Venue/Travel Information
OFS21 will take place at the historic Fairmont Chateau Laurier. As the centerpiece of Canada's capital, the Fairmont Château Laurier hotel rests majestically between Parliament Hill, the Ottawa River, the Ottawa Convention Centre and the open-air Byward Market. A historical monument in itself, the luxury Ottawa hotel enchants guests with its charm and stateliness. Brass stair rails, marble floors, high ceilings, antiques resting elegantly in rooms and foyers and wool carpets round out the hotel's regal beauty.
Fairmont Chateau Laurier
1 Rideau Street
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada
K1N8S7
Hotel History:
In 1907, during a time of grandeur and elegance, Ottawa's premier hotel was commissioned by American-born Charles Melville Hays, General Manager of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway of Canada. Following a disagreement with architect Bradford Lee Gilbert, Ross and Macfarlane Contractors was hired to build the luxury hotel in French Renaissance style using granite blocks for the base, buff Indiana limestone for the walls and copper for the roof.
Unfortunately, Hays never had the chance to see his dream come true. Days before the hotel's scheduled opening on April 26, 1912, the new president of the railway was returning from England with dining room furniture, on the ill-fated Titanic. Hays and the male members of his party perished on April 14, 1912. Only Paul Chevre, who sculpted the bust of Prime Minister Sir Wilfrid Laurier, and the women in Hays' party, including his wife Clara, survived the disaster. Fairmont Château Laurier was eventually opened by its namesake, Sir Wilfrid Laurier, on June 12, 1912.
Travel:
The Chateau Laurier Hotel is located in the centre of the City, close to the Parliament Building and the market area which contains many restaurants and shops.
Ottawa International Airport is located approximately 10km south of the City Centre. A taxi to the Chateau Laurier costs about $35.
A hotel shuttle departs from the airport every half hour. Price is $15 one way, $25 round trip
Parking:
Parking is available at the Chateau Laurier ($26 /day self parking; $35/day valet parking).
Links of interest:
Map and Directions to Fairmont Chateau Laurier: http://www.fairmont.com/laurier/MapAndDirections.htm
Photos of Fairmont Chateau Laurier: http://www.fairmont.com/laurier/Photos/
Ottawa Weather: http://www.theweathernetwork.com/weather/CAON0512?ref=ottawa_tourism_p_text_citypage
