Ottawa's own Michael Andlauer, the businessman who owns the Ottawa Senators and has become one of the city's most recognizable sports figures, is now part of a group looking to rescue the storied Château Montebello resort in Quebec's Outaouais region.
According to the Ottawa Citizen, the group that includes Andlauer has boosted its bid in a court-supervised sale process for the historic log château, which sits roughly an hour's drive from downtown Ottawa along the Ottawa River corridor. The process is expected to conclude on July 10, with a final decision on ownership coming shortly after.
Why Ottawa Cares About This
Château Montebello has long been a favourite weekend getaway for Ottawa residents, prized for its massive log construction — it's billed as the world's largest log cabin — along with its golf course, spa, and riverside setting. For decades, Ottawa families, corporate retreats, and even world leaders (the resort hosted a G7 summit in 1981) have made the short trip out from the capital to stay there. Its uncertain future has been a topic of concern among Ottawa-area travellers and hospitality watchers alike.
Andlauer's involvement adds a distinctly local layer to the story. Since taking majority ownership of the Ottawa Senators in 2023, Andlauer has become a fixture in Ottawa's business and sports scenes, investing heavily in the team and pushing forward plans for a new downtown arena at LeBreton Flats. His name attached to the Montebello bid signals that Ottawa-based capital and business leadership are extending their reach into regional hospitality and tourism assets that matter to the capital region's residents.
What Happens Next
The bidding process, which is being supervised by the courts, is set to conclude on July 10. Multiple parties are reportedly vying for control of the property, and the outcome could determine whether the resort remains a going concern for the many Ottawa-area visitors who have made it a tradition over the years.
For Ottawa residents who've celebrated anniversaries, held conferences, or simply escaped the city for a weekend at Montebello, the resolution of this bid will decide who's steering the ship at one of the region's most iconic getaways.
More details are expected to emerge as the July 10 deadline approaches and the court finalizes the winning bid.
Source: Ottawa Citizen
