Photo courtesy Delta Bessborough Hotel

Bathed in the glow of the sun the Bessborough truly was a golden castle. With its Grotesques, Gargoyles and Heraldic Emblems, the tapestry brick exterior is unique in Saskatchewan. It didn't take much of a step for me to imagine myself back nearly seventy years, to a moment in time when it was the most modern and luxurious hotel in the Dominion of Canada. Nestled on the banks of Saskatoon's South Saskatchewan River, I could almost see guests at an elegant garden party or playing croquet on the Bessborough's five-acre Elizabethan gardens.

The last of the great railway hotels, the Bessborough was built by the Canadian National Railway (CNR) between 1930 and 1935. While it followed the style of other beautiful chateaus, like Winnipeg's Fort Garry, it contained many amenities that made it unique even among its kind. Walking through the hallways I was amazed at things like the Canadian Postal Mail chute that ran from the top to the bottom; the central vacuum system that still functions; and the original design of the elevators that were automatic.

My stay in the Bessborough included a rich mixture of history, culture and business - just what I was looking for. Originally designed as a Western Canadian convention centre, the hotel's recently completed $10 million dollar renovations have ensured it is at the top of today's lists as well.

From the moment I stepped into the classic elevator, restored with precision to match an original possessed by the hotel, and used my room key card to access my floor, I felt comfortable in the knowledge that my every need had been anticipated. My room was spacious, with a tasteful décor restored to its earlier elegance. While I'd had a long day, and gazed longingly at the king sized bed with its feather duvet, I had meetings to attend.

My first stop was the Signature Club private lounge on the Mezzanine floor. A smiling hostess greeted me as I entered, offering me the complimentary cocktail hour hors d'oeuvres and honour bar. Of course, the refrigerator was also stocked with complimentary beverages I could sample at any time. Spreading out my papers on a coffee table and sinking into the soft couch, I got right down to business…or tried.

Checking my watch, I realized it was time to move on to my dinner meeting at the Samurai Japanese Restaurant on the premises. It had been nearly fifteen years since the last time I'd eaten there - that occasion had been marked by a disagreement with a superior, which made me choose a new career path. By some quirk of fate, things had led me right back to the same place. While I resolved not to drink any sake this time, the Japanese beer proved to be an even tastier substitute.

Well-known around the province for more than twenty-five years, the Samurai Restaurant had just added a new sushi bar with the recent renovations. Ready for my evening meal, I moved right to the teppanyaki tableside preparation area with my companion. Watching the meal take shape certainly stimulated my appetite. I savored everything that came with the Tsunami - from the salmon and scallops to the salad.

Photo courtesy Delta Bessborough Hotel

Wandering through the hotel later I checked out the convention floor, where I'd been presenting a seminar with the prior boss when we decided to part company, just to see how beautiful it was after the renovations. The Delta chain of hotels includes many historic hotels, and focuses on maintaining their original charm while providing the finest modern amenities for guests. This was evident as I visited the "ladies retiring room" conveniently located near the coat check, so women of bygone eras could make an entrance after disposing of their heavy coats and boots. While that kind of floor plan might not have been necessary in many places, it certainly was in Saskatchewan.

With 12 meeting rooms and 18,000 square feet of function space, the Bessborough has been home to many memorable occasions. In fact, over 2,000 weddings and an estimated 6,000 honeymoon couples have enjoyed the romantic ambience of the hotel since 1935. Viewing the Adamesque architectural style of the ballroom, I could understand why any bride would be thrilled to remember her first dance with her husband in that room.

Back on the lower level, I decided to check out the fitness facility. Operated in conjunction with Pro-Fit Athletic, the area has over forty different pieces of state-of-the-art strength and cardiovascular training equipment, along with an excellent swimming pool, whirlpool, steamroom and sauna.

And as if all that equipment wasn't enough, the Bessborough recently began to offer a Full Service Spa to its guests. Along with a variety of spa treatments, it also features yoga, pilates and qi gong for those who are interested in trying these approaches to mind-body exercises.

With the complimentary deluxe continental breakfast in the Signature Lounge making my morning a breeze, I decided to sneak in a few minutes to relax in the Stovin Lounge before I turned in for the evening. In 2000, when the new management team took over the Bessborough, they dove into local history, spending days in the archives of the Saskatoon Public Library. The Stovin was just one of the results of that research.

They discovered the first official registered guest had been Horace N. Stovin, on December 10, 1935, when the city celebrated the opening of its castle. Curiosity led management to unearth Stovin's whole biography and contact his family, who, it turned out, lived in Saskatoon. As Deprez, part of the team, said, "A picture emerged of a man who had been a larger than life entrepreneur and bon-vivant."

They went on create Stovin's Lounge, celebrating the launch on the 65th anniversary of the night he spent in the hotel, in 2000.

The team also used other key pieces of history from the archives. The entrance leading to the Gardens is a beautiful long hallway, filled with framed photos of the construction era of the hotel and some of the early grand occasions. Throughout the hotel, the blueprints have been utilized to create intriguing artwork for the hotel's rooms. I found the touch a fascinating blend of historical fact and modern art.

Photo courtesy Delta Bessborough Hotel

My visit to the Bessborough offered me a chance to sample the elegance of bygone eras along with modern luxury. Glen Grismer, from the University of Saskatchewan, declared the hotel is one of Saskatchewan's Seven Man-Made Wonders, and I'd have to agree with him. I'd also have to echo those who call the Bessborough Saskatoon's Grand Old Lady of Hospitality…

For more information and reservations: http://www.deltabessborough.com/
601 Spadina Crescent East
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Tel: 306-244-5521
Fax: 306-653-2458
Toll-Free: 1-877-814-7706

RELATED LINK: Delta Bessborough website