To spot the Delta Bessborough, look straight ahead for a grand, castle-like building made of warm, brownish stone with tall turrets, a steep slate roof, and surrounded by lush gardens and tall trees-trust me, you can’t miss it!
Now, close your eyes for a moment and breathe in the atmosphere of Saskatoon’s grand hotel-the mighty Delta Bessborough! Imagine you’re stepping into the 1930s, when the world felt full of uncertainty, hope, and a touch of glamour. It’s 1930, and Saskatoon’s business leaders are buzzing with excitement and nerves, determined to put their city on the map with a new chateau-style hotel. Picture the ground rumbling as workers with steam thawers and clanking gasoline excavators break the Saskatoon winter frost--making way for the dream rising before your eyes.
Fast forward and see the silhouette of this stunning Châteauesque castle emerge, designed first by John S. Archibald and then carried forward by John Schofield after Archibald’s death. Its turrets, oriel windows, and dormers brought a sense of fairytale wonder to the prairies, inspired by the Bavarian castles you'd expect to find in the pages of a storybook. Canadian pride is carved into its very bones: Tyndall stone shipped from Manitoba, bricks fired at the Claybank plant in Saskatchewan, and tiles glowing from Estevan-every corner proudly homegrown.
But this was more than a feat of engineering; it was a symbol of hope during dark times. The Great Depression nearly kept its doors locked shut even after it finished construction in 1932. The city gave the railway a sweet deal: no property tax for 25 years-as long as they built their grand hotel with at least 200 rooms. And who was given the honor of its name? His Excellency, The 9th Earl of Bessborough, who visited the site with the Countess while it was still a skeleton of stone and wood, waving regally to curious onlookers. The grand doors finally swung open in December 1935, the very first guest, Horace N. Stovin, stepping onto terrazzo floors that glistened like a promise kept.
Through its ten floors, the Bessborough quickly became the beating heart of Saskatoon’s high society. The ballroom’s laughter echoed with parties, the restaurants-like today’s Garden Court Café-served meals crafted from the riches of the prairies, and the riverside gardens buzzed with secret rendezvous and jazz music, especially during the now-famous Saskatchewan Jazz Festival.
Yet, the “Bess” as locals call her, wasn’t left untouched by time. The Baltzan family gave it new life in the 1970s, and then another massive revitalization was undertaken in 1999-imagine $9 million worth of chandeliers, ornate plaster, and the sparkle of history lovingly restored, all without losing an ounce of charm. Today, she’s managed by Delta Hotels under Marriott, but is still the same old castle-full of stories and maybe even a few mischievous ghosts (but don’t worry, they’re rumored to just rearrange the furniture and enjoy room service).
With 225 guest rooms, a Vice Regal Suite facing the city, fitness spots, spa, a pool, and event spaces so grand they make anyone feel like royalty, the Bessborough is ready for another hundred years of memories.
So, whether you’re gazing at the gothic dormers, the gleaming oriel windows, or simply enjoying the breeze from the river in its magnificent gardens, remember: you are standing before the castle that made Saskatoon dream bigger. And if you listen closely, you might still catch the sound of a 1930s jazz band drifting through the evening air.
