The Royal Fairmont Hotel in Toronto #photography

End of May, we had to pop over for our America’s trip. It was originally scheduled to be a four city (Toronto, NY, Jersey City and Mexico City) trip but for various reasons, we dropped the Mexican trip. Anyway, this set of photographs is from Toronto. Starting with the hotel, The Royal Fairmont Hotel.

First the reception. Its quite an imposing but warm place

A beautiful chandelier hangs over the large hall. And then the railroad clock in the middle.

The pillars are highlighted by these lovely lamps but strangely does not have any windows. At all. So its all artificial lighting, all the time.

The tops of the pillars are gilded and carved with a leaf and flower motif.

The roof is wooden (I suspect panelling rather than actual load bearing roof) and is painted with a variety of patterns.

See what I mean by the lamps. Very nice.

You head out of the hotel down a set of stairs into the exit.

Here’s the limo driver who got me from the airport to the hotel. Turns out he is also a Bengali and we had a long long conversation about fish, growing up back in desh, comparison between east and west Bengal, bringing up kids, the joys of running a limo business. Very nice chap.

The portico roof is an iron one, this is the first that i have seen. With some exquisite ironmongery on the top railings and a griffin or a dragon in the corner. Its supported and hooked up to the roof by these blue painted rods which are buried in the wall with more ironwork.

The imposing front wall.



Looking up at the hotel. Big hairy place, eh? But why make it look so stubby? Its like the Lubyanka !

It doesnt get any better from the side either. Not impressed by the hotel I am afraid. The rooms were very poky, the bathrooms were dingy and tiny. Not impressed at all. We should have stayed at the four seasons as originally planned. Bah!.

The Canadian Flag.

At the top, there are these rather interesting windows. Presumably for a ballroom or penthouse.

This came out badly, but you have the pics of the British Queen and Prince. Plus a visitor’s book. I am surprised that she stayed in this poky place.

This is the view from the room. How sad can you get, eh? You could literally see 2 inches of the lake shore. whoop de doo. Very nice, Lake View my ass.

See what I mean? Can you see the 2 inches of the lake shore between the 2 buildings? And in front there are some really boring buildings, train tracks and some more concrete.



Check out what my little princess decided to put into my suitcase? Mrs. Bunny Rabbit so that I don't feel lonely in bed. How nice.

So I had couple of hours to kill before the team reached the hotel, grabbed my camera and decided to head out to the lake shore. First stop the Union Train Station.