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A Castle Hotel in the Canadian RockiesIt's Pure Luxury at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel
Less than two hours north of the Calgary International Airport is the Banff Springs Fairmont Hotel.
When arriving at this imposing hotel, the red carpet is rolled out and life, no doubt, will be good. They say for an ounce of pleasure, there’s a pound of pain, and a visit here is undoubtedly more than an ounce of unforgettable pleasure. Sitting on the edge of the Bow River, the 120-year old historical landmark is nestled amongst the snow-capped peaks of the Canadian Rockies in Banff National Park – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Styled after the baronial castles of Scotland, you will revel in the grandness of this striking and elegant hotel. With the weak American dollar in Europe, you can experience a stay at a North American castle without having to cross the big pond. Rivaling Switzerland, the snow-capped peaks, rapid rivers, clean crisp air and nearby glaciers is difficult to top. Moreover, by staying at the grand hotel, you’ll be whisked back to a bygone era more suited to the turn of the 20th century rather than the 21rst. It all began when hot springs were discovered in Banff during the 1880s. This prompted influential William Cornelius Van Horne, the founder of the Canadian Pacific Hotels, to develop a railway line with white glove service. This was the only mode of transportation for the extraordinarily wealthy families who spent their summers at the exclusive hotel. To give you an idea of the immense wealth that traveled to this remote area during the late 19th century, the hotel requested family’s to wire $50,000 to their hotel accounts to cover personal expenses. It’s all here: skiing, hiking nearby Mount Rundle, golf, and horseback riding on endless trails. For one of the most beautiful drives in North America, take the Icefields Parkway to the Columbia Icefield, located on the boundaries of Banff and Jasper National Parks. The snow from the icefield supplies eight major glaciers, including the Athabasca, Dome and Stutfield. The meltwater reaches the Artic, Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Last, but not least, the icing on the cake is a visit to the award winning Willow Stream Spa. It is truly the crème de la crème of North American spas. You’ll be pampered in sumptuous surroundings. What could be more apropos than the hour-long Rockies Rehydration Treatment. This is ideally suited after a day of hiking resulting in dry dehydrated skin in the mile high Rockies. It’s also the perfect prelude to relaxing in the indoor natural mineral pool with salts harvested from the sea. When night falls, walk out to the Banff Springs immense veranda where the crisp and clear evening sky is filled with blazing stars. From the Rundle Lounge, live Duke Ellington tunes from yesteryear will entice you to order a Fairmont Blonde Bombshell Martini while relaxing on a plush velvet settee.
The copyright of the article A Castle Hotel in the Canadian Rockies in Alberta Travel is owned by Susan Fogwell. Permission to republish A Castle Hotel in the Canadian Rockies in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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