Fairmont is the luxury hotel brand for travelers who believe a great hotel should be as memorable as the destination itself — and sometimes more so. The brand's signature properties are not merely places to sleep. They are landmarks: Scottish baronial castles perched in the Canadian Rockies, turreted châteaux overlooking the St. Lawrence River, Edwardian palaces on the Strand in London, and a Beaux-Arts icon on Fifth Avenue in New York. With more than 80 properties worldwide, Fairmont offers one of the broadest luxury hotel portfolios in the industry — spanning heritage landmarks, contemporary city hotels, and tropical resorts — under the Accor hospitality group alongside Raffles, Sofitel, and Banyan Tree.
The Heritage Collection: Fairmont's Crown Jewels
Fairmont's identity is defined by its heritage properties — the grand railway hotels and palace hotels that the Canadian Pacific Railway built across Canada in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These properties were designed to attract tourists to the Canadian wilderness by rail, and their architects were instructed to create buildings so magnificent that the journey would be worthwhile for the destination of the hotel itself. The result was a collection of castle-like hotels set in some of the most spectacular natural landscapes on Earth — properties that remain among the most architecturally significant hotels ever built.
Fairmont Banff Springs
Known as the "Castle in the Rockies," Fairmont Banff Springs is a Scottish baronial castle set in the heart of Banff National Park, surrounded by the Canadian Rocky Mountains on every side. Built in 1888 by the Canadian Pacific Railway, the hotel was designed by architect Bruce Price to resemble a Scottish highland fortress — complete with towers, turrets, and a dramatic stone facade that rises from the forested valley floor like a medieval fortification. The setting is extraordinary: the Bow River flows directly below the hotel, the Bow Falls cascade within earshot, and the surrounding peaks of the Rockies create a panorama that has been drawing visitors for nearly 140 years.
The Willow Stream Spa, built into the castle's lower levels with mineral pools, cascading waterfalls, and Hungarian thermal bath-inspired hydrotherapy circuits, is one of the most atmospheric spa experiences in North America. The golf course, designed by Stanley Thompson in the 1920s, is consistently rated among the top courses in Canada, with mountain vistas from every hole. In winter, the hotel provides ski access to three nearby resorts (Banff Sunshine, Lake Louise, and Mt. Norquay), and the frozen landscape transforms the castle into a snow-covered fairy tale. Afternoon tea in the Rundle Lounge, with its panoramic mountain views, is one of the great hotel rituals of the Canadian Rockies.
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
If Banff Springs is the castle, Lake Louise is the painting. Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise sits on the shore of one of the most photographed bodies of water on Earth — a turquoise glacial lake backed by the Victoria Glacier and framed by the towering peaks of the Continental Divide. The color of the lake — an almost unbelievable cyan caused by glacial rock flour suspended in the water — changes with the seasons and the light, and the hotel's lake-facing rooms provide a front-row seat to one of nature's most spectacular displays.
The hotel itself, originally built in 1911, is a more restrained architectural statement than Banff Springs — a grand lodge rather than a castle — but the lakeside location elevates it to iconic status. The canoeing on the lake (available in summer and early fall), the hiking trails leading to the Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House and Lake Agnes Tea House, and the winter ice-skating on the frozen lake with the glacier as a backdrop are experiences that exist nowhere else. For couples, the combination of the turquoise lake, the mountain backdrop, and the log-fire warmth of the château creates one of the most naturally romantic hotel settings in the world.
Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, Quebec City
Widely cited as the most photographed hotel in the world, Le Château Frontenac towers over the clifftop of Old Quebec City with copper turrets, steep rooflines, and a dramatic silhouette that defines the city's skyline. Opened in 1893, the château overlooks the St. Lawrence River, the Terrasse Dufferin boardwalk, and the Lower Town of Vieux-Québec — a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The hotel served as the setting for the 1943 and 1944 Quebec Conferences, where Churchill and Roosevelt planned the Allied strategy for World War II, and the conference rooms where those meetings took place are preserved and available for tours.
The location within Old Quebec's walled city provides walking access to the most concentrated collection of French colonial architecture in North America — stone churches, cobblestoned streets, boutique shops, and restaurants serving Quebecois cuisine that draws on French traditions and local ingredients. During winter, the Quebec Winter Carnival transforms the area around the château into a festival of ice sculptures, snow parades, and outdoor celebrations.
The Savoy, London
One of the most famous hotels in the world, The Savoy has occupied its position on the Strand since 1889 — making it London's first luxury hotel. The history is staggering: Oscar Wilde held court in the restaurant, Monet painted the Thames from a suite, the hotel's bandleader invented the Peach Melba, and the American Bar has been serving cocktails since the 1890s (now under the direction of award-winning bartenders who maintain its status among the world's best). The 2010 restoration, reportedly costing £220 million, preserved the hotel's Edwardian and art deco interiors while updating every room and suite to contemporary standards.
The Thames-facing suites, with their river views and private balconies, are among the most desirable hotel rooms in London. The Savoy Grill, originally established by Auguste Escoffier, continues under Gordon Ramsay's stewardship. For travelers who want a London hotel with genuine historical significance rather than merely expensive furnishings, The Savoy is in a category of its own.
The Plaza, New York
The Plaza on Fifth Avenue at Central Park South is one of the most iconic hotels in American culture — the setting for countless films, novels, and cultural moments since its opening in 1907. The building, a French Renaissance château designed by Henry Janeway Hardenbergh, occupies one of the most valuable real estate positions in the world — overlooking the southeastern corner of Central Park with Fifth Avenue's luxury retail corridor stretching south. The Palm Court, with its stained glass ceiling and afternoon tea service, and the Oak Room bar are New York institutions. The 282 rooms and suites combine the building's Beaux-Arts grandeur with contemporary comfort, and the Central Park views from the upper-floor suites are among the most celebrated hotel views in the world.
Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii
On the Kohala Coast of the Big Island — the dry, sunny western coast known for its luxury resorts and volcanic landscapes — Fairmont Orchid offers a Hawaiian resort experience that balances beachfront luxury with the Big Island's unique natural character. The resort's 32 acres include a private beach, a 10,000-square-foot oceanfront pool, a spa that incorporates Hawaiian healing traditions (lomilomi massage, volcanic stone treatments), and a cultural program led by a resident historian who provides guided explorations of the island's ancient petroglyphs, fishponds, and archaeological sites. The proximity to Mauna Kea (stargazing), Volcanoes National Park (active lava flows), and the Kohala Coast's snorkeling reefs adds a dimension of natural adventure that few resort destinations can match.
Fairmont Royal York, Toronto
When the Royal York opened in 1929, it was the tallest building in the British Empire and the largest hotel in the Commonwealth — a limestone and granite monument to Toronto's ambition as a world city. Nearly a century later, the hotel remains one of the most architecturally significant buildings in downtown Toronto, directly across the street from Union Station and within walking distance of the financial district, the entertainment district, and the harbourfront. The recent renovation, which modernized all 1,365 rooms while preserving the lobby's original hand-painted ceilings, crystal chandeliers, and travertine columns, demonstrates Fairmont's ability to honor heritage while meeting contemporary luxury expectations.
The rooftop apiary — producing honey used in the hotel's restaurants and bar — represents Fairmont's broader commitment to sustainability programming across its portfolio. The Clockwork Champagne and Cocktails bar, the Library Bar, and Reign restaurant provide a range of dining and social experiences. For business and leisure travelers visiting Toronto, the Royal York's combination of central location, architectural grandeur, and Fairmont service remains the most compelling option in the city.
Fairmont's Modern Properties
While the heritage collection defines Fairmont's identity, the brand has expanded into contemporary properties that bring Fairmont service to destinations where heritage buildings are not available. These modern Fairmont hotels — in cities like Dubai, Singapore, and resort destinations worldwide — apply the brand's service standards and loyalty integration without the architectural heritage of the Canadian castles and palace hotels. The service is consistent, the Accor ALL loyalty points are earned at the same rate, and preferred partner benefits apply identically.
Fairmont vs. Other Heritage Brands
Fairmont vs. Four Seasons: Both brands originated in Canada, but they serve different markets and price points. Four Seasons is a consistently polished luxury brand with a higher average room rate and a more service-intensive guest experience. Fairmont offers a broader range of properties at a generally more accessible price point. Fairmont's heritage properties (Banff Springs, Lake Louise, Frontenac, The Plaza) are architecturally iconic in a way that few Four Seasons properties match, but Four Seasons delivers a more consistent level of five-star service across its entire portfolio.
Fairmont vs. Waldorf Astoria: Both brands trade on heritage and architectural grandeur. Waldorf Astoria, under Hilton, offers a smaller, more curated collection focused on the upper luxury tier. Fairmont, under Accor, provides a broader portfolio with more price diversity. In terms of heritage significance, Fairmont's Canadian railway hotels and The Savoy are comparable to the best Waldorf Astoria properties. The loyalty program choice — Accor ALL vs. Hilton Honors — may be the deciding factor for frequent travelers.
Preferred Partner Perks at Fairmont
WhataHotel! holds preferred partner authorization for Fairmont properties worldwide. Book at the same rate as fairmont.com with complimentary benefits:
- Daily breakfast for two
- Hotel credit toward dining, spa, or experiences
- Priority room upgrade at check-in
- Early check-in and late check-out on priority request
- VIP welcome amenity and recognition
- Full Accor ALL loyalty point earning
Heritage property tip: Upgrade priority at Fairmont heritage properties is particularly valuable because room categories vary dramatically. At Banff Springs, an upgrade might move you from a standard mountain-view room to a castle-corner suite with panoramic Rockies views. At The Savoy, it might mean a river-view suite overlooking the Thames. Preferred partner upgrade priority improves your chances of receiving these meaningful category improvements.
How to Book Fairmont with Perks
Browse Fairmont properties at WhataHotel! and book at the same published rate with preferred partner benefits applied automatically. Whether you are planning a Rocky Mountain escape to Banff Springs, a winter carnival visit to Château Frontenac, afternoon tea at The Savoy in London, or a Central Park suite at The Plaza in New York, the combination of Fairmont's heritage grandeur and complimentary perks creates the most rewarding booking method for one of the world's most architecturally distinctive hotel brands.