My first full day in Banff National Park started with a large breakfast and a lot of coffee at the Holiday Inn Canmore. It would be hard to top the previous day’s activities (walking on a glacier at the Columbia Icefield, the Glacier Skywalk, and Athabasca Falls) in Jasper National Park, but I was going to give it a try.
The first stop on the list in Banff National Park, was the infamous Fairmont Banff Springs hotel. Here, I would partake in the self-guided walking tour of the Fairmont Banff Springs.
About the Fairmont Banff Springs:
The Fairmont Banff Springs was originally built in 1888 by the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) under the direction of Sir William Van Horne, and renovated in 1928 after a damaging fire. Today, the Fairmont Banff Springs is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a main attraction of visitors to Banff National Park.
Welcome to the Fairmont Banff Springs: The Entrance
Walking up to the entrance
A Grizzly Bear statue greets you at the entrance to the Fairmont Banff Springs
The Walking Tour of the Fairmont Banff Springs:
Officially, the tour is called the Self-Guided Historical Tour and is officially sanctioned by the Fairmont Banff Springs, with the guide published here. You can also find the tour map on large touchscreen TVs throughout the hotel. The tour is free.
The Hotel Lobby:
Front desk and Stock Coffee Shop
Lobby
The stairs to the top Mezzanine Level 1 where you’ll start the tour
Official Guide and Map of the Walking Tour of the Fairmont Banff Springs:
The self-guided walking tour of the Fairmont Banff Springs will take you through most of the hotel. You’ll have as much time to walk around and explore as you like. Some of the best parts of the hotel are the details (which on not marked on the map), you’ll have to discover these for yourself.
The tour will likely take you 1-2 hours depending on how much you want to explore. The hotel is actually more complex than this simplified map shows, but the basic navigation is there for you to follow as numbered.
Stop One: Heritage Hall
The view from Heritage Hall
Interesting lamp
Heritage Hall (image courtesy of taximike.com)
Stop Two: Mt. Stephen Hall
Mt. Stephen Hall
Stop Three: The Spiral Staircase
The Spiral Staircase
The Queen
Sir William Van Horne points the way to the Alhambra Ballroom
Stop Four: The Alhambra Ballroom
The doors to the Alhambra Ballroom
Alhambra Ballroom
The Spanish Walk
View of the Mt. Stephen Ballroom from the Spanish Walk
 The Views of the Annex and Courtyard:
The Courtyard
The Courtyard
Stop Five: The Boardroom
The Boardroom
That’s not cupid…
Native American archers oversee the room
Hand-carved woodwork
Grapes Wine Bar:
Grapes Wine Bar
The Upper Rundle Lounge
Stop Six: The Riverview Lounge
The Riverview Lounge
The Oval Room
Town of Banff view
Bow River view
Stop Seven: The Cascade Ballroom
Cascade Ballroom
Hall of mirrors leading to the Conservancy
The Fairmont Banff Springs Ghost Bride:
Although many visitors to the Fairmont Banff Spring report ghostly encounters, the hotel officially denies the hotel is haunted. However, you can find this little display on a wall in a hard-to-reach area of the hotel. You can be the judge.
Stock Coffee Shop:
Walking the Outside of the Property
Side-view of the Fairmont Banff Springs
Final Thoughts on the Self-Guided Walking Tour of the Fairmont Banff Springs:
As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel is simply a “must-do”.
Of course, it’s preferable to stay here (and golf here), but if you can’t – then the self-guided walking tour of the Fairmont Banff Springs is the next best thing. Did I mention it was free?
I went in the early morning to beat the crowds, but it would have been nice to go there later as well to have a drink in one of the legendary bars and/or lounges. The self-guided walking tour of the Fairmont Banff Springs is a great way to see the origins of Banff and a great activity that has something for everyone.
Cheers!
