Fairmont Banff Springs

The Fairmont Banff Springs is a historic luxury hotel in Banff National Park, offering cozy and elegant rooms with stunning mountain views

To say that Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada had long been on my bucket list would be an understatement. I always felt a calling to visit. Especially, after attending college in Colorado and visiting the Rocky Mountains in the United States.

After a year marked by both beautiful highs and exhausting lows, I found myself craving not just a getaway, but a place to restore. I needed to breathe, mourn the ending of a very deep and influential decades long friendship and to rediscover the quiet within myself.

So when Amanda mentioned she had some vacation time and wanted to brainstorm ideas, one conversation led to another. Soon, we booked overlapping trips to Calgary, with plans to explore the Canadian Rockies, from Banff to Jasper, on our own.

As I researched hotels in the area, one place stood out: The Fairmont Banff Springs.

Known as the “Castle in the Rockies,” it promised old-world grandeur wrapped in alpine tranquility – and ghosts.

So, I booked it.

Room & Stay

Upon arrival, check-in was effortless. When I opened the door to my room, I audibly exhaled.

It was serene and beautifully appointed. But, slightly smaller than I thought it would be.

But it was the view that truly gagged me. Framed by tall windows, the Canadian Rockies unfolded in layers of stillness and snow. It was a perfect place for me to heal.

The bathroom featured Le Labo products. As I love this fragrance brand, it immediately elevated Fairmont in my eyes. Though there was a brief issue with the shower drainage, it was handled swiftly after a call to the front desk.

Small details, handled with care? That’s luxury.

I absolutely loved starting my day with breakfast at The Vermillion Room. It was a gentle invitation to ease into the day and relax into the pleasure of being present in the world.

Location & Exploration

Set within Banff National Park, the Fairmont’s grounds are a masterclass in natural beauty. Mere feet from the hotel was a wild yet carefully preserved peace.

A convenient shuttle connected me to the charm of the man town of Banff. However, one evening I missed a  ride and walked back to the hotel. Rather than frustration, I felt quiet gratitude. But, can’t lie – I was mad when the bus rolled off. That sucked.

The Fairmont Banff Spring also served as a great starting point to adventure to the brilliantly beautiful shores of Lake Louise, the surreal blues of Peyto Lake, and the icy grandeur of Jasper National Park’s Columbia Icefield. As the wheels of my rental moved me forward on the road, I felt better with every mile.

And all the while, I found myself taking photo after photo. I felt awash in the wonder and quiet awe of the area.

Final Reflections

My stay at Fairmont Banff Springs was not just a vacation. it was a homecoming to myself. In the hushed luxury of its halls, in the clean mountain air and the generous quiet, I remembered how it feels to simply be. The year had taken much.

But here, I found something in myself that I needed to spark. A sense of restoration, perspective, and a softness I didn’t realize I had been missing.

Sometimes, the most profound journeys aren’t measured in distance.

They are measured in depth.

- -