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BANFF SPRINGS HOTEL
Unveils Solace and Takes a Step into the Past

In an effort to reclaim its title as "one of the finest bathing establishments on the continent," the Banff Springs Hotel offers Solace, a 35,000 square foot, $12 million Canadian spa facility.

 "Solace allows our guests to experience the type of service and luxury that have earned this hotel place in history," says Ted Kissane, its regional vice president of Canadian Pacific Hotels and general manager of Banff Springs Hotel. "In Solace, we sought to create a premier spa facility without compromising the unique character of the hotel and its surrounding landscape."

Built in 1888 in conjunction with the Canadian Pacific Railway's expansion across the enormous land mass of Canada to open The New Highway to the Orient, Banff Springs Hotel is one of the great landmark hotels of the world. Situated among the snowcapped peaks of the Canadian Rockies, this blend of opulence and seclusion is a year-round resort catering to vacationers, sports-minded active travelers, groups and meetings. The resort offers something for everyone, from fine dining to golf, skiing, hiking, and horseback riding to the incomparable experience of the majestic mountains around it. Since opening, it has been a celebrity Mecca, attracting the likes of Marilyn Monroe, Ginger Rogers, Clint Eastwood, Janet Jackson, Wayne Gretzky, Ivana Trump, Tina Turner, and many more.

During the early 1900s, travelers flocked to "the baronial castle in the Rockies" to partake in the hotel's lavish pools and therapeutic body treatments. Today, guests at the Banff Springs Hotel can receive the same opulent experience that made the property famous. Combined with the natural splendor of the Canadian Rockies, Solace is destined to become a premier spa destination in North America.  With cascading waterfalls, mineral whirlpools, and indoor and outdoor saltwater pools, Solace is a retreat within a retreat. With 15 treatment rooms, private solariums, lounges with fireplaces, steam rooms and saunas, there are many ways guests can melt away stress. Available treatments range from soothing to invigorating and include various types of body treatments, wraps, mineral/herb baths, facial treatments and massages.

For more active visitors, Solace features the latest cardiovascular and strength conditioning equipment and an aerobic studio. Personal trainers and consultants are on staff to help guests

develop a work/relaxation regimen to help relieve stress and enrich daily life. Since 1990, the Banff Springs Hotel has undergone $80-million in restoration. This includes a $23 million, 107,000 square-foot conference center, with group facilities that comfortably accommodate up to 1,600 guests. All restoration efforts have worked to blend the hotel's rich tradition with its role as a functional resort sought out by guests who demand a level of service that goes beyond past performance.

The Banff Springs Hotel is part of Canadian Pacific Hotels, Canada's largest owner/operated hotel chain, which operates 34 distinctive city center and resort hotels in Canada, the United States, Mexico, Barbados and Bermuda. Other Canadian Pacific Hotels in the Canadian Rockies are the Lodge at Kananaskis, Chateau Lake Louise and Jasper Park Lodge.

An award-winning state-of-the-art luxury spa, Solace features the following:

AQUATIC CENTER

Twelve computer-controlled pools with state-of-the-art equipment and technology operating the water and air-flow systems, air-conditioning, pumps and heaters.

The spa pool is induced with Hungarian Thermal Mineral Kur and has an underwater speaker system (sound travels undistorted under water).  The three cascading waterfall massage pools are at three different temperatures. 


Saltwater pools.

The outdoor spa whirlpool is a free form structure allowing for a three degree difference in temperatures from the area with the jets to the rest of the whirlpool; the hydrotherapy jets are centralized for maximum comfort and relaxation. 

FITNESS CENTER

The equipment in the cardio and strength conditioning theatre is biomechanically correct to allow users to perform the correct exercise in the correct position and can be used in physiotherapy. Guests may look forward to using top-of-the-line equipment to maximize their workouts.

The facilities are fully supervised by professionally trained consultants who are capable of providing personal training, weight management and fitness assessments for our guests.  Trotter 685 Treadmills incline 20 and decline five degrees and run at a maximum of 12.4 miles per hour.  Tectrix bikes and steppers may be programmed for individual preference and all bikes may be programmed simultaneously to allow two or more guests to race one another or ride the same course. Steppers are silent to avoid disrupting other guests.  Body Master weight equipment provides the best isolation of muscle groups in order to perform exercises smoothly and properly. Limitations may be set to avoid overexertion of specific muscle groups.

Ivanko free weights are milled, plated and then weighed to provide exact weight measurements. The climate controlled studio features a spring form floor, a stretching bar and is equipped with Reebok steps and slides, skipping ropes, hand dumbbell, daily aerobic classes, resista-balls, and full screen video. The climate controlled cardio and strength conditioning theatre includes state-of-the-art audiovisual system for the fitness centre, FM receivers/headsets for TV, CD, radio entertainment, mineral water, towels, daily newspapers and magazines. The Solace skating rink is a seasonal 52' x 30' rink overlooking the Bow River.

TREATMENT ROOMS

State-of-the-art equipment includes hydroculators, sterilization cabbies, towel warmers, heatlamps, and adjustable treatment beds. Water in the hydrotherapy tub may be isolated with 66 water pressure adjustment points to pinpoint specific regions of the body.

Each of the 19 treatment rooms are equipped with multiport (multiselection) music system and adjustable lighting. Pedicures are experienced while enjoying a whirlpool footbath and vibrating massage to the lower, middle and upper back.

SOLACE SERVICES OFFERED

      MASSAGE

  • Swedish

  • Hydrotherapy

  • Therapeutic

  • Aromatherapy

  • Shiatsu

  • Reflexology

  • Chinese Accupressure

    FACIALS

  • Farigo Mud

  • Cellular Repair 

  • Men's Fitness 

  • Deep Cleansing 

  • Alpha Hydroxy (AHA) Peel 

  • Fresh Cell (RNA/DNA)

    AESTHETICS

  • Make up

  • Manicures

  • Pedicures

  • Waxing and eyelash tinting

    SCRUBS

  • Gentle Body

  • Solace Mineral

  • Turkish

    BATHS

  • Kranter (Kamille, Melissa, Heublumen) 

  • Therapeutic Thermal Mineral

  • Thalassobath 

  • Aromatherapy Mineral

    WRAPS

  •  Spirulina 

  • Moor Mud 

  • Herbal

  • Aromatherapy 

  • Glycoli

    AWARDS
    Rooms at tire Top, Gourmet Magazine
    Top Ten Golf Courses (in the world),
    Robb Report
    Pinnacle Award, Successful Meetings
    Gold Key Award, Meetings and Conventions
    Choice Award, Meeting News
    Golden Links Award, Corporate
    Meetings and Incentives
    Award of Excellence, Corporate &
    Incentive Travel
    Best of the West, Meetings In the West
    Top Five Overseas Spas, UK Conde Nast
    Readers Travel Awards
    H.O.T.E.L. Award, Facilities Magazine
    Gold Platter Award (Food and Beverage),
    Meetings & Conventions
    Planners' Choice (Outstanding Resort Hotel),
    Meeting News Incentive Platinum Partner
    (incentive travel), Managing and
    Marketing The Motivation
    Greens of Distinction, Corporate &
    Incentive Travel

Fresh from the outdoors experience that I felt had been somewhat of a spiritual awakening, my defenses weakened, I became more receptive to what the resort had to offer, and was able to fully immerse myself in the holistic program. Throughout the weekend I got involved in more activities, attempting meditation through tai chi, making use of the extensive exercise equipment and facilities, receiving a therapeutic massage, participating in fitness classes such as aerobics, and attending seminars targeted to wellness. It was just three days, but I left feeling invigorated, healthier, and close to experiencing synergy. In the end, I discovered that it was just as advertised - an experience that truly enhanced the mind, body and spirit.

For reservations, call (800) 4411414, or visit the Banff Springs Hotel Web site   You can also write: Banff Springs Hotel, Banff, Alberta Canada TOL OCO  Tel: 403762-2211 Fax: 403-762-4989

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