Canada’s hospitality industry has been around longer than the country itself. Travellers who journeyed across the country hundreds of years ago would have stayed in inns or roadhouses, building the foundation for warm and hospitable stays—a tradition that continues today. But with the completion of Canada’s transcontinental railway in 1885, the grand railway hotels ushered in a new era of resort-style accommodations that became iconically Canadian, both in the architecture and in the awe-inspiring nature views.

From majestic railway châteaus to family-run cottages in the mountains, we have collected some of Travelzoo’s most historic hotels. Here are their stories. 

A mountain cottage owned by Darwin’s niece in the Kootenays

Nestled in the Kootenays of British Columbia, Wedgwood Manor is an English-style country house built in 1910. After a hunting and fishing trip with a friend in the late 1800s, Royal Navy Officer Senior Commander James Matthew Harrison fell in love with the Purcell Mountains and decided it was the place to retire. He built the manor, called Freckleton, with his wife Lady Lucy Caroline Wedgwood, niece of Charles Darwin, famed father of evolutionary biology.

Today, Wedgwood Manor is an adults-only retreat. Suites are uniquely decorated to reflect the manor's historic charm—expect a lounge or living area, a private bath and views of either the Kokanee glacier, gardens, forest or the original outbuildings. Stays here are more than 30% off June to September, and all guests enjoy daily English-style continental breakfast. The innkeepers recommend bringing a pair of cozy slippers—no outside shoes allowed on those century-old wood floors. 

A trendsetting railway hotel in Ottawa

Overlooking the mouth of the Rideau Canal, the Fairmont Château Laurier opened its doors in 1912. Designed by Montréal architectural firm Ross and MacFarlane, this hotel was the first of the Grand Château style hotels constructed by the Grand Trunk Railway (later known as the Canadian Pacific Railway). This château style would be used for many of the railway hotels built in and around the turn of the 20th century (there are a few on this list with the same design aesthetics), cementing the luxe style for generations of hotels to come. The neo-gothic Parliament Buildings are just across the canal. 

Named after Sir Wilfrid Laurier, the hotel has been nicknamed the “the third chamber of Parliament” because of the number of politicians and world leaders who have stayed there. Nelson Mandela, Winston Churchill and the Dalai Lama have all spent the night, not to mention Alex Trebek, Bryan Adams and Joni Mitchell. R. B. Bennett, the 11th Prime Minister, lived in a suite at the Château Laurier during his term from 1930 to 1935. 

Today, the hotel continues to be a must-visit tourist attraction in Ottawa, with numerous dining options including afternoon tea, which these grand hotels have become known for. Stay at some of Canada’s most recognizable properties in our Fairmont collection. 

A historic refuge in Old Québec City

Situated on rue de la Porte in the heart of Old Québec City, the Hôtel Château Bellevue is spread over four Tudor Revival townhouses. A rare type of architecture for the area, the townhouses were built at the turn of the 20th century as private dwellings. Notable families, including that of Honorable August Tessier, a prominent political figure, lived there. 

The townhouses were converted into a boutique hotel in 1986 and continue to welcome guests from all over the world. Today there’s an elevator, valet parking and all the modern luxuries one would expect from a boutique property. Spring stays here include daily breakfast and save more than 40% on two-night bookings. 

An ode to railway luxury in Toronto

Steps from Union Station, the Fairmont Royal York is the epitome of the grand old railway hotel. Built in the renowed château style, it was part of the Canadian Pacific Railway chain of hotels. These were meant to service travellers journeying by train but also to promote rail travel in general. The Royal York started welcoming guests in 1929 and was considered the biggest hotel in the British Commonwealth at the time, with over 1000 rooms. It was state-of-the-art: the telephone switchboard was more than 18 metres long. 

The list of celebrities who have stayed at the Royal York is long—everyone from Leonardo DiCaprio to the Olsen twins have checked in here, and it's the official residence for the royal family when they’re in Toronto. The hotel underwent a meticulous renovation in 2019 and continues the tradition of the grand railway hotel. Its iconic Library Bar serves up some of the best cocktails in the city, and there are numerous restaurants to enjoy. Stays are 30% for Travelzoo Members through September.

A tent city-turned-luxury lodge in Jasper 

The saying “if you build it, they will come” takes on a whole new meaning at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. When the Jasper National Park opened in 1907, Jasper had only a few hotels founded during the construction of the trans-Canadian railway. Tourist accommodations were scarce around Lac Beauvert, known as “Tent City” with rows of sleeping and cooking tents for travellers exploring the park. 

The Canadian National Railway bought up Tent City in 1921 and a year later the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge opened its doors, part of General Manager William Cornelius Van Horne’s vision to entice travellers to the Rockies. He famously said, “if we can’t export the scenery, we’ll import the tourists,” and so they did. The lodge, along with other grand railway hotels in Alberta’s Rockies like Banff Springs hotel and Chateau Lake Louise, have been drawing tourists ever since. Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge has hosted royalty and celebrities for over a century and continues to be a draw for those looking for a luxurious lodge stay in the Rocky Mountains. Stays at this wilderness lodge are up to 40% off through March of next year and include a $50 dining credit for any of the myriad dining options at the resort. 

A grand railway hotel by the ocean in Nova Scotia

Overlooking the Annapolis Basin on Nova Scotia's north shore, the Digby Pines Golf Resort and Spa oozes charm and history. From Churchill’s restaurant (named for H.B. Churchill, the first proprietor who built the three-story wood hotel in 1903) to the Stanley Thompson-designed golf course, the hotel’s legacy flows throughout this oceanside resort. The Digby Pines’ second life began in 1929 when the Canadian Pacific Railway opened the new larger building with plans for an 18-hole golf course, which teed off in 1931. The golf course has seen many a celebrity traverse its course—Babe Ruth played a round in 1936.

Today this grand old dame is a relaxing resort escape on the East Coast with a sweeping veranda for enjoying basin views and a plethora of amenities from swimming to lawn games. Stays here include breakfast and a resort credit to enjoy the hotel’s offerings.