Article Presented by:
Travel Alberta, All Rights Reserved Written by: Travel Alberta
In an era where wanton excess and lavishness appear to reign, it's downright exciting to see an intimate property reinvent itself that abides by the credo that less is more.
Known to most as the Timberline Inn, located at the exit of Mt. Norquay, and on the northern skirts of Banff townsite, the newly named Juniper has reopened after a $10-million overhaul.
Closed since 2003, this 1955 property (now owned by Edmonton's Decore Hotels) does not sport the usual brand of rustic alpine elegance. It's retro. It's hip. It's minimal. It's exactly what a boutique hotel should be without the ubiquitous basket of green apples (made famous by the W hotel brand).
Jaw Dropping Views
With 52 cleanly appointed rooms (including two chalets, several suites and a penthouse), The Juniper promises to have the hottest patio in the Rockies this spring just as they did for decades under the Timberline's moniker. Want to view meandering elk on Vermilion Lakes or gawk at the distinctive sweep of Mount Rundle? This is the place to do so, with a martini in hand. Or, do the same from its south facing hot tub, tucked discreetly on the east end of the second storey.
What began as a mere facelift turned into a 13-month ordeal, explains The Juniper's general manager, Melanie M. Schoen. Asbestos was discovered, primitive plumbing had to be removed, the schizophrenic design styles had to go, "so in the end, it was basically gutted," she said. Today, you'll still find the funky marble-slabbed mosaic lobby of the '50s and the impressive wall-to-wall fireplaces in the lounge and a few of the suites but beyond that the details are new. And as we know, it's the details that stamp a place.
Recycled Retro Finds
Take the generous cherry and fir trim that hugs each doorframe and the solid dining room tables all recycled from an airport hangar in Fort Macleod. Notice that handsome, heavy bench in the lobby flip it over (it'll take a crew of 10 I'm sure) and imagine it a beam from an old warehouse in Calgary. And those lovely thin slate tiles engraved with room numbers? Not so long ago they graced the roof of the staff quarters.
"Yes, we did a lot of sourcing and recycling from eclectic parties," admits Schoen, peering at a set of hand painted postcards dating back to the '30s one of dozens of sets that grace the walls of each room replicates of Witold Twardowski's collection. In fact, Calgary restaurant designer Twardowski played a significant design role in the hotel and Mukamuk restaurant as did Calgary's Templar Architecture and Design firm.
If you can resist the siren of the Mukamuk's views, take a history lesson from its hallways. Through photos, yarns and interpretive plaques you'll discover this property is sitting on 11,000 years of human habitation. First Nations people had "kigulis" (meetings) here where the wildlife passed by and that "table of sharing" they established has been duplicated in Mukamuk's dinner menu where you'll find four entrees that feature meals from seafood bakes to big game stew designed to be shared.
Tracking Stars
"We also intend to establish self-interpretive hiking trails on the property to help share the stories this place is sitting on," adds Schoen. After all it was colourful stories that kept the Timberline alive for numerous decades. Stories of Marilyn Munroe frequenting the property on one of her trysts. Tales of the best Caesar salad in town. And the wildest penthouse parties in the corridor. Today that third-storey penthouse is all its 2,000 square foot past, and present, claim to be. An eight-person dining room. Three generous bedrooms. Private deck. Substantial kitchen.
About the Author:
Copyright © 2006 Travel Alberta, All Rights Reserved
Travel Alberta is the destination marketing organization for the Province of Alberta. Guided by the Strategic Tourism Marketing Council, Travel Alberta is the steward for the effective delivery of tourism marketing programs. For information about our organization, please visit our Travel Alberta industry web site at http://www.travelalberta.com
