Having spent five nights at the Homestead Inn for a conference I thoroughly enjoyed my stay and was most impressed by the friendly and helpful staff at reception who had excellent local knowledge. The room was spacious and very clean and the facilities were good (fridge was particularly useful), although there was only a coffee maker (no kettle) in the room. The location is great, just a minutes walk to Bow river and a few minutes to a supermarket, the main shopping street and local bus route. I look forward to staying here again as the staff gave great service and made me feel very welcome on my first trip abroad travelling alone.

We spent one night here and were satisfied with clean comfortable and inexpensive accommodation. Somewhat on the style of a motel (with external corridor and no lift to second floor) but larger rooms than standard and access to all facilities at Banff Park Lodge across the street, and dining in Melissas next door. Wi-fi was extra but I have no complaint given the very low room price. Very pleasant staff.

Generally positive experience, put off by niggling charges for incidentals.

I booked into the Homestead for a conference held at the Banff Park Lodge across the street (same ownership). Rates at $85 plus surtaxes (conference rate) were cheaper than in the main hotel.

Reservation was handled quite courteously and competently. Confirmation sent by e-mail which is always nice.

Front Desk - note, you check in at the (rather small) front desk at the Homestead, not across the street at the Banff Park Lodge. All was in order except they could not accommodate my request for a room on the ground floor.

It is annoying to be charged extra ($5 / day) for WiFi access, and $1 per call to call toll free numbers. The dollar amount is small but why anger the customers?

Once paid for and connected, the WiFi was a little flaky, about average for hotels.

Room : quite spacious, second floor, no elevator, "hallway" is outside which would be a little chilly in winter. Anyone with mobility issues, or large luggage, bikes etc would do well to request a ground floor room.

Noise in the early morning from dumpsters in the back alley behind the hotel.

The room was quite clean, no dust bunnies. Although they say all the rooms are non smoking, there were signs of (old?) cigarette burns on the carpet. No detectable odour of smoke however.

Bed quite comfortable.

Room amenities: small bar fridge was nice, coffee maker (not stocked with decaf' coffee, but they did supply some quite cheerfully on request). Full range of TV channels.

Bath: full size bath tub is nice. Fixtures, tile, caulking, tub surround, lino etc can be summed up as old, worn but not worn out. Surprising to see an old "high flush" toilet.

Location: far superior to hotels farther north on the Banff Ave strip. It is a block off Banff Ave and quite close to the parks / walkways etc by the Bow River.

Hotel amenities: you can use the pool etc across the street at the Banff Park Lodge, although of course in the winter this involves bundling up to get there.

Peter aka front desk person was very nice and helpful and friendly. Room is large and nice. Free parking. We were most impressed with the fact that the pics on their site did not due justice to the location and the place itself. We just came in from radium hot spring. Paid 74$ there and now we are doing 125$ here. I believe its worth every penny. Also swimming pool, which is right accross the street in their sister hotel. Have not checked it out but will for sure. We are planning to stay for two nights. So far so good.

Exec summary: will come back for sure.