Staying at the Fairmont Banff Springs was magical. Watching the sunset over Mount Rundle while strolling the beautiful hotel grounds or exploring the historical Castle in the Rockies made for an unforgettable stay.
OUR SUITE: We had booked a 2 Queen room in the Gatehouse hoping for a room larger than those in the main building. Nothing prepared us for our beautiful two-room corner suite complete with a fireplace and sweeping views of the mountains and the main hotel building. The spacious modern bathroom had a large walk-in marble shower with rain head. Daily housekeeping was excellent.
But reconsider staying at the Gatehouse if you have mobility issues. The layout of the hotel is very confusing - getting from the Gatehouse to the main building requires tackling stairs and switching elevator banks. We found that walking outside between the Gatehouse and the main building was faster and easier than the indoor trek between the main building and our room.
RESTAURANTS: Signature restaurants include a steakhouse, a French bistro, an Alpine restaurant, a wine and pizza bar (oddly not open for lunch) and an Italian restaurant. Limited breakfast and lunch options. Favorites were 1888 Chop House and the iconic Rundle Bar. Reservations recommended especially during the peak summer tourist season.
COMPLIMENTARY RESORT ACTIVITIES: Before signing up for excursions with third party operators, consider the free tours, hikes and activities available to all Fairmont guests. Sign up early for limited spots else you might be placed on a wait list. We went on an e-bike wildlife tour on which we spotted three herds of elk. These bike and hiking tours are quality tours led by enthusiastic hotel staff - comparable tours might cost $100 or more.
Additional hotel perks: free ROAM bus passes ($2 routes only), free admission to the Whyte Museum and other free hotel activities such as daily fitness classes (yoga, pilates, boot camp training), pottery and paint & sip classes, wine and cheese tastings, caricature portraits, Bingo and trivia nights plus the indoor and outdoor heated salt water pools that do not require booking a spa treatment.
Note: hotel guests can also purchase private excursions hosted by the Fairmont staff or approved third party operators including a 1/2 day or full day shuttle (not a tour) to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. Ideal for those who want to plan their own day of hiking at the lakes. This is also a good option if you have been unsuccessful booking a seat on the Parks Canada or Roam shuttles or if you want to skip group tours.
HIDDEN SPOTS to escape the crowds: Among our favorite spots was a large open room near the Adventure Center. With its soaring two story windows, comfortable seating with table board games and a pair of bison heads watching over us, this was a nice spot to unwind and relax.
For large groups traveling together, there is also the Living Room located near the 1888 Chop House. This guest-only area features four or five large distinct sitting areas cleverly partitioned (with no walls) so that you feel like you have your own private designer-decorated living room.
NOT A HOTEL GUEST? We suspect that almost every first-time tourist to Banff will drop by the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. Unlike Fairmont Chateau Louise, here visitors are welcomed to stroll the grounds.
Favorite spots for incredible photo-op views of the Bow Valley and the mountains: the Secret Garden (lobby level - walk to end of the corridor where the Spa is located) and the outdoor patio area near the side hotel entrance for Gold Lounge guests (pass through arch entrance across from the finger pointing statue of Sir van Horne).
Plus everyone is welcomed to dine at any of the restaurants at the Fairmont Banff Springs. If you're lucky, there will be a seat waiting for you at the Rundle Bar :o)
CONCIERGE TEAM: Finally, a special thanks to the Concierge Team. While planning our trip, they provided invaluable advice to help design our unforgettable vacation. When an unexpected issue with an outside vendor arose, they stepped in and came to our rescue.
