Prince of Wales Hotel, National historic hotel in Improvement District No. 4, Canada
The Prince of Wales Hotel is a national historic site with seven floors in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. The timber facade and wide balconies offer open views of Waterton Lake and the surrounding peaks.
Great Northern Railway opened the property in 1927 to draw American visitors into the Canadian side of the cross-border Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. The building was constructed as an American project on Canadian soil and remains the only one of its kind in the country.
The name honors the future King Edward VIII, who never visited the building. Guests gather in the lobby with its large fireplace built from local stone, where hikers and families rest after day trips.
Visitors can enter the lobby and public areas without staying overnight, but should wear sturdy footwear since access involves a steep hill. Strong winds occur frequently, especially in the afternoon hours, so weatherproof clothing is advisable.
Although a large fire swept through much of the park in 2017, the timber structure remained largely undamaged, protected by sprinkler systems and firefighter efforts. The structure stands on a wind-exposed ridge that experiences such strong air currents that guests sometimes struggle to open doors.
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