William Van Horne, General Manager of Canadian Pacific Railways, is credited with recognizing the tourist potential of the hot springs near the station of Banff. His vision was fueled by the philosophy "If we can't export the scenery, we will import the tourists" and thus began the campaign to design a luxury hotel amidst the beautiful mountain scenery of the Canadian Rockies. To travel there, the visitors would naturally arrive via the Canadian Pacific Railway, and Van Horne proposed the establishment of a series of luxury hotels along the railway line through the Rocky and Selkirk Mountains. In 1886, Van Horne commissioned Bruce Price of New York, one of the foremost architects of the day, to draw up plans for a hotel to be built above the confluence of the Bow and the Spray Rivers overlooking the beautiful Bow Valley. Construction started in the spring of 1887 and the hotel officially opened on June 1, 1888. The Fairmont Banff Springs was finished in 1928 and over the years has been lovingly maintained and restored to retain its original grandeur. The furniture for the hotel was made by Castle & Son Manufacturing of Montreal, and the pieces are exact replicas of original designs from European castles and manor houses. The Fairmont Banff Springs has been open year round since 1969, and since that time, all the rooms have been remodelled, as have the swimming pool and health facilities. In the spring of 1989, a new golf clubhouse and nine additional holes were added to the Banff Springs Golf Course, rolling out 27 holes of spectacular mountain golf. With the need for expansion, a $23 million state-of-the-art conference centre opened in January 1991, increasing the total meeting space to 76,000 sq ft. In August 1995, the hotel opened Solace - The Spa, its fabulous European-style spa. The Fairmont Banff Springs continues to follow Van Horne's dictum of dynamic expansion and excellence. Offering something for vacationers and business visitors alike, it also endures as a meeting place for the world's fashionable and wealthy. On March 22, 1992, The Fairmont Banff Springs was declared a historical site by the Sites and Monuments Board of Canada. Located on Spray Avenue on the banks of the scenic Bow River (a 10 minute walk from downtown Banff) and cradled by the surrounding majestic Rocky Mountains, Fairmont's "Castle in the Rockies" is situated within the borders of Banff National Park. The Fairmont Banff Springs was designed and built in 1888 in the style of a stately 19th century Scottish Baronial castle. The Banff Springs lies just 130 km west of Calgary, on the scenic Trans-Canada Highway.
Rating: 4 Star Award
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Floors: 9
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Rooms: 770
Services/Facilities/Amenities
AM/FM Alarm Clock
Babysitting/Child Services
Bar/Lounge
Barber/Beauty Shop
Business Center
Coffee Maker in Room
Concierge
24 Hour Front Desk
Handicapped Rooms/Facilities
Express Checkout
Fishing
Golf
Hairdryers Available
Mini Bar
Modem Lines in Room
Meeting/Banquet Facilities
No Smoking Rooms/Facilities
Pets Allowed
Pool
RV or Truck Parking
Restaurant
Room Service
Safe Deposit Box
Shops/Commercial Services
Snow Skiing
Fitness Center or Spa
Tennis
Television with Cable
Laundry/Valet Services
VIP Rooms/Services
HighLights
Nearby Point Of Interest:
Hotel Tours are available year round for hotel guests on Wednesdays and Fridays at 4:00pm Bow Valley Grill Buffet Luncheon and Hotel Tour: In the summer (from May until September) tours are available Monday through Saturday at 12:30pm and 2:00pm for those having the luncheon buffet in the Bow Valley Grill. Cost is $26.95 per person (includes buffet and tour approx. 1 hour)
Location and Driving Directions
Areas Served: CALGARY, AB 77mi/128km - EDMONTON, AB 242mi/404km - JASPER, AB 180mi/287km - KANANASKIS, AB 50mi/80km - LAKE LOUISE, AB 36mi/50km - NEW YORK CITY 4448k - SAN FRANCISCO 2050km - VANCOUVER, BC 526mi/850km - WHISTLER, BC 701mi/1169km -
Area Airports: Calgary International Airport150 kms./90 Miles
Driving Directions: Calgary - Approx. 2 hour drive. TransCanada HWY 1 West Exit at Banff townsite on the right In Banff take the first exit into Banff. At the stop sign turn left on Banff Ave. Follow Banff Ave to the end and over a bridge. After the bridge, turn left and stay in the left lane...this street wil take them directly to the front doors of the hotel. Vancouver - Approx. 10 hours driving time from Vancouver. Trans-Canada highway 1 East. (via Revelstoke, Golden) Taken off travel time if turn off for Coquihalla Hwy 18 is taken (approx 2 hours) In Banff take the first exit into Banff. At the stop sign turn left on Banff Ave. Follow Banff Ave to the end and over a bridge. After the bridge, turn left and stay in the left lane...this street wil take them directly to the front doors of the hotel. Edmonton - Approx. 4.5 hours driving time from Edmonton. Highway 2 south to Calgary (via Red Deer) Trans Canada Hwy 1 West Exit Banff to townsite on the right. In Banff take the first exit into Banff. At the stop sign turn left on Banff Ave. Follow Banff Ave to the end and over a bridge. After the bridge, turn left and stay in the left lane...this street will take them directly to the front doors of the hotel. Montana - Highway 93 north (Via Radium) In Banff take the first exit into Banff. At the stop sign turn left on Banff Ave. Follow Banff Ave to the end and over a bridge. After the bridge, turn left and stay in the left lane...this street wil take them directly to the front doors of the hotel.
Room Types
Room Type: Fairmont Room Description: Located in the Main and Manor wings, Fairmont Rooms are comfortable for two occupants. Bed Type: one King, one Queen bed, 2 Twin beds, or one Queen bed plus one Twin bed. Size: approximately 185 sq. ft. View: woodland and mountains
Room Type: Fairmont Deluxe Description: Deluxe rooms offer the largest regular guest accommodations at The Fairmont Banff Springs. Rooms are located in the Main or Manor wings or in the Conference Centre and are suitable for up to four adult occupants. Bed Type: one King, one Queen, two Twins, two Queen, or one Queen plus one Twin bed Size: 210 sq. ft. View: Mountain
Room Type: Deluxe View Room Description: Deluxe View rooms are located throughout the hotel and offer a variety of beautiful valley views. More spacious than Fairmont rooms, they are perfect for travelers requiring more living space. Comfortable for up to four people, they are available on smoking and non-smoking floors. Bed Type: one King, one Queen, two Singles, one Queen plus one Single or two Queen beds Size: 210 sq. ft. View: Bow Valley
Room Type: Signature Room Description: Signature Rooms are luxuriously furnished in Scottish Highland or elegant traditional decor. Rooms are located in the Main or Manor wings of the hotel. There are two configurations for the Signature room. Main Wing: Signature rooms have unique architectural features that reflect the era in which the Hotel was constructed. These rooms are comfortable for two people and are available in smoking or non-smoking. Bed Type: one King or one Queen bed Size: 260 sq. ft. View: Bow Valley or Mountain Manor Wing: Signature rooms are comfortable and designed to reflect the familiar surroundings of home. These elegant traditional-styled rooms can accommodate from two to four people depending on bed configuration. Bed Type: one King or two Queen beds Size: 260 sq. ft. View: Bow Valley or Mountain
Room Type: Junior Suite Description: Junior Suites offer spacious accommodations with a defined bedroom and sitting area all within one large room. Located in the Main or Manor Wings of the hotel: Main Wing Junior Suites are available in either smoking or non-smoking. Suitable for 2 people. Bed Type: one Queen plus Sofabed, or one Queen, one twin and a Sofabed Size: 264 sq. ft. View: woodland Manor Wing Junior Suites are designed to meet the needs of families. Can accommodate a rollaway if needed. Please note that these rooms are available in non-smoking only. Bed Type: two Queen beds Size: 305 sq. ft. View: woodland
Room Type: One Bedroom Suite Description: One-Bedroom suites are designed for guests that require more living space than traditional rooms. Located in both the Main Wing and the Tudor House, the suites offer a bedroom with an adjoining parlor. Bed Type: one King bed plus the Sofabed or 2 Queen beds plus the Sofabed Size: 400 sq. ft. View: spectacular view of the Bow River Valley and the surrounding mountains
Reservation Policies
Check-In: 4pm Check-Out: 12pm Currency: CAD Guarantee Policy: All reservations must be guaranteed to a Credit Card Cancellation Policy: Cancellations policy is 72hrs prior to arrival date.
