Old World Charm and Renewal at the Waterton Landmark
In 1913, railway baron James Hill selected an iconic setting atop of knoll above shimmering Waterton Lake. He had a vision of a regal hotel perched on the site, modeled on an Alpine chalet. It’d draw travelers from around the world for its gracious service, upscale charm and stunning setting linking Montana and Alberta.
The Prince of Wales Hotel opened to the public in 1927. Ninety years later, the landmark hotel continues to honor this noble vision and has recently completed a subtle yet important refresh of the hotel.
To mark the milestone of the Prince of Wales’ 90th anniversary, the interiors of this classic, iconic and unforgettable hotel have gotten a gentle facelift. The timberframe rafters and soaring gables that exemplify the hotel’s heritage remain the same. The patios and famous lakefront lawn are as vibrant as ever. But inside, new furniture, carpets, flooring and bathrooms – to name just a part of the décor that has been updated – bring modern amenities. The goal was to maintain the regal feel but update it for 2017.
The Prince of Wales’ kitchen runs the busy Royal Stewart Dining Room and the Windsor Lounge and, of course, hosts the renowned traditional Afternoon Tea. The hotel’s chef and his team will get to work later this month, no doubt energized by more modernized equipment, gas distribution and quick connects, a resurfaced ceiling and stainless steel walls that meet today’s commercial kitchen standards while preserving the heritage of the hotel’s internal areas.
Updates to the hotel’s public spaces include new carpets and hardwood floors in the lobby and main floor entrance way and a beautiful new log-slab bartop in the lounge. Suites have been refreshed and bathrooms on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th floor have been modernized. There’s also a new Starbucks espresso outlet onsite.
With opening date scheduled for May 26, the team at Prince of Wales is eagerly preparing to welcome guests for the 90th-anniversary season. They’ll be honoring James Hill’s vision – one that has sustained decades. Just as he had imagined, the Prince continues to be a place that visitors never forget, one that cherishes its past yet looks to the future.
Be one of the first to experience the refreshed Prince of Wales and save up to 25% with our Early Season Savings.
