Our Legacy
Eight centuries of history, reimagined for today's traveler
Look, we're not gonna pretend we've been around since actual knights roamed the halls - though that'd be pretty cool. What we've done is take a genuine historic fortress dating back to the 1800s and turned it into something that'll blow your mind. It's the kind of place where you can sip champagne in a tower room that once held actual treasures, then head downstairs for a spa treatment that definitely wasn't available to medieval lords.
Some Scottish nobleman named Lord Edmund Halrion got it in his head to build a proper fortress on Vancouver Island - seemed a bit dramatic at the time, honestly. But the guy had vision. Using stone shipped all the way from Europe (yeah, really), he constructed what would become the cornerstone of Victoria's heritage. The locals thought he was nuts spending that kind of money, but here we are almost 180 years later, so who's laughing now?
Lord Edmund's grandson decided the family didn't need a fortress anymore (boring, right?) and converted it into an exclusive hotel. Back then, you couldn't just book online - you had to be personally invited or know someone who knew someone. It became the place where politicians, artists, and old money families would gather. The guest register from that era reads like a who's who of early 20th century Canadian society.
Canada's centennial year brought us official heritage designation, which was both awesome and a bit of a headache. Can't just slap up drywall when you feel like it anymore - every renovation needs approval from about seventeen different committees. But it's worth it because it means we've preserved the authentic character. Those hand-carved bannisters and original stained glass? Protected forever. We're basically museum curators who also happen to run a luxury hotel.
We closed down for two years (missed us, didn't you?) for the most ambitious restoration project in our history. Brought in specialists who work on actual European castles - no joke. They installed underfloor heating that doesn't mess with the original stone floors, upgraded everything to five-star standards while keeping all the medieval charm. Cost a fortune, took forever, but when we reopened in 2021, even we were impressed with how it turned out.
These days, we're pulling off something pretty special - giving you an authentic castle experience without the whole "freezing cold stone rooms and questionable plumbing" thing medieval folks had to deal with. You get heated floors, rainfall showers, Egyptian cotton sheets, and WiFi fast enough to stream in 4K. But you're still sleeping in rooms with 12-foot ceilings, dining in a hall with 200-year-old tapestries, and wandering corridors that have actual stories to tell.
1805 - 1889
Here's the thing about Edmund - the guy left Scotland with a chip on his shoulder and something to prove. Youngest son, didn't inherit the family castle (medieval primogeniture was brutal), so he sailed across the Atlantic determined to build something even better.
Landed in Victoria in 1843, took one look at the rugged coastline, and apparently said "This'll do." Spent four years just sourcing materials and convincing craftsmen to move to what was basically the edge of the known world back then. His journals are still in our library - fascinating stuff, though his handwriting's terrible.
What's crazy is how ahead of his time he was. While other settlers were throwing up wooden structures, Edmund insisted on stone. Wanted proper drainage, ventilation systems, even early forms of plumbing. The original blueprints show a guy who thought about every detail.
He lived here until he passed at 84, watching Victoria grow around him. Never did go back to Scotland - guess he found his home. His descendants ran the place until 1965, and we've made it our mission to honor his original vision while adding a few modern touches he'd probably appreciate. Like indoor heating. That would've been nice.
Not to brag, but we've picked up a few trophies along the way
Heritage Property of Distinction
2022, 2023, 2024
They give this to properties that've maintained authentic historical character while meeting luxury standards. We're one of only twelve in the country.
Top 50 Castle Hotels Worldwide
2023
Yeah, we're competing with actual European castles here and still made the list. Our guests voted us in based on the whole experience - not just the history but how we've made it work for modern travelers.
Excellence in Restoration
2021
This one's special to us. After two years and millions in careful restoration work, the heritage folks said we'd set a new standard. That's validation from people who really know their stuff.
Couples' Choice Award
2022, 2023, 2024
Three years running, couples getting married here rate us 4.9 out of 5. Apparently saying your vows in a medieval banquet hall hits different than your standard hotel ballroom.
Four-Star Hotel
2024
The Forbes inspectors are notoriously tough - they show up unannounced and test everything. Took us three tries to earn four stars, but we got there. Their report specifically called out how we balance historical authenticity with luxury service.
Eco-Rating Level 4
2023
Running a 170-year-old building sustainably isn't easy, but we've installed geothermal heating, solar panels (hidden from street view to maintain the castle aesthetic), and a comprehensive waste reduction program. Old doesn't mean wasteful.
We could've turned this into a stuffy museum where you're afraid to touch anything. Instead, we want you to actually live in and enjoy the history. Sleep in the tower rooms, eat in the great hall, wander the passages. This building was meant to be lived in, not just looked at.
Yeah, we're a fancy castle hotel, but you won't find us acting all pretentious about it. Our staff knows when to be formal and when to just have a real conversation. We've had guests show up in ball gowns and others in jeans - both are totally fine here.
Look, medieval times were rough. We've kept all the cool historical stuff but added everything you'd expect from a luxury hotel. Climate control that actually works, plumbing that doesn't leak, mattresses you'll want to take home, and WiFi in every corner. Best of both worlds.
We obsess over the little things - the way morning light hits the stained glass, making sure every room tells its own story, sourcing local ingredients for the kitchen, training staff on the actual history so they can answer your random 3am questions. It's all those tiny touches that make the experience.
Whether you're planning a romantic getaway, a fairytale wedding, or just need to escape reality for a while, we've got you covered.