The Painter Wing, built in 1913, remains the oldest existing part of the hotel.

The hotel was first conceived by the railway at the end of the 19th century, as a vacation destination to lure moneyed travellers into taking trains and heading west.

[3] By the time airplanes and automobiles had displaced the trains, it had gained sufficient renown to have a life of its own.

[citation needed]The natural areas around the hotel were incorporated into Banff National Park, which has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

The hotel holds seven dining options: Fairview, Lakeview Lounge, the Walliser Stube, the Guide's Pantry (formerly the Chateau Deli), Louiza (formerly Poppy Brasserie), the Alpine Social (formerly the Glacier Saloon), and the seasonal Italian cuisine kitchen Lago (usually opened regularly during summer).