Hotels & Chalets · Our pick in the mountains
Fairmont Banff Springs
The ‘Castle in the Rockies’, since 1888 · In depth
About Fairmont Banff Springs
Fairmont Banff Springs has welcomed travellers since 1888, a baronial castle minutes from the town of Banff inside Banff National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has 724 rooms and suites, the 40,000 sq ft Fairmont Spa with its mineral pools, two pools, golf and a collection of restaurants and bars.
The Castle in the Rockies
Few hotels anywhere have a silhouette as famous. The Banff Springs rises above the Bow Valley a few minutes from the town of Banff, with wildlife, hiking and championship golf on the doorstep. In winter it is a base for three ski areas, Banff Sunshine, Lake Louise and Mt Norquay, and between ski days the hotel lends ice cleats, snowshoes and fat-tyre bikes.
The Fairmont Spa
At 40,000 sq ft, the spa is built around mountain air and glacial water. Its wellness area includes an indoor mineral pool and pulsating waterfall plunge pools, with steam rooms and mountain views, and a menu of massages, body treatments and facials, from the Mountain Hot Stone massage to the Ultimate Ascent ritual. A health club and fitness centre, a recovery space and group fitness and yoga classes are included for guests.
Canada’s “Castle in the Rockies”, in the hotel’s words, welcoming travellers since 1888.
There are two pools besides: an indoor pool with lap lanes and quiet relaxation areas, and an outdoor pool for family fun with poolside food, opening at 6am.
Rooms and suites
The 724 rooms and suites range from cosy rooms tucked into quiet corners of the castle to spacious suites with summit views. Fairmont rooms are the entry point; Fairmont View and Deluxe View rooms add mountain views, and Deluxe rooms more space; suites crown the range.
Eating and drinking
The 1888 Chop House serves the best of Alberta beef, with everything made in-house. The Vermillion Room is a grand, lively brasserie; Grapes serves handcrafted pizzas and antipasti; STOCK Food & Drink is the gourmet market and café. Rundle Bar is the place for a cocktail and the hotel’s finest mountain views, and its Afternoon Tea is a Banff ritual; Ramsay Bar, in the Gatehouse Foyer, is the relaxed après spot. Private dinners can be held in the 360° Dome.
Our advice: ask for a Fairmont View or Deluxe View room facing the valley, give a full afternoon to the spa’s mineral pools, and book the 1888 Chop House for dinner. Afternoon Tea in Rundle Bar is the gentlest way to spend a snowy day.
Why it's on our list
- 40,000 sq ft Fairmont Spa with indoor mineral pool
- Waterfall plunge pools and steam rooms
- Indoor lap pool and heated outdoor pool
- 724 rooms and suites
- 1888 Chop House, The Vermillion Room and Rundle Bar
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Fairmont Banff Springs before you go.
Check availability
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Or book direct with Fairmont Banff Springs: fairmont.com