Fairmont Banff Springs Mineral Pool & Restaurant

The best way I could think of to heal my bruised knee from today’s horseback riding incident, was to head to the mineral pool at the Fairmont Banff Springs hotel, in Alberta, Canada.

Mineral Pool at the Banff Springs Hotel in Alberta, Canada.

I hopped into my swimsuit and headed to the pools that I hoped would cure me ($69 CAD a day for hotel guests and $79 for the public to access the mineral pool and lounge area).

Beginning in the main pool, I walked around it for a good 10 minutes, chatting with a man from Whistler, BC. Sufficiently warmed up, I next visited a slightly hotter (but much smaller) pool, to sit down and soak in. Then it was onto the hottest pool for another soak. The last pool was cold and I stood for a few moments before quickly dunking my body and getting out.

All of the small pools also had waterfalls if you wanted to get drenched. A full repeat of all four pools had me as relaxed as a meditation session. When I emerged, my knee had completely stopped swelling.

I floated down to the lobby to meet two Fairmont staff and the rest of the gals for dinner. It was our last night together and we were finishing it off in style: the Fairmont Banff Springs’ Bavarian-themed Waldhaus Restaurant.

Wine abounded as we all tried to choose from the phenomenal menu. I went with a gorgeous beet salad covered with crunchy cashews and a perfect cut of sablefish.

The Waldhaus Restaurant at the Banff Springs Hotel in Alberta, Canada.

Dessert was the fun part. I chose the white chocolate crème brulée, which knocked me off my feet, while some of the others ordered a chocolate fondue. We all shared and lived happily ever after.

What I Liked:

• I had been told yesterday by a Parks Canada staff member that hot springs are not healing in any way and were, in fact, a marketing ploy used to attract tourists. After today, I’ve been convinced otherwise.
• The Fairmont Banff Springs hotel in Alberta has to have the most stunning exterior architecture in Canada. Driving up to it is like stepping into a fairy tale.
• A short shuttle ride or walk to the Waldhaus Restaurant mixes a German and Swiss style with polka music, and a locally sourced menu. I’m not sure which of the Fairmont dinners I had this trip was better, but they both had me salivating long after they were done

Tags: Alberta, Banff springs hotel, bavarian, canada, Fairmont Banff Springs, Mineral Pool, restaurant apsera, waterfalls