A luxury resort in Banff has officially reopened following a massive property-wide transformation that cost $115 million. The hotel is officially French hospitality group Accor’s first “Emblems collection” property in North America — a title reserved only for its luxury five-star properties. The renovation includes 320 redesigned guest rooms, four dining venues, a new hydrothermal wellness facility and personalized outdoor experiences designed to connect visitors with the Canadian Rockies. The hotel — now called Rimrock Banff, Emblems Collection — celebrated its grand opening on Oct. 5 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. “The resort, across the decades of its history, has always been defined by its remarkable setting,” said David Garcelon, Rimrock Banff general manager. “This transformation was guided by a simple philosophy: create a resort that feels inseparable from the landscape itself.” The resort is built into a mountainside overlooking Banff National Park. The redesign, led by California-based Studio Collective, incorporates floor-to-ceiling windows, natural materials and contemporary artwork inspired by the surrounding landscape. The redesigned accommodations include 57 suites, with layouts and furnishings intended to emphasize mountain views. The resort’s largest room, the infinity two-bedroom suite, features a wraparound terrace spanning more than 1,260 square feet, with a barrel sauna and fire table. The property also has more than 18,000 square feet of meeting and event space across 11 venues. New wellness experience One of the major additions is a 9,600-square-foot bathhouse, described by the resort as Banff’s first luxury hydrothermal wellness experience. The facility features indoor and outdoor thermal amenities, including a vitality pool, hot pool, mountain-facing infinity pool, saunas, an aromatic steam room and cold plunges. Guests can also access a suspended meditation room and a sensory room designed to encourage relaxation. The Bathhouse is complemented by a 3,800-square-foot Movement Center with fitness equipment, climbing and bouldering walls, guided classes and recovery-focused offerings. Four dining concepts The resort’s culinary offerings include four distinct venues. Parker’s Table is the signature restaurant, featuring seasonal cuisine inspired by Canada’s northern landscapes and ingredients sourced through relationships with local farmers, fishers and foragers. Rimrock Social serves as a central gathering space for coffee, food and cocktails, while The Listening Room offers an intimate setting for wine, spirits and music played on vinyl. Rimrock Market rounds out the options with specialty coffee, provisions and a casual mountain-inspired atmosphere. The resort has also incorporated Alberta-produced honey into its food and beverage offerings, including a signature arrival drink and wellness tonics. Personalized Rocky Mountain adventures Guests can also access a dedicated Expeditions Centre, where a team led by the resort’s master pathfinder develops customized itineraries and outdoor experiences. The resort says more than 50 seasonal activities are available, ranging from guided hikes and forest bathing to alpine yoga, canyon ice walks and Indigenous cultural experiences. Other offerings include excursions to the Athabasca Glacier and personalized northern lights wake-up calls when viewing conditions are favourable.
