Our Story
Where Ancient Walls Meet Modern Comfort
Original fortress construction begins as a trading post and defensive outpost
Expanded into a mountain retreat for railway magnates and explorers
Designated as a protected heritage site by BC government
Restoration project preserves original stone walls and timber beams
Transformed into a boutique luxury hotel while maintaining historical integrity
Continues welcoming guests seeking authentic heritage experiences
Look, we're not gonna pretend we're just another hotel. You can't exactly stumble upon a place like this by accident - perched up here on Fortress Ridge, with stone walls that've weathered nearly two centuries of mountain storms and history.
When old Jandryl Thompson staked his claim here back in 1847, he wasn't thinking about luxury accommodations or spa treatments. He needed shelter, defense, and a place to trade with the folks brave enough to venture this far into the mountains. The guy built these walls three feet thick - proper paranoid, but we're grateful for it now.
What started as a rough-hewn frontier outpost eventually caught the eye of wealthy railway tycoons who'd heard whispers about this impenetrable mountain fortress. By the 1890s, they'd turned it into their personal playground - adding the grand dining hall, the tower suites, and yeah, even the beginnings of what's now our spa.
We've spent years making sure this place doesn't turn into some theme park version of history. Every restoration project - and there've been plenty - starts with one question: would Jandryl recognize his stronghold? The original timber beams overhead in the tavern? Still there, though we've reinforced 'em where needed. Those iron hinges on the main door? Original 1850s craftsmanship.
Sure, we've added heated floors, high-speed internet, and proper plumbing (trust us, you're welcome), but walk through our corridors and you'll feel the weight of history in every stone. It's not polished to a fake shine - these walls have stories, scars, and character that can't be replicated.
Here's the thing - we could've gutted this place and turned it into just another fancy hotel with a "historic" label slapped on. But what's the point of that? Instead, we've tried to honor what makes the Stronghold special: the imperfect beauty of hand-hewn stone, the creaky floorboards that tell you someone's walking down the hall, the way winter wind still whispers through the tower chambers.
We're not preserving a museum - we're keeping a living, breathing piece of history alive. You'll sleep in rooms where fur traders once bunked down, dine in halls where century-old deals were struck, and maybe - if you're lucky - catch a glimpse of the mountain vistas that convinced Jandryl this spot was worth defending.
Original stonework and timbers preserved through meticulous restoration efforts
Contemporary amenities seamlessly integrated without compromising historical character
Whistler's mountains provide the same dramatic backdrop that captivated our founders
We're not gonna lie and say every hotel claims they're unique. But seriously - try finding another place where you can sip wine in a cellar that once stored beaver pelts, or where your suite's window alcove was designed as a defensive lookout point. The tapestries in our main hall? Those were commissioned in 1903 and have been painstakingly restored twice.
Our staff actually knows the history here - not from a laminated card, but because they've spent time exploring every nook and corner of this place. Ask them about the hidden passage behind the library or the mysterious initials carved into the tower stonework. They'll have stories.
The Stronghold's been standing for 178 years. Every guest adds their own piece to the story.
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