Emblems Collection debuts in North America with Rimrock Banff
The Canadian Rockies retreat marks the second opening for Accor's distinctive luxury hotels and resorts, bringing the Emblems philosophy of intimate, character-rich hospitality to North America.
Rimrock Banff, Emblems Collection, has opened in Banff National Park, marking the North American debut of Emblems Collection, Accor's curated luxury collection. A longstanding Banff landmark, the resort has undergone an extensive transformation that reconnects it with its mountain setting, bringing the Emblems philosophy of intimate, character-rich hospitality to the Canadian Rockies.
Following its debut at Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa, a historic institution in the English countryside, Emblems Collection has chosen another established destination landmark for its second global opening. Rimrock Banff offers a gateway to the Canadian Rockies, reflecting the Collection's approach to celebrating properties with individual character and a distinctive sense of place.
“Rimrock Banff is a wonderful expression of the Emblems philosophy: an established property with a character of its own, deeply connected to its destination and reimagined through thoughtful design and highly personal service,” said Maud Bailly, CEO of Emblems Collection.“Its remarkable setting in Banff National Park and longstanding relationship with the Canadian Rockies make it a natural first North American address for the Collection. This opening marks an important milestone in our international development and brings our art of living to a new continent.”
RIMROCK BANFF: A NEW CHAPTER IN THE CANADIAN ROCKIES
Set within Banff National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Rimrock Banff is a sanctuary in the sky, surrounded by more than 2,500 square miles of protected wilderness. Built into the mountainside high above the town of Banff, the resort offers a distinctive perspective on the Canadian Rockies, where dramatic alpine landscapes meet a refined, residential sensibility.
Following an extensive reimagination, the resort has been shaped around a more intimate vision of mountain hospitality. Retaining its original architectural structure, the property has been extensively redesigned to reflect the Emblems philosophy. Its terraced architecture extends from the mountainside towards the Bow Valley, while expansive windows, natural materials and carefully framed sightlines continually connect guests to the landscape beyond.
“This resort, across the decades of its history, has always been defined by its remarkable setting,” said David Garcelon, General Manager, Rimrock Banff. “This transformation was guided by a simple philosophy: create a resort that feels inseparable from the landscape itself. Every design decision, every experience and every space was thoughtfully conceived to deepen guests' connection to Banff National Park and create a luxury offering that could only exist in Banff.”
ROOM & DESIGN
The resort's 320 guestrooms, including 57 suites, are designed around the surrounding views, with beds, seating and dedicated spaces for stillness positioned to keep the Canadian Rockies at the heart of every stay. Interiors draw on the colours and textures of the region through a nature-inspired palette, warm wood tones, natural stone and tactile textiles, creating spaces that combine contemporary comfort with a strong sense of place.
The resort's most exceptional accommodation, the Infinity Two-Bedroom Suite, opens onto a wraparound terrace of more than 1,260 square feet, complete with a barrel sauna, fire table and panoramic views across Banff National Park. Wellness Studio suites extend the resort's focus on restoration, offering movement and recovery amenities, wellness minibars, sleep-focused touches and access to the resort's Expeditions gear-lending programme.
WELLNESS & EXPERIENCES
Wellness is central to the Rimrock Banff experience. The 9,600-square-foot Bathhouse introduces Banff's first luxury hydrothermal wellness experience, with indoor and outdoor thermal environments including vitality and hot pools, a mountain-facing infinity pool, salt sauna, aromatic steam room and glacial cold plunges. A suspended meditation room and the Aurora sensory room offer more contemplative experiences inspired by the natural rhythms of the Canadian Rockies.
The Bathhouse is complemented by a 3,800-square-foot Active Centre featuring Technogym and Peloton equipment, climbing and bouldering walls, guided movement classes and recovery-focused offerings.
Through its Expeditions Centre, Rimrock Banff provides access to more than 50 seasonal activities spanning adventure, wellness, culture and nature. Led by the resort's Pathfinders, experiences include privately guided hikes, forest bathing, alpine yoga, canyon ice walks, Indigenous cultural encounters and excursions to the Athabasca Glacier. Each itinerary is designed to offer a more personal understanding of Banff's landscapes, communities and stories.
FOOD & BEVERAGE
The resort's culinary programme further expresses the character of the Canadian Rockies across four distinct venues. Parker's Table, the signature restaurant, celebrates Canada's North through seasonal cuisine and relationships with local farmers, fishers and foragers. Rimrock Social serves as the resort's central gathering place, while The Listening Room offers an intimate setting for rare spirits, fine wines and vinyl. Rimrock Market provides specialty coffee, curated provisions and a convivial, après-inspired atmosphere.
At Rimrock Banff, these experiences express the Emblems philosophy through the character of the Canadian Rockies, from locally inspired cuisine to personally curated encounters with the landscape.
THE EMBLEMS SIGNATURE, INTERPRETED AT RIMROCK BANFF
At every Emblems Collection hotel, a single locally inspired ingredient is honoured for its cultural resonance, bond with the land and harmony with the destination, becoming a golden thread through culinary creations, welcome rituals, wellness offerings and artisanal touches.
At Rimrock Banff, Alpine Honey serves as the Emblematic Ingredient. Selected for its relationship to the surrounding landscape and its longstanding associations with wellness, craftsmanship and hospitality, it is brought to life through a partnership with Highland Farm Honey, a family-owned Alberta producer. Guests encounter the ingredient in experiences ranging from the signature Alpine Honey Spritz arrival ritual and wellness tonics to a variety of culinary offerings.
Rimrock Banff also interprets the Emblems signature Travel Cake through its Emblematic Ingredient. The brand's Travel Cake was crafted in collaboration with acclaimed Korean pastry chef Yun Eunyoung, founder of Seoul-based Garuharu; each property creates its own expression of the destination.
Inspired by the forests of Banff National Park, Rimrock Banff's creation features pine needle cake layered with alpine honey ganache, translating the character of the Canadian Rockies into flavour and form.
At Rimrock Banff, Emblems Editions, the brand's signature literary collection, includes stories and perspectives from Indigenous peoples, pioneers and writers connected to Banff National Park. Each Emblems anthology brings together poetry, historical accounts, essays and voices connected to its setting, inviting guests to discover its history and landscape.
The Emblems Master of the House takes the form of the Master Pathfinder. Across the Collection, the Master of the House embodies its soul of service, offering attentive and intuitive hospitality before, during and after each stay.
The Master Pathfinder leads a team of Pathfinders in creating bespoke itineraries and meaningful encounters across Banff National Park. Bringing local knowledge and a personal understanding of the destination, they invite guests to experience the Canadian Rockies in ways that feel authentic, individual and deeply connected to place... Continue reading (Members Only) - Unlock Advantages with a LHN Membership - Read more here
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