Fairmont Banff Springs

After a light breakfast, my sister, her daughter and I drove to the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. We wanted to explore this castle-like structure surrounded by the Rocky Mountains. The grandeur of the wooden staircases leading to the many treasures held within her walls was one of the first impressive sites that greeted us as we entered the lobby. We were taken with the design and use of wood that holds UNESCO World Heritage status. We read a wall plaque relating the story of the haunted room number 873, sealed off by the Hotel due to the tragic murder of a young bride and the presence of bloody handprints as well as ghosts. The Hotel is also known for being the setting of the movie “The River No Return”. It has been offering hospitality to travellers since 1888. High Tea is one of its many amenities. There is a wonderful Art Gallery where Hotel guests and visitors can browse its many fine collections.

This hotel has a lot to offer. There are so many top notch amenities that are included as part of your stay. We took advantage of both the Wilderness Walk which was a very nice hike along Spray River with a very knowledgeable guide, and also the hotel history tour. But there were so many other options that we did not have time for. We also used the ice cleats available through the Adventure Center for one of our offsite hikes which saved us from having to rent. The hotel offers free shuttle passes to downtown and the shuttle is very timely and reliable. Also, the ski shuttles to the mountains that pick you up right outside of the lobby are super convenient. And they have a room to store your ski equipment right off the lobby too, so you don't have to trek it back and forth from your room. We really enjoyed the Waldhaus Pub with great views of the mountains and one of the best fish and chips meals I have ever had. The outdoor heated pool with mountain views hit the spot after long ski/hiking days and there was a bar/food counter with very reasonable prices for convenience. The service throughout our stay was excellent as you would expect from a hotel of this caliber. One small complaint was that the phone in our room didn't work the entire stay and I read that others had phone issues as well - there were a few times that I wanted to call down to the front desk with a question or request and could not do so. Also, the hotel is huge so can be hard to navigate - even after staying a few days. The pool takes a lot of effort to get to, especially if staying over on the conference center side.

This hotel deserves a six out of five. It’s quite honestly the best hotel I’ve ever stayed in. I gave it a four however because of its administration which was poor. They charged our large family party twice for the room we were staying in AND then to compound the felony The Fairmont Lake Louise did exactly the same! Worse than that the stay at Lake Louise was in late February AND they have yet to reply to any of the three requests I sent for an explanation, an apology, an excuse or information on a refund. I’m still waiting folks. Just for reassurance, I’m told by a family member that they are in the process of refunding us, but that it will take another 5 to 7 days. That will mean they’ve had a considerable sum of our money for 43 days. Not best impressed!!

Our experience with Alex from Fairmont was the highlight of our trip. He is a remarkable guide—incredibly knowledgeable about the area’s history and wildlife, yet his warm and kind demeanor made the day feel effortless and fun. What truly set him apart was his attention to detail; he constantly pointed out the best spots for sightseeing and photos, ensuring we captured the beauty around us perfectly. His fascinating stories about the local wildlife brought the landscape to life. If you are looking for a tour that is both informative and genuinely enjoyable, Alex is the guide to request.

Check-in was efficient and friendly.  Our deluxe Queen room was a decent size and good enough for our family of four.  Very clean and comfortable (except for some late-night noisy guests).  Nice walk-in closet for storage and hanging all of our ski gear.  Only three sets of towels for a room that was reserved for (and accommodates) four, but they were relatively quick to bring a new set.  The room phone and bedside clock are terrible and overly complicated.  Our room's location was right next to the stairwell door, which slammed loudly whenever it was used (which was often in the middle of the night).     Hotel amenities were great!  The ski valet was very convenient and right next to the shuttle drop-off.  Easy to gear up (including boots) and catch the shuttle.  The outdoor pool was nice and warm (fun to swim surrounded by snow).  Decent fitness center.  Overall, the hotel is a little removed from the heart of Banff, but it's a comfortable walk or an easy (free) bus ride.