- Canada’s Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise debuts a new indoor-outdoor thermal spa, inspired by Nordic sauna culture.
- Basin Glacial Waters boasts panoramic views of the rugged Canadian Rockies and Victoria Glacier, which supplies the spa’s water.
- The spa has two steam rooms, three saunas, three hot tubs, two pools, an outdoor cold plunge, and several relaxation areas, including Glacier Lounge, where guests can order from a menu of freshly prepared fare.
Today, Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, a historic hotel perched at the edge of Canada’s stunning Lake Louise, debuts a new indoor-outdoor thermal spa, inspired by Nordic sauna culture.
Basin Glacial Waters is surrounded by sweeping views of the rugged Canadian Rockies and Victoria Glacier, the lake’s source that also supplies the spa’s wate. Wellness facilities include two steam rooms, three saunas (bio, Finnish, and Aufguss), three hot tubs, two pools, an outdoor cold plunge, several relaxation spaces, and a barefoot route that alternates between hot and cold water.
The spa’s design, dreamed up by Italian architect Matteo Thun, features a natural palette of Canadian wood and stone. The interiors are tucked into a hillside, under a roof of wild native fauna, while the exteriors sprawl toward the water with the outdoor pools mimicking the turquoise waters of Lake Louise.
“Capturing the spirit of Lake Louise was at the heart of the architectural intention, to respect the richness of the landscape with a design that represents simplicity, purity, and the uniqueness of the location,” Thun said in a press release, shared with Travel + Leisure.
Basin Glacial Waters is a contemporary interpretation of a traditional bathhouse, offering Thermal Trails—curated, self-guided journeys through the space. The experiences move in a circuit of hot and cold, dry and humid, punctuated by serene spaces like the Silent Salt Relax Room, where a glowing Himalayan salt wall purifies the air.
At the heart of the spa is the Glacier Lounge, a light-filled communal space, where guests can order from a menu of freshly prepared fare. A selection of healthy elixirs, tonics, and adaptogens, along with glacier water on tap, is also available.
“With uninterrupted vistas of Lake Louise and the impressive Victoria Glacier, Basin redefines the traditional bathhouse experience, harnessing the power of the great outdoors,” Emma Darby, global vice president spa and wellness for Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, told Travel + Leisure. “Guests will be bathing in glacial waters from the glacier they view from the outdoor terrace of Basin.”
Currently, BASIN Glacial Waters is reserved for overnight hotel guests of Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. The spa access pass for hotel guests costs $275 per person and is valid for three hours. You can book a visit on spatime.com. Proof of an overnight hotel stay is required.
