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NORTH AMERICA

Fairmont Banff Springs Resort – Our Getaway to a Castle in The Mountains

October 20, 2020

As our five year wedding anniversary was approaching, we had many plans in mind on how to celebrate. A grand party with friends and family, a trip to the beach and a Canadian Train tour were all on the table – but since we are all living through the 2020 world pandemic, this was not really an option. A short getaway close to our Calgary home seemed to be the next best thing, and for that we had to spend our anniversary with our Fairmont Family at the Fairmont Banff Springs Resort. The beautiful ‘Castle in the Mountains’ in nestled in the world-famous Canadian Rockies, surrounded by nature and a lot of history. Going away, staying at hotels, and exploring a new place – it all looks a little different at the moment, and the resort aspect seemed so perfect. We would not have to leave the Fairmont Banff Springs and there would be plenty of action and activities to enjoy our anniversary without having to take any risks.

We are all in the same boat right now, with a ‘second wave’ of the virus spreading and higher precautions being enforced again – BUT we are all about celebrating life’s special moments. Covid or not, the Fairmont Banff Springs Resort offers the perfect self-care getaway that will leave you relaxed and rejuvenated because it literally has everything on site. Today, I am sharing all of the features that this property has to offer so you can plan your perfect milestone getaway or simply some time just for yourself (because self-care is as important as celebrating those special moments!).

Rundle Bar, first of all, has just newly re-opened after an extensive (and expensive!) restoration, and let me tell you, it is an absolute treat for the eyes. The two level restaurant has been completely renovated to a modern, yet still cozy feel. Upon our arrival at the hotel, we had the famous British tradition of Afternoon Tea while overlooking the beautiful Rundle Mountain. For us, Afternoon Tea is a special way to celebrate our wedding anniversary since we had a tea party at our wedding as well. The selection of tea is always amazing at any Fairmont property, and the selection of food was absolutely outstanding at Fairmont Banff Springs and only reminds of how many royals dined in this very same spots decades ago.

Visiting the Fairmont Banff Springs Resort this time around, we learned that there are so many activities offered to guests – which makes it a true resort experience if you ask me! From Bike rentals to exploring the town, to kids activities, hikes and walks, aquatics and camp fires – it really can’t get boring at Fairmont Banff Springs. Each day, there are many activities for small and big visitors of the resort, make sure to check them out here to include them in your itinerary.

P.S. We highly recommend the Wilderness Walk, a simple walk following a trail through the forest around the hotel in which the guide shares about the history of the castle, the different areas to visit and of course answers all the questions. It concludes at the Bow Falls which are absolutely stunning and a must-see!

This spa amenities have also been recently upgraded and act as a blissful oasis of the Fairmont Banff Springs. The spa offers a variety of top-end treatments – we enjoyed an intimate couples massage. I was recommended the prenatal massage specifically and it was absolutely heavenly. The spa treatment also provided access to the remainder of the spa which features hot tub, mineral pool and plunge pools with waterfalls. All in all, a relaxing experience that will leave your body rejuvenated.

Indoor & Outdoor Pools
In addition to the Spa, the Fairmont Banff Springs also features an indoor/outdoor pool area which can be seen from the most popular viewpoint (this is where most visitors take their pictures because the view is just absolutely stunning!) Either getting some exercise in the lane pool or simply relaxing and enjoying the beauty all around in the outdoor pool – both are amazing options to spend the day and can be accessed by any hotel guest without Spa treatments necessary.

Whether you opt for breakfast (or the bottomless brunch on Sundays!) or dinner, this is truly world class dining. The recently renovated Vermillion Room offers the perfect space for intimate dining or a large party (whenever possible again) that does not require much decor, just because the space itself is stunning.

For our anniversary dinner, we were absolutely blown away by the deep flavours of each and every dish we tried. The Beef bourguignon is a dish we would take a 3 hour drive for, and the potato dumplings just reminded us of Prague so much – so perfect to celebrate our anniversary. The beautiful atmosphere mimicking a true Parisian bistro only added to the experience that is luxurious, classy and delicious. We loved the cocktail list as well, with many options for alcoholic bevy’s that are well-crafted and also a beautiful selection of mocktails using my favourite Seedlip!

Overall, we had a truly majestic stay for our five year wedding anniversary at the iconic Fairmont Banff Springs – and especially with the current state of the world – felt extra safe to just stay on the massive property for the duration of your time. From the nature walks to the outdoor pools, the stunning mountain vistas accompanying afternoon tea, intimate dinners and indulgent brunches, this resort hotel really does have something for everyone.

And with the winter season upon us, the Fairmont Banff Springs hosts beautiful events with the annual “Christmas at the Castle” festivities. But whether you are looking to escape to the mountains now, or during the festive season, this will be a luxurious and rejuvenating one!