There is no better time to visit the Canadian Rocky Mountains than during the magical time of Winter. The Rimrock Resort situated at the base of Sulphur Mountain in Banff is the perfect place to warm up by a fire with your favourite cocktail, all while taking in the breathtaking beauty of the snow covered mountains surrounding you.
Rimrock Resort: A Review of A Spectacular Resort In The Rocky Mountains
The Rimrock Resort truly is a diamond set among the beauty of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. It’s the perfect spot for travellers seeking a resort close enough to the attractions, while at the same time providing the feeling of being lost in the wilderness. It is the perfect place to rest your weary head after a full day of exploring nature’s beauty.
Does this view get any better?
Reservations
Reserving the perfect room for my short journey to Banff National Park was made easy by the reservation clerk at the Rimrock Resort. She was pleasant and helpful and recommended that I join the Loyalty Program so that I would receive some additional perks and benefits.
Concierge
Since I was only visiting Banff for 3 nights and 2 days, I knew exactly what I wanted to see. The reservation clerk recommended that I contact the concierge prior to my arrival to book my tours so that I would be guaranteed to see the attractions that I wanted to.
Pro Tip: Contact concierge prior to your arrival to reserve the tours you want
The concierge was fantastic! After the initial telephone call, we corresponded through email at which time he sent me a list of all of the tours available during my stay. I eventually chose my tours and booked them directly with the concierge. My only disappointment was the hiking tours that I was hoping to do were not yet available due to poorer weather conditions.
Banff had experienced a long lasting winter and the hiking tours weren’t being offered until June (I was visiting in May), due to snow and the potential for an avalanche (which by I did happen to see when I was visiting). But next time I will schedule my trip around the hiking season.
Location
For my purposes, the Rimrock Resort couldn’t have had a better location. It is located on Sulphur Mountain, a 5 minute drive from Banff. The famous Banff Hot Springs and Banff Gondola were just a short walk away.
If you want to spend time in the Village of Banff not to worry, the Resort provides free bus service to and from the Village.
Rooms
The Resort offers various room types from a standard double to suites. I opted for the Premium King room which offered a huge balcony over-looking the mountains and the resort courtyard. It was the perfect spot to relax with a morning coffee or an evening glass of wine, while being in complete awe of the surrounding mountains, a site I would never tire of.
Just One Tip: Book a room looking out onto the mountains
The room was massive and provided all of the usual amenities, including a Keurig machine, coffee, refrigerator, nice size flat screen television with an ample number of channels, hair dryer, body wash, shampoo, and conditioner. There were also snacks and water available, for a fee.
Restaurants At The Rimrock Resort
Primrose: The Primrose is located on the level below the main level and offers a full view of the mountains. It serves primarily Italian cuisine which is to die for!
On a side note, this is the only restaurant that I have ever walked into as a solo traveller and not been asked “for two” or “for how many”. This never ceases to amaze me, so thank you Primrose for noticing that I was Just One person.
Larkspur: This restaurant is located in the main lobby and also provides a view of the mountains. The cozy fireplace offers the perfect spot to relax with a cocktail and new and old friends. The Larkspur also offers light snacks and pub fare. Since I was dining alone, the Larkspur is where I ate the majority of my meals. The food was delicious and the restaurant provides a casual laid back atmosphere which will make you feel right at home.
Eden: Eden is an upscale, fine dining restaurant, which also serves finer wines. The prices of this restaurant also reflect the quality of food you will be eating. I didn’t have the opportunity to dine in this restaurant, but I will definitely be giving it a try next time.
Diva’s Cocktail Bar: This bar is open on weekends and serves cocktails and martinis of your choice. It is the perfect spot to sit back, relax and take in a sporting event. It wasn’t open when I was there, hopefully next time I will be able to check it out.
Rimrock Café: Being that I am a coffee addict, I frequented this café regularly for my coffee. The café also carries some baked goods, snacks, water and pop. There are several tables outside of the café so that you can sit back with your coffee and do some people watching.
Enjoy coffee and people watching at the Rimrock Cafe
Room Service: I didn’t have the opportunity to use the room service, however it did appear that the menu was quite extensive and reasonably priced.
Amenities
The Rimrock Resort offers the typical amenities such as an indoor pool, hot tub, conference rooms and a spa, which had daily specials while I was there. Outside in the grass courtyard, you will find a large open space to relax with a cocktail. There is also a fire pit to warm you up during the winter months. There are lots of trails surrounding the Resort, so be sure to check them out while you are there. Unfortunately, I was too busy exploring the area and I didn’t have an opportunity to utilize any of the resort amenities. Next time I will stay longer.
Parking
There is ample parking at this Resort, however it comes at a cost. At the time of writing this post, the cost of parking was as noted below and could have changed since:
- Self-Parking: $22.00/night plus taxes
- Valet Parking: $36.00/night plus taxes
When budgeting for your stay, remember to factor parking into your budget, as it can add up.
Just One Tip: Call ahead or check the website for current cost of parking
Evaluation
The next time I am in Western Canada, I will return to this Resort in a heartbeat! My only complaint was that 3 nights and 2 days was not long enough to enjoy all of the amenities that this resort has to offer, as well as explore the Canadian Rockies. Next time, I will be staying for five nights so that I can have at least one spa and relax day at this diamond stuck in the middle of nature.
The Rimrock Resort: In Conclusion …
The customer service, concierge, restaurants, room and amenities were second to none. The location is perfect for enjoying the beauty of the mountains, but close enough to all of the attractions that Banff has to offer.
If this wasn’t enough for you, perhaps the exemplary customer service and elegant, but warm and inviting ambiance will encourage you to book this resort for a rest in the beautiful Canadian Rockies. It truly is a diamond in the Rockies that continues to sparkle.
“Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, So ….. get on your way!” – Dr. Seuss
SAFE & HAPPY TRAVELS 🙂
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SAVE THE RIMROCK RESORT FOR YOUR TRIP TO THE ROCKIES
