Rimrock Banff will be the first Emblems Collection property in North America. Owned by Oxford Properties Group and a capital partner, the resort will undergo a full renovation beginning in October and will reopen in summer 2026 as a flagship for Accor's newest luxury collection brand.
Located above the Bow Valley and minutes from downtown Banff, the property balances seclusion with proximity to the Banff Gondola and historic Upper Hot Springs. Though the current resort opened in 1993, this site has welcomed visitors since the early 1880s, when travelers first arrived seeking its natural springs for rejuvenation.
"We don’t just open hotels," Maud Bailly, CEO of Sofitel Legend, Sofitel, MGallery and Emblems, said in a statement. "We craft tomorrow’s legacy. Rimrock Banff, Emblems Collection will be more than a luxurious retreat; it will be a place where the beauty of nature and the sophistication of Emblems come together to offer an unparalleled experience. 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."
Studio Collective, renowned for its immersive and emotive design philosophy, is spearheading the visionary redesign at Rimrock Banff, Emblems Collection, shaping a contemporary retreat that seamlessly balances modern refinement and sustainability with raw natural beauty. This evolution introduces new elements that redefine the guest experience, including: a mountainside infinity pool with views of the Bow Valley, vitality pools, ice immersion bathing, panoramic saunas, meditation rooms, movement studios and an expedition center. Wellbeing at the resort will be prioritized through thoughtful curation, offering year-round, season-to-season immersion within the natural elements while fostering profound introspection and exploration.
“Rimrock Banff, Emblems Collection has represented a place of relaxation, adventure, and luxury for travelers and local residents alike for generations," said Tyler MacDonald, senior vice president and head of hotels at Oxford Properties Group. "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 $2B of investment activity in the past month.”
Rimrock Banff, Emblems Collection’s upcoming transformation is a key step in Emblems’ global expansion, which includes projects such as Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa, Emblems Collection in the UK, a renowned country house and British heritage icon near Bath; the Elatos Resort, Emblems Collection in Greece, an eco-wellness sanctuary on Mount Parnassus set to open in 2026; and Hotel Bellevue Cortina d’Ampezzo, Emblems Collection in Italy, a masterpiece of alpine luxury also scheduled for 2026.
Emblems is on track to reach 15 properties signed by 2025, with its first property opening at the end of this year in Europe. The addition of Rimrock Banff, Emblems Collection marks the beginning of Emblems' presence in North America, setting the stage for further growth in the region.