Banff, Alberta’s Most Luxurious Hotel: Fairmont Banff Springs
Modeled after a Scottish Baronial Castle, The Fairmont Banff Springs is a unique accommodation in the Canadian Rockies at worst and a majestic dreamland at best.
That may sound a little over-stated, but where else can you find plush rooms, a world-class spa, championship golf courses, and every kind of cuisine imaginable all under one roof? And did we mention that it is located right in Banff National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site within minutes of Rocky Mountain ski slopes?
Stay in this castle in the Canadian Rockies and you won’t be disappointed. The luxury, hospitality and individual attention at The Fairmont Banff Springs is unrivaled.
The resort is also a great place to hold a reception- whether it’s for your wedding, retirement or a company Christmas party! There is a wide selection of banquet rooms to choose from. After the reception, your guests can just head up to their rooms in the hotel!
Whether you’re there for a big event or just on a relaxing vacation, the Willow Stream Spa will be a highlight of your trip. This 38,000 square-foot spa overlooking the Rockies has a therapeutic mineral pool with three cascading waterfalls, private steam and inhalation rooms, saunas, whirlpools, sun terraces for men and women and offers all the spa treatments you could imagine. Ask about the regional treatments!
For those looking for the ultimate getaway, The Fairmont Banff Springs is now offering Fairmont GOLD. Guests on this floor of the hotel will experience superb personalized service including a private check-in desk, personal concierge service and an expansive guest lounge. The guest rooms are elegant, spacious suites with real feather pillows and plush comfortable robes, amongst other posh amenities.
The dining options at the resort are diverse enough to fit any taste. You’ll find regional, contemporary and international cuisine right on the resort. There are so many great choices that a weekly dining guide is published for guests to help you make your selection! Stand outs include Castello Ristorante (Italian), Samurai Sushi Bar (Japanese) and Waldhaus (Swiss/German fondue).
Restaurant reservations can be booked when you reserve your room at The Fairmont Banff Springs. The restaurants are also open to the general public. Read here about restaurant descriptions at the hotel.
If you can actually peel yourself away from the hotel grounds, you’ll be in a great position for sightseeing in Banff National Park. The Icefields Parkway is a great scenic drive past the mountains, lakes, streams and glaciers of the park. This parkway will also connect you to The Fairmont Banff Springs’ sister resorts: The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge.
Kids will love the new program organized by the resort called Banff Explorers-Into The Wild. This program starts the summer of 2010 and consists of a day (or half day) of exploration, excitement and education for children and their parents. Teach your kids about environmental stewardship in a fun way! Program activities may include learning about photography, playing sports, cooking classes, and field trips into the park!
And of course, the park’s wilderness offers a wealth of activities for the whole family. Downhill or cross-country ski, dog sled, snow shoe and ice-skate in the winter and golf, hike, fish, raft and horseback ride in the summer.
My sister and I recently were booked into Room 249 at the Banff Springs Fairmont and were very disappointed in our accommodations. The room was dark, at the back of the building, and as this was our first stay there we have no desire to return. We were there only one nite as we were taking the Rocky Mountaineer the next day. We have stayed at several Fairmonts over the yrs but had never had a room that was so tired looking.