Banff Springs Hotel: A Luxurious Piece of Canadian History

Nestled amid the towering Rocky Mountains, the Banff Springs Hotel is an enormous castle straight out of medieval lore.

Three days at Banff Springs Hotel offered us a luxurious reprieve from our sometimes hectic life. Nestled amid the towering Rocky Mountains, the Banff Springs Hotel is an enormous castle straight out of medieval lore.

Having seen such exalted buildings as Windsor Castle and the Taj Mahal on previous travels, we were still overwhelmed by the stately grandeur of this hotel. Canada is often considered a country bereft of history as our 150 year existence pales to the exotic past of Europe and Asia. The Banff Springs Hotel belies this statement as it is indelibly a part of Canadian history.

It can be stated that Canada is a country only because the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) made it so. Sir John A. MacDonald was Canada’s first prime minister, and under his “National Policy,” priority was given to physically connecting Canada by railway. But nationalism came with a 93 million dollar price tag and CPR Vice-President, Van Horne, knew that the CPR needed many paying passengers to sustain it financially, and the Banff Springs Hotel became the lure. The spectacular scenery coupled with the bubbling natural hot springs located only minutes from the rail line made this site the natural choice upon which to build his dream hotel.

First opened in 1888, the 250 room luxury hotel was immediately filled to capacity with wealthy European tourists. Despite the high price of a room at $3.50 a night, the hotel remained a popular favorite. Cloaked in elegance, it also offered such modern amenities as electric lights and steam heat.

In 1997, the Banff Springs Hotel is still the Grande Dame of hotels, as visitors come from around the world to experience its mix of luxury and history.

It is well-equipped to handle the high demand with a current capacity of almost 1700. Compared to luxury hotels of the world, the price ranges for rooms represent respectable rates. Service is exemplary: a fruit basket awaits your arrival, beds are made in the morning and turned down at night, with a newspaper delivered to your room each morning.

Luxurious, service-oriented hotels are available in most cities, and like many higher-priced hotels, Banff Springs Hotel offers an excellent fitness and aquatic centre.

It also offers two skating rinks, a theatre, bowling alley, shops and 15 restaurants. But what really makes Banff Springs Hotel an experience rather than merely an enjoyable stay is the newly renovated mineral spa.

Call me easily impressed, but I was won over the minute I saw the change room with the oak lockers, each complete with a white robe. In the main spa, soothing music permeated the air as my partner and I slipped into the mineral-rich waters of the Hungarian Kur bath. I could literally feel the tension slipping away and knew it was aptly named “Solace”.

Individual pools of varying temperatures, each with a waterfall, were also there to be enjoyed.

Though there was a co-ed outdoor whirlpool, each change room also had its own steam room, whirlpool, sauna and inhalation room for those who preferred to relax “au natural”. And the Solace experience did not end there. Physically relaxed, a cozy lounge with fireplace invited mental relaxation where time could be spent reading, or just enjoying a hot cup of tea. The assortment of extra services offered was impressive. 8 different types of facials, 3 varieties of body scrubs, 4 body wraps and a choice of 6 different massages, with prices ranging from $50 to $115. Solace Spa, a sure fire way to forget your troubles for a while.

A stay at the Banff Springs Hotel is the perfect way to enhance your trip to the Canadian Rockies. Whether you are a budget traveler with the urge to splurge or someone for whom luxury is a necessity, you cannot help but be captivated by this hotel’s fascinating history and utter elegance.

Author: Greg Silzer and Denise Silzer