Where History Lives On
Look, we'll be straight with you - running a historic fortress hotel ain't exactly the easiest gig. When Marcus Jandrix bought this place back in '56, most folks thought he'd lost his mind. The old military stronghold was crumbling, miles from anywhere, and seemed better suited for bats than paying guests.
But Marcus saw something different. He'd spent time here as a kid when his uncle worked on the railway, and he remembered how these mountains had a way of settling your soul. The thick stone walls that once protected against threats now offered sanctuary from the chaos of modern life.
The restoration took nearly a decade. We're talking about walls that were 3 feet thick in places, original timber beams from old-growth forests that don't exist anymore, and stonework done by craftsmen who'd learned their trade in the old country. We couldn't just slap some drywall up and call it a day.
What makes this place special isn't just the history though - it's how we've managed to keep that heritage alive while giving guests what they actually need. The original fortress layout means every room's got its own character. Some have the original arrow slits (now windows with killer views), others are tucked into what used to be storage vaults. No cookie-cutter hotel rooms here.
We've had three generations of the Jandrix family running things, and each one's added their own touch without messing up what came before. My grandfather Marcus focused on the structure, Dad added the culinary program featuring local Canadian ingredients, and now we're pushing the wilderness adventure side of things because, well, we're sitting in some of the best backcountry in North America.
The winters up here can be brutal, but that's when the place really shines. There's something about sitting in front of a massive stone fireplace after a day on the slopes, knowing these same walls kept people warm and safe for over a century. It connects you to something bigger than yourself.
We're not trying to be some boutique hotel with all the trendy stuff that'll be outdated in five years. This place has lasted 140+ years by being authentic, and that's the plan going forward too.
