Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel

Hubby and I stayed here for the night on a Canadian tour. Hotel was lovely - yes, a little confusing on arriving but you soon get to find your way around. We stayed in the Gate House in a small but very nicely decorated room which was cosy and warm. The bathroom was very well appointed and clean. Food was delicious - both breakfast and dinner were extremely good with good selections. There is a bowling alley attached along with a small wine shop and also a very good grocery store which provided everything we needed from a can of shaving foam to nibbles and cheeses and packet ham and crackers. Staff were all polite and friendly and made sure we were welcome. Don't miss the gallery where photographs are on display of the hotel from the 1920's.

One of the great hotels in the world. There is very little to complain about at the historic Banff Springs hotel from the stunning location, to the grand lobby, to the endless corridors and grand rooms, to the on site recreation opportunities, to the multiple dining choices, and the gracious and friendly staff. Yes, it can be expensive for such a wonderful experience. Looking for a Trendy or Boutique Hotel?? Not in structure that dates back more than 130 years. They even have the motto "Sempre Eadem" (always the same) woven into the carpet. Large groups in arriving tour buses can overwhelm the lobby at certain times of the day creating noise and chaos. Just be patient as the large front desk staff quickly addresses the crowds. We stayed in a suite in a quiet wing of the Gate House which did not have a view, but a plenty of room with a separate sitting area with an electric "fireplace" The king size bed was comfortable and the marble bathroom was functional with both a shower and a tub. The only downside was that we could hear dripping noises in the walls and ceilings , probably from the drainage pipes. Rather than switch to a smaller room we resolved the problem by running a floor fan at night to muffle the sounds. Part of the charm of the Banff Springs Hotel is exploring the extensive and sometimes confusing hallways and corridors. Besides the obvious attractions with the views of the Bow River and mountains, look for the 'ghost bride' stairway, the suit of armor in the large banquet hall on the second floor, the stunning view from the 8th floor skybridge, the urban legend of the "missing room" 873, the photo of Marilyn Monroe, the hot tub grotto, the pool tables beneath the Ramsay lounge, and the Canadian five-pin bowling alley. There's even a liquor store tucked away in the annex across the street accessible by two skybridges. The indoor pool will be closed for repairs and resurfacing until mid-October 2018. The Stock restaurant in the lobby is a wonderful alternative to the expensive full breakfast buffet. They have dishes ranging from pastries, to eggs, steel cut oats with nuts and berries, to breakfast sandwiches,and even avocado or mushroom toast to eat there or carry back to your room. I've reviewed the other on-site restaurants separately. We plan on returning again. My advice is to avoid the crush of the tourist crowds in Banff during July and August.