Fairmont Banff Springs, Banff, Canada

· 15 minutes' walk to Banff centre · regular shuttle bus to Mount Norquay, Sunshine and Lake Louise ski areas with up to five departures every morning, depending on the resort (free with Tri-Area lift pass) · 15 minutes' drive to Mount Norquay ·25 minutes' drive to Sunshine · 45 minutes' drive to Lake Louise · small extra charge for regular shuttle bus to Banff town · 20 minutes' walk to the ski school meeting point

The Fairmont Banff Springs is an icon of Canadian history. Built in 1888 after the Canadian Pacific Railway was completed, it was one of a string of opulent hotels designed to tempt skiers out to the Rocky Mountains – and it worked. The hotel became the place to stay for wealthy Europeans looking to see Canada’s staggering mountain scenery and to climb its rocky peaks. It attracted the cream of society, with the likes of King George VI, Winston Churchill and Marilyn Monroe among its star-studded showreel of past guests.

You can’t help but be bowled over by the Fairmont Banff Springs, or the Castle in the Rockies, as it’s known. It was modelled on a Scottish baronial castle and is packed with bars, lounges, grand ballrooms and 12 restaurants, each with little nods to its historical theme, from whole suits of armour to grand thrones carved from wood. There are indoor and outdoor hot tubs and swimming pools, marble-floored lounges and even a bowling alley. Not forgetting the world-class spa, which you can use for an extra charge. The famous Fairmont breakfasts will keep you on the mountain until dinner, but you’re also just a short walk from Banff, which is full of lively restaurants, bars and shops. And when you’re ready to hit the slopes, the hotel shuttle bus is right outside to whisk you up to Banff's famous Big 3 mountains: Norquay, Sunshine Village and Lake Louise.

The rooms are full-blown luxury too, with all the mod cons you'd expect. And if you fancy going all out, pick a Fairmont Gold room for extra special treatment – it's even got it's own check-in desk like a boutique hotel within a hotel, and you can make the most of added perks like bed & breakfast, afternoon canapés and desserts, a self-service bar and a lounge.

· extensive private grounds · free use of health club with indoor pool, outdoor heated pool and hot tub · extra charge for the award-winning Fairmont Spa Banff Springs which includes a sauna, steam room, eucalyptus inhalation room, indoor mineral pool, outdoor hot tub, relaxation rooms, terraces and lounges, as well as massage and beauty treatments (free entry to the spa for 3 hours on the day you book a treatment) · several onsite restaurants and bars · ice-skating rink · 20 in-house shops · extra charge for equipment rental · free WiFi throughout · 764 bedrooms

· optional upgrade to bed & breakfast with full American breakfast · continental breakfast included with Fairmont Gold double rooms

All rooms have satellite TV, pay-per-view video, free WiFi, hairdryer, telephone, coffee maker, iron/ironing board and a safe.

When you arrive, a pre-authorisation of approx. 100 CAD per night is added to your card to cover any spending during your stay. When you check out, you’ll pay the real value and the pre-authorisation will be cancelled.

Fairmont double room (approx. 20m²) - sleeps 1-2: King-size bed or queen size bed, private shower and WC.

Deluxe double room (approx. 32m²) - sleeps 1-4: Double bed or twin beds, queen-size bed or king-size bed, private shower and WC.

Junior suite (approx. 35m²) - sleeps 1-2: King-size bed, private shower and WC.

Fairmont gold double room (approx. 21m²) - sleeps 1-2: King-size bed or two queen-size beds, private shower and WC. These rooms include breakfast in the Gold Lounge.