Investment company Westmont Hospitality has acquired the Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello hotel in Canada out of bankruptcy, heralding a more positive future for the landmark property.
The hotel, famously built out of round lumber and claimed as the world’s largest log cabin, opened 96 years ago as a private club. It has more than 200 rooms, and sits on a site around 130 kilometres west of Montreal. It was initially owned as a hotel by the Canadian Pacific Railway, only becoming a public resort in 1970. The Canadian Pacific hotels across the region were rebranded as Fairmont in the early 2000s.
Financial Woes for a Chinese Owner
The railroad company sold the hotel in 2006 to a Canadian pension fund. In 2014, the property was sold to Chinese group Evergrande, via subsidiary Millennium Golden Jiachen Hotel. The group got into financial difficulties, with the result that a court appointed receiver was given the asset to sell in 2026. Westmont emerged as the winner after 30 serious expressions of interest were made, with proceedable bids.
With its future now clear, it cannot be long before Accor and Westmont plan updates to the landmark property. Other Canadian hotels in the chain have been benefitting from refurbishment works, with around 20% of Fairmont hotels globally booked for refreshes.
In Canada, the improvements include a recent upgrade of spa facilities at Fairmont Pacific Rim in Vancouver. At Fairmont Château Laurier in Ottawa, a rolling guestroom and bathroom renovation is under way, while recent months saw a new outdoor dining destination open.
Now, in new hands, the hotel is set to remain with its Fairmont branding, part of a luxury brand now owned by French hotel group Accor. And that brand is expanding on all fronts, across many international markets.
The company recently opened Fairmont Bangkok Sukhumvit, a new hotel developed in partnership with Asset World Corp Public Company, and the brand’s first property in Thailand. A substantial addition to the portfolio, it contains 416 rooms, and 58 larger suites.
New Signings in Asia
Through the second half of 2026, Fairmont’s pipeline was boosted with signings in India and Japan. Fairmont Rishikesh, Himalayas will feature 220 rooms, set across a site of 16 acres and with an opening planned for 2031. The Japanese property will be Fairmont Niseko, a 165 room resort in the renowned ski destination. Accor will work with developer J-Wills Partners, which plans to deliver the 165 room hotel for opening in early 2028. As well as two restaurants, the hotel will have an extensive wellness suite, along with Onsen hot baths.
In Europe, Accor has recently added Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere. This is the brand’s fourth property in the UK, and is a countryside retreat, set in acres of grounds featuring a full sized golf course. The 116 room property has been transformed by the Select Group, retaining historic features that add drama to any visit. The property is just half an hour from Manchester, for those seeking a city break.
