The Alexander Luxury Spa Hotel Opening in 2027

Connected to nature and powered by sustainability, The Alexander Luxury Spa Hotel will provide transformative experiences to those who come to take the waters. 

Under construction and expected to open in 2027, the anticipation for the newest addition to Spring Creek is already building. 

Spring Creek Resorts’ President Frank Kernick wanted to take a different approach to the design of the spa and hotel, focusing on health and wellness in a new way.

"I want The Alexander to be special," says Frank. "I wanted to do it in a way that has not been done before. Wellness tourism is a big part of the future for visitation to the Bow Valley, and this is a phenomenal place for it."

Located next to The Malcolm Hotel and connected through an underground tunnel, the new hotel and spa is exclusively for adults and features 45 hotel suites, 10 treatment rooms and a restaurant. An outdoor pool and terrace showcase stunning views of the mountains and creek. 

The hotel and spa's name honours the history of the railway coming through the Bow Valley in the late 1800s, setting the stage for Canmore to become a community as a divisional station for the Canadian Pacific Railway. 

Donald Alexander Smith was one of the railway's founders. He was originally from Scotland and came to Canada to work for the Hudson's Bay Company. He named the towns along the railway line, including Canmore and Banff. 

"When he came to the Rocky Mountains, he was in awe and wanted to name this place after someone special to the Scottish people," Kernick says. "That was King Malcolm, the first king of Scotland, known as 'big head,' or 'big chief,' which translates to Ceannmore or Canmore.

"Our history in Canmore is deeply connected to Scottish heritage through Donald Alexander Smith." 

In addition to paying homage to Canmore's Scottish and railway heritage, the hotel and spa will feature rooms on the first floor dedicated to bridesmaids and groomsmen getting ready. These hospitality rooms will feature catered amenities. 

For Kernick, it is all about the little details that create an intimate and special experience for guests. That includes features like king beds and clawfoot soaker tubs in each room. 

"Canmore is perfectly situated and we could lead Alberta and Canada in terms of wellness tourism," he says.

For Travel Alberta's Chief Marketing Officer, Tannis Gaffney, the Alexander adds to Canmore's status as a bucket list destination for travellers worldwide. She says developing a premium spa experience within walking distance of Main Street will contribute to a new chapter in the region's tourism industry. 

"The welcoming community we have here is like nowhere else in Canada, and it is something travellers crave," she says. "We are starting to stand out in Canada as the must-see tourism destination. When travellers choose Canada, they are beginning to choose Alberta first, which will be another destination on their radar.

"Travellers are looking for transformational experiences. It is not just sightseeing, they are connecting with place and community and changing themselves and coming home a completely different person." 

When people travel from across the world to visit the Canadian Rockies, they have multiple experiences booked in their itineraries. According to Gaffney, the Alexander Luxury Spa Hotel creates the opportunity to make some truly amazing ways for travellers to stay longer in Alberta. 

"This is more than just a hotel," she says. "This is a sign of what is to come for tourism in this province. It will strengthen Alberta as a wellness destination for Canadians and international visitors. It is going to be transformational for the traveller." 

Tourism Canmore and Kananaskis Chief Executive Officer Rachel Ludwig says The Alexander will be a place for serenity, wellness, and immersive connection against one of the world's most breathtaking backdrops. Ludwig points to Spring Creek's leadership and commitment to sustainability in creating the community that exists today. 

"What is happening here is not just a collection of buildings," she says. "It is a living, breathing community that respects the land, honours the spirit of community, and embraces innovation and hospitality.

"This vision will take that to the next level. It aligns with our community's values that wellness isn't just a buzzword but a way of life." 

A recent Global Wellness Institute report on the potential for wellness tourism shows that travellers have a bottomless appetite for authentic experiences that leave them transformed. The report predicts spending on wellness tourism will reach $1.4 trillion by 2027. 

Visitors want to be enriched, not just entertained, says Ludwig. 

"They want authenticity, sustainability, and a sense of belonging, and this project delivers on all three," she says. "Beyond the visitor experience, we must also recognize what else this means. It means year-round jobs and year-round visitation that support the local economy sustainably and strategically. 

"It also increases our global profile. High-end wellness experiences in Canmore are perfectly positioned to meet that demand without compromising the special character and intelligence of this space."