The Fairmont Chateau Laurier is Ottawa's grand railway hotel, a turreted Chateau-style landmark beside the Ottawa Locks and a few steps from Parliament Hill. It opened in 1912, built by the Grand Trunk Railway, whose president Charles Melville Hays died on the Titanic just before the opening. The Secrets of the Chateau Laurier Hotel Tour is a guided walk led by the Haunted Walk company that takes you through the public spaces and into the hotel's stories: the architecture, the political and royal guests, the secrets and the ghost legends. It suits history fans and anyone curious about Ottawa's elite past, and it is a good way to see inside a building you would otherwise just photograph. The Viator listing shows 4.6 from 84 reviews.
What to expect: the tour is a walking tour with a guide, mostly indoors, which makes it a comfortable November option when outdoor time is limited. It covers the hotel's founding, the design inspired by French chateaux, and the characters who passed through, including prime ministers and visiting dignitaries. The famed photographer Yousuf Karsh had his studio in the hotel for years, and the lobby and corridors have a well-preserved period feel.
Practical advice: book ahead, as small-group tours sell out on busy weekends, and confirm the meeting point and the time slots on the booking page. You do not need to be a hotel guest. Dress for the weather since you may walk between sights outside, and keep in mind that access to some spaces can vary if the hotel is hosting an event.
Making a day of it: the hotel sits by the canal locks and Major's Hill Park, so combine the tour with a walk through the park, the ByWard Market and Parliament Hill. Tea or a drink in the hotel's lounges afterward continues the theme, though you should check current dining hours. If you want something spookier, the Original Haunted Walk is run by the same company. Anyone planning to stay at the hotel can use the tour as a preview, and its own listing in our hotel section covers rooms and rates in general terms.
What to expect
The experience
A guided walking tour through the public spaces of the Fairmont Chateau Laurier, with stories of its guests, design and legends.
Best time
A cold or wet day, since much of the tour is indoors, with a walk through Major's Hill Park afterward.
How long
Around an hour to an hour and a half, though you should confirm on the booking page.
Tips
You do not need to be a guest, so book ahead, confirm the meeting point and check for event closures.
Quick picks
- Best for
- History fans and architecture lovers who want a look inside Ottawa's grandest hotel.
- Families
- Best for older children and teens who enjoy history and stories.
- Couples
- Follow it with a drink or afternoon tea at the hotel.
- Pair with
- Parliament Hill, the Rideau Canal locks and the ByWard Market.
- Time needed
- A morning or afternoon slot.
Good questions
Do I need to be a hotel guest?+
No. The tour is open to the public and booked through Viator.
Who built the Chateau Laurier?+
The Grand Trunk Railway built it, and it opened in 1912. Its president, Charles Melville Hays, died on the Titanic before the opening.
Is the tour indoors?+
Mostly, which makes it a good option in cold or wet weather.
Is it a ghost tour?+
It is mainly a history and stories tour, with some legends included. For a full ghost walk, try the Original Haunted Walk.
Where is the hotel?+
It is beside the Rideau Canal locks, next to Major's Hill Park and a short walk from Parliament Hill and the ByWard Market.
