· Open -

1888

· 1st Owner -

· Canadian Pacific Railways. General Manager William Cornelius Van Horne got the ball rolling. His theory was "since we can't export the scenery, we'll have to import the tourists".

· AKA -

Banff Springs Hotel / the "Castle in the Rockies"

· Stars - *****

· Guests -

King George VI and the Queen Mother / Lee Marvin / Mikhail Gorbachev / Indira Ghandi / Margaret Thatcher / King Hussein of Jordan / Robert Kennedy / Pierre Trudeau / Marilyn Monroe / Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones / Pierce Brosnan, Woody Harrelson / Alec Baldwin / Michelle Pfeiffer / Robin Williams / Meg Ryan / Arnold Schwarzenegger / Wayne Gretzky / Jack Nicklaus /  John Daley

· History -

By late 1883 the railway line had reached the Canadian Rockies.

Built in 1888 it quickly became one of the top 3 mountain getaways in North America.

In 1926 it burned down and was rebuilt two years later in its present form.

The roaring 20's and depressing 30's were a golden era.

King George VI and the Queen Mother came here on a Royal Tour in 1939.

It closed its doors for 3years during WWII to free up labour for the war effort.

After the war the hotel didn't go back to the heydays of before.

In 1968 it underwent refurbishment and complete winterization. This allowed it in the 70's to stay open for the winter season and became a year round destination.

It is one of Canada's last surviving grand railway hotels.

· Signature -

Styled after a Grand Historic Manor from the Loire valley witha Scottish Baronial Tower and it is a National Historic Site

· Rooms -

757 in 20 different styles @ $925 - $2,961 +$30CAD a day resort fees

· Tales -

In 1988 the original builder read the plans wrongly and built the hotel facing backwards. Also there was a room missing that no one could find. When it burned down 1n 1926 they found the missing room.

It is one of the most haunted buildings in Canada and a number of ghosts have been reported. One, a ghost bride fell down the marble staircase on her wedding night. She is often seen dancing alone in the Cascade Ballroom.

Room 873 was so haunted they had to brick it up because no one could sleep while they were in this room. A man murdered his wife and daughter here in 1928.

Then there's Sam the helpful bellman who helps people find their rooms and opens locked doors. He was the head bellman in the 60's and 70's and died in 1975.He had always threatened to come back and haunt the place.

When Lee Marvin checked in the desk clerk asked if he could show him to his room. "Hell no" said Lee "take me to the bar".

Marilyn Monroe was here resting up after hurting her ankle filming  River of no Return. The bellman would toss a coin to see who would be the lucky one to push her around in her wheelchair.

1997 movie the Edge with Anthony Hopkins, Alec Baldwin and Elle McPherson was filmed here.

· Claim to Fame -

This iconic hotel is world famous

Hosted the King and Queen of England on the 1939 Royal Tour

· Innovations -

Body spray showers

Text Concierge

· Feature -

Fairmont Banff Springs Golf course - 27 scenic holes - 3 time winner of Canada's best golf course - Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio played here

Willow Stream Spa - world class with 23 treatment areas

Pet friendly

· View -

The Woods, the Courtyard and Sweeping Alberta mountain views - Ask for a mountain view room when booking

· High Tea -

Rocky Mountain Afternoon Tea - finest loose leaf teas from around the world, Victorian scones with house made preserves and clotted cream, dainty finger sandwiches and more. There is a tea station where you can smell the tea before ordering. Several menus including one for children

· Facilities -

Child care / Fitness and Aquatic centre / Gift shops / Dry cleaning / Bowling and entertainment centre / Conference centre / 32 m lap pool and a 20 m heated outdoor pool with fantastic mountain views and 2 hot tubs / Tennis / Horseback Riding / Ski passes / storage and rental of ski equipment / Shuttle service to ski resorts / Airport shuttle / Free rental on bikes and ice skates / Ballrooms / Valet and self-park 

· Unique -

Hotel dog available for walks and hikes

Located inside UNESCO Heritage Listed Banff National Park (Listed in 1984 citing its natural beauty, diverse geography and bountiful wild life)

· Restaurants - 11

Their food philosophy is underpinned by four pillars.

1. Made in house - as much as possible including baking butchering and preserving

2. Locally Sourced - including meat, veg and dairy

3. Partners and Community - working with the locals to achieve the best outcomes

4. Their Chefs - culinary programs

Great Big Buffet Breakfast

Private dining in the 360 degree geodesic Dome

Private dining in your suite

Side Car room - private dining set in the Rundle Bar

1888 Chop House - Alberta beef cuisine

The Vermillion Room - Bar and Brasserie - French classics

Castello Italiano - rustic and authentic Italian food and wine

Waldhaus Restaurant - Bavarian - Schnitzels, Fondue - in a separate building alongside the river

Grapes Charcuterie - In the 360 Dome - Cheese and charcuterie board paired with Canadian Wines

Stock food and Drink - Indoor / outdoor / takeaway - casual, coffee, bakery, sandwiches

· Bars -

Rundle Bar - the Pulse of the Castle, stunning views, hand crafted cocktails and great food - 2 hour happy hour

Waldhaus Pub und Biergarten - great beer selection, under the restaurant and looking out over the golf course

Ramsay Bar - secluded with signature cocktails and meals

· Sights -

Farmers Markets on Sundays / Banff Upper Hot Springs / Banff Gondola / World class skiing - 4 resorts nearby / Tours of the Hotel / Banff Ghost Walk / A 15 minute walk from downtown Banff / even if you're not staying here you're welcome to come in and look around and have a meal or a drink

Click here to go to the marker map.