Here’s What It’s Like to Stay in a 112-year-old Castle in Ottawa

Typically, to really admire one thing, you need to permit your self to take a step again. For me, it was a ship journey on the famed Rideau Canal that allowed me to know simply how majestic Ottawa’s Fairmont Château Laurier is.

Because the leisurely cruise started to wind down and we inched nearer to the Fairmont, the lodge appeared like one thing out of a storybook. It towered over the canal — a hovering fort conveniently positioned in Canada’s capital. Clear skies and a looming sundown solely intensified the magic. Given its romantic exterior and inside, it was no shock that in my keep on a Saturday night time, I witnessed a flood of brides and bridal get together members excitedly chatting by foyer elevators.

Regardless of its fairy story appeal, the Fairmont does have one explicit chapter that’s full of gloom.

Days earlier than the chateau within the sky was set to open, Charles Melville Hays, the person who commissioned the constructing, misplaced his life. The businessman who arrived in Canada with goals of constructing a transcontinental railway and a number of other inns died when the RMS Titanic sank into the Atlantic Ocean on April 14, 1912.

Given the tragic timing, Hays didn’t get to witness the grand opening. Or did he?

A number of vacationers have claimed that the Fairmont Château Laurier can also be residence to friends from the opposite aspect. There’s even a tour supplied by way of The Haunted Stroll, an organization that hosts ghost excursions all through Ottawa. Whereas I (fortunately) didn’t encounter any supernatural occurrences throughout my keep, a fellow author did catch a glimpse of her closet gentle turning on and off a number of occasions.

Ghosts apart, elements of the Fairmont felt downright eerie. The lengthy, virtually dizzying hallways resulting in visitor rooms appeared like one thing out of “The Shining.” Although heavy on artwork deco, an indoor pool borders on fantastically gloomy. Eeriness apart, there are elements of the lodge that shine.

Right here’s my overview of Fairmont Château Laurier.

The Rooms

Should you’re in search of selection, you’ll discover it on the Fairmont Château Laurier. The hovering fort has an enormous assortment of visitor rooms and suites, which all flaunt their distinct options and layouts because of the unique fort flooring plan.

Earlier than stepping inside my Deluxe Room, I had no clue what the house setup could be. So, think about my shock after I noticed a thriller door hours after checking in. Given Fairmont’s haunted historical past, I used to be a bit nervous about exploring the elusive space to which I had one way or the other turn out to be oblivious. To my aid, the door didn’t result in a hidden nook hiding ghoulish secrets and techniques. As a substitute, I used to be stunned to discover a second toilet. And should you’ve ever traveled with family and friends and shared a single room, then you understand how a lot of a lifesaver a second toilet is. At the same time as a solo traveler, I used to be grateful for the additional house. In whole, 18 rooms within the Fairmont Château Laurier are outfitted with two bogs.

Regardless of the lodge being nicely over 100 years previous, I didn’t really feel like I used to be dwelling prior to now throughout my two-night keep. Each bogs leaned closely in the direction of the fashionable, and a 55-inch tv resting within the sitting space ensured that I didn’t neglect what decade I used to be dwelling in. The ultimate contact was a king-size Sealy mattress that didn’t skimp on house.

Sadly, throughout my keep on the Fairmont, I encountered two dwell bugs. Though small, the bugs woke up a way of paranoia that made my keep a bit much less pleasant. I additionally encountered an outlet that didn’t work, which could be a nuisance when touring with many devices that always must be charged.

Meals and Drink

For avid foodies, you may discover the eating choices on the Fairmont Château Laurier to be restricted. Outdoors of in-room eating, present choices to seize a chunk to eat embody La Terrasse, Café Laurier, and Wilfrid’s Restaurant.

I began with a hearty meal at Wilfrid’s Restaurant on my first morning. The spacious eating room permits friends to order from a menu full of breakfast staples or select the breakfast buffet. Though a breakfast buffet is at all times tempting, I ordered the French toast with mascarpone cream and a aspect of Canadian bacon (as a result of when in Rome). It was a scrumptious, although heavy, solution to begin the day. A serving of mint tea was the right solution to conclude breakfast. Service was speedy, which was particularly appreciated on account of my packed schedule for the day.

On condition that the lodge’s out of doors restaurant, La Terrasse, has extra of a carefree vibe than Wilfrid’s, I anticipated a menu that might replicate the easygoing ambiance. As a substitute, I used to be met with a frantic menu that included all the things from ratatouille to pizza. Nonetheless, the beautiful views from La Terrasse make it onerous to not get misplaced in a glass of chardonnay or two. And for many who favor a fast breakfast or lunch, Café Laurier is a worthy choice should you’d like a small chunk to eat (suppose salads and pastries) and a comfy beverage. Simply take into account that the café closes at 4 p.m.

Actions and Experiences

Along with an indoor saltwater pool, the Fairmont features a well being membership and health middle outfitted with premium health machines and free weights. As a bonus, the well being membership’s health machines function private flat-screen televisions to maintain you entertained whilst you crush energy.

However should you’re extra biscuits and clotted cream than treadmills and squats, afternoon tea on the Fairmont may be extra your velocity. Afternoon Tea usually takes place at Zoe’s, however provided that the restaurant is closed for renovations, the expertise now happens at La Mezzanine. On the sweet-meets-savory menu, you’ll discover an assortment of attractive bites, together with blueberry scones with mascarpone cream and house-made strawberry jam, alongside herbed goat cheese sandwiches.

Accessibility and Sustainability

The Fairmont Château Laurier has 11 ADA-compliant rooms. A number of areas of the lodge are additionally accessible, together with the general public entrance, public restrooms, restaurant, and health middle. Service canine are additionally welcome on the Fairmont.

Should you hear a refined buzzing throughout your keep, don’t fear; it’s seemingly from the 9 bee hives on the rooftop. The honey from the bees is used to create the lodge’s newly launched “Royal Reserve” physique product line.

Location

Put together to make your pedometer proud as a result of Fairmont’s central location is inside strolling distance of quite a few sights. Whether or not you’re a museum buff or the shop-til-you-drop kind, a ten to 15-minute stroll will get you to an assortment of galleries and outlets. An ample variety of eating places are equally walkable. Whatever the eating expertise you select, you’ll need to seize a BeaverTail, Canada’s most well-known pastry, in your manner again to the Fairmont Château Laurier. The lodge is only a stone’s throw from BeaverTails’ first brick-and-mortar location.

And for these daring, you may ice skate from vacation spot to vacation spot through the Rideau Canal. Throughout winter, the canal turns into “the world’s largest skating rink.” Simply hold your fingers crossed that Mom Nature is in your aspect. It’s required that the ice be 30 centimeters thick to make sure secure skating. For that thickness to be achieved, there would must be between 10 and 14 straight days of -10 to -20 levels Celsius.

Easy methods to Get the Most Worth Out of Your Keep

Described as “a hotel-within-a-hotel,” Fairmont Gold is a luxe providing that gives friends with an elevated expertise. Fairmont Gold friends are aware of a non-public check-in choice, personalised concierge service, butler providers, and entry to the Fairmont Gold Lounge. With this unique lounge entry, you’ll be handled to a complimentary continental breakfast, night canapes, and dessert.