Understated Opulence

The James Hotel Represents Legacy of Three Generations

With a long history that stretches back to Odessa, Russia, The James Hotel represents the legacy of three generations of dedicated hoteliers. James (Jack) Peter Leier immigrated from Russia in 1935 and shortly thereafter began to leave his mark on the Saskatchewan hotel industry.

History in the making

Leier owned a hotel in Loon Lake. He also ran the Marlboro Hotel in Prince Albert and the King George Hotel in Saskatoon. Leier was also responsible for starting the Sheraton Cavalier in 1962.

In 1968, Leier would be made a life member of the Hotels Association of Saskatchewan.

Today, Leier’s ancestors run Cavalier Enterprises Ltd., a Saskatoon-based hotel company that currently owns and operates the Sheraton Cavalier Saskatoon, the Sheraton Cavalier Calgary Airport and luxury boutique The James Hotel.

Leier’s sons, Joe and Don, followed in their father’s footsteps. Joe’s son, Paul, currently heads up Cavalier Enterprises.

European elegance

“The James opened in October 2011,” explains Kevin Abbott, Operations Manager, The James Hotel, and a 22-year veteran of the company. “It is actually a  conversion of a condominium complex into a boutique hotel.”

The 59-room property offers a mix of rooms and studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom suites, along with a penthouse suite.

“The ownership really wanted to create a luxury property within Saskatchewan,” says Abbott. “They wanted to elevate tourism in the province.”

The transformation took about two years to complete.

“Business was steady as soon as we opened the doors,” says Abbott, who adds that the weekdays tend to bring in the corporate travellers while the weekends attract the leisure and celebratory clientele.

Abbott estimates that about 70 per cent of the guests are repeat customers.

Small but elegant

Although The James Hotel is physically attached to the Sheraton Cavalier Saskatoon, the two properties maintain very distinct clientele. The smaller, more intimate nature of The James Hotel nurtures a very different type of guest.

“We offer a very upscale atmosphere,” says Abbott. “We’ve built up a solid reputation over the years and now attract visitors from all over the world, including some from the U.S. and overseas.”

The James Hotel’s downtown location makes it the perfect stopover for discerning business travellers visiting corporate offices in Saskatoon or for leisure travellers strolling through the city’s Meewasin Trail, which features many parks, pathways, and natural areas, with restaurants, shops, events – and more just a few steps away.

The hotel also provides an intimate setting for smaller weddings or special events. Amenities include a fitness centre, in-room dining, The James Lobby Bar and a full, hot, chef-attended breakfast each morning.

The distinguished James Lobby Bar offers an unobstructed view of the South Saskatchewan River Valley. The room’s striking finishes include classic limestone flooring, butternut wall panels, an art deco mural and an onyx-wrapped fireplace. Fine wines, vintage cocktails and European-inspired fare are on hand.

In fact, The James Lobby Bar was recently ranked #37 out of Canada’s 50 Best Bars by Canada’s 100 Best.

All at your fingertips

Elegance. Class. Style. It’s all on offer at The James Hotel, which was included in the April 2021 Enroute list of Canada’s five best city hotels.

“We pride ourselves on providing a very personal experience for our guests,” says Abbott. “Our staff take the time to get to know our visitors, to know their likes and dislikes and to greet them by name upon their return.”

Some of the staff have been with the hotel for upwards of 12 years.

“We look for those types of individuals who are dedicated to the hospitality industry,” adds Abbott. “We believe that we can always train people for the job but that they need to be have a certain type of personality to begin with. That’s what we look for.”

Since emerging from the pandemic, The James Hotel has been on track to be within reach of 2019 numbers. Abbott credits the recovery to dedicated staff and the hotel’s long established reputation.

“Our bookings for the remainder of 2023 are strong,” he adds. “And I believe that 2024 will be even stronger.”

With a distinguished past and an esteemed reputation, The James Hotel has certainly raised the bar in both Saskatoon – and beyond.

- Western Hotelier Magazine