North America couldn’t have been developed all those years ago without the help of the railroad. Canada and America are two of the largest nations in the world, stretching about 3,000 miles from coast to coast, East to West. The railway was an integral part of these countries in the past, but sadly they’re not as popular as they used to be.
However, there are still some historic railway hotels operating in Canada and these are some of the most popular and historic.
1. Chateau Montebello, Montebello, Quebec
This fantastic hotel is known as the biggest log cabin in the world. It opened for business back in 1930 as a club for the wealthy. It was originally built after the Canadian Pacific Railway built a special track which allowed supplies and logs to be delivered to the hotel site. The chateau was sold to Canadian Pacific Hotels in 1970 and was then turned into a popular resort.
2. Fairmont Royal York Hotel, Toronto, Ontario
This famous Toronto landmark which was constructed by the Canadian Pacific Railway opened up in 1929. It was built in an ideal location right across the street from Union Station. When it first opened it was actually Toronto’s tallest building. It was also the third different hotel to be erected at the site on Front Street.
3. Digby Pines Resort, Digby, Nova Scotia
This resort is seasonal and was sold after the First World War to the Dominion Atlantic Railway. It was used as a relaxation center for the railway’s passengers. The property was later sold to the government of Nova Scotia when the railway started to sell off some of its many properties.
4. Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Banff, Alberta
This great hotel is actually situated inside of Banff National Park. It was constructed in the early 1900s and was used to attract rail visitors to the West of Canada.
5. The Fairmont Palliser Hotel, Calgary, Alberta
This is another western hotel that was built in the early 1900’s, in 1914 to be exact. It was constructed originally for the Canadian Pacific Hotels chain which was associated with the Canadian Pacific Railway.
6. Fairmont Empress, Victoria, British Columbia
The Empress is one of Victoria’s oldest and most popular hotels. It opened for business back in 1908 and was designed as a resort by Canadian Pacific Hotels. It was actually built as a hotel for steamship passengers in the West coast province.
7. Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City, Quebec
The Chateau Frontenac is one of the world’s best known hotels. It was constructed for the Canadian Pacific Railway. The elegant hotel opened its doors in 1893 to lure upscale visitors to the region.
8. Fairmont Hotel, Vancouver, British Columbia
This hotel was built in 1939 by the Canadian National Hotels chain. In 2001 the company changed its name to Fairmont. The Fairmont is the third hotel in the city to be known as Hotel Vancouver.
9. Fairmont Algonquin Hotel, St. Andrews, New Brunswick
This hotel was erected in 1899 in what is known as Canada’s original seaside resort destination. It was built by a wealthy American when the New Brunswick Railway served the area. The railway was then sold to Canadian Pacific Rail. The hotel is well known for its popular salt baths.
10. The Lord Nelson, Halifax, Nova Scotia
This classic hotel opened up in 1927 close to the city’s train station. It was built when the Canadian Pacific Railway needed a hotel for customers of its Dominion Atlantic Railway division.
11. Banff Springs Hotel, Banff, Alberta
This is a former railway hotel which opened up in 1888. It was originally built for the Canadian Pacific Railway. However, it had to be rebuilt after a fire in the 1920s.
