As is often the case, professional photographers and marketers can make an ordinary place look like paradise—and A Bear and Bison Inn is no exception. We stayed in Room No. 1, the “Honeymoon Suite,” located on the upper floor—accessible only by a single set of stairs, as there is no elevator.
The furniture felt outdated, with no table or desk, old armchairs, and two tiny tables that we had to use for our daily breakfast. The mattress and pillows were not very comfortable. The room itself was large and included a jacuzzi tub and a shower (though oddly, there was no separate shower in the bathroom). The bathroom offered no place to hang hand towels (is that fashionable in hotels these days?), and the toilet was very small—definitely not suitable for a man. On the positive side, everything was clean.
We chose this accommodation hoping for peace and views. The inn is located along a road in a residential neighborhood of Canmore, up in the hills above the valley. From our room, the view mostly consisted of houses across the street, with partial mountain views if you stepped out onto the small balcony, which had two comfortable chairs and a small table.
Breakfast was served every morning, featuring a different combination of eggs, pastries, and fruits. However, the French press coffee was terrible, so we opted for the Keurig coffee machine in the common area.
Definitely not worth nearly $500 CAD/ night. Canada has become extremely expensive, especially true in the tourism sector.
