The Spread:

Find the best rate at the: Fairmont Banff Springs here.

"If we can’t export the scenery, we will import the tourists," went Canadian Pacific Railway’s philosophy, fueling construction of a series of grand hotels along their train route through the country’s soaring Rockies. Banff Springs Hotel, styled after a Scottish castle, opened in 1888 and occupies an impossibly scenic bluff overlooking the town of Banff, the Bow River, and the mountainous beauty of Banff National Park.

Fairmont’s meticulous renovation, restoration, and addition have kept the hotel modern even as it remains a glorious symbol of days long past. Guests can play 27 holes of golf or relax in the luxurious sanctuary of the Willow Steam Spa. Winter means snowshoeing and skiing, both cross-country and downhill, along with cozy afternoons sipping tea by grand fireplaces. In 1992, the Fairmont Banff Springs was declared a historical site by the Sites and Monuments Board of Canada.

Why Families Love It:
Although the hotel does not offer any organized children’s programs, the property is the perfect base for explorations into Banff National Park, one of North America’s most beautiful settings. Kids and families can ride horses, swim, hike, and bike by themselves, or sign up for guided rides ranging from three to 13 miles long. For more outdoor exploration, check out the hotel-affiliated Heritage Guide Program, which takes you out into the wilderness on various interpretative hikes. Indoors, families can roll for strikes at the Bowling Center that hooks kids with its nighttime Blacklight Bowling.

In summer there’s canoeing nearby or on Lake Louise 45 minutes away. Rafters will find easy float trips on the Bow River or more challenging whitewater on the Kicking Horse River. In winter, the hotel ice rink summons up all the joy of childhood, and families can further revel in the snow-covered landscape while taking sleigh rides, ice fishing, skiing, and snowmobiling. Banff has two stellar ski resorts, Banff Norquay and Sunshine Village, while 4,200-acre Lake Louise is less than an hour away.

Special Events & Activities:
No vacation here is complete without a visit to Columbia Icefields. All-day tours leave daily. It’s a little bit of winter even in the heart of summer on what has been labeled one of the world’s most scenic drives.