I’ve been eagerly awaiting the opening of Moxy Banff, tracking its progress and snagging one of the first reservations on points. The wait was totally worth it! This place has a lot going for it, beyond the natural beauty of Banff National Park, the charming town, and nearby gems like Lake Louise.
Please give a warm welcome to Karan, RWRDS Canada’s newest contributor with this review of one of Marriott’s newest hotels in Canada!
We checked in on Monday and stayed until Friday, right during the shoulder season, so the property was about 80% full. There were a few finishing touches still being added, and some staff were still being hired to gear up for the busy season ahead.
Having stayed at the Moxy in Chicago before, I can confidently say that this location is a cut above. Let’s dive in!
Recommended reading: Marriott’s New Hotel Openings in Canada for 2024
Check-In, Lobby, and Communal Spaces
The layout of the check-in area and bar is excellent, creating a seamless and welcoming space. There is plenty of couch and table seating across the entire floor. The addition of card games, board games, and hockey gaming tables ensures there is something appealing for all ages. The welcome drink was a great touch, and the mobile key worked perfectly for all doors.
The Room
We booked the Two Queen Balcony room, which was a bit tight for us with two pets and a baby. The layout was efficient, with good utility features, such as an abundance of hooks in the room kept things from feeling cluttered. The back-to-back queen beds were a nice touch, though they could’ve been a bit softer. There were USB and charging ports near the beds and throughout the room.
Not having a fridge made things tricky with a baby – this was the only major inconvenience we faced. All the standard room layouts have you entering the room and stepping in to the washroom sink near the front door. After factoring in all of the space taken by our luggage, it felt congested near the entrance.
Overall, we loved the newness of the room, and the pool & courtyard views made us feel close to the action.
Amenities
Parking costs $25 per night, but one of the staff members kindly waived the fee for us. The Stash cupboard concept on each floor is fantastic; you can grab a shaving kit, dental kit, hair dryer, and other items not found in the room.
Swimming Pool & Courtyard
All the rooms face the courtyard, an open communal space with a pool, whirlpool tub, and more seating areas. The vibes are fantastic, especially when it’s buzzing with groovy music. The funky lighting also makes for fun photos.
Restaurant & Entertainment
The on-site restaurant features a food truck in front and kitchen at the back behind it. The menu includes tacos, pizzas, burgers, and a few other items, serving all meals including breakfast. The food quality was hit and miss, and the service was lacking, as most staff seemed to be in training. On Thursday night, a local artist was performing in the lobby and this was well executed.
Wrapping it up
With the opening of Moxy Banff, it is a no-brainer for all future trips to Banff. It’s a fun place to stay, and as a fan of the Moxy brand, I love the room design, even if the room feels a bit tight. I’m also hoping for a better food menu on future visits. The staff are still finding their footing, but that’s to be expected with a new property. All in all, it’s a fantastic spot to enjoy everything Banff has to offer.
Click here to learn more about and to book stay at the Moxy Banff
Award night details:
Points required for a free night: 30,000 to 50,000 points
Marriott Bonvoy does not publish award night charts anymore as they have moved to dynamic pricing. Looking at the next four months, standard free night awards at the Moxy Banff run between 30,000 and 50,000 points per night. This means you can use the free night award from the Marriott Bonvoy™ American Express®* Card or the Marriott Bonvoy™ Business American Express® Card on many nights outside of summer and easily top it off with points for the summer season when it goes as high as 50,000 points.
Talk to us!
Have you stayed at the Moxy Banff? What are your thoughts of the hotel? Or are you planning to and looking forward to it? Let us know below!
Title Image and Room image via Marriott – All other images by the author