Hotel Saskatchewan in Regina, Saskatchewan

Opened in 1927, Hotel Saskatchewan is one of Canada's grand railway hotels and is located prominently on the edge of Victoria Park in downtown Regina, Saskatchewan. Constructed by the Canadian Pacific Railway, Hotel Saskatchewan was the fourteenth hotel in the CPR's nationwide chain and has maintained its standing as one of Regina's most luxurious accommodations. 

On their visits to Saskatchewan, the Royal Suite at Hotel Saskatchewan has hosted world leaders and celebrities like the Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, and Queen Elizabeth II. 

Hotel Saskatchewan in 1930.

As a teenager I moved to Regina to attend the film school at the university here. While staying at Hotel Saskatchewan was out of the question back then, on this recent travel shoot back I thought a suite would be a nice way of upgrading my nostalgia for 'the Queen City'.

Archival postcard of Hotel Saskatchewan.

 

Back to the University of Regina

Since 2008 I've randomly found my way back to my former film school at the University of Regina in Saskatchewan for the odd refresh. It's fun to see what's new, check out my old dorms in College West again, and wander around the practically unchanged hallways in the film department. I'll spare you the drawn out personal trip down memory lane, but here's a post that goes into more detail about my last few years in film school if you're interested. 

In the meantime, here are a few snapshots from my latest return to the U of R. 

A Few Days of Exploring in Saskatchewan

It's been a few years since I was last in Saskatchewan to do some dedicated exploring. The motivation this time was to catch up with friends, which actually opened the door to play tourist for a change. From staying at some iconic hotels to checking out the new Remai Modern in Saskatoon to retracing my past steps at the University of Regina, the visit turned into a series of completely new experiences in a place that I had previously thought had become too familiar. 

What better excuse to explore and put some extra time on my Canada Day long weekend to use? Stay tuned as the new images debut in the Hey, Canada photo series.
 

Graduate Minneapolis Hotel in Minnesota

In the 'Land of 10,000 Lakes' and on the campus of the University of Minnesota, you'll find the Graduate Minneapolis Hotel. From key cards that resemble student IDs to decor that takes inspiration from Minnesotan activities like fishing, snowshoeing, and hockey, the upbeat and trendy designs of the Graduate Minneapolis playfully remind you exactly where you are.
  

Graduate Hotels are located in college towns across the United States, and each have their own signature, location-specific designs that make for some really engaging spaces to explore. At the Graduate Minneapolis this was reflected in bold choices, like a central chandelier made out of fishing net and lures, to kitschy additions like a vintage portrait of Loni Anderson (who was born in Saint Paul, Minnesota) that hung in my room. As a travel photographer it should surprise no one that these visual touches all won me over. My stay at the Graduate Minneapolis was A+.