One of Chilliwack’s most historic locales is in the spotlight this winter, as a feature subject in a tourism industry magazine.
The Royal Hotel has a two-page story in the latest edition of the trade publication Inn Focus. The piece, written by Joanne Sasvari and supplemented with historic photos of the hotel’s early days, focuses on how the hotel balances the charms of yesterday with the modern needs of today’s travelers.
Operating continuously since opening in May 1909, the Royal Hotel has been welcoming guests, who first arrived on horse-drawn carriages, to their three story Wellington Avenue establishment for close to 110 years.
The article highlights the changes that have occurred to the iconic hotel over the decades including the addition of the beer parlour in 1950 – when Buck Berry purchased the adjacent Royal Bank building and annexed the former bank to the hotel. In addition the article also speaks about the Berry Family’s 70 year connection to the Royal Hotel.
“We are honored to be recognized by the BC Hotel Association for the contributions Chilliwack’s Royal Hotel has made to the hotel industry in B.C. over the past 100 plus years and thrilled to be featured in the latest issue of Inn Focus magazine,” notes Len Wiens, Royal Hotel’s General Manager. It’s the BC Hotel Association’s 100th anniversary this year.
The BCHA comprises approximately 600 hotel members and 200 associate members dedicated to improving and increasing the tourism and hospitality industry within British Columbia.