Parliament's Castle

Each and every day the Chateau Laurier looms into view as I work my way to and from Parliament. It remains one of my favourite sites. Born and raised in Calgary, the Banff Springs Hotel has remained the most memorable hotel in the world for me. It was constructed and designed to match a string of hotels across the country to ferry international visitors across this vast land in style. The others included the Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City, the Royal York in Toronto, and more.The Chateau Laurier, situated right next to the Parliamentary buildings themselves is preparing to go through it 100th anniversary in 2012. It looks like some vast castle and within its walls a huge number of politicians, ambassadors and bureaucrats have worked out numerous arrangements. There's hardly a day goes by when some large convention isn't being held in one of the hotel's grand ballrooms. Parliamentarians frequent these activities all the time as part of their job and the Chateau has become just as familiar to them as the House of Commons itself.I decided to phone Sean Billing, who helps to manage the hotel, asking for a tour of the upper floors where most people rarely get to and he was more than happy to oblige. This attached video will give you some of the highlights of that tour, including a breathtaking, though bone-chilling, view from the roof.The Chateau Laurier has become an important part of the workings of Parliament. Famous artists have resided within its walls. Pierre Trudeau stayed there before becoming PM. Queen Elizabeth II, Winston Churchill, and numerous other famous dignitaries abided there during the years.[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9DfltrZi8Y&fs=1&hl=en_US]