Where Legend Meets Luxury in the Canadian Rockies
It all started with a dream and a patch of untouched mountain land. Margaret and Thomas Brennan fell in love with this spot during a hiking trip - couldn't shake the feeling that this place was meant to be shared with the world. They weren't hotel people, really. Just two folks who appreciated good coffee, better views, and honest conversations around a fireplace.
Five years of construction, countless setbacks (mountain weather'll do that), and we finally opened our doors. Started with just 24 rooms and a small dining area. Thomas insisted on hand-selecting every piece of furniture himself - drove Margaret nuts, but you can still see some of those original pieces in our lobby today.
After years of guests asking where they could get a proper massage, we finally caved and built the wellness center. Margaret's idea, really - she'd always believed that mountains heal more than just the soul. Partnered with local thermal spring experts and created something pretty special.
Their daughter Claire took over management, bringing fresh ideas while keeping that original spirit intact. Added the ski-in/ski-out access everyone kept requesting, expanded to 78 suites, but made sure every single space still feels personal. No corporate cookie-cutter nonsense here.
We're still family-owned, still stubborn about quality, and still believe that luxury isn't about being fancy - it's about feeling genuinely welcomed. Three generations later, we're doing exactly what Thomas and Margaret set out to do: creating a place where people can breathe easier and smile more.
THE FOUNDERS
Margaret always said that hospitality isn't something you learn from a textbook - it's something you feel in your gut. She and Thomas had this uncanny ability to make everyone feel like they'd just walked into an old friend's mountain cabin, except, y'know, with really nice sheets and a Michelin-trained chef in the kitchen.
Thomas passed in 2018, but his philosophy still guides everything we do: "If you wouldn't want your own family staying there, why would anyone else?" Margaret's retired now but still stops by every Thursday for lunch, critiquing our wine selection and telling stories about the early days when they heated rooms with wood-burning stoves.
Their legacy isn't in the buildings or the awards - it's in the way our staff still remembers your name after one visit, and how we'll move mountains (sometimes literally) to make your stay memorable.
Not that we're bragging, but yeah... we're pretty proud of these
Look, these mountains were here long before us and they'll be here long after. We're just borrowing this space, so we better take care of it.
Solar panels and geothermal heating keep us running. Added wind turbines last year. Yeah, we're basically a mountain fortress powered by nature itself.
Advanced filtration systems, rainwater harvesting, and low-flow fixtures throughout. We recycle greywater for landscaping - every drop counts up here.
Currently diverting 87% of waste from landfills through composting and recycling. Aiming for 95% by 2026. Ambitious? Sure. Doable? Absolutely.
Over 80% of our food comes from Alberta producers within 200km. Our chef personally knows most of our suppliers by their first names and kids' birthdays.
Work closely with Parks Canada on wildlife corridors and habitat preservation. We've got bears, elk, and eagles as neighbors - gotta respect their space.
Annual scholarships for local hospitality students, support for Banff cultural programs, and regular volunteer days. This town gave us everything - we give back.
We're not perfect - still got a ways to go on some fronts. But we're trying, learning, and improving every season. Sustainability isn't a marketing angle for us; it's just how we operate. Because if we mess up these mountains, what's the point of any of this?