for the steamers to deliver and pick up guests. The Muskoka Lakes Navigation Company built its flagship the SS Sagamo specifically to cope with the guests travelling to the hotel. From 1901 to 1929, the hotel was full during the June-to-September season. Guests came from the élite of society and included dignitaries and royalty. On 2 August 1914, Prime Minister Sir Robert Borden was staying at the hotel when he was summoned to return to Ottawa before the British Empire entered World War I. After the Wall Street Crash of 1929 and the beginning of the Great Depression, the Royal struggled for much of the next decade. During World War II business picked up due to the impossibility of travel to Europe. However, when the war ended business slowed again. In 1946, Gordon Douglas Fairley gained control of the shipping company and the hotel. He renovated the structure, at which time capacity was reduced to 175. Poor marketing also led to a decline in patronage. In the early hours of Sunday, 18 May 1952, a fire engulfed the hotel and burned down the entire structure. In subsequent years, the property was subdivided and used for cottages. References Defunct hotels in Canada Hotels in Ontario Hotels in the Muskokas Resorts in Canada