Walking Tour of the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, Banff National Park (Alberta, Canada)

by Flying High On Points
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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)

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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:

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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

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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!

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