The Westin Nova Scotian facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Westin Nova Scotian |
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Western facade of the Westin Nova Scotian in 2015
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| Former names | Hotel Nova Scotian |
| General information | |
| Type | Hotel |
| Location | 1181 Hollis Street Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 2P6 |
| Construction started | 1928 |
| Opened | 1930 |
| Owner | New Castle Hotels and Resorts |
| Affiliation | Westin Hotels & Resorts |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 15 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Archibald and Schofield |
| Developer | Canadian National Hotels |
| Other information | |
| Number of rooms | 310 (including suites) |
| Number of suites | 10 |
The Westin Nova Scotian is a famous hotel in Halifax, Nova Scotia. It is owned by New Castle Hotels and Resorts. This hotel was built in 1928 by the Canadian National Railway. It first opened as the Nova Scotian Hotel. After some changes, it became The Westin Nova Scotian in 1996.
Many people call the hotel Halifax's "grand lady." It has welcomed many important people. These include kings, queens, and famous celebrities. The hotel has been open for over 85 years.
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History of the Westin Nova Scotian
The Canadian National Railway built this hotel. Construction started in 1928. The hotel opened on June 23, 1930. It was first called the Nova Scotian Hotel. This hotel was the last part of a big project. This project moved the Halifax Railway Station. It also opened the Halifax Ocean Terminal. This terminal included Pier 21. Pier 21 was a place where large ships arrived from across the Atlantic Ocean.
The hotel was connected to the railway station. You could walk directly from the hotel inside. There was also a walkway above ground to Pier 21.
Hotel Design and Early Years
The hotel was designed by Archibald and Schofield. These were Canadian architects. The hotel was planned with the Halifax railway station. It was also planned with Cornwallis Park across the street. The park's center lines up with the hotel's front door.
When it opened, the hotel had 130 rooms. It also had five special suites. The Atlantic Ballroom could hold 275 people for dinner. In 1933, this ballroom hosted a large student gathering.
In 1959, a new part was added to the hotel. This added 161 more rooms. It also included nine more suites. In 1966, the hotel's name changed. It became the Hotel Nova Scotian.
Royal and Famous Visitors
Elizabeth II, the Queen of Canada, stayed at the hotel two times. She visited once in the 1950s and again in the 1970s.
Prince Charles and Princess Diana visited on June 15, 1983. They attended a special dinner at the hotel. Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau hosted the event. There were 700 guests at the dinner. They enjoyed Canadian food and wines. Trudeau told the royal couple they were in "the most friendly part of Canada." Thousands of people gathered outside the hotel. They hoped to see the couple. The royal couple then went back to the HMY Britannia. They left Halifax from there.
Changes in Ownership
Canadian National Hotels sold the hotel in 1981. This company sold all its hotels around that time. Revenue Hotels bought it. In 1989, Hilton Hotels started managing it. The hotel's name changed again. It became the Halifax Hilton. Hilton spent $15 million to make the hotel better.
Revenue Hotels tried to turn the hotel into a casino. But this plan did not work. They closed the hotel in 1993. For a few years, the building was used as a temporary dorm. Students from Saint Mary's University (Halifax) stayed there. Their own dorm needed urgent repairs.
A company was hired to tear down the hotel. But it was saved in April 1996. New Castle Hotels and Resorts bought the property. The hotel was reportedly only one week away from being demolished. An extra $4 million was spent to fix up the hotel. It reopened on December 1, 1996. Its new name was The Westin Nova Scotian.
Hotel Design and Features Today
Today, the hotel is a historic 15-story building. It looks over Cornwallis Park to the west. It also faces the seaport to the east. Large cruise ships still dock near the hotel. The nearby railway station still has train service. You can take a train to Montreal on the Ocean route.
The hotel now has 310 rooms. This includes 10 special suites. The Crown Suite is on the 11th floor. It has amazing views of Halifax Harbour. Queen Elizabeth II stayed in this suite.
The hotel has a lot of space for events. It has 23,000 square feet (2,100 m2) for meetings, conferences, and weddings. A restaurant called Elements on Hollis opened in 2011. It serves food from Nova Scotia. Roy's Lounge is a modern bar. It is named after Roy Clorey. He started working there in 1963. The hotel also has a fitness center. There is an indoor saltwater pool and a business center too.
The area around the hotel has changed a lot. The old power station across the street is now modern. It is the main office for Nova Scotia Power. It is a very green building. The seaport area is now home to the Halifax Farmers' Market. You can also find the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 there. NSCAD University is also in the area. Plus, there is still the cruise ship terminal.
