The highly anticipated reveal of ‘BASIN Glacial Waters’ has opened its doors at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise in Banff National Park.
The consciously designed, all-sensory thermal bathing destination is set to revolutionize wellness as a “Fairmont first”. Honouring its natural glacial water source, BASIN Glacial Waters embodies the convergence of natural elements and contemporary wellness, interpreted through a luxury lens. Its foundation resting upon the ancient traditions of thermal bathing – a practice shared across cultures, of flowing through diverse water temperatures to stimulate and restore both body and mind – BASIN Glacial Waters’ unveiling in one of the world’s most revered natural landscapes, sets the stage for an entirely redefined wellness experience.
A concept two decades in the making and realised by acclaimed AD100 Matteo Thun, BASIN Glacial Waters’ minimalistic grandeur shines, seen as a striking yet seamless addition to its historical location, the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.
Elegantly presented as if embedded into the natural environment, BASIN Glacial Waters takes inspiration from the healing benefits of thermal waters and long-established wellness practices of Nordic sauna culture, reimagined from a modern wellness perspective.
Designed to allow for moments of solo reflection balanced with social wellness elements, BASIN presents a thoughtfully curated series of thermotherapy modalities, defined as self-guided journeys of renewal and vitality. Forcing an instant shift into a state of calm, guests make their way through a sensory passageway, leading to a bright, open interior complemented with high ceilings, clean lines, and warm wood tones.
Dramatic arched windows allow for streams of natural light to flood into the space, creating a powerful connection to the breathtaking mountain vistas and seasonal elements that surround.
Water in all its forms – from crushed ice to steam mists – form the basis of the experience; this is an invite to immerse into a self-paced, non-prescriptive wellness flow between diverse temperatures and varying heat and humidity states of the traditional Finnish, Bio, and Aufguss saunas, and steam room cabins.
For contrast bathing, a series of indoor-outdoor pools, including the impressive reflexology pool with uninterrupted glacier views, the Infinity Pool – spanning onto the expansive terrace, with dedicated space for open-air rest. For quiet relaxation and meditation, the ‘Hot Stone’ and ‘Silent Salt Relax’ rooms become intimate sanctuaries of stillness.
Guests can opt to follow one of five thoughtfully curated wellness experiences – named “Trails” – for a preferred wellness outcome. The ‘Stillness Trail’ is a gentle sequence to soothe the nervous system and set the body into the perfect state for a deep rest, the “Presence Trail” for grounding and awareness – to counteract jet lag and calm an anxious mind.
The outdoor Aufguss sauna – its roots in European sweat culture – will become the home of a signature BASIN experience: the ‘Aufguss Ceremony’. Led by “Aufguss Meisters”, the theatre of a sensory, aromatherapy-infused, steam journey – based on authentic Aufguss rituals – will come alive.
The ‘Glacier Lounge’ is an open restoration space, to rehydrate and restore indoors with a menu of simple, light, freshly prepared dishes. A selection of elixirs, tonics, nootropics and adaptogens are also on hand – and for a sense of occasion, a glass of Champagne perfectly sets the tone.
The opening of BASIN Glacial Waters signifies the completion of a transformative investment of C$130MM across the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise property, which is owned by Oxford Properties, the real estate arm of OMERS. This includes the renovation of guest rooms and suites, and a redesign of the hotel’s ‘Fairmont Spa’. BASIN Glacial Waters will initially be available exclusively to overnight hotel guests of Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.
BASIN is accessible daily and year-round, the indoor-outdoor nature of the thermotherapy experience shifting with Lake Louise’s dramatic seasonal changes. The ‘BASIN Signature Retreat’ has been designed for guests seeking a wellness-inspired resort stay, featuring BASIN access, a ‘Glacier Lounge’ tasting, and guided wellness-in-nature experience.
