Railway (CPR) in the late 1800’s, it was Van Horne who had the vision to build the stately hotels in the Canadian Rockies and bring tourism to Canada. The “Finest Hotel on the North American Continent” was how the Banff Springs Hotel was advertised when it first opened for business in 1888. Built at a cost of $250,000 it was Van Horne’s dream of a grand hotel, modeled after a Scottish castle and a bastion of luxury. Originally a 250-room property, it attracted l,503 guests in the first summer of operation. By 1911, that number had increased to 22,000 creating an obvious need for expansion. In 1925, just as work was coming to a close on an 11-story tower addition, the original structure burned to the ground. The company immediately rebuilt and by 1928 a newer, superior and more lavish building stood in its place. Surrounded with snow-frosted Rocky Mountain peaks, along the shores of the legendary lake, the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel is one of the most celebrated addresses in the international Fairmont portfolio.
The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is perhaps one of the most history-laden hotels in Western Canada. Like its sister hotel, the Fairmont Chateau has hosted its own gaggle of famous personalities including Fairbanks and Barrymore, Monroe and Hitchcock and numerous royalty.
This year-round resort has captivated travelers from around the world for over a century. Nestled on the shores of postcard perfect Lake Louise, the existing Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise architecture dates back to 1913 when Canadian Pacific Railway’s chief architect, Walter Painter, developed his own unique ‘’Chateau style’’, with projecting towers, windows, terraces and detailing, strongly influenced by Palladian villa designs of the Italian Renaissance period. Within the hotel a total of 554 beautifully appointed guest rooms and suites emulate the epitome of luxury and design born from 19th century style and ambition.
Photo Credit, FairmontChateau Lake Louise
S N O W B I
Photo Credit, FairmonJasper Park Lodge
The location itself possess a character that is perhaps Canadian wilderness to perfection, with world-class skiing, endless cross-country ski trails, and in the spring and summer, fishing for trophy fresh-water trout, canoeing, hiking, mountain biking and more.
THE FAIRMONT JASPER PARK LODGE In 1915, the Jasper Park Lodge began as a few tents on the shores of Lac Beauvert. Associated with the Grand Truck Pacific Railway, it was known as “Tent City” until 1921, when the hotel department of the newly formed Canadian National Railway’s took over, and updated the tent camp to eight temporary log bungalows. “Jasper Park Lodge” opened for business in June 1922.
The Jasper Park Lodge was touted as being “the largest single-storey log structure in the world”, following the completion of the first unit of the main building in 1923. Built at a cost of $461,000, the structure stood 250 feet long and 200 feet wide. Expansion proceeded through 1923, with the
addition of the first unit of the main building and additional cabins - some of these original cabins still stand today. By 1940 enough luxurious cabins were built to house 650 guests. In July 1952 disaster stuck as the large central lodge building was destroyed by fire. By September of the same year, concrete for the new 75,000 square foot building was poured and the new lodge was completed in June 1953 at a cost of $3,000,000.
Between the early 1940’s and early 1950’s, most of the original log cabins were replaced with more modern, attractive ones. Today, the Lodge consists of the main building and 56 adjacent cabins for total rooms count of 446. In keeping with the company’s commitment to development and upgrading, over $25 million has been invested in The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. The addition of boutiques, a sports pub, dining facilities (including an award-winning dining room) and the refurbishing of guestrooms have helped this property become a four seasons, four-star destination resort.
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