Our tour guide suggested we should get lost in the hotel as you discover surprising places, well we

This "Castle in the Rockies" was our home for 2 nights while in Banff, Alberta. It is a huge old hotel designed in the Late Victorian style by architect Bruce Price of NY in 1887. It was the dream of William Van Horne, the manager of Canadian Pacific Railway. His philosophy was, "Since we can't export tour of california the scenery, we'll have to import the tourists." It was completed in 1888. It burnt down in 1926 and was rebuilt in 1928 and it has been extended and refurbished many times since. It had its heyday before the war attracting royalty and celebrities. It closed during the war and when it reopened in 1945 it struggled to keep the usual guests. However, it now thrives on tourist groups arriving by coach or train.
Our tour guide suggested we should tour of california get lost in the hotel as you discover surprising places, well we did that too but not intentionally. It is so huge. We were on the ninth floor but in the wrong wing. Hee hee it was fun. The next day we had a Free Choice Activity....rubber rafting down the Bow River.
Goodness! Magnificent! Where were your evening clothes? No Champagne! I would have waltzed, tour of california done the polka or shimmy shook around that Grand Ballroom with thee Diane - what was Bill doing? White tie and tails of course! Now, as I have got in before Betsy, - Betsy, when you and George get there, I expect to see the white tie and tails and the prettiest of Viennaise ballgowns on your good self! Ah the spendour, next I hope to see the cuisine????? I go to bed VERY GREEN! Where are those damn tablets? Colin (HB)
What a nice hotel ! Beautiful architecutre. The inside reminds me of the hotels at the Red Sea in Egypt, and also in Morocco, they are all palaces. Our Conrad Hotel which is the most expensive 200 cheapest room, looks like a shed against these hotels.
Ha----not sure I want to see Colin doing the shimmy shook ..... Think the building would rock ????? ha AND to Colin---NO to the fancy clothes and dancing and NO to the champagne. tour of california Sorry!!!! Loved that photo of you two sitting tour of california outside... I d probably be crazy enough to eat out there... ha LOVE the hotel... Wow---what an incredible place... Would love to see it during the snowy season. Thanks for sharing. Hugs, Betsy
Diane, it is a Grand hotel and I loved your photos. I hope to see it for myself someday. The views are awesome tour of california especially the shot sof you and your hubby outside. tour of california The rafting sounds like fun, I hope you stayed dry.
Oh dear! All my hours of practicing the waltz, the polka and the shimmy shake down the drain and I was getting SO good. Betsy, where is the Scarlett O Hara in thee? At least the neighbours will get some sleep - I think they just might be a bit sick of Shall We Dance !!!! Any other takers for a dance around that magnificent ballroom? A very dejected Rhett Butler. Colin Rhett (HB)
What a spectacular hotel! tour of california I think it is the grandest one I ve ever seen. Can you imagine how much it would cost to build it now? I want to take this same trip one day Diane...everything you ve shown is magnificent.
tour of california Migrated to Australia from England as a child. Grew up in Sydney. Taught in Papua/ New Guinea. Married there to a Swiss boy. Travelled the world. Settled in Brisbane, Qld, Australia. Retired teacher.