Generally, to actually admire one thing, you must enable your self to take a step again. For me, it was a ship journey 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 resort appeared like one thing out of a storybook. It towered over the canal — a hovering citadel 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 social gathering members excitedly chatting by foyer elevators.
Fevzi Ondu/Courtesy of Fairmont Château Laurier
Regardless of its fairy story attraction, the Fairmont does have one explicit chapter that’s crammed with 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 several other lodges 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?
Fevzi Ondu/Courtesy of Fairmont Château Laurier
A number of vacationers have claimed that the Fairmont Château Laurier can be house to company from the opposite facet. There’s even a tour supplied 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 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 resort that shine.
Right here’s my evaluate of Fairmont Château Laurier.
Fairmont Château Laurier
- Standard locations, together with the Nationwide Gallery of Canada, ByWard Market, and the Royal Canadian Mint, are all inside strolling distance.
- Spacious, trendy rooms with choices that embody multiple rest room are good for households.
- The beautiful views from La Terrasse make it arduous to say “no” to that second glass of Chardonnay.
- The Fairmont Château Laurier’s romantic exterior will go away you feeling such as you’ve stepped into your personal private Disney film.
The Rooms
Fevzi Ondu/Courtesy of Fairmont Château Laurier
If you happen to’re in search of selection, you’ll discover it on the Fairmont Château Laurier. The hovering citadel has an unlimited assortment of visitor rooms and suites, which all flaunt their distinct options and layouts because of the unique citadel ground plan.
Earlier than stepping inside my Deluxe Room, I had no clue what the house setup can 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 in some way grow to be oblivious. To my aid, the door didn’t result in a hidden nook hiding ghoulish secrets and techniques. As an alternative, I used to be shocked to discover a second rest room. And should you’ve ever traveled with family and friends and shared a single room, then you know the way a lot of a lifesaver a second rest room is. At the same time as a solo traveler, I used to be grateful for the additional house. In complete, 18 rooms within the Fairmont Château Laurier are outfitted with two bogs.
Regardless of the resort being effectively over 100 years outdated, I didn’t really feel like I used to be residing previously 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 residing 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 reside bugs. Though small, the bugs woke up a way of paranoia that made my keep a bit much less pleasurable. I additionally encountered an outlet that didn’t work, which could be a nuisance when touring with many devices that continuously should 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 chew 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 company to order from a menu crammed with 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, strategy to begin the day. A serving of mint tea was the proper strategy to conclude breakfast. Service was speedy, which was particularly appreciated attributable to my packed schedule for the day.
On condition that the resort’s out of doors restaurant, La Terrasse, has extra of a carefree vibe than Wilfrid’s, I anticipated a menu that may replicate the easygoing environment. As an alternative, I used to be met with a frantic menu that included the whole lot from ratatouille to pizza. Nonetheless, the gorgeous views from La Terrasse make it arduous 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 should you’d like a small chew to eat (suppose salads and pastries) and a comfy beverage. Simply understand 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 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 when you crush energy.
However should you’re extra biscuits and clotted cream than treadmills and squats, afternoon tea on the Fairmont is perhaps extra your velocity. Afternoon Tea sometimes 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 resort are additionally accessible, together with the general public entrance, public restrooms, restaurant, and health heart. Service canine are additionally welcome on the Fairmont.
If you happen to 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 resort’s newly launched “Royal Reserve” physique product line.
Location
Courtesy of Fairmont Château Laurier
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 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 must seize a BeaverTail, Canada’s most well-known pastry, in your manner again to the Fairmont Château Laurier. The resort is only a stone’s throw from BeaverTails’ first brick-and-mortar location.
And for these daring, you possibly can 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 facet. It’s required that the ice be 30 centimeters thick to make sure secure skating. For that thickness to be achieved, there would should be between 10 and 14 straight days of -10 to -20 levels Celsius.
Find out how to 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.