The Fairmont Banff Springs

Customer Ratings & Reviews

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

9825 reviews

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  Incredible setting and service, but room size and value fell short for the price

  We stayed at the Fairmont Banff Springs over Christmas as a special luxury treat after a long year of work, travelling from overseas for the stay. We split our Banff time between another hotel and the Fairmont, checking in here specifically for Christmas before returning to our original accommodation. There’s no denying the hotel itself is incredible. Visually and in overall feel, it’s exactly what you expect. Fine dining, beautiful Christmas setups, retail, casual takeaway food options, and absolutely stunning views of the snow-covered mountains. We stayed for three days and didn’t leave the property once because everything you could need was there. Food and beverage was excellent across the board. Rundle Bar was a standout and a fantastic place to sit with a drink and people-watch. We also dined twice at the buffet on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The food was genuinely impressive, though it was extremely busy and staff were rushed off their feet, which meant some waiting for drinks and follow-ups. The service overall was very strong. Staff were friendly and attentive, including at check-out, where taxis were heavily backed up. The hotel arranged to drive my partner and me to our next location in a personal car, which I thought was outstanding service. Housekeeping were also lovely. As they were working on Christmas Day, we left a larger tip that morning as a small thank you, and I left notes during our stay and returned to thoughtful replies, which was a really nice personal touch. As it was Christmas, we woke on Christmas morning to a stocking filled with treats hanging on our door, and there was a welcome holiday message waiting on the bed at check-in. Nightly turndown service was excellent, and it was genuinely nice returning to a room that felt freshly serviced again each evening. The spa experience was another highlight. It’s adults-only, calm, and beautifully set up. The mineral pool, spas, and outdoor hot tub on a -26°C snowy day was unforgettable. The spa facilities, change rooms, lockers, and food and drink offerings were all exceptionally well done. That said, there were some significant drawbacks that ultimately impacted the experience for me, particularly given the price point and the fact this was meant to be a special Christmas stay. The room was extremely small. Opening even one suitcase was difficult, and with two suitcases it became a game of Tetris just to move around the room. The bathroom was also tiny, with no bench space for two people, meaning toiletries had to be kept on the small bench under the TV in the main room. For the price we paid, I would expect a walk-in shower rather than a bathtub-and-shower setup. For a luxury hotel, I also expected a higher standard of room finish. There was a random piece of wood fixed above the window, with visible screws drilled into it, which felt out of place. We also couldn’t locate an elevator servicing our section of the hotel, meaning we had to wheel our suitcases up stairs to reach our room. I also booked the behind-the-scenes history tour, which had been recommended to me, and it was unfortunately a major disappointment. The host arrived late, appeared rushed, and largely read from information displayed on walls. The tour lasted around 45 minutes, visited only two locations, and ended abruptly. I expected far more depth and access given the reputation of the hotel. Writing this review genuinely pains me. I wanted a perfect Christmas experience, and while many elements were exceptional, I left feeling disappointed for what we paid. My honest recommendation would be to stay elsewhere that fits your budget and still enjoy what the Fairmont does best. You can book restaurants, bars, the spa, and facilities in advance without staying onsite, and you can also visit the Fairview Lookout for incredible photos of the hotel. You’ll still experience the magic without the premium accommodation cost.

  Dec 30, 2025
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  Christmas at the Castle - a magical stay

  Christmas at the Castle was MAGICAL! We stayed at the hotel during the holiday week, and everything felt so festive and homey. From before check-in, the service was top-notch. We worked closely with the concierge team on several pre-visit arrangements, which were all executed flawlessly. A special shout-out to team member Don Mooney for the incredible time and care he took with me on the phone, providing recommendations to make our family's holiday time in Banff special. All the staff we encountered during our stay were equally friendly and professional, and the dining throughout the hotel was top-notch. We especially loved the Rundle Bar with its live music, cozy fireplace, and beautiful views. We did have a few issues with our room (#340). The bathroom was uncomfortably small. The toilet was just inches from the wall in front, making it practically unusable. Additionally, it became very warm and stuffy in the evenings, making it difficult to get a good night's sleep. We look forward to visiting again as a family, either to experience the summer in Banff or to return during the very special holiday season. Thank you for making our first Christmas away one to remember!

  Dec 30, 2025
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  Smaller rooms and a cramped bathroom in an otherwise impressive hotel

  We stayed for two nights at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel and, although the hotel undoubtedly has a spectacular setting, we found the double room to be noticeably smaller than those we have experienced at other Fairmont properties. The in-room Nespresso machine was housed in a drawer which made making a simple cup of coffee more awkward than it needed to be. The bathroom was also very compact, with a shower over the bath. Space was tight: accessing the toilet roll required an awkward twist, there was no bench or shelving for washbags or personal toiletries, and the bathroom fan was also quite noisy. The hotel itself is vast, with a maze of corridors where it is easy to lose one’s bearings, and even locating the lifts was not always straightforward. Apart from these slight niggles, we did enjoy our stay and generally found the service to be very good.

  Dec 28, 2025
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  Continues to be a WOW

  We got married in Banff in 2016 and held our reception at this beautiful Castle in the mountains.. it was spectacular then and has certainly not lost its charm. We returned for our 10 year wedding anniversary and stayed in a Fairmont gold room... Would not have it any other way. The extra touches you get staying on the gold floors is so worth it. The service from every member of staff we encountered was amazing, always having time to say hello and go out of there way to make recommendations (and not just for the hotel but on the local area as well). The bars are all so different, but equally good. We just used the main pool and in the snow it was so lovely. It was a little busy but there is so much space you never really felt like it was too busy.... And it remained peaceful. The staff were always on hand lifting and changing towels, always making sure there were plenty as people were coming from outside to on. This really is our castle on the Rockies and it's a total gem. The surroundings and hotel are just wow.. but the sparkle that makes this place is the staff. We will return.

  Dec 17, 2025
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  Company Christmas Party was amazing at the Banff Springs!

  Our company Christmas Party at the Fairmont Banff Springs was truly magical. The setting was breathtaking, the food and service were outstanding, and the events team made everything effortless from start to finish. Our staff are still talking about what a fantastic weekend it was. We loved it so much we will be hosting our 2026 Christmas Party at the Banff Springs. The Guest Reservations Team and our Conference Services Manager, Barb were amazing!

  Dec 16, 2025