Accommodations
Most hotels in Banff offer a limited number of wheelchair accessible rooms. Facilities vary with each property.
Hotels that offer full wheel-in shower bathrooms:
The Juniper Hotel
Banff Park Lodge
Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel
Banff Caribou Lodge & Spa
Inns of Banff
High Country Inn
Traveller feedback on accommodations
Banff Caribou Lodge & Spa - Review: Not As Accessible as Ad Claims (Jan 2012) Notes from review: "The room was too small for my husband to move about [in a wheelchair] on his own, that is after we struggled to get through the heavy door to our room, after waiting for one of the elevators for 10 minutes that wasn't full of people so we could fit on.... I had requested a tub chair like offered in the description, no one seemed to understand what I was talking about." There is a management response to this review.
Banff International Hotel - Review: Very average hotel in a great location (May 2012) Notes from review: "...the front desk agent informed us that the underground parkade was full and that we would have to park on the street somewhere. ... my friend is not [familiar with the town] and ... finally found a spot three blocks away... if you have mobility issues, ask in advance about the parking situation, maybe they can do something for you."
Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel - Review: HORRIBLE!!! (Jan 2012) Notes from review: "Told [front desk clerk] my husband couldn't walk and we have a parking placard but still asssigned us to a parkade where he had to manoever down SIXTEEN stairs to get out of there (no elevators-so why have Handicap stalls?)." There is a management response to this review. Luxury & Service! (Mar 2012) Notes from review: "The only negative about self parking is that if you have any mobility issues, there is no elevator in the parkade so you may have to walk up & down 3 flights." Beautiful views and nooks and crannies to explore (Apr 2012) Notes from room tips section of review: "Choose a room in the hotel if you have limited mobility as there are stairs and long walks to get to the main foyer from the Stanley Thompson wing."
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise - Review: Infested by tourists (Apr 2012) Notes from review: ",,,if you have an issue with stairs don't bother bringing your bathing suit. I had a sprained ankle and had to hop down 3 flights of stairs to be able to use the not so hot tub..."
High Country Inn - Review: Good value (Feb 2012) Notes from review: " I wouldn't reccomend the rooms above the pool area to someone with mobility issues as you have to go a ways from the elevator and up a short fight of stairs."
The Juniper Hotel - Review: Excellent Hotel (Apr 2012) Notes from review:"there are stairs and no elevator in this hotel, mobility impaired guests should ask for assistance with luggage"
Red Carpet Inn - Review: Dive (Mar 2012) Notes from review: " I noticed the hotel has no handicap access, not even automatic doors."
Rocky Mountain B&B - Review: First time in the Rockies (Feb 2012) Notes from review: "My travelling companion who has a disability also felt very welcome and all his requests were well-received although the B&B is not physically accessible....If your'e travelling with a disability or like your privacy I'd recommend a room with an ensuite bathroom [Room 5 or 6]"
Wheelchair rental
You can rent wheelchairs at the following locations, prices are as of August 2009:
Gourlay's Pharmacy in the Wolf & Bear Mall at (you guessed it!) the corner of Wolf and Bear Streets. $50 per week plus $150 deposit. They have 5 and always have one available so they don't take reservations
Rexall Pharmacy in the lower level of Cascade Plaza, at the corner of Wolf Street and Banff Avenue. $10/day, no weekly rate; $200 deposit. They have 2 - sometimes both are rented out.
Thanks to timriley12 for providing this information in a post on the Banff Forum!
Wheelchair accessibility
In recent years, curb cuts have been installed throughout the downtown area of Banff, and handicapped stalls are plentiful and clearly marked. Newer buildings are barrier-free, however there are some older buildings that have no elevators and may have barriers to accessibility. Side streets may not have sidewalks, and may have steep sections.
The Bow Riverside trail is paved and accessible throughout its length, and is a lovely spot for peace and relaxation while still being near the downtown area.
The Lake Louise summer sightseeing gondola is partially accessible. Click here for details.
Dining
Taxi Mike's dining guide indicates which restaurants are wheelchair accessible. The St. James Gate Olde Irish Pub has been mentioned by forum members as a candidate for Banff's most wheelchair accessible restaurant.
The Keg Steakhouse & Bar - Caribou Lodge location
The Meatball Pizza & Pasta - located in the Ptarmigan Inn
Chili's Grill & Bar - located in the Fox Hotel
More traveller feedback on dining
Wild Bill's Legendary Saloon - Review: Good Food/Great Service (Feb 2012) Notes from review: "...you must be able to climb a large flight of stairs to reach the dinning room..."
Traveller Feedback on Attractions
Banff Upper Hot Springs - Review: Rude, Very Dissapointing (Feb 2012) Notes from review: "My Husband has a prosthetic leg. We wanted to look at the pool entrances to see if my husband would be able to take his leg off and if there was a convenient place for him to do so, and then put it while we were enjoying the Hot Springs. The older male employee in the entrance where you pay, would not let us do so. We explained why [twice] ... he still wanted to know why my husband had to take his leg off??? We said he never wears it in the water, and that he would not want to take a chance of having to walk around with a wet socket and getting blisters.... We never were able to view the pool entrances.. Needless to say we just walked away and did not go back to enjoy the Hot Springs.... "
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