Banff Springs: The Story of a Hotel

by Bart Robinson

Some institutions transcend themselves and become symbols of a place and time. Known to millions of visitors to Banff as "the Castle," or simply as "the Hotel," the Banff Springs is more than simply a place to stay, for it is the home of memories and a dream of gracious times in other ages.

This classic book to one of the world's most famous mountain resorts is filled with the rich anecdotes and snippets of history that have enriched Banff and indeed Canada, from the hotel's links to the construction of the transcontinental rail line to the visits of maharajahs and movie stars.

First published in 1973, the new edition (2007) has been expanded to include recent developments. Although now printed in full colour, it is the timeless images by well-known photographers such as Bruno Engler and Nicholas Morant that bring the hotel's storied history to life.

115 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1973

About the author

Aside from writing A Castle in the Wilderness and several other books on the human and natural history of the Canadian Rockies, Bart Robinson has enjoyed a long career as a journalist, editor, and conservationist. He was an editor with Equinox magazine from 1982 to 1994, and the Executive Director of the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative from 1996 to 2003. He currently lives in Canmore, Alberta, where he has worked with the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley and The Natural Step Canada.

Reviews

[Bill Leach]

The Banff Springs Hotel, built by the CPR, became renowned as a high end hotel. It was designed in the Chateau style by Bruce Price who also designed Montreal's Windsor Station an Chateau Frontenac.

The hotel featured a spa early on, which was supplied with water from the Sulphur Mountain hot springs.

"Canoeing on the Bow River, strolling down to Bow Falls, taking a pleasure cruise up the Bow on the Mountain Belle, or renting horses or a tallyho for a ride out to the Hoodoos or Devil's Lake (Lake Minnewanka) were favourite pastimes. Fishing was an openly competitive event.... "

"The concept of social class was a very vigorous doctrine at the turn of the last century and it operated most effectively to keep the 'downtown people' downtown."

By 1910, it was recognized that the hotel had depreciated and needed a rebuild. Walter Painter became the new architect. While the original hotel was largely wooden, rock work featured in the new hotel with work done by stonecutters from Italy and masons from Scotland. The original quarry can still be seen 1.2 km up the Spray river.

When the golf course was rebuilt in the 1920's, it was the most expensive golf course ever built. Topsoil for the fairways was brought in from the prairies and sand for the bunkers was brought from British Columbia.

The Banff airport was built in the late 1930's: "... jazz musician Benny Goodman wrote to say he'd like to visit the hotel, but could do so only if there were a place to land his plane. The CPR arranged to have a landing strip cleared at the base of Cascade Mountain."

Indian Days and the Highland Games were major events in the late 1920's and in the 1930's.

In 1990, a large conference center and spa was added. In recent years, much of the Banff Springs business has come from tours and conventions with independent travelers forming a minority.

When reading the book, one cannot help but be surprised that Parks supported the continual development. By contrast, when the Alpine Club of Canada proposed to rebuild their clubhouse in 1974, was denied by Parks Canada as they had come to recognize lower Sulphur Mountain as an ecologically sensitive area, and could not condone the expansion of a private organization's land outside the town.

[Katie]

I think many of the other reviewers were misinformed on what this book is about. This is a history of the hotel - it’s construction, it’s influence on the community, the role of the railway, and the notable figures who figuratively and metaphorically built it - but not a ghost guide or survey of guest experience.
It was well-written although there were a few places where a copy editor needs to take a second look. Overall I enjoyed learning some of the history surrounding the construction and development of this institution.

[B Howe]

Possibly the best history recorded by a local of both Banff and its venerable Banff Springs Hotel. The stories of the guests (hijinks & shenanigans) from the early years have to be read to be believed.

How the well off seemed to have so much fun back in the early 1900's - it's almost scandalous.

[Elisabeth]

I read the 2007 edition of this book, which does not appear to be listed. Lots of interesting info, but a bit verbose in style. Sadly, there was only a page about the hotel ghosts (and not even a complete account--nothing bout the lady on the staircase!), yet a whole chapter about the golf course which oddly enough was the final chapter of the book, with no conclusion following. Still, an interesting little slice of Alberta history.

[Jennifer Rayment]

The pictures are beautiful and the research is well done, but it is quite frankly a very dull book about a fascinating hotel. But as I did buy it at the Banff Springs Hotel I must keep it for my collection. My hubby worked there for 7 years and his stories are much more fascinating than those included in the book. The pictures are worth the price of the book though so not a complete loss, just expected better. And seriously barely a half a page about the ghosts -- come on : )

[Hildegart]

This is a nice little book about the hotel! It's nice seeing pictures of how the hotel grew over time. It's an easy book to read and I would recommend it to anyone who is going to be in Banff Springs. It gives you perspective. Will write more later.