There’s no denying that Edmonton is a fantastic getaway for visitors from all over the world. This Canadian festival city is famous for its carnivals, art shows, museums, big music concerts and endless street parties. If you are looking for accommodation, you are in luck because there is a wide variety of establishments, each one of them with a unique range of services.
Edmonton hotels are ranked among the best in the world. In fact, while the city’s attractions and shows are world-renowned, the hotel industry is also credited with attracting millions of visitors each year.
A journey through history
The Alberta Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA) says that to most visitors, the city’s exquisite establishments may seem like they’ve always been there, but this is not the case. To appreciate the phenomenal changes that have transformed early establishments into today’s finest hotels; you have to take a trip back in history.
Here are some stages that have allowed this transformation:
• Formative years:
Most people settled in Edmonton for a better life. There was the gold rush, which brought even more people and they urgently needed accommodation. Investors built wood-frame facilities to meet demand.
With more wealth flowing in, brick and stone motels sprang up. Among the earliest is the House Hotel, built in 1876 from a log house. Jasper House Hotel emerged in 1882, while Strathcona on Whyte Avenue was built in 1891.
• Real estate boom of 1907-14
More land was available for development and during this period, more settlements were built to serve an increasing number of visitors and new settlers. The McDonald Hotel opened in 1915 and indeed many other historic facilities came into being after this period.
• Specialization
With Edmonton becoming a major economic center in Alberta and with the discovery of oil in the 1940s, better facilities were needed. Different investors were flocking to the city and they needed specialized accommodation. This led to the development of inexpensive facilities that catered to most people. High-end facilities were also being developed to cater for influential visitors to the city. This period saw the development of more luxurious suites due to high-end clients.
Of course, there is much more to see and do in the city. However, one thing is for sure: there is never a dull moment in the city. Discover what the city has to offer through its hotels and enjoy the best of Edmonton