Chateau Lake Louise Set to open first luxury Nordic Wellness Center in Banff National Park
It is official. One of the most expected new wellness offering in Alberta has determined the opening date.
Basin Glacial Waters, an indoor-outdoor, thermal spa and wellness center in the Fairmont Chateau Louise, welcomes guests from 15 September.
The facility – an interpretation of a traditional bathhouse – and the first of its kind in Banff National Park has been in the making for two decades. The new wellness center is part of a transformation of $ 130 million of the heritage property, including renovated rooms and a redesigned Fairmont Spa.
Reservations for access to Bassin Glacial Waters – currently only available for hotel guests – open Friday, July 18 at 10.00 am
Access passes for non-hotel guests will be added at a later time.
Guests will deal with self-guided circuits of traditional Finnish and bio-saunas, an Aufguss sauna, steam rooms, hot stone massage room and quiet salt release space. There is also a series of various temperature pools, including the reflexology pool, the landing pool – spread over the outside terrace – and Kneipp Walk, for supporting contrast baths. There are two wet treatment rooms, one of which is modeled on a traditional Turkish hammam for peeling of the entire body.
Guests can choose to follow one of the five composite wellness “paths” for a desired wellness outcome. The ‘silence trail’ is meant, for example, to calm the nervous system and put the body in the perfect condition for a deep rest, while the ‘presence path’ can prevent jet lag and calm fear. The ‘Aufguss -Ceremony’, with roots in European sauna practices, will be a characteristic option. Under the leadership of “Sauna Meesters” who perform traditional oil-thread-stern steam rituals to small groups in the Aufguss sauna outside, ceremonies will take place all day.
In addition to the spa and treatments, there is a common lounge with a selection of elixers, tonics, nootropics and adaptogens, as well as champagne and artisan drinks.
“Our vision with this concept was to create an all-Sensory space that felt both intentional and compelling, where guests can slow down, are breathtaking and really feel recovered-that time, against the beautiful background of Lake Louise,” says Emma Darby, worldwide Vice-President Spa & Wellness. “The pelvic experience is not prescribed, but is deeply connected to the landscape instead and focuses on the mindset of the guest.”
The center was designed by Milan’s Matteo Thun & Partners, with inspiration from Natural Springs, Thermal Waters and long-established welfare practices of the Nordic sauna culture-all with a luxury element. Adjacent to the majestic castle, Basin overlooks the turquoise waters of Lake Louise and the Victoria Glacier-de Source of the mineral-rich water of the facility.
“The conquering of the spirit of Lake Louise was in the heart of the architectural intention to respect the wealth of the landscape with a design that represents simplicity, purity and the unique of the location. Nature and the beautiful surroundings of the lake and the forest become the Protagonist – Architectuur and interior.”
From the opening, Basin is accessible daily and throughout the year, the domestic character of the experience of thermotherapy shifts with the season.
