Rocky Mountaineer to extend its iconic US train route

What can we expect from Rocky Mountaineer next year?

Rocky Mountaineer currently offers four remarkable rail routes, all of which include tailored onboard experiences and access to some of the world’s most isolated landscapes. Three of these traverse Canada’s Banff and Jasper national parks, stopping in at places like Lake Louise, Kamloops and Whistler along the way.

Rocky Mountaineer traverses some of North America’s most scenic landscapes.

Its fourth trip – the Rockies to the Red Rocks route – is the company’s only US endeavor, running under Rocky Mountaineer since 2021. But beginning in April 2026, the train journey will officially operate under its own brand, Canyon Spirit.

The change of name reflects the values of the newly formed parent brand, Armstrong Collective, which will oversee both Rocky Mountaineer and Canyon Spirit moving forward. It is committed to showcasing the American Southwest as a destination in its own right, as well as more clearly defining its Canadian and US offerings. But that’s not all…

The brand’s US routes will now operate under Canyon Spirit.

New longer itinerary for Rockies to the Red Rocks

The Rockies to the Red Rocks route has been running as a two-day service since it originally launched over four years ago. Travelling between Moab in eastern Utah to Denver in Colorado, it currently offers just one overnight stop in Colorado’s resort city of Glenwood Springs.

But as of 2026, the Rockies to the Red Rocks service will offer a new, three-day sojourn to Salt Lake City, one of our top picks for travel in 2025. Rather than beginning or ending in Moab, it will now stop overnight there before continuing to the state’s capital. The extra day will offer guests a deeper insight into Utah’s distinctive landscape and culture, from its vast desert canyons to its distinct mountain vistas.

Stay overnight in cities like Glenwood Springs, Colorado. (Image: Adventure Photo)

“We could not be more excited to bring our Canyon Spirit train to Salt Lake City, and to expand our Rockies to the Red Rocks route further into the beautiful state of Utah," said Tristan Armstrong, CEO of Armstrong Collective.

“Although the name of our train is changing, our world-class service and onboard experience will remain the same, and we look forward to sharing the beauty of the American Southwest with even more guests from across the United States and around the world."

The Rockies to the Red Rocks route will expand to three days.

Rockies to the Red Rocks will remain a SilverLeaf Service, running on the company’s single-level carriages with curved windows (as opposed to GoldLeaf’s two-level cars with domed-window roof). It also includes meals and beverages brought to your seat and complimentary baggage transfers to and from your accommodation.

The new Rockies to the Red Rocks service will begin operating from 21 April 2026 as a weekly service, with one westbound departure from Denver and one eastbound departure from Salt Lake City. Prices start at start at AUD $3365* (plus tax) and are inclusive of all three days onboard as well as overnight accommodation in Glenwood Springs and Moab.

* Currency conversion accurate at the time of writing.

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.

Rocky Mountaineer to extend its iconic US train route

This iconic train journey just got a new name – and a new route to match.

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