Date: April 2005
Reviewer: A tripadvisor traveller

We stayed in the Inn at this resort for 4 nights in April 2005. We booked one family room with 2 Queen sized beds. This is a fantastic ski resort with wonderful skiing. We chose to stay at the Sunshine Village Inn which promised great ski in and ski out facilities.

Good points: It has a wonderful outside hot tub, the restaurant is reasonably priced and has a varied menu offering good value. Staff were pleasant and helpful. Thats all I can say thats good about it I'm afraid.

Bad points: The hotel was built and designed in the 1970's -has the worst decor I've seen anywhere. The carpets need to be seen to be believed!!!The rooms were small and cramped and the bed sheets on my bed were torn and the blanket on my daughters bed had holes in it.

The lobby area was used by families on day trips camping out who brought their own picnics and sat there eating them - as were all the landings by the lifts on all floors - carpets throuhout as a result were soggy wet and the lifts smelt of damp dog and cheesy feet. The supposed "guest only" sitting room was also wet and the sofas in it were broken. There seemed to be no policy of "no ski boots inside". For the cost of the rooms it was expensive and of very poor quality and I for one will not go back there and I would recommend that convenience for skiing access does not justify the price for staying in such a dingy, dark and unappealing hotel.

I regret that their exclusive position has made the owners complacent. The whole hotel needs some serious investment and modernisation. I wonder if they have researched repeat visits by guests. I would doubt that many come back!!!

We only stayed one night at the inn and had two days skiing. The inn is great. Located at 7000 feet, you are in and on the Canadian Rockies. Nicely decorated. Service was great. The restaurant and bar , located on the ground level, were excellent and had a nice rustic atmosphere. The huge hot tub was great as well. The only downside is the gondola stops running 8-8:30 so if you want to have dinner in Banff you need to be back before the lift closes. That can also be a plus to some people. The skiing is good but a lot of flat spots.

We stayed at the Sunshine Inn during the first week of January and took advantage of their Ski week. I would highly recommend this for anyone who wishes to improve their skiing as the teaching is intense (2 hours in the morning and 2 in the afternoon) and caters for all abilities. The hotel itself is functional but very convenient for the slopes. If you’re here to ski then this is the place for you but if you hanker after more subtle creature comforts then the luxury hotels of Banff and Lake Louise might better suit you. The plus points are the free lift passes, ski school, on piste location and friendly staff. The one word of warning is to avoid booking a room with an interconnecting door, it made for a very noise night.

I stayed at the Sunshine Inn during their opening week and enjoyed every minute of it. The newly renovated hotel rooms are spacious and clean, with the most breathtaking view. The staff is accomadating, helpful, and friendly. I was told that the hotel was completly booked yet nothing in the service aspect was spared. I recieved prompt service from the front desk, to the delicious restaurants and rustic pub. I will happily stay here again considering the affordability of the resort. Your lift tickets for the day you arrive , the duration of your visit and the day you leave are all included, as well as ski packages including efficient ski/board instruction.