Westin Nova Scotia

Come experience our hotel accommodations in downtown Halifax, Nova Scotia.

With 297 well appointed guest rooms and 23,000 square feet of meeting space, the hotel is ideal for the business traveler, meeting planner, and leisure traveler alike.
The hotel offers high speed internet access in all guest rooms and wireless internet in the lobby, the Business Centre, and on the banquet floor.

Head downtown Halifax for fabulous shopping, exciting nightlife, historic attractions, and numerous restaurants via our complimentary shuttle or by foot. Swim in our indoor pool, or work out in our fitness center, featuring the Westin Workout Powered by Reebok. Pamper yourself in the full service AVEDA concept spa. A variety of dining options to please even the most discriminate tastes are offered in Elements Dining Room, Eve lounge, Cafe Pronto, or in room dining.

As of January 26, 2006 the Westin Nova Scotian is 100 percent smoke free in accordance with the Westin brand standard. A designated outdoor smoking area will be available for our guests.

The Nova Scotian opened its doors on June 23, 1930 with 130 rooms, five suites and the elegant Atlantic Ballroom, which accommodates up to 275 guests for a dinner.

The hotel was considered to be reminiscent of grand hotels seen all over the world, and one of its kind in Eastern Canada. The Canadian National Train Station also opened at the same time, connecting Halifax to the rest of Canada.

The hotel served as a supply base for the trains, preparing all meals and also the provision of laundry services for the train linens and bedding. The size of the hotel kitchen is immense in todays terms, because of its original connection with CN. The hotel is one of the original railroad hotels owned by Canadian National Railways, which were built in the 30s and 40s as landmark hotels all across Canada.

The hotel was 8 stories high, and on the 8th floor, there was a beautiful tearoom that overlooked the city of Halifax and Cornwallis Park, which is directly across the street from the hotel. The tearoom was surrounded by a beautiful rose garden, and was one of the most popular and well respected venues in the city.

Rose gardens were also located at the rear of the hotel, which overlooks Halifax Harbour. The rear of the hotel also has a full view of the Port, where in early days, luxury liners docked, as Halifax has the second largest natural harbour in the world, next to Sydney, Australia. Today, cruise ships, up to 85 a year, visit our port, still docking directly behind the hotel.

To service the hotel, Nova Scotia Power Corporation built a power plant beside the hotel which has a tunnel connecting the two buildings. Today, the tunnel is not used and the electrical plant is now a film studio which has attracted many US and European based film companies to use its facilities and all the incredible scenery that our city and province has to offer.

Another unique use of the hotel was for a radio station, where programs were broadcast from Studio H, possibly due to the height of the hotel and its great location in the city.

The hotel grew in size in the mid 1950s, when an additional 161 rooms were added, including 9 more suites. Significant meeting space was also added and the now famous Commonwealth Ballroom, which has hosted royalty and dignitaries from all over the world. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II visited the hotel twice, once in the 50s and once in the 70s, and the late Diana, Princess of Wales hosted her only official Royal dinner on an Eastern Canadian tour at the hotel in the early 1980s.

Adding to the appeal of the hotel with the 1950s addition were food and beverage facilities which catered highly to the local community as opposed to just the hotel guest. The Evangeline Room was considered to be the most elegant restaurant in the city, where guests would be greeted by tuxedoed maitred and waiters, and could dance the night away to live entertainment grand piano, silver, china, crystal and all the trimmings. The Eager Beaver Bar extended across the main front of the hotel and was the most popular bar east of Montreal. Many a political and business career was made or broken within the walls of this still often spoken about bar.

In the early 1980s, Canadian National sold the hotel, and it became the Halifax Hilton. Hilton managed the hotel until 1993, when the hotel closed its doors. The hotel had bid on a project whereby the hotel would become a Casino/Hotel, a new industry to the province, government controlled. The project was not awarded to the Hilton, so therefore Hilton and the owners of the hotel, Revenue Properties of Toronto, parted company and the hotel was put up for sale.

In April 1996, NewCastle Hotels of Shelton, CT, purchased the hotel and proceeded to invest another 4 million immediately into the facility. This was in addition to the 15 million that Hilton had invested in the early 90s to upgrade the property.

Re opened on August 6, 1996 as the Westin Nova Scotian, the hotel has 297 guestrooms, including 13 suites and 23, 000 sq. ft. of meeting space.

Over the past several years, the Westin Nova Scotian has invested an additional 3.5 million in the hotel to further enhance the propertys services and amenities. The hotel now features Westins signature product, the Heavenly Bed in all rooms, as well as Heavenly Showers in all suites. The meeting facilities have all been upgraded and include high speed internet in each meeting room (wireless available on the banquet and lobby level public areas), new draperies, carpet and wall coverings. The two ballrooms, the 8,400 sq. ft. Commonwealth and the 3,200 sq. ft. Atlantic, have been totally rejuvenated bringing elegance and modern luxury together. Elements Restaurant offers up casual dining with a tranquil atmosphere featuring water fountains, outdoor art and greenery in earth tones. The restaurants menu focuses on foods of the earth with a Tuscan flair. Our urban chic cocktail lounge Eve, offers funky sounds,a Tapas menu and a great selection of beverages. Cafe Pronto features Starbucks coffee. With our indoor pool, hot tub, and Westin Workout Powered by Reebok. We ensure that you will feel pampered while at the Westin.

The hotel has once again become the hotel of choice for high profile social events, large conventions and has established itself as a key player in the corporate group and business travel market segments. We invite you to enjoy our hospitality and service standards.

Open your window, let in Nova Scotias fresh sea air, and enjoy a spectacular view of nearby Halifax Harbour or Point Pleasant Park. Our luxurious accommodations combine the warmth of our historical surroundings with contemporary amenities, quality, and service. All of our 297 guest rooms feature the Heavenly Bed, as well as complimentary in room Starbucks coffee service, a refreshment center, two phones with data port, large screen television, and high-speed internet access.

Westin Nova Scotians Heavenly Amenities:
Water View Rooms Available
Suites Available
100% Non Smoking Facility
Starwood Preferred Guest Rooms Available
Park View Rooms Available
Two (2) Telephones
Voicemail
Data Port
High-speed internet access
WebTV Access
Television with Remote Control
Cable Channels
In-Room Movies
Refreshment Center with Mini Bar
Coffee and Tea Maker
Iron/Ironing Board
Work Desk
Air-Conditioned Rooms
Individual Climate Control
Maid Service
Cribs Available
Rollaway Beds Available
Smoke Detectors in Room
The Heavenly Crib Available
Westin Workout Powered by Reebok, Health Club
Bellezza Spa and Studio
Pet friendly rooms available

Some of the amenities above may not be available in all rooms