$150–200

Some of Banff [1]’s private residences have cabins for rent. One of the reasons that Country Cabin Bed & Breakfast (419 Beaver St., 403/762-3591, www.banffmountaincountry.com/cabin [2], $150 s or d) is the best of these is the quiet location off busy Banff Avenue but still within easy walking distance of downtown. The log cabin has a separate bedroom, a full bathroom with log and tile features surrounding a jetted tub, and a living area equipped with a fold-out futon and a TV/VCR combo. If you don’t feel like dining downtown, you can cook up a storm on the barbecue supplied.

Spruce Grove Inn (545 Banff Ave., 403/762-3301 or 800/879-1991, www.banffsprucegroveinn.com; $165–275 s or d) is a modern mountain-style lodge and relatively good value at $185 s or d (upgrade to a king bed for $200 s or d or a Loft Suite that sleeps four for $225).

Toward downtown from the Spruce Grove is the High Country Inn (419 Banff Ave., 403/762-2236 or 800/293-5142, www.banffhighcountryinn.com [3], from $175 s or d), which has a heated indoor pool, spacious hot tubs, a cedar-lined sauna, and the ever-popular Ticino Swiss/Italian restaurant. All rooms are adequately furnished with comfortable beds and an earthy color scheme.

Constructed by the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1922, Storm Mountain Lodge (Hwy. 93, 403/762-4155, www.stormmountainlodge.com [4], early Dec.–mid-Oct., $169–289 s or d) is at Vermilion Pass, a 25-minute drive from Banff [1] or Lake Louise [5] (head west from the Castle Mountain interchange). Each cabin has its original log walls along with a log bed, covered deck, a wood-burning fireplace, and bathroom with claw-foot tub. They don’t have phones or TVs, so there’s little to distract you from the wilderness experience. Off-season deals include a breakfast and dinner package (mid-Apr.–mid-June) from $225 d. The lodge restaurant is one of my favorite places to eat in the park.