Right here’s What It’s Prefer to Keep in a 112-year-old Fortress in Ottawa

Typically, to really respect one thing, it’s a must to permit your self to take a step again. For me, it was a ship experience on the famed Rideau Canal that allowed me to understand 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 fortress 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 resorts 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 be dwelling to company from the opposite facet. There’s even a tour provided by 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 mild turning on and off a number of instances.

Ghosts apart, components 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 superbly gloomy. Eeriness apart, there are components of the lodge that shine.

Right here’s my evaluate of Fairmont Château Laurier.

The Rooms

When you’re on the lookout for selection, you’ll discover it on the Fairmont Château Laurier. The hovering fortress has an enormous assortment of visitor rooms and suites, which all flaunt their distinct options and layouts due to the unique fortress flooring plan.

Earlier than stepping inside my Deluxe Room, I had no clue what the area setup could be. So, think about my shock once 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 in some way 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 shocked to discover a second toilet. And if you happen to’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. Whilst a solo traveler, I used to be grateful for the additional area. In whole, 18 rooms within the Fairmont Château Laurier are outfitted with two loos.

Regardless of the lodge being effectively over 100 years outdated, I didn’t really feel like I used to be dwelling up to now throughout my two-night keep.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

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

Meals and Drink

For avid foodies, you would possibly discover the eating choices on the Fairmont Château Laurier to be restricted. Exterior of in-room eating, present choices to seize a chunk to eat embrace 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 company 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 facet of Canadian bacon (as a result of when in Rome). It was a scrumptious, although heavy, option to begin the day. A serving of mint tea was the right option to conclude breakfast. Service was speedy, which was particularly appreciated as a consequence of my packed schedule for the day.

Provided that the lodge’s out of doors restaurant, La Terrasse, has extra of a carefree vibe than Wilfrid’s, I anticipated a menu that will replicate the easygoing environment. As a substitute, I used to be met with a frantic menu that included all the things from ratatouille to pizza. Nonetheless, the gorgeous views from La Terrasse make it laborious to not get misplaced in a glass of chardonnay or two. And for many who desire a fast breakfast or lunch, Café Laurier is a worthy choice if you happen to’d like a small chunk to eat (assume salads and pastries) and a comfortable beverage. Simply needless to say 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 heart 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 if you happen to’re extra biscuits and clotted cream than treadmills and squats, afternoon tea on the Fairmont may be extra your pace. Afternoon Tea usually takes place at Zoe’s, however on condition 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 heart. Service canine are additionally welcome on the Fairmont.

When you hear a delicate buzzing throughout your keep, don’t fear; it’s probably 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 points of interest. Whether or not you’re a museum buff or the shop-til-you-drop sort, a ten to 15-minute stroll will get you to an assortment of galleries and retailers. An ample variety of eating places are equally walkable. Whatever the eating expertise you select, you’ll must seize a BeaverTail, Canada’s most well-known pastry, in your approach 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 by way of the Rideau Canal. Throughout winter, the canal turns into “the world’s largest skating rink.” Simply preserve your fingers crossed that Mom Nature is in your facet. It’s required that the ice be 30 centimeters thick to make sure protected skating. For that thickness to be achieved, there would have to be between 10 and 14 straight days of -10 to -20 levels Celsius.

How you can Get the Most Worth Out of Your Keep

Described as “a hotel-within-a-hotel,” Fairmont Gold is a luxe providing that gives company with an elevated expertise. Fairmont Gold company are aware of a personal check-in choice, customized 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.