Canadian Pacific Hotels: Enduring National Landmarks

A major chapter in the evolution of modern day Canada is the building of our transnational railway. Along with this new network to connect the nation, a series of luxury hotels were opened by the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) to motivate and accommodate vacationing. Newly appointed CPR President William Cornelius Van Horne envisioned a string of grand hotels across Canada that would draw visitors to his railway. The properties remain something to behold, each is unique and set the standard for excellence in their day. The Royal York in Toronto was once purported to be the largest hotel in the British Empire. Château Montebello is among the world's largest 'log cabin' structures and required an army of 3500 to construct. 

Today the hotels that remain are owned and operated by Fairmount Hotels and Resorts, but originally completely managed from within the CPR by their own internal 'hotel department'. Those that have remained open continue to be among Canada's most exclusive and luxurious hotels. Here are some of the few images that survive of these giants in early heritage of Canadian tourism.

Banff Springs Hotel, Banff, Alberta, opened 1888

The Algonquin, St. Andrews, New Brunswick, opened in 1889

Château Lake Louise, Lake Louise, Alberta, opened 1890

Château Frontenac, Quebec City, Quebec, opened 1893

Palliser Hotel, Calgary, Alberta, opened in 1914

The Jasper Park Lodge, Jasper, Jasper, Alberta, opened 1922

Royal York Hotel, Toronto, Ontario, opened 1929

Château Montebello, Montebello, Quebec, opened in 1930

Hotel Vancouver, Vancouver, British Columbia, opened 1939