Basking in Banff: Inside the Reimagined Rimrock Hotel

Every part of the newly reopened Rimrock Banff is designed around one thing: the view. That might seem obvious, especially given the historic hotel’s perch on the side of Sulphur Mountain, offering a uniquely intimate vantage point of neighbouring Mount Rundle in all its jagged-peaked glory, but it wasn’t always the case.

In the hotel’s previous incarnation, guestroom furniture was curiously oriented inward, facing walls or televisions instead of outward to Banff’s iconic landscapes. Many of the windows were framed in stained-glass designs, further diminishing the mountain views. And in the reception area, a floating corridor spanned the length of the lobby, blocking what should have been floor-to-ceiling vistas.

So when the current team took over, they knew right away that those elements needed to change.

“All of the rooms have been redesigned so that whenever possible—in your bed when you wake up in the morning, or when you’re sitting on the couch—you can see the view,” says Rimrock general manager David Garcelon.

The windows were also freed of their stained-glass motifs. And the lobby was fixed, too: that floating corridor was removed—a big job, admits Garcelon, because it involved rerouting all of the electrical wiring—so that now, when guests enter the hotel, the first thing they see is the Rocky Mountains.

“The idea now is you walk through those front doors and you’re really drawn to the view, and you want to come into the space,” says Garcelon. “You want to sit down, you want to have a cocktail, and you think, ‘I’ll check in later.’ It’s not like arriving at most hotels.”

The Rimrock property’s history dates back to 1895, when Banff was just starting to be discovered as an international vacation destination for well-heeled leisure and adventure seekers. Over the decades, the property has had many iterations (and many names); most recently, in 2023, it was acquired by Oxford Properties Group, which committed to an extensive top-to-bottom renovation. Work began in October 2025, and the hotel reopened in summer 2026 as the first North American property in Accor’s Emblems Collection.

Designed by Venice, California-based Studio Collective, with Calgary-based Frank Architecture and Interiors handling the architecture, the reimagined Rimrock is elegantly restrained. Natural materials—including locally sourced slate and limestone; earth tones such as rich beige, pistachio green and light cream; and tactile textures including soft knits and plush leathers—subtly bring the outdoors in. Inspired by the expansive terrain of the Rockies, the interiors use smooth, flowing lines and layered, asymmetrical shapes to enhance the view of Banff’s natural surroundings instead of taking away from it.

Every detail feels thoughtfully considered—be it the hammered-copper fireplace that anchors Social, the hotel’s expansive lobby lounge with that million-dollar view; the custom-commissioned sculpture, inspired by Banff’s scenery and created by New York City artist John Sheppard; or the minimalist Crushgrind salt and pepper grinders on the tables at Parker’s Table (named after Elizabeth Parker, a journalist and co-founder of the Alpine Club of Canada).

When you’re having dinner at Parker’s Table, be sure to partake in the bread cart experience, which features a miniature, mountain-like mound sculpted out of Calgary’s Terroir artisan butter. In this new era of the Rimrock, even the food is an homage to the scenery.

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5 Ideas for a Top-Shelf Stay in Banff

1. Bike: Take a private guided bike tour, arranged through the hotel, to explore Banff’s scenic routes on two wheels (hopefully with wildlife spotting along the way). E-bikes are available, with routes tailored to your interests and experience.

2. Feast: Indulge in Rimrock’s In-Robe Dining experience, with a special multi-course dinner delivered right to your room.

3. Climb: Get up close and personal with the Rockies during the Via Ferrata experience at Mount Norquay: a guided adventure, booked through the hotel, that combines hiking and rock climbing.

4. Soak: Relax in Rimrock’s 9,600-square-foot Bathhouse, which features a salt sauna, steam room, hot pool, vitality pools and outdoor infinity pool.

5. Reflect: Explore Banff’s relationship with Indigenous Peoples at the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, which showcases a diverse range of visual art.

THE HOTEL: Rimrock Banff, Emblems Collection
300 Mountain Ave., Banff, Alberta

READ MORE: Inside the $100-Million Reinvention of Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge

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Originally published in the November/December 2026 issue of Western Living.