Banff Spa Hotels | 5 Blissful Stays in the Rocky Mountains

Perched high on a mountain just minutes from town is the Rimrock Resort Hotel. This 343-room, independently owned hotel showcases the glory of the white-peaked Rocky Mountains through floor-to-ceiling windows. Book one of the aptly named Grandview guest rooms, where you can lounge on the balcony and take in the captivating scenery while your glowing fireplace reminds you that coziness is just a few steps away.

Those coming in from a long drive will appreciate the total body rejuvenation that the Rimrock’s on-site spa is known for. The spa’s 75-minute Weary Traveller signature package, treats tired feet with a soothing herbal foot soak, before a circulation-stimulating scrub invigorates your soles (and soul) as you drink in the epic view of the Rockies. With your feet happy, you can turn your focus to tired muscles and circulation with a full body massage perfumed with aromatherapy oils. If you’re short on time, try the 45-minute Mountain View Pedicure – there’s nothing quite like gazing at the mountains while your tootsies get a little freshen-up.

Take advantage of the spa’s gym and squash courts to work up your appetite, then head to either of The Rimrock’s two on-site restaurants to tuck in. Eden, one of only six restaurants in Canada to hold a Five Diamond rating, is a hot spot for lovers of French cuisine. If you’re feeling adventurous, try the Grand Dégustation, a 10-course meal that showcases Chef Greaves’ creative approach to cooking. Or, choose something with a little less commitment but still decadent, such as the braised veal cheek, duck breast or (for a truly Canadian experience) bison with celery root. And with 1,200 vintages in 18,000 bottles, you’ll want to take your time selecting a wine to complement your dish here.

Nicknamed “Canada’s Castle in the Rockies,” the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel has been operating for over 125 years in its current location between Bow River and the Banff Upper Hot Springs. The 764 guest rooms have a wide range of lodging options, including elegant studio rooms that reflect the hotel’s castle-like architecture. You’ll feel like royalty as soon as you step inside your room, where details like crown moulding, sparkling chandeliers and charming bay windows pay homage to the hotel’s opulent design.

Many guests seek out the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel for its award-winning Willow Stream Spa. Inspired by the hotel’s natural surroundings, the spa’s design and services revolve around the five elements: earth, air, water, fire and wood. Take a dip in the mineral pool and enjoy the lightly cascading waterfalls, or step down into the spa’s outdoor whirlpool and breathe in the fresh alpine air as you marvel at the majestic mountain peaks. When it comes to choosing a treatment, you can take easy pick of the spa’s “relief, restorative, or results” menu. And before your appointment begins? The fireplace lounge is the ideal spot to wait or just to chill out between soaks.

The Fairmont offers guests and non-guests two-and-a-half hour gastronomy tours called “Eat the Castle”. Led by a culinary expert, the tour takes you to four of the castle’s dining establishments, where you get to take in the history of the castle while indulging in house-smoked meats and wine pairings put forth by the talented chefs of Banff Springs.

With wood beam accents spanning the lobby and log-fueled fires flickering in the hearths, Banff Caribou Lodge & Spa has the look and feel of a quintessential Canadian mountain lodge. Take your pick between five different types of rooms, though if you’re on a special getaway you might want to spring for the Mountain Loft Jacuzzi Suite. The vaulted ceilings of the loft make room for floor-to-ceiling windows, so you get a jaw-dropping view of the mountains from in front of your gas fireplace. And with a two-person jetted tub, you can reach total relaxation without even leaving your room.

Dial your relaxation up a notch by booking a service at the hotel’s on-site Red Earth Spa. This full-service spa specializes in body wraps, massage therapy and aesthetic treatments like manicures and pedicures. For the ultimate indulgence, try the Luxury Relaxation 90-Minute Massage Therapy Treatment. Show up early to soak in the hot tub or detoxify in the steam room before beginning your 90-minute pamper session. The signature service starts with a plunge into warm water infused with aromatherapy oils in a private Geisha Tub, then is rounded out by a deeply relaxing 60-minute massage custom designed to your body.

Enjoy a laidback Canadian dining experience at the hotel’s on-site Keg Steakhouse and Bar, ideal for families, groups and couples alike. The Canadian-owned chain is famous for pairing steaks with delectable sides like garlic mashed potatoes, Keg fries or fresh veggies. Indulge in the bacon-wrapped filet mignon, or go for the 10oz prime rib with a glass of full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon.

Ideally located on Banff Avenue, Moose Hotel & Suites feels like an extension of the nature outside. A nod to the rugged beauty of its mountainous surroundings, you’ll find wood, stone and leather furnishings whimsically accented with moose-themed décor. Guests looking for something beyond the standard hotel room will want to book The Corner House suite; this 570-square foot heritage home was built in 1912 and restored to reflect life in Banff in the ‘20s. Slip into the vintage-inspired claw-foot soaker bathtub, or cozy up with a glass of wine in front of the antique wood stove.

For some pampering during your stay, reserve a day for the hotel’s full-service spa. Stop by early on the day of your treatment to make the most of Meadow Spa’s pools and hot tubs while the mountain air nourishes your soul. If you’ve booked the four-hour Meadow Tranquility package, you’ll start with a reinvigorating full-body skin polish before moving on to an hour-long aromatherapy massage. After lunch, the 60-minute custom facial that combines oils and plant extracts will have your skin fresh and soft. To end the day, you’ll touch up your toes with a Deluxe Pedicure – ideal for when you’re padding around barefoot at the rooftop pool with panoramic views of the Rockies.

When all the pampering works up an appetite, make your way to the hotel’s on-site restaurant, Pacini, for an authentic Italian dining experience (there’s also a kid’s menu available). Dive into popular favourites like pizza with prosciutto and arugula, New York steaks with Parmigiana fries or spaghetti bolognese.

Once the site of a simple log cabin with two rooms back in 1890, the impressive Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise now crowns the shore of Lake Louise in the Gothic style of Canadian Railway Hotels. You’ll quickly understand why Lake Louise is one of the most visited lakes in the world – it’s a glacier-fed emerald oasis surrounded by towering mountains and dense forests. Brew up a cup of fresh coffee in your room and take in the awe-inspiring landscape from behind grand windows, whether you’re gazing at the Victoria Glacier from one of the coveted Lakeview Rooms or the towering mountain behind from the opposite side.

After an idyllic day canoeing on the lake’s glass-like surface or wandering the forests in search of moose, you’ll want to set aside time for the Chateau Lake Louise Spa. Browse the menu of therapeutic and relaxation massages – the former will intensely target your deeper muscles, while relaxation massages release tension and stress with hot stones and a lighter touch.

Swiss mountaineers played a big role in the development of Banff as an adventure destination, guiding tourists up mountains for views of the valley. That’s why you’ll find Swiss influences in many of the Fairmont’s dining establishments. The Walliser Stube, for one, is inspired by the Swiss tradition of sharing fondue in a warm living room. Gather with friends around a bubbling pot of three melted cheeses, served as an appetizer with irresistible dipping ingredients like green apple, pickled vegetables and French baguette. For a heartier meal, go for the entrée version, which comes with additional dippers like steamed potatoes and cured meats.