The beautiful old Windsor Hotel at Fort Steele Heritage Town has been slowly and lovingly brought back to life.

From renovations and improvements to actually returning to its one-time full purpose – being a hotel again.

And thanks to today’s Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) board of directors meeting, the Windsor Hotel will again serve bracing beverages to customers.

The RDEK board unanimously approved a Liquor Licensing Application by the Friends of Fort Steele Society for the Windsor Hotel.

“The applicant is requesting permission for a maximum occupant load of 12 people for the bar and their proposed hours of operation are from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. The Windsor Hotel has also recently been renovated into a bed and breakfast with a maximum occupancy of 16 people,” a RDEK staff report outlined.

The report notes the Windsor Hotel is located within Fort Steele Heritage Town, which is a heritage park “with ongoing recreational and educational activities for visitors. Reopening the bar in the historic Windsor Hotel may encourage visitors to stay longer and is expected to provide additional income for the educational heritage park. The person capacity and the hours of service are consistent with what is customarily expected at a recreational and educational park facility.

“The nearest addressed privately-owned properties are approximately 350 m away and noises associated with ongoing recreational and educational activities are not expected to be an issue.”

The opening of a beverage parlor follows Fort Steele’s announcement that it is now accepting reservations for people to stay in the newly renovated hotel.

“The Windsor Hotel stands to this day on its original location in Fort Steele, and is classified as an official heritage building,” the heritage site explained.

“Built by Robert Mather in the winter of 1893-4, the Windsor Hotel was the better known of the seven hotels operating at Fort Steele during the latter part of the decade. The Windsor has been fully renovated to pay justice to this historic hotel, and bring it back to its former glory. Great care was taken to restore this iconic hotel with historical accuracy, all the way down to the heating covers!”

The hotel features suites ($250+tax/night), with a larger room with queen bed, plus separate room with two twin or double beds (based on room size).

They are a private ensuite with bath/shower combination, that are comfortable for up to four people.

Smaller rooms with one queen or double bed cost $150+tax/night.

They have shared washroom facilities (shared between four rooms).

All rooms are new and completely renovated with historic style and accuracy!

Admission to Fort Steele Heritage Town is included with a reservation.

Summer 2018 bookings will include a “Steele of a Deal” pass so that you can experience all of the fun activities Fort Steele Heritage Town has to offer!

• Horse-drawn wagon or sleigh chauffeur available (please inquire upon booking).
• Baked goods from Fort Steele City Bakery served each morning, with hot brewed coffee and a selection of beverages.

Imagine waking up with the sunrise and strolling around Fort Steele Heritage Town – the delightful smells of the nearby bakery mixing with a summer day coming to life – just as it would have been in the 1890s.

Lead image: The Windsor Hotel circa 1894. Heritage images courtesy Fort Steele Heritage Town

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