Banff Springs

Trip Start Feb 16, 2011

113

Trip End Jun 11, 2012

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Where I stayed

The Fairmont Banff Springs

Flag of Canada Banff, Alberta, Canada
Sunday, May 29, 2011

There is one hotel in Banff which is unlike the others. It stands out and captures the hearts and imaginations of all who see her and those who are lucky enough to stay there. She is a Banff icon; a symbol of decadence and the drawcard for many who come here. I'm talking of course of the Banff Springs Hotel which was first opened in 1888, just a few years after the hot springs were discovered which made the town famous. In a perfect marriage between entrepreneurship and tourism, the railway just happened to pass through the town bringing the tourists with them and enabling Banff to exist.

I had Sunday afternoon free so I decided to check out the local softball mixed league as the weather had improved. After watching the team from Tommys defeat another local pub, I ventured up to the Banff Springs which is a 15 minute walk from downtown along the Bow River. When I first arrived in Banff just one month ago, the river was lined with snow and half the size. Now due to the meltwater, the river was full and the Bow Falls were gushing over

Main Area

. The sun was shining as I walked around the back of the hotel to the balcony which presented a magnificent view of the river with Tunnel Mountain on the left and Rundle Mountain on the right. I went for a walk through most of the hotel which was decorated with 1920s style fixtures, old wooden chairs and tapestries on the walls. The main building itself is almost unrecognisable from the original which has been rebuilt over the years and had many additions such as conference rooms, the golf course and the staff accommodation as well. It is almost a centre upon itself, dominating the surroundings and making itself ever present.

Enjoy the photos!

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