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Pack your finest French party attire and head north of the border for cooler temps and cocktails set to million-dollar mountain views.
What began as a summer-long pool party in Canada’s Rocky Mountains, Banffchella returns to Fairmont Banff Springs this summer as a Parisian-inspired garden party with floral arrangements, macaron towers, acoustic music and lawn games.
Escape the Texas heat at Fairmont Banff Springs, then head to its sister chateau in Lake Louise for more cool weather adventures in the Canadian Rockies.
Castle in the Mountains: Fairmont Banff Springs
Spoil yourself this summer with a luxurious international vacation that doesn’t involve jet lag. Fairmont Banff Springs offers the majesty of Switzerland with the convenience of a direct flight to Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
This historic chateau-style hotel puts you in the center of the beauty of Banff National Park. From waterfall hikes and wildlife tours to forest bathing and garden parties, Fairmont Banff Springs offers the ideal coolcation getaway.
Banffchella
With flower installations adorning castle walls and an outdoor bar serving signature cocktails, Fairmont Banff Springs invites guests to celebrate summer in style. Banffchella serves French dishes, themed cocktails and extravagant floral art on select Thursday, Friday and Saturday afternoons.
Book a table on the Vermillion Room patio to soak up the sunshine while enjoying live music, boozy brunch and blooms. There’s a pre-set first course and a family-style main course. Entrée options include Croque Madame, Moules Frites, Spaghettini Pasta, Le Cheeseburger and Albacore Tuna Nicoise Salad.
Playing croquet in the mountains at Banffchella. Photo Heidi Gollub.
After lunch, grab a mallet to play croquet on the lawn in your Paris-inspired garden partywear with snow-capped mountains as your backdrop.
Forest Bathing
Join Scott Berry, a certified guide with the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy, for a calming experience in the woods just steps from the hotel. He’ll share the science of forest bathing and walk you through slowing down to observe the natural environment. “The beauty is everywhere,” Berry says. “You don’t have to work too hard to find it here.”
After releasing you to explore the woods with childlike wonder, Berry will encourage you to continue the practice at home. His prescription is to spend one day every week alone in nature. “It’ll change your life,” he says.
Wildlife Corridor Tour
Fairmont Banff Springs is in one of the most active wildlife corridors in the Canadian Rockies. While at the hotel, you can go for a hike, borrow a bike, or join a guided wilderness walk in the hopes of having a wildlife encounter.
If spotting a brown or black bear is on your Canadian vacation Bingo card, you may want to book a private Wildlife Corridor Tour. You’ll join a guided golf cart quest around the property and learn about the wolves and grizzlies of Canada’s oldest national park along the way.
Fairmont Spa
Unwind in the Fairmont Spa Banff Springs coed wellness areas, which feature a heated outdoor pool and hot tub, and an indoor mineral pool and waterfall whirlpools. Or retreat to the single-sex wings to relax in a steam room, sauna, or jacuzzi. It’s the perfect way to relax after a day of outdoor activities.
Fairmont Gold
Your U.S. dollars will go further in Canada, so you may want to splurge on an elevated castle experience with Fairmont Gold. This upgrade grants you a private reception desk, renovated room or suite, access to an adults-only quiet lounge, and turn-down service.
You’ll also be welcome at the Fairmont Gold Lounge to enjoy a complimentary breakfast with perfectly flaky pastries, afternoon hors d’oeuvres, and mouthwatering desserts prepared by the in-house pastry chef.
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
Don’t miss the chance to take a scenic 45-minute shuttle ride from Fairmont Banff Springs to its sister castle hotel, Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. Surrounded by snowy mountains and the Victoria Glacier, Lake Louise is an alpine glacier lake that will knock your socks off. It gets its trademark blue color from rock flour resulting from glacial erosion.
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is the only hotel by the lake. Built as a base for outdoor enthusiasts and alpinists, it is surrounded by towering mountains and the Victoria Glacier. If you stay here, book a room with a lake view and you won’t be disappointed.
Guests of the 5-star luxury hotel get special access to dining, activities, and a shuttle to Moraine Lake. This is a big deal since Moraine Lake is no longer accessible by car, and getting shuttle tickets on your own can be difficult.
Voyageur Canoe
The best way to experience Lake Louise water is from the water. You can rent a canoe by the hour from the boathouse, or join a guided tour in an 8- to 12-passenger voyageur canoe. Guests of the hotel use a VIP line for faster service.
On a 90-minute voyageur tour, you’ll join in the paddling while your accredited guide shares information about Lake Louise, a “diamond in the wilderness.” You’ll also get some spectacular photos.
Tea House Hike
Walk out the back doors of the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and onto the Lake Agnes Trail. From here it’s a two-mile, uphill hike to Lake Agnes Teahouse, overlooking one of the three “lakes in the clouds.” When you arrive, enjoy a warm drink or hot soup in the wilderness before heading back down the trail.
Afternoon Tea
If you’d rather not have to hike for treats, make a reservation for Afternoon Tea at the hotel’s Fairview Restaurant. The scones with jam and Devonshire cream are to die for and you can enjoy the lake’s natural beauty from your table.
Fairmont Spa Lake Louise
To cap off a glorious Rocky Mountain vacation, book a holistic relaxation experience at the Fairmont Spa. Signature treatments include “aromachology” scent-infused massages and a Glacier Lift facial. The spa is intimate in size, but stay tuned for next year when the hotel is opening a new eco-friendly thermal wellness facility.
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Heidi Gollub moved to Austin from Canada more than two decades ago. She was thrilled to revisit Banff National Park this summer with her husband who first took her camping there when they were in college.
