Hospitality group Accor has announced the addition of the Rimrock Resort Hotel Banff in Canada to its Emblems Collection, marking the brand's debut in North America.
Owned by Oxford Properties Group and a capital partner, the resort is set for an extensive renovation starting in October 2025, with a reopening scheduled for the summer of 2026.
Nestled in the Canadian Rockies, Rimrock Banff offers a blend of seclusion and accessibility, situated just a short distance from downtown Banff.
The resort has been a venue for visitors since the 1880s and opened in its current form in 1993. The property will be enhanced while maintaining its historic experience.
Sofitel Legend, Sofitel, MGallery and Emblems CEO Maud Bailly said: "As the first Emblems property in North America, it represents our vision for the brand: distinctive, intimate, and deeply connected to its surroundings.
“We are proud to bring this vision to life in collaboration with Oxford Properties Group, a trusted partner whose deep expertise and commitment to excellence are instrumental in shaping this next chapter for luxury hospitality in Canada."
Led by Studio Collective, the renovation will introduce a host of new amenities to the property, including a mountainside infinity pool with panoramic views, vitality pools, ice immersion baths, saunas, meditation rooms, and movement studios.
An expedition centre will also be created, providing guests with insights into the numerous adventures that the Canadian Rockies have to offer.
Oxford Properties Group Hotels head and senior vice president Tyler MacDonald said: “Alongside our longtime partners at Accor, we're proud to be reinvesting in this landmark destination and reimagining it as a new expression of quiet mountain luxury as the first ever Emblems Collection property in North America.
“Through this visionary redevelopment, Oxford will build on Rimrock's storied legacy by delivering a timeless and elevated hospitality experience that helps drive tourism to the Canadian Rockies while maintaining its historic identity. It is a unique and exciting opportunity that perfectly encapsulates our long-term conviction in the future of Canadian hospitality and deep commitment to investing in Canada, where we have announced over $2bn of investment activity in the past month.”
This transformation at Rimrock Banff is a significant move in Emblems Collection's strategy to expand globally.
The brand has several projects underway, including the Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa in the UK, the Elatos Resort in Greece, and the Hotel Bellevue Cortina d'Ampezzo in Italy.
Emblems Collection is on course to have 15 properties signed by 2025 and is anticipating the opening of its first European property by the end of this year.
Earlier in the month, Accor revealed plans for the Emblems Collection brand to make its UK debut with the addition of Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa.
