Thursday, December 1, 2022

City Daily Photo Theme Day: Luxury

 The first day of each month is a theme day for members of City Daily Photo. For December, that theme is Luxury. Check out how other members of the group are taking on the theme right here.

Two hotels came to mind for me for this theme, and we start with one. The Chateau Laurier is the grandest of hotels in Ottawa, opened in 1912 and built in a French Gothic Revival Chateauesque style as a compliment to the Parliament Buildings, which lie to the west. To the east, as seen from here in Major's HIll Park where we are seeing the Chateau in the distance, is the Connaught Building, a government building and castle of sorts. I took these shots a few days ago.


For the second half of his career, the pre-eminent portrait photographer of the world, Yousuf Karsh, had his studios in the Chateau. A few years ago this bust was erected in his honour outside.


Inside, the hotel is inviting, with its walls adorned with art and photographs dating back through the Chateau's history.


A look from out front and across the road. The statues and busts seen to the left are part of the collective group called The Valiants- figures of Canadian military history.


Down the road from there is another luxury hotel- the Lord Elgin Hotel. Named for a governor-general of the 19th century and dating back to 1941, it looks out over Confederation Park.


Inside, this fireplace drew my attention. This being that time of the year, Christmas decorations have already started to make their presence known in both hotels.


Two marble busts are present, flanking the main entrance. This is Maria, Lady Elgin.


And this is James Bruce, Lord Elgin.

52 comments:

  1. ...I remember this beautiful place well.

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  2. Beautiful places, great photos for the theme. Take care, enjoy your day and have a happy weekend ahead.

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  3. That all looks a bit too luxurious to me.

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  4. Lively photos, goid representation of luxury.
    Elgin, a name that raises ire over the 7th earl of elgin's vandelism of the Parthenon.

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  5. It would be interesting to stay in one of these places - just once to experience it. I did have dinner at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto many years ago.

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  6. Good choices. We stayed at the Lord Elgin for a couple of nights back in the mid-nineties, on a little holiday long before we moved to the area.

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    1. Tom and his wife also stayed there when they came to visit some years ago.

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  7. Perfect for the theme, William. Staying in one of those hotels would indeed feel luxurious.

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  8. It is a grand hotel, worth a walk through!

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  9. Those hotels were very fancy. I stayed in the Lord Elgin. There was no air conditioning. Need I say more?

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  10. Wonderful choice for the theme. Those hotels are beautiful.

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  11. Beautiful post today. I so enjoy these post about your area and I can remember when I visited this area.
    Still warm in Tucson but love seeing your winter snow.

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  12. You have snow already!

    They say envy is green, but in my case it is fluffy and white.

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  13. Son unos grandes hoteles y en una zona que nieva.

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  14. Perfect for the theme. Beautiful hotels, William.

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  15. I love that old architecture. Magnificent buildings and a fun look at the interior. Thank you William!

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  16. I am charmed by Lady Elgin and the fireplace.

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  17. A lovely series of photos. I did not know about Karsh's bust!

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  18. I'd say those fit the Luxury category perfectly!

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  19. Great photos ~ wonderful composition ~ favorite is the fireplace ~ simplicity ~

    Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  20. You are spot on with your photos for our Luxury theme! Each photo all wonderful 😉

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