Fairmont Banff Springs

About Fairmont Banff Springs

The Banff Springs has been the most recognizable building in the Canadian Rockies since 1888, and the view from Surprise Corner looking up at the castle against Mount Rundle has not lost anything in 130 years. Inside, the scale is genuinely impressive. At 757 rooms spread across a building that took decades to complete, you can get lost here on purpose.

The Willow Stream Spa is one of the best hotel spas in the country with a Roman-style mineral pool and a full thermal circuit. The pools on the lower terrace are heated year-round. The golf course sits in the valley below with views that are distracting in the best way. For dining, 1888 Chop House is the serious meal and the Rundle Bar is where you want to be at 5pm. Waldhaus is the hidden option most guests miss.

The trade-off is scale. With this many rooms, service ranges from excellent to indifferent depending on the day and the desk. Book the Fairmont Gold floor if budget allows as the lounge access changes the experience considerably. Request a Bow Valley view room and avoid the courtyard-facing options. In winter, skating on the outdoor rink with the castle lit up behind you is one of those Banff experiences that earns its reputation.