy added a personal, heartfelt touch to the trip. It really felt like we were part of the family for a weekend.
[Stay was hosted by The Kenrick Hotel. Views are our own.]
