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1888 Chop House – Banff, Alberta

We delayed our anniversary a bit while we waited for COVID to settle down and when it did, we made it into 1888 Chop House inside the Fairmont Banff Springs for a dessert. We actually stayed at the hotel for this special occasion and even though everything was perfect and professional, I realized that staying home was where I wanted to be. We came downstairs from our room, masks and all and they seated us quickly by the giant fireplace. It was really lovely!! We ordered our fancy drinks and then ordered some late night desserts.

I knew once I sat down that I wanted to enjoy their Nanaimo Bar Cheesecake which was beautifully presented! The cheesecake was coconut which I loved, light and creamy but not heavy. The crust was an oreo crumb and it was the perfect vehicle as it added the texture of crunch!

Just for something different, we ordered the Baked Alaska which was awesome as there was that table-side interaction where they still did the flambe and it looked amazing! I know it doesn’t look great in the picture, but it had amazing ice cream and berry compote. When it’s simple, it has to be perfect and it was! I actually think they called it Baked Alberta, but I don’t have record of it so who knows!!

From our drinks and dessert experience here, I know we’ll have to book in for an actual meal! Hopefully in the near future as I would love to experience this chophouse and honestly it’s always our gift to each other, the Fairmont experience!

1888 Chop House

405 Spray Ave,
Banff, AB

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Banff Springs Hotel Castle Pantry – Banff, Alberta

We woke up late during our stay at the hotel. We decided to grab a quick breakfast before checking out so we went downstairs to Castle Pantry located right at the main lobby – next to the Concierge. It’s a great place to grab something to go, or grab and sit at their seating area – which we did.

As we were just grabbing and basically going, I picked up their Apple Cinnamon Turnover which was absolutely amazing! It was light, crispy and flaky pastry crust with tender and delicious apple filling, covered in cinnamon sugar. It was not too sweet for breakfast for me as it as delicious.

We also picked up their croissant as the day before, we had an amazing Egg Salad Croissant during afternoon tea. We were quite hopeful it would be just as amazing. It was good, but not as good! We were still very content with the croissant!

Overall, it was the perfect place for a quick bite. Filling, delicious and reasonably priced. The service was great and it was like a cantina styled cafe. It works and it’s good!

Castle Pantry on Urbanspoon

Castle Pantry – Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel

405 Spray Ave
Banff, AB
(403) 762-2211

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Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel – Banff, Alberta

I’ve been to many hotels in my life so far and time after time, Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel keeps coming up as my all time favourite! So, we decided to go back and stay again as it’s been awhile to re-live old memories and make some recent ones! We booked a night in the Deluxe Mountain View King Room where we were blown away yet again!

Our room was amazing this time, we got a corner room that overlooked Tunnel Mountain and Rundle Mountain – and you can make out Bow Falls from the window! The view was amazing and the space in the room was plenty ample! Once you walked into the room, the bed was on one side, and basically everything else was on the other side!

We walked in and there was the drink amenity tray which has a coffee maker, and a kettle! There’s also a mini fridge that’s under the TV stand too and it had some creamers! They give you plenty of coffee and tea options, and only 2 mugs! So, we just rised our mugs and reused them as I made hot chocolate that I brought with me for this amazing trip!

The bathroom was pretty small, and offered a relatively spacious stand in shower! The bathroom amenities were quite nice and it offered a subtle rose scent. It had all that you really needed though! Behind the door on a hook was a hair dryer too! There’s plenty of extra bathroom supplies – so for sure you won’t run out!

The treat in the room was the giant soaker tub with jets in the corner. It is located outside the bathroom in the room but it’s tucked in the corner! What an amazing treat! You can turn the TV over and watch TV from the tub, but if your jets are going, you probably can’t hear the TV. There’s a few steps here on tiles so I’m sure it can become slippery – but there’s another bath mat to help with that!

To get a better overall look of the room we stayed at, feel free to visit the room walk through clip below! We enjoyed the 2 windows with the window seats a lot! The view is pretty good, although there is some obstruction! There’s a column in the middle of the room, but it’s hard to miss – you won’t walk into it at night!

Overall, this is still our favourite hotel with the best rooms, view and the food at the hotel is amazing as well! We did all our dining at the hotel and it truly was a Fairmont experience! What a perfect weekend!

Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel

405 Spray Avenue
Banff, Alberta, Canada
403 762 2211

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Fairmont Banff Springs

I’ve been really fortunately to have been able to try the luxurious Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel in Banff, Alberta, and I have always wanted to return since the first visit. I’ve really liked the style of the resort as it is very historic, yet warm and inviting. Some of the rooms were really small, and crammed, but it is the experience to be able to say you’ve stayed at a Fairmont Resort. I have stayed there about 3 times total, and all times it’s been really different.

The great outdoor heated pool is definitely something to rave about. I remember sitting in the heated pool in the heart of winter with snow falling down, and an elk came by the pool to see what the guests were all about. While all the guests in the pool were so excited to see the elk, of course security for the hotel kept a close watch on the wildlife.

We once got a room that seemed to be tucked in the corner, and everything was really crammed, and the location was noisy — this room was near a walkway where tour groups walk by and it made for a different type of experience. This room is the only pictures I have…

We were lucky once, and got upgraded to a different type of room where we had a great fireplace, great view and great everything! So, it’s hard to say what the actual feeling of the resort is as we seemed to stay in very different room types… so it’s been really challenging for me to say whether or not I like it here… I must say, when I’m given further opportunities, or if it costs the same as other resorts, absolutely, I will be back for the Fairmont Experience. I really do like the valet service they have in the winter as well, as they do take the extra effort and scrap your windows! 🙂 It’s definitely worth the extra for that kind of service!

I do keep an eye out for specials and promotions and try to reason with myself to make a trip out and stay at the Fairmont Banff Springs. Hopefully I’ll be returning soon!