Samurai Sushi Bar and Restaurant

Our guide Scott was informative, friendly and full of character. He took us to many parts of the hotel whilst explaining the history and architecture of the building as well as stories tied to it. Seeing the hotel decorated with Christmas decor was also a real highlight for us both. We would highly recommend this, especially seeing it complementary.

Prior to check-in, the remarkable Gold Floor staff are on the top of their game by contacting the guest via text. The room is fantastic with a great view of the mountains, updated bathroom with rain forest shower, and the most comfortable bed imaginable. The Gold Floor lounge is large and welcoming. There are two sections, a larger lounge area with windows on three sides and a roaring fireplace, as well as a smaller "quiet" lounge area. This was very helpful as many were travelling with young children and the larger lounge area became quite noisy on several occasions. The breakfasts were fantastic. Hot and cold buffet along with cured meats and smoke salmon, fresh juices and smoothies as well as hot beverages. Everything was tasty and filling. The evening canapes were also very good. The Willow Stream Spa is a jewel of the castle. The mineral water pools (four) and the saunas and steam rooms were exceptional. I had a 90 minute alpine massage (relaxation) that was incredible. The fitness centre and the pools were very good (the pool could get very noisy with all the children screaming throughout the day). It would be good if in the future the Fairmont could have an adults-only infinity pool that allows for relaxation and tranquil enjoyment. The Rundle bar was a lot of fun and chop steakhouse was good (but expensive for what you got). The location is amazing for the view and it is a short walk into the village. Overall, a fantastic time. The Gold Floor is worth it.

Hotel was amazing and staff were extremely attentive as usual! There is a reason we keep returning! Visiting at Christmas was a wonderful experience with our kids and Banff Springs pulls out all the stops! Can't wait till we can visit again!

Wow! What an amazing experience. Despite it being -36 deg, we had a fantastic time being taken around the Banff national park at night to see the stars and Milky Way, and listen to the stories from Laurie who was brilliantly knowledgable of the area and was fab with our two 10 year old sons. Thanks also too to Alex and the management team who helped rearrange the date and help sort everything out. If you want to see and hear about Banff in a different way then we’d recommend this trip.

We spent two nights just ahead of Christmas at the Banff Spring. The Christmas spirit was in full swing with many family activities. The children (6 & 8 yrs of age) enjoyed the annual snowflake hunt around the castle and the added challenge this year compared to last year's. The castle was beautifully decorated as usual, however we missed the prominent Christmas tree that usually was in the lobby or in Rundle Bar for family photos. We enjoyed the Christmas afternoon tea and were pleased they moved it back upstairs again for the great view.

It ended up being -25 degrees so snowboarding was out of the cards. I’ve never been to a hotel with so many complimentary activities included! We had plenty to do! The outdoor pool was such a vibe and the hotel history tour is a must. The only thing I didn’t love were the amount of kids running around. Would be nice to have some adult only spaces that were also complimentary.

Great guides with a load of experience and so many options to explore and enjoy! I’ve never been disappointed with the complimentary activities provided through the resort. This is a destination on it’s own but is so much more when you sign up for activities around the hotel and grounds as well as the adventures around Banff. This trip included wine and cheese pairing, paint and sip (no ability required), stargazing, twilight walk, hotel history tour, night snowshoeing and a campfire with s’mores.

We are from Calgary and are spending 3 nights for Christmas in the Castle. Our 4 year old daughter is enchanted - the hotel is fully decorated for Christmas and results were truly magical. She had full days of resort activities including holiday crafts with Mrs Claus, holiday family movie, goodnight visit from Santa, and private family campfire - along with year round activities like swimming and bowling. I would recommend booking early, as we booked in October and still some activities were sold out by the time we were looking. Special thanks to Steven from concierge who helped with evening Santa scavenger hunt (we couldn’t go to bed until we tracked down Santa!), who gave our daughter a very special trinket from the big guy himself(!), Alex, a guide at the campfire activity who told us the interesting history of the hotel and how it shaped the area, and servers Ellen and Nico from Vermillion Room who made our many means so special. If you’re looking for a super special family over the top experience, this is it.

This is without question a fabulous hotel. The views are fabulous. However I can’t give it a “5”. Why? A few reasons. Staff - Like everyplace, they are probably experiencing difficulties with finding and retaining staff. The staff is obviously trained to be friendly and welcoming, but there are shortcomings. I asked if there was a business center where I could print a document, and was told “no, there unfortunately is not any such place”. Huh? I’ve stayed in a lot of hotels and I know that at a hotel of this caliber a business center is a tablestake. Later, while looking for an ATM, I saw booths where you could ‘print from your device’- just what I was looking for! But the staff was unaware it existed. I asked another staffer where I might Nordic ski nearby and he directed me to Cranmore. Nothing closer? “No.” Turns out there is a trail that starts within 50 yards of their parking garage! The Spray River trail. I skied it twice. Very nice. Size - This place has over 700 rooms. Just checking in can be an ordeal. I saw a check-in line in the lobby that was perhaps an hour wait. Unbelievable. It’s hard for a hotel this large to provide intimate service (unless you want to pay $250 per night for ‘gold level’ service). Rooms - our room was very nice, but quite small. And, perhaps given the age of the hotel, the acoustics are not good. I could hear the phone of person in the room next door ringing, and I could hear his conversation. Someone walking down the hall conversing sounds like they are in the room with you. Things were quiet at night and we slept well, but noise can be a factor. This hotel has A LOT going for it and I don’t want to accentuate the negative. I am not sorry I stayed there. But if I return to Banff I will strongly consider other lodging options.

Melissa P. was our Fairmont leader for a free-guided hike around the trails and paths near the hotel. From the moment she greeted us, we felt welcomed and knew we were in for an educational and fun outdoor adventure. Well equipped with bear spray, whistles, medical paraphernalia (none used!), and mosquito spray (used in the woods), Melissa is a fantastic guide. Do not hesitate to sign up for Melissa's hikes — by the way, she took us to the best places for key photos and she offered (and took) pictures, too. NB: For another excellent choice, Melissa teaches a fun Sunday afternoon "paint and wine" class. Thanks, Melissa! Terrific!

This was amazing and memorable trip , Bow trail and pool were the most amazing part of the stay, the food was amazing and the ambiance is mesmerizing . Staff was helpful and courteous. Lots of things to do in hotel itself which is a museum. Only thing is tHt wish they could offer them more frequently as we had to miss several if we were not around

We have stayed 2 nights and just loved our time here. All the staff are exceptional, friendly, helpful and just make your stay in this magnificent hotel the cherry on the cake. The spa is worth every cent. We loved our massage and time in the mineral pools. The scenery is breathtaking. What’s not to love. This is a super special place.

Spectacular setting and nature, very accessible nature walks and sporting activities, excellent hotel and service, food, staff. Best hotel I have stayed at for years. Especially impressed that pets are allowed. Excellent environment friendly and aware. Cannot be bettered. I will be back for sure!

Awesome hotel with yummy food and great facilities. Highly recommend this hotel even if pricey. Free shuttle into town which is charming. This requires 200 characters but I think I've said it all. Go!!!

Unfortunately our visit was “cut short”, as they wouldn’t let us in to enjoy the SPA, even with buying massages and facials, because no one would take care of my Birthday girl / blind mom, while I had to go and had a facial - and it’s all because they haven’t updated their website, and “ forgot” to mention that- if u are coming on the weekend, there is no more admissions available to just enjoy the SPA, but with massages and facials only- to which I was ok to purchase , but that wasn’t enough and they would stick my blind mom on her Birthday to wait for me behind the door, and since my baby sitter is only till 4 pm in Calgary, we came for 3 hours only to celebrate, - was coming here for years and years, those rude people and their manager told us to -next time then, we can’t help. Thank God for Deb in Rundle bar to take care of us , so we can enjoy oysters and beautiful tuna poke and lemongrass beef???… and make it up for completely ruined 70 th Birthday for my mom, my heart brakes just from thinking how this place went from my “ favourite “, to the worst ever… Don’t want to sound like a drama Queen , but it’s important to celebrate Birthdays for our parents- as it is might be the last one to celebrate, as they are getting older quickly . That been said, I’m truly disappointment - and from now on , for sure, will go spend my money somewhere else, and sure, will highly recommend to all my friends to go to other SPA, not spending on terrible service !!!