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Banff on a Budget – Accomodation

Posted on March 6, 2009February 12, 2014 by Billy Banff

Find the Best Banff, Alberta Accommodations on a Budget

Make no mistake about it, the words Banff and budget don’t sit so well together. You will not be able to live on four dollars a day. On the other hand, there is no need to spend your kids’ college fund on a week’s trip. Here is a list of some of the cheap accommodations, restaurants, and activities that you can enjoy without feeling so guilty.

The surrounding area of Banff is so beautiful in itself that it has been designated as an UNESCO World Heritage Site under the name of Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks. So, before you even get started with budgeted activities, take a walk and breathe in some of freshest air in the world.

Private Accommodation

Accommodation usually makes up a large portion of a travellers budget and hotels are not so cheap in Banff. Private accommodation is not easy to obtain but with help from these tips, you can have your own space and keep your wallet in order.

Due to strict regulations with living in Banff, most of the accommodations are guest bedrooms or 2nd floor suites because the park requires the homeowner to live on-site.

Because of these regulations, it is not exactly like having your own place as there will always be someone else around but generally, the owners are very unobtrusive. Accommodations range from ‘a well-appointed room with a comfortable bed’ to a ‘large suite ideal for families.’

The amenities of the private accommodations vary greatly. With a simple room, don’t expect more than the simple comforts you might get from a bed and breakfast but a private home accommodation should meet all the visitor’s needs. Refrigerator, microwave, stove and fully equipped kitchen should all be included.

Benefits of Private Home Accommodations

The advantages are clear to see. For starters, it is unlikely that you will have to pay the 4% Alberta Tourism Levy and 5% federal Goods & Services Tax Prices that have to be paid in hotels for example. The amenities can often be better than a hotel and with the money you will save from cooking at home, etc; there will be many more options to spend your money in Banff. It is also a good way for foreigners to immerse themselves in local culture.

“Because Banff is in a national park, all development is strictly controlled. To ensure that the park remains as wilderness, the boundaries of the town are fixed; the town cannot grow any larger. Almost no land is available for further development, and housing is already scarce for those who live and work in the town. Consequently, all residential properties must be occupied by someone with a “need to reside” in the park – or by someone who worked in the park for at least five years before retirement,” Steve Harper, Parks Canada.

One last and excellent option is . If you haven’t yet discovered it, have a look now. The essential spirit behind this is that travellers with little cash and in need of a place to stay can spend a night or two on another member’s couch. The favour is usually returned at some stage. What seemed like a risky idea has taken off and is a very useful tool for the adventurous traveller.

Check out Canadian Rockies for more choices

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