ABOUT THE MILL
Nature, Nurture & Culture
Accommodation with all comforts
The Wakefield Mill Hotel and Spa offers you the perfect unique getaway. Located just a short drive from Ottawa in the heart of Gatineau Park, this enchanting hotel and spa blends charm and comfort with history and scenic splendour. For your special getaway, stay in one of our charming rooms overlooking the tranquil Gatineau Park forest or the MacLaren Falls, located just steps away from the hotel.
Wellness at the heart of the experience
Relaxation and recreation take on a whole new meaning at the Wakefield Mill Hotel and Spa, visit Holtz Spa in Nature to understand all the benefits! Rejuvenate with a brisk walk along the Gatineau River or relax with your favourite book on one of our many secluded fallsview terraces. Wellness also goes through the taste buds, enjoy one of our delicious dishes created by our executive chef at one of our two restaurants.
An Historic Journey
The Wakefield Mill Hotel & Spa began its historic journey in 1838 as a flour mill, powered by the rushing waters of MacLaren Falls.
It was the vision of Scottish immigrant William Fairbairn, who constructed the stone mill with the purpose of milling local grains into flour for farm families of the Gatineau and La Pêche River valleys. The mill’s grains were shipped to Ottawa by train. After the sale of the mill to James MacLaren in the 1840s, the site was expanded to include a sawmill, woollen mill, and a general store.
The mill was ravaged by fire in 1910 and a flour mill was rebuilt, but the woollen mill stopped operating. The flour mill continued until 1939 when larger mechanized flour mills started impacting the smaller-scale local mills. It was converted into a grist mill to produce livestock feed for local farmers and operated until 1980 when it was turned into a heritage museum by the Gatineau Historical Society.
The Hotel
In 2000, a local husband and wife team, Robert Milling and Lynn Berthiaume decided to breathe life back into the stone mill by restoring it into a country inn and destination spa. More than a hundred tonnes of iron milling equipment was removed from the building to accommodate the conversion. The renovation project was extensive, as the aim was to maintain the historic integrity and organic beauty of the original building and surrounding lands.
The pre-existing historic structure has been blended seamlessly into many aspects of the mill today, as several unique features of the original building have been preserved. The heavy wooden beams featured in the reception area were once used to support the grain silos and the leather belts used to connect the mill wheels have been fashioned into room numbers. Exposed stone walls provide a historic ambience in the guest rooms while other rooms are actually located in the former grain silos.
The dining room downstairs is the former “engine room” of the mill and underneath it used to be the location of mechanical and electrical turbines propelling the milling process. An original turbine room has been converted into the spa treatment rooms while the other turbine room now features the inn’s wine cellar. A number of historic mechanical components are featured as landscaping ornaments and are relocated throughout the Inn’s lovely gardens.
Wakefield Mill Eco River Lodge Leed
The Eco River Lodge features 13 guest rooms with large picture windows and stunning river views, an outdoor swimming pool and a hot tub with river views.
In February 2014, LEED certification was awarded to the Eco River Lodge, making it the first hotel in the National Capital Region to receive this prestigious designation.
Guest rooms are enhanced by the natural beauty of Gatineau Park, just steps away from the hotel.
Experience the warm hospitality of our dedicated team of more than 70 people. We always strive to ensure that your visit is unique and memorable.
A high-end location
Take in some of the region’s most exceptional natural landscapes and explore the beauty of Gatineau Park. With more than 36,000 hectares of forest, hills, lakes, and rivers, you’ll be excited by the range of activities to choose from when planning your day. Canoeing, golfing, swimming, hiking, horseback riding, and biking are just a handful of your summer options, while in winter, discover hundreds of kilometers of exquisite trails for cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing along with five area alpine ski centers.
The perfect choice
Whether you are organizing a romantic weekend getaway, a business meeting or a wedding, the Wakefield Mill Hotel and Spa offers you hotel accommodations and banquet rooms, exceptional award-winning dining, and a spa retreat all encompassed within the historical elegance of a bygone era!
Our Team
Environment Leed
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