Rising like a French château beside Parliament Hill, the Fairmont Château Laurier has defined Ottawa’s skyline for over a century. This grand railway hotel opened in 1912 and has hosted royalty, prime ministers, celebrities, and countless visitors in its elegant halls.
The Château Laurier’s history intertwines with Canada’s national story—from the tragedy of the Titanic to Confederation anniversaries, from wartime to peacetime, this limestone landmark has witnessed it all.
Key Highlights
TL;DR: The Château Laurier opened June 1, 1912, built by the Grand Trunk Railway. Its owner, Charles Melville Hays, died on the Titanic weeks before the opening. A National Historic Site since 1981, it remains Ottawa’s most prestigious hotel.
| Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| 📅 Opened | June 1, 1912 |
| 📍 Location | 1 Rideau Street, Ottawa |
| 🎟️ Architect | Ross and MacFarlane |
| ⏰ Rooms | 429 |
The Grand Railway Hotel Era
Why Hotels Like This Were Built
In the early 20th century, Canada’s railways competed to build magnificent hotels:
The Business Model:
- Attract wealthy passengers to rail travel
- Provide luxury accommodations at destinations
- Create iconic landmarks for publicity
- Generate revenue from tourism
The Competition:
- Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) built the Château Frontenac
- Grand Trunk Railway (GTR) needed its own flagship
- Ottawa, the capital, was the logical location
- Prime real estate beside Parliament Hill
Choosing the Site
The location couldn’t have been better:
Strategic Position:
- Adjacent to Union Station (now Government Conference Centre)
- Views of Parliament Hill and Rideau Canal
- Central to government and business
- Highly visible from the river
Charles Melville Hays
The Visionary
Charles Melville Hays, president of Grand Trunk Railway, drove the Château Laurier project:
His Vision:
- World-class hotel worthy of Canada’s capital
- Château-style architecture like French Loire Valley
- No expense spared on materials and craftsmanship
- Symbol of Canada’s coming of age
The Titanic Tragedy
Hays never saw his hotel open. In April 1912:
The Fateful Journey:
- Hays traveled to England on business
- Returning on RMS Titanic’s maiden voyage
- Ship struck iceberg April 14, 1912
- Hays was among the 1,500 who died
The Impact:
- Hotel opening delayed briefly
- Nation mourned the loss
- Hays’ widow attended eventual opening
- His vision completed posthumously
Illustrative image only.
Building the Château
The Architecture
Ross and MacFarlane of Montreal designed a masterpiece:
Style:
- French Gothic château style
- Indiana limestone exterior
- Copper roof (now distinctive green patina)
- Turrets and dormers
- Massive scale and grandeur
Interior Features:
- Ornate plasterwork
- Marble floors and columns
- Grand ballrooms
- Elegant dining rooms
- Over 300 rooms originally
Construction
Building the hotel was a major undertaking:
Timeline:
- Construction began 1908
- Four years to complete
- Hundreds of workers employed
- Massive quantities of materials
Cost:
- Over $2 million (1912 dollars)
- Equivalent to tens of millions today
- One of the most expensive buildings in Canada
Opening and Early Years
June 1, 1912
The Château Laurier opened with fanfare:
The Opening:
- Grand celebration despite Titanic tragedy
- Prime Minister Wilfrid Laurier attended (hotel named for him)
- Ottawa society turned out
- International press coverage
Who It Served
From the beginning, the Château hosted elite clientele:
- Government officials
- Business leaders
- Foreign diplomats
- Visiting royalty
- Wealthy travelers
The Name
The hotel was named for Sir Wilfrid Laurier:
- Prime Minister 1896-1911
- Living when hotel named (died 1919)
- Respected across Canada
- Symbol of Canadian national identity
Through the Decades
World War I Era
The hotel served during wartime:
- Officers and officials stayed during war planning
- Social events continued despite conflict
- Symbol of stability during uncertain times
Between the Wars
The 1920s-30s brought changes:
- Canadian National Railways absorbed Grand Trunk
- CN Hotels became new operator
- Great Depression challenged business
- Hotel remained Ottawa’s finest
World War II
Again the Château served the nation:
- Military officers stationed in Ottawa
- Allied planning sessions
- Wartime social events
- Government expanded rapidly
Post-War Prosperity
The hotel thrived in peacetime:
- Renovations and improvements
- Famous guests increased
- Television era began (studios nearby)
- Tourism grew substantially
Modern Era
Recent decades brought new developments:
- 1981: Designated National Historic Site
- 1988: Fairmont Hotels took over management
- 2000s: Major renovations while preserving heritage
- Today: Continues as Ottawa’s premier hotel
Illustrative image only.
Famous Guests
Royalty
The Château has hosted numerous royal visits:
- King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (1939)
- Queen Elizabeth II (multiple visits)
- Prince Charles and Princess Diana
- Other members of royal family
Prime Ministers
Every Canadian PM has connections to the Château:
- Many lived there while houses arranged
- Official functions held regularly
- Meeting place for political deals
- Part of Ottawa’s power structure
Celebrities and Artists
Stars have always stayed here:
- Yousuf Karsh (legendary photographer, lived in hotel for years)
- Winston Churchill
- Various Hollywood celebrities
- Musicians and performers
The Hotel Today
What to Expect
The Fairmont Château Laurier offers:
Accommodations:
- 429 guest rooms and suites
- Heritage architecture preserved
- Modern amenities
- Premium locations with views
Dining:
- Wilfrid’s Restaurant
- Zoe’s Lounge
- Afternoon tea tradition
- Special event dining
Facilities:
- Indoor pool (art deco style)
- Fitness centre
- Spa services
- Meeting and event spaces
Visiting
Even non-guests can experience the Château:
- Walk through the grand lobbies
- Dine in the restaurants
- Attend afternoon tea
- Book special events
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I visit without staying at the hotel? A: Yes! The public areas including lobbies and restaurants are open to visitors. Walking through is a wonderful way to experience the historic interior.
Q: Why is the roof green? A: The roof is copper, which naturally oxidizes to a green patina over time. This is the same process that gives the Statue of Liberty its colour.
Q: Is the hotel haunted? A: Legend says the ghost of Charles Melville Hays walks the halls. Staff and guests have reported unexplained phenomena, though these claims are unverified.
Q: How did Yousuf Karsh connect to the hotel? A: Renowned portrait photographer Yousuf Karsh lived at the Château Laurier for many years and operated his studio nearby. His famous portrait of Winston Churchill was taken in the hotel.
Q: What does a room cost? A: Rates vary by season and room type, generally starting from $300-400 CAD per night for standard rooms to several thousand for premium suites.
Final Thoughts
The Château Laurier stands as more than a hotel—it’s a national monument to Canadian ambition and achievement. Born from tragedy when its visionary died aboard the Titanic, it has nonetheless thrived for over a century as Ottawa’s most prestigious address.
Walking through the limestone corridors, gazing at Parliament Hill from its windows, or enjoying tea in its elegant rooms, visitors connect with over 110 years of Canadian history. The hotel has hosted the powerful and the famous, witnessed national celebrations and mourning, and remained a constant presence beside the Rideau Canal.
In an age of chain hotels and standardized hospitality, the Château Laurier reminds us that some places are irreplaceable. Its turrets and copper roof are as essential to Ottawa’s identity as the Peace Tower itself.
Source: Fairmont Hotels, Library and Archives Canada, Heritage Ottawa - Compiled for Via Ottawa readers.
For more Ottawa history, visit Ottawa History or explore Where to Go!
