8 Best Fairmont Hotels in Canada 2024

As part of a recent trip on board the luxury train tour, the Canadian Rocky Mountaineer, my husband and I had the opportunity to upgrade our hotel package to include stays at several of the best Fairmont Hotels in Canada.

As part of our incredible train journey, we were able to visit and stay at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Fairmont Banff Springs, and Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge.

When looking to book hotel accommodations in Canada, these luxury Fairmont Hotels often appear in the results. But are they worth booking? What makes them special? Are they worth the price?

Having stayed at the majority of these hotels, I can state with certainty that if you’re visiting the area, you should stay at at least one of these incredible hotels.

Continue reading to find out more about each of these luxury hotels in Canada and what makes them truly unique places to stay.

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What Makes Fairmont Hotels So Unique?

Each Fairmont is a distinct, landmark hotel with its own unique qualities and history. No two hotels are the same.

You could stay in each one and have a completely different hotel experience. Most of the Fairmont hotels started as railway hotels that were built with the expansion of the railway in Canada.

1. Fairmont Château Lake Louise, Alberta

Fairmont Château Lake Louise is, in my opinion, the best Fairmont in Canada. It has the most spectacular views of the emerald-coloured Lake Louise and the surrounding Canadian Rocky Mountains.

This is one of the most beautiful hotels I have ever stayed at in all of my travels.

Château Lake Louise has over 500 luxury rooms and is located in Alberta’s Banff National Park. Upgrading to a room with a view of Lake Louise is absolutely worth the extra money.

The hotel is located within the very tiny town of Lake Louise, and the area can become very busy with tourists.

If you are not a guest of the hotel, visiting Lake Louise requires careful planning as parking is very limited. Staying at the hotel helps you avoid the headache of trying to visit on your own.

I would highly recommend splurging and spending a night or two at Château Lake Louise if you are visiting the area so you can enjoy hiking, canoeing, or skating on the lake.

You can also enjoy some refreshments or a fine dining experience in one of the hotel restaurants while overlooking one of the most iconic views in Canada.

2. Fairmont Banff Springs, Alberta

Although I believe Lake Louise is the best Fairmont hotel, the Fairmont Banff Springs is my favourite Fairmont Hotel.

Located in Banff National Park, Fairmont Banff Springs has over 730 rooms and suites and is located just a 10-minute walk from the bustling ski town of Banff, Alberta.

The town of Banff has an abundance of shops, restaurants, and bars. Unlike Lake Louise, where the only food options are essentially at the hotel, you can not only enjoy the incredible restaurants and bars at the hotel itself, but you can also walk into town and choose from a host of other local restaurants, bars, and cafes at a variety of price points.

There are also many attractions to see in Banff, and that’s why we highly recommend visiting Banff.

At the hotel, there are also two saltwater pools (one indoor and one outdoor) that are heated and open year-round.

Fairmont Banff Springs is located just 60 kilometres away from Lake Louise, giving you the option to stay at both of these historical hotels in one trip when visiting Alberta, Canada, if you choose to do so.

3. Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, Alberta

Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge has over 440 guest rooms on a 700-acre property located in Jasper National Park, Alberta. Guests stay in heritage log cabins that are connected by walking paths.

The main lodge includes an outstanding restaurant with stunning views of the lake, a lively bar in the evening, an award-winning spa, and a hotel pool overlooking the lake and surrounding mountains.

Jasper Park Lodge is about a 15-minute drive from the small town of Jasper. The lodge is in a secluded area surrounded by nature.

Long walks, swimming, playing golf, and skiing in the winter are just some of the experiences you will have here at Jasper Park Lodge.

Important Note: In the summer of 2024 Jasper experienced a devastating forest fire that impacted many hotels, houses, and businesses. While Jasper Park Lodge experienced minimal damage and is now open, it is best to confirm the current situation if visiting in the near future.

4. Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, British Columbia

The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver is an historic landmark in downtown Vancouver, Canada. The Fairmont Vancouver has over 550 rooms and recently underwent a $12 million, five-year renovation.

While the Hotel Vancouver is more than 80 years old and has had several incarnations, it continues to be one of the most prestigious hotels in Canada. The hotel you see today was completed in 1939 and was constructed in the style of a 16th century French Chateau.

The hotel is in the centre of downtown Vancouver and is within walking distance of the harbour, Canada Place, the seawall water walk, Stanley Park, and so much more.

With comfortable rooms, a fantastic restaurant, and an ideal location in downtown Vancouver, Fairmont Hotel Vancouver is an excellent place to stay while visiting the city.

5. Fairmont Chateau Whistler, British Columbia

The Chateau Fairmont Whistler is a luxurious mountain resort located in Whistler, British Columbia. Fairmont Chateau Whistler is one of the newer hotels. It was built in 1989 in the style of the French manor house tradition of the historical Canadian Pacific Railway hotels.

The Fairmont Chateau Whistler is located at the base of the Blackcomb Mountain and just a five-minute walk from Whistler Village. This modern luxury hotel has over 550 rooms and is a particular favourite for those who enjoy winter sports such as skiing.

Fairmont Whistler offers a wide range of dining options. Other amenities include a fitness centre, a spa, an outdoor heated pool, and hot tubs. Guests can also enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, such as skiing, snowboarding, hiking, golfing, and mountain biking.

6. Fairmont Royal York, Toronto, Ontario

The Fairmont Royal York is in the heart of downtown Toronto, and with over 1,300 rooms and suites, this large, luxury hotel is the best hotel in Toronto. When the Royal York was completed in 1929, it was the tallest structure in the entire British Empire. 

With so many things to do in Toronto, this hotel is a great accommodation option. My absolute favourite time to visit this hotel is during the Christmas and holiday season in December.

The hotel has stunning holiday decorations, special holiday events, and is in the perfect location to enjoy all Toronto has to offer in winter.

The Fairmont Royal York is right across the street from Union Station and within walking distance of the CN Tower, the Rogers Centre (for Blue Jays baseball fans), Scotia Bank Arena (for Maple Leaf hockey fans), the Hockey Hall of Fame, the Eaton’s Centre (for shopping fans), the Well, the theatre district, and more!

One of the most iconic spots within the hotel is The Library Bar. This eclectic bar brings tourists and Torontonians (people who live in Toronto) alike together to enjoy a drink or a meal in this hidden gem. There is also an excellent, family-friendly indoor pool at this hotel.

Easy Access to Toronto International Airport and Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport

It’s also really easy to get to and from both Toronto International Airport and Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport from this location. Right across the street from the Fairmont Royal York you can hop on the UpExpress.

Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport offers a complimentary shuttle between the Royal York and the city Airport. Both the UpExpress and the shuttle make getting to and from either airport to the Royal York a breeze!

7. Fairmont Château Laurier, Ottawa, Ontario

Fairmont Château Laurier is located in the heart of downtown Ottawa. Another stunning property, the Château Laurier, is just minutes from the ByWard Market, the Rideau Canal, and Parliament Hill.

It was built between 1909 and 1912, and its architecture is reminiscent of a French chateau, with a steep copper roof, turrets, and limestone walls.

The hotel has 429 guest rooms and suites, many of which offer stunning views of the city and the nearby Rideau Canal. The hotel has several restaurants and bars, a fitness centre, an indoor pool, and a spa.

8. Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, Quebec

Fairmont Le Château Frontenac is a stunning hotel (which could pass as a castle) located in the heart of Old Quebec overlooking the St. Lawrence River.

Le Château Frontenac is listed as a National Historic Site of Canada and is one of old Quebec’s City’s most popular historical attractions in old Quebec City. It was opened in 1893.

Even if you don’t stay at the Château Frontenac, you can still visit the lobby, and you can even book a guided tour. The hotel has over 600 rooms and is walking distance to Notre Dame Cathedral and the Citadelle.

If you ever find yourself in Quebec City, a visit to this historic hotel is a must.

Best Fairmont Hotels in Canada Final Thoughts

If you get the opportunity to travel throughout Canada, you can’t help but notice the magnificent castle-like Fairmont hotels that exist at the centre of many Canadian cities. With 20 properties across Canada, the Fairmont Hotels are the best hotels in Canada.

When we recently travelled on the Canadian Rocky Mountaineer Train journey, one of the promotions was the opportunity to upgrade our hotel stays to the Fairmont Hotels at a considerable discount as part of the Aeroplan partnership with Rocky Mountaineer. We took advantage of this deal to stay at some of the most historic hotels in all of Canada.

Every stay exceeded our expectations. I would highly recommend staying in at least one (or maybe even all) Fairmont Hotels if you have the opportunity as you spend some time travelling throughout Canada.

Read More About Western Canada

If you are looking for more interesting things to see and in Western Canada, visit one of these related posts.

• Is Banff, Canada Worth Visiting in 2023?
• 10 Reasons Why the Canadian Rocky Mountaineer Train is Worth the Cost