Typically, 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 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 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 social gathering members excitedly chatting by foyer elevators.

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 a number of other motels 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 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 gentle turning on and off a number of occasions.

Ghosts apart, components of the Fairmont felt downright eerie. The lengthy, nearly 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 components of the lodge that shine.

Right here’s my evaluation of Fairmont Château Laurier.

The Rooms

In the event you’re searching 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 because of the unique fortress flooring plan.

Earlier than stepping inside my Deluxe Room, I had no clue what the house 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 reduction, 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 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 rest room is. Whilst 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 loos.

Regardless of the lodge being effectively over 100 years outdated, I didn’t really feel like I used to be residing prior to now throughout my two-night keep. Each loos leaned closely in the direction of the trendy, 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 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 have to 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 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, option to begin the day. A serving of mint tea was the proper option to conclude breakfast. Service was speedy, which was particularly appreciated attributable to my packed schedule for the day.

On condition that the lodge’s outside restaurant, La Terrasse, has extra of a carefree vibe than Wilfrid’s, I anticipated a menu that will mirror the easygoing ambiance. 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 exhausting 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 possibility if you happen to’d like a small chunk to eat (suppose salads and pastries) and a comfortable beverage. Simply remember the fact 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 characteristic private flat-screen televisions to maintain you entertained when you crush energy.

However if you happen to’re extra biscuits and clotted cream than treadmills and squats, afternoon tea on the Fairmont could be extra your pace. 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 lodge are additionally accessible, together with the general public entrance, public restrooms, restaurant, and health middle. Service canine are additionally welcome on the Fairmont.

In the event 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 should 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 possibly can 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 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 have to be between 10 and 14 straight days of -10 to -20 levels Celsius.

The best way 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 personal check-in possibility, customized concierge service, butler companies, 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.