Where to stay if you want a pool in Banff, Lake Louise and Canmore

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Where to stay if you want a pool in Banff, Lake Louise and Canmore

Whether you’re travelling with kids (or still a kid at heart), staying in a hotel with a pool is pretty sweet. For one, it’s a great way to channel after-dinner energy into something fun and active for the youngsters. For two, nothing says “winter vacation in Canada-ahhhh” like spending the whole day bundled-up only to strip down and soak in a bubbling hot pool.

If you’re looking for a hotel with a pool in Banff, Lake Louise or Canmore, look no further. We’ve rounded up the biggest, steamiest, most luxurious, top-secret, and kid-friendly hotel pools in Banff, Lake Louise and Canmore, plus some bonus spots only locals know about. Pack your water-wings, your winter vacation in Banff and Lake Louise just got way more splashy. 

Hotels with a pool in Banff

The Douglas Fir

If you’re a family with little ones that love to swim, The Douglas Fir should be at the top of your list. Home to not one but two giant indoor waterslides, The Douglas Fir’s indoor water park is a high-speed high-fun play area, which little kids and teens will love. Plus, it’s got a kiddie-friendly wading pool (for the extra mini ones) and a 24-person jacuzzi because, hey, the more the merrier! Also don’t miss the chance to soak in their outdoor hot tub and slowly unwind those ski muscles in their sauna and steam room. 

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You’ll find two giant indoor waterslides and a 24-person jacuzzi in The Douglas Fir, in Banff. | Photo courtesy of The Douglas Fir

Fairmont Banff Springs

Fondly referred to as the “Castle of the Canadian Rockies”, staying at the Fairmont Banff Springs will make you feel like royalty, especially as you lounge poolside in their elegant fitness and aquatics centre. There, you can expect to find rows of rich, teal lounge chairs under hanging baskets of lush ferns. Feeling peckish? A Tofu Poke Bowl and flute of sparkling Rose can be delivered to your day bed within a matter of minutes. If you feel like a sweat before your swim, the Fairmont Banff Springs has a fully-equipped fitness centre and a team of top-level personal trainers. More bubbly or more burpees? We’ll leave that up to you. 

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Rows of rich, teal lounge chairs and hanging baskets of lush ferns is what you’ll find at the Fairmont Banff Springs pool. | Photo courtesy of Fairmont Banff Springs

Banff Park Lodge

Just steps from downtown Banff, the Banff Park Lodge is beloved for its easy access to nightlife, restaurants, and all the buzz of Banff Ave. However, not many people know of its modern, newly renovated pool. Designed with a complete aquatic experience in mind, the Banff Park Lodge aquatic centre includes a large swimming pool, plunge pool, hot tub and eucalyptus steam room. Whether you’ve been out slashing the slopes of Banff Sunshine or hitting the trails on a fat bike, this pool in Banff is a remedy to any Rocky Mountain adventure. 

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The pool in Banff Park Lodge is modern and newly renovated. | Photo courtesy of Banff Park Lodge

Fox Hotel & Suites

Want to know the biggest secret in Banff and Lake Louise? We probably shouldn’t be telling you this (because it’s just so cool), but the Fox Hotel & Suites is the site of a secret underground grotto – that you can swim in! Yes, you heard that right, this is the only hotel in Banff with a secret pool, modelled after Banff and Lake Louise’s historic Cave & Basin National Historic Site. Soak away under natural sunlight streaming in from above or swim at night under the stars. 

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The Fox Hotel & Suites has a top-secret grotto that’s open to the outdoors. | Photo courtesy of Banff Lodging Co.

Hotel with a pool in Lake Louise

Lake Louise Inn

Known for its pet-friendly rooms (yes, this hotel even has a dog page), the Lake Louise Inn is also known for its spectacular, newly renovated pool. With floor-to-ceiling windows framing untouched mountain views, this pool makes other pools jealous. Let the little ones play after a day of shredding the famous Lake Louise Ski Resort or sneak down after dinner for a romantic soak in their indoor whirlpool. 

Hotel with a pool in Canmore

The Malcolm Hotel

Canmore is another mountain town, just 20 minutes east of Banff. While some people choose to stay in condos or rent Air BnBs in Canmore, we recommend staying at The Malcolm Hotel. The Malcolm Hotel is one of Canmore’s newest hotels, known for its four-star service and luxurious amenities – including its elegant outdoor pool. Located on the second floor, the open-air mezzanine serves up unrivalled views of the Three Sisters and Mount Lawrence Grassi. If panoramic mountain views poolside is your idea of a vacation, this exclusive rooftop heated outdoor pool ticks all of those boxes. 

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The pool at The Malcolm Hotel in Canmore is an open mezzanine on the second floor with panoramic mountain views. | Photo courtesy of The Malcolm Hotel

Other spots to swim

Sally Borden Fitness & Recreation Centre, Banff

The Sally Borden Fitness & Recreation Centre is Banff’s local recreation space, featuring an aquatics centre, climbing gym, and fitness centre. In the aquatics centre, you’ll find a 25-metre pool, hot tub, warm wading pool and steam rooms. Favoured by visitors and locals alike, this glass-covered swimming pool in Banff is bright and modern with great views of Sulphur Mountain. An Adult Day Membership to access all of the facilities in the building costs only $20 and Youth (4-15 years old) Day Membership comes in at $16. 

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The Sally Borden Fitness & Recreation Centre is an affordable place for families to play! | Photo courtesy of the Banff Centre for the Arts & Creativity

Elevation Place, Canmore

Elevation Place, or “EP” as it’s more fondly known, is the ultimate indoor aquatic playground. If your little ones love to splash, it’s worth a day trip from Banff and Lake Louise to check out this incredible aquatic facility. At EP you’ll find a 25-metre pool with eight lanes, a leisure pool (with a gradual “beach edge” for tots), a lazy river, giant water slide, kids play zone, steam room, and a 25-person hot tub. Family and public swims happen nearly every day, take a look at their pool schedule and plan a trip to EP into your winter vacation in Banff and Lake Louise.  

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Elevation Place is the ultimate indoor aquatic playground in Canmore. | Photo courtesy of the Town of Canmore

Want to learn more about hotels in Banff and Lake Louise? 

Our Vacation Specialists can tell you all about the accommodation options in this area, including hotels with a pool in Banff!

Should you need a bit more flexibility with your travel plans this winter our no-questions-asked cancellation policy for both lift tickets and packages allows for free changes and full-refund cancellations until 14-days before arrival. To book your winter ski vacation or secure your multi-day lift tickets, call 1-844-754-2443 to speak with a Vacation Specialist or go online to access some exceptional Ski & Stay Package deals.

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