About the Crest Hotel
Prince Rupert’s most distinct hotel — cliff-side above the harbour, independent, and genuinely its own.
The History of the Crest Hotel
The Crest Hotel has always been about one thing: genuine hospitality.
When Bill Murray opened the doors in 1961 — and threw away the key — it wasn’t a publicity gesture. It was a statement of intent. The Crest would always be open. Always welcoming. The standard of service that followed bore that out. In a port town where fishing and forestry drove the economy and tourism was an afterthought, the Crest became something nobody expected: a hotel that people travelled to Prince Rupert for, not just a place to stay while they were there.
That commitment to place and to people has always been deeply tied to the Crest’s story.
The Gitxaała have welcomed guests to their territory for thousands of years. Hospitality rooted in connection to land, community, and the people who visit is not a new concept here. When Gitxaała Enterprises Corporation acquired the Crest in 2023, GECO CEO Michael Uehara said it plainly: “Few properties in the world have embraced a sense of place as well as the Crest has done.”
That sense of place is what the Crest has always offered. Under Gitxaała ownership, it runs deeper than ever.
The Crest and Prince Rupert have shared the same story since 1961. That story continues under Gitxaała ownership.
Ownership
The Crest Hotel is located on the traditional territory of the Sm’algyax speaking Peoples and is owned and operated by Gitxaała Enterprises Corporation (GECO), which is owned by the Gitxaała Nation.
The Gitxaała have welcomed guests to their territory for thousands of years and are continuing that tradition in a modern way. “So much of our history is in the areas seen looking out the windows of the Crest” says Lou Gwelks Linda Innes, elected Chief Councillor of the Gitxaala Nation, “we want to be able to share that beauty and experience with all who visit.”
Prince Rupert’s finest. Ready when you are.