Château Laurier earns Michelin recognition

Ottawa's Chateau Laurier has been awarded one Michelin Key by the prestigious Michelin Guide. (Nate Vandermeer/CTV News Ottawa)

Ottawa’s Château Laurier has earned a nod from the prestigious Michelin Guide, serving as the capital’s first hotel to be honoured with the organization’s new award for hospitality excellence.

The Fairmont hotel’s “Gold Experience” was honoured with one Michelin Key, representing “a very special stay.”

“The Gold tier delivers what it promises: history, scale, and storybook atmosphere: distilled into something more personal, discreet and entirely worth seeking out in Canada’s capital,” the Michelin Guide states.

The Fairmont Gold Experience at Château Laurier gives guests access to private check-in and check-out, an exclusive lounge with a view of Parliament Hill and curated culinary offerings.

According to the Michelin Guide, prices for the Gold Experience start at $459 per night.

The 113-year-old National Historic Site on Rideau Street is the only hotel in Ottawa to be awarded a Michelin Key.

“We are honored to receive our first Michelin Key, a distinction that reflects the tireless dedication and passion of our entire team,” Château Laurier’s general manager Geneviève Dumas said in a statement.

“I am especially proud of our Fairmont Gold team for their commitment to delivering exceptional service and creating memorable experiences for our guests.”

Michelin began awarding Keys to select hotels in 2024 to complement its world-renowned Michelin Star restaurant rating.

“The same way the Michelin Star recognizes restaurants for outstanding cooking, the Michelin Key recognizes hotels for outstanding stays,” the Michelin Guide website states.

In October, Michelin unveiled its first full list of Key-awarded hotels, honouring a total of 2,457 hotels across the globe.

In Canada, 38 hotels received the honours, with 29 of them earning one key, seven earning two keys and two earning three keys.

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