We stayed two nights from Christmas Eve to Boxing Day. Despite Christmas being quite a busy time in Banff, the staff was helpful and pleasant, with no smarmy insincerity. In the past we have visited the hotel as Willow Stream spa guests only, and the service from the spa and front desk was not as courteous on those visits. This time we felt really welcome.
As soon as we checked in, they put out cookies and hot apple cider in the lobby, which we sipped as we joined a (light on the history) historical tour of the hotel. After the tour we found a souvenir tin of cookies and candies in our room, a nice touch. We went to see Santa and drank hot chocolate (with whipped cream, chocolate shavings, and marshmallows). Later, it was carol singing led by a wonderful choral group. Wonderfully decorated, I cannot imagine a lovelier Christmas, especially if you have children.
Great restaurants from the 24hr deli to the Christmas dinner brunch in the Bow Valley Grill. Great sushi too - our server insisted we come in, despite it was closing time, very gracious. Try the made in house green tea ice cream and plum wine sorbet. Ok, i'm food obsessed; none of it was cheap, but it was top quality at all the restaurants we tried. There was no need to leave the hotel to eat, and we never felt that we wanted to leave.
Not as many organized activities on Christmas day, we had a sleigh ride booked, but it was cancelled for lack of snow, so they comped our parking. We did go on a nature walk, there was the traditional Yule log lighting, and we spent a long time in the outdoor pool, which is really a big, wonderful, hot tub. The previous day was spent at the Willow Stream Spa, worth the splurge.
They welcomed our dog, and not a lot of hotels allow dogs. Our first room was a deluxe, then we were upgraded to a signature room the second night. The valley views from both rooms were fantastic. The rooms themselves were decent: king sized bed, Miller-Harris toiletries, a little fridge to store your snacks, but the rooms were not huge or particularly luxurious. But, we really only slept in the room anyway, there were so many activities around the hotel.
Yes, everything is more expensive than many other Banff hotels, but mostly it was good value. I can't wait to go again next year.

We recently returned from a wonderful winter escape in Banff, Alberta.

We stayed at the Fairmont Banff Springs and could not have been more pleased with our stay. The staff demonstrated what true five star hospitality should be like despite being a bit tired after an exceptionally busy holiday season.

We stayed in a valley view room in the main wing. The hotel is large enough to get lost in and there are plenty of sitting rooms and nooks where you can sit and curl up with a good book, play games (available for loan from the concierge) or just look at the lovely views of the Canadian Rockies.

Highlights: the five pin bowling alley, the lovely buffet breakfast in the Bow Valley Grill, walking into downtown Banff, Waldhaus pub, the ice skating rink and walks along the golf course and The Castle Pantry (place to get to-go specialty coffees, snacks, etc)

Favorite restaurants in downtown Banff:
1.) Cafe Soleil-- tapas and a lovely wine list
2.) Elk & Oarsman-- has a couple fireplaces, flat screen tvs, good appetizers and Canadian beer on tap plus a selection of games
3.) Saltlik-- good food, nice atmosphere plus live music on Thursday nights

Recommended activities:
- Skiing at Lake Louise and Sunshine Village (a very convenient shuttle service is offered for a nominal fee direct from the hotel)
- Johnston Canyon hike to see frozen waterfalls (the concierge can help organize. . .we went with the Fairmont guide and it ended up being a personalized hike since no other guests signed up . . .well worth the price)

When you pull up to this magnificent hotel you will not believe your eye's. It looks lake a castle from an old movie. I have been their both in the summer and in the winter. I would have to say I like the winter more, because I love to ski. (Sunshine Ski Resort) When you walk into this magnificent hotel you will not want to leave, even though the down town is wonderful to. (walking distance) The service is wonderful and everyone is so nice. The fourteen restaurants they have are all spectacular from what I hear, because I have only eaten at four of them. The Waldhouse was my favorite hotel even though it is a little expensive, but if it is in your budget you wont want to pass it up. Every part of the hotel is decorated spectacularly, and everything seems to be brand new. The rooms are wonderful, clean and comfortable just like your own house. The spa is also wonderful. The only thing that they could redo is the out door pool, it is still great but a little out dated. I guarantee if you go to the Banff Springs Hotel either in the winter or in the summer you definitely won't regret it, I guarantee I'll be back many more time's.

As a gay couple we stayed at the Fairmont in Banff on Saturday, through a Monday. We are a Fairmont Club member and got a great deal online for $130 for a night which includes breakfast. When we got to the hotel we did a room upgrade and got room 808 in the main building. It was a queen bed, bed but the size of the room was grand and the views were awesome. We did park in town and took the bus up as parkinga the hotel was $19/day. Free Internet along with Wireless throughout if you are a Fairmont Club member. We would highly recommend staying here, especially if you can get a great deal.