Canadian Train Vacation Articles
- Canadian Rockies Train Vacations
- Rocky Mountaineer Services
- Routes on the Rocky Mountaineer
- Via Rail Canada Service Classes
- A Brief History of the Canada Pacific Railway
- Travel in Style on the Royal Canadian Pacific Service
- Canadian Wilderness Tours by Train
- Canadian Canoeing Vacations by Train
- Canada Heli-Hiking Tours by Train
- Canada Train Vacations as Honeymoons
- Polar Bear Train Tours In Canada
- Visit The Polar Bear Capital Of The World On Canada Train Tours
- The Chateau Lake Louise
- Canada's Chateau Laurier
- Canada’s Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel
- Train Tours to Canada’s Hotel Vancouver
- Quebec City's Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac
- Jasper, Alberta Travel and History
- Vacations in Toronto by Train
- Travel by Train to Vancouver, British Columbia
- Halifax, Nova Scotia Train Vacations
- Banff, Alberta Train Travel Options
- Tofino, British Columbia Train Vacations
- Toronto's Fairmont Royal York Hotel
- Canadian Trains in Cinema and Literature
Canada's Chateau Laurier
An architectural jewel on the banks of the Ottawa River, Ottawa, Ontario’s Chateau Laurier is often considered to be the grandest of Canada’s Grand Railway Hotels. With a rich history, this majestic Chateauesque style hotel is a study in splendor which is a local landmark and a popular destination for visitors to the city of Ottawa.
The Chateau Laurier was commissioned by then-commissioner of the Grand Trunk Railroad, Charles M Hayes and designed by the Ross & McFarlane architectural firm of Montreal. The hotel was completed in 1912; timing intended to coincide with the opening of Ottawa’s Union Station. The station is no longer in use, but the hotel is still in business today and retains every bit of its original grandeur.
Hayes was returning to Canada for the opening of the hotel on the ill-fated voyage of the Titanic and never saw his project come to fruition. Prime Minister Sir Wilfrid Laurier, who had secured the site for the Chateau Laurier was in attendance at a subdued opening ceremony for the hotel which would come to bear his name.
In 1923, the Chateau Laurier went to the Canadian National Railway when CN acquired Grand Trunk. The hotel became one of the railway’s most highly prized properties and became the accommodations of choice for visiting royalty, heads of state and celebrities. The Chateau Laurier was even the home of R.B. Bennet during his five year tenure as Prime Minister.
The hotel is as rich in Canadian history as Ottawa itself; famed photographer Yousuf Karsh (known for his portraits of Humphrey Bogart, Winston Churchill, Audrey Hepburn and yes, even Canadian rock legends Rush) lived and worked at the hotel for decades. The Chateau Laurier was also the home of the Ottawa bureau of the CBC for eighty years, making the hotel a Canadian cultural institution in its own right.
The hotel has a fascinating history while providing the latest in modern amenities to its guests. With an on-site health club, several restaurants which offer fine dining in a luxurious setting and everything else to make visitors feel pampered in these stately settings. The Chateau Laurier is a blend of historic and modern which is a perfect representation of Ottawa itself.
As the capital of Canada, Ottawa has much to offer visitors in the way of culture, sightseeing and recreation. The stately architecture of the city belies the quality and quantity of the city’s dining, entertainment and nightlife options. Ottawa is a city where there’s always something going on, day or night.
Naturally, the best way to arrive at Ottawa’s Chateau Laurier is in style, as originally envisioned: by rail. Canadian Train Vacations has many Canada train vacations to choose from which can take you to Ottawa, ON and other destinations all over the country. If you don’t see the perfect Canada train tour here, get in touch! You can plan your own customized, affordable tour of Canada that covers the places you want to see.