EXPERIENCE TIMELESS GRANDEUR

A TRIBUTE TO ICONIC VISIONARIES, BLENDING HISTORIC ELEGANCE WITH MODERN LUXURY.

The completion of the renovation at Fairmont Château Laurier marks another chapter in the history of this iconic symbol of grandeur in the heart of Canada’s capital. Poised between ByWard Market and the Rideau Canal locks, this historic hotel has hosted political leaders, film stars, and royalty for over a century. Known as Ottawa’s Castle, the hotel pays tribute to Sir Wilfrid Laurier, the Canadian Prime Minister at the time of its construction and the hotel’s namesake. The recent suite renovations, led by CHIL Interior Design, honor the hotel’s storied past and its influential figures, blending historical elegance with modern luxury. The new suite designs celebrate two of the most influential figures in the hotel’s history: Yousuf Karsh and Charles Melville Hays. CHIL drew direct inspiration from these visionaries to create a design for the suites that is as bold and unforgettable as the icon himself.

The Karsh Suite was once the home and studio of famed photographer Yousuf Karsh. Inspired by Karsh’s visionary work, the suite exudes boldness and unforgettable elegance. The intricate masonry and delicate mouldings of the original early 20thcentury design are complemented by deep golds, antique tones, and a mix of black and white focal points. Bold and saturated elements, like dramatic lines and mirrored finishes, balance the drama of the black and white portraits, such as Ernest Hemingway, which adorn the walls. The open bathroom design features a warm walnut central vanity and a freestanding soaker tub, offering guests a revitalizing private spa experience.

THE KARSH SUITE WAS ONCE THE HOME AND STUDIO OF FAMED PHOTOGRAPHER YOUSUF KARSH. INSPIRED BY KARSH’S VISIONARY WORK, THE SUITE EXUDES BOLDNESS AND UNFORGETTABLE ELEGANCE. THE INTRICATE MASONRY AND DELICATE MOULDINGS OF THE ORIGINAL EARLY 20TH-CENTURY DESIGN ARE COMPLEMENTED BY DEEP GOLDS, ANTIQUE TONES, AND A MIX OF BLACK AND WHITE FOCAL POINTS.

THE HAYS SUITE PAYS HOMAGE TO CHARLES MELVILLE HAYS, PRESIDENT OF GRAND TRUNK RAILWAY AND COMMISSIONER OF THE HOTEL. THE SUITE BLENDS SHADES OF AGED AND ANTIQUE GOLD WITH SILVERS AND GRAYS, COMPLEMENTED BY LUSH TEXTURES AND BESPOKE ART REFERENCING HAYS’ RAILROAD LEGACY.

The Hays Suite pays homage to Charles Melville Hays, President of Grand Trunk Railway and commissioner of the hotel. The suite blends shades of aged and antique gold with silvers and grays, complemented by lush textures and bespoke art referencing Hays’ railroad legacy. Special attention is paid to respecting the historical luxury while delicately positioning this suite in a more forward looking aesthetic. Similarly to the Karsh Suite, an open bathroom design with a back-to-back vanity and soaker tub layout translates to the same independence and confidence that these inspiring figures represented.

The new interior renovation celebrates the unique character of this local landmark while, in the same breath, accentuating the beautiful and luxurious details that portrays “Canada’s tradition of grandeur”.