Great staff, friendly and amazing location. They helped us with all of our luggage while we were travelling. The bed was amazing and I loved the luxury bar and snacks included. They have great tea selection in each room as well. The hotel is very old and haunted ! Read up on it and enjoy the stay. They have lovely tea rooms and dining experiences. There was a patio closed for renovations due to the fire that was there. read more

Omg... this place... so, it's difficult to describe until you've been there. It's gorgeous and the history is there but.... The staff has got to pick up the pace if they'd like to keep American clients. We are quick, to the point, and off to the next adventure. But... overall, I would go back in a heartbeat and just maybe I could and can change as well... it's good to slow down and enjoy life... it's good to truly have a meaningful conversation, enjoy a meal or a drink.... So just maybe our cultures could collide!! Thank you all, especially Shiloh, you were my saving grace!! FYI- the red shoes are now safe in America ( they did get lost in Vancouver) and my daughter Parker is obsessed with her new money.. thank you pretty lady?! Lmk when you're in America read more

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We had brunch this morning at the Fairmont. What a way to start my day waiting for Springsteen concert tonight in Edmonton CA. The menu had everything I had Eggs Benedict with back bacon...Delicious!! My wife had Salmon Tartine over house made sourdough...Incredible!! The room decor was elegant and tasteful!! Service was friendly and formal. I highly recommend the Harvest Room!! read more

Fairmont Hotel Macdonald - Springsteen in Edmonton - Hotels Near Me - Edmonton, Alberta

This was, without question, the worst brunch experience I have ever had--especially at this price point. From the moment we arrived, no one was available to greet or seat our party, leaving us standing around and unsure what to do. Service was virtually nonexistent; we waited 15 minutes just to get coffee, and ultimately had to track down juice ourselves. The food experience was just as disappointing. Items were cold, poorly maintained, and the display was visibly picked over, giving the impression that it had been sitting out for far too long. To make matters worse, there was no staff present to cook after waiting in line for an omelet, the Eggs Benedict was old and cold, and it seemed the other items were not being replenished. For what is marketed as a "luxury brunch," the experience fell far below even basic expectations. Considering the high cost per person and the expectation to tip 18%, this felt completely unjustified. I would strongly recommend skipping this brunch--it is simply not worth the price or the frustration. read more

This place is awesome, the history, the sights, the grounds. So the service is amazing, it has 2 great places to eat. A surprisingly large gym & valet. The rooms are decent size and the beds are comfy. Also important, great showers. Many ballrooms for weddings and yes small grounds to wander. There is a 15 minute documentary you can watch in your room with the history of the building which is great. It is centrally located in Edmonton but downtown Edmonton is kind of nasty these days! Anyways it is a very nice place to stay but yes it is pricey... read more

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Royalty at it finest for high tea at hotel Macdonald. Warm mac scones with fresh whipped cream and a magnificent loose Tea menu, finger sandwiches roast beef with fresh ground horseradish, smoked salmon, cucumber white bread, all locally raised and all served on fine bone China. We had our personal server,Douglas who was so gracious. Champagne served in beautiful crystal I felt like a princess. I cried as I honored the late queen With her infamous jam penny. Treat yourself to a king Charles afternoon tea at its finest. Just absorbing the architecture of the Fairmont is quite breath taking. read more

Fairmont Hotel Macdonald - High tea at hotel Macdonald - Hotels Near Me - Edmonton, Alberta

I came here for Royal Afternoon Tea to celebrate my birthday. Covid precautions are well implemented. The room was fully booked so it seems Fairmont Afternoon Tea is still doing well during the current economic climate. It was a pleasant experience and the food was good. My server was polite and knowledgeable. He checked up on us a few times. There were many teas to choose from but you only get one tea to try for the whole experience. I wish we were able to try multiple teas. I liked the Ontario Ice Wine tea. I quite enjoyed the scones as you could taste they were freshly made. My favourite finger sandwichs were the smoked salmon and tandoori chicken. The Mango passionfruit cake was my fave dessert item. Items that were so-so were the cucumber & cream cheese sandwich (nothing special about it) and the blueberry lemon curd tart (too sour). I got an extra fudge piece on a stone with a candle for my birthday which was a wonderful surprise. Overall it was a nice experience but I don't think it's worth $59 per person. There are other places that I heard are better in value for high tea but the Fairmont is the only one open for dine in right now. read more

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The dining at the hotel is fabulous. We went to the Empire Ballroom for Sunday brunch and a drink after at the Confederation Lounge. I felt that the brunch was very wonderful and I actually appreciated a later seating, as I imagine it wasn't as busy as it is earlier in the day. The options were plentiful and consistently topped up. So many amazing salad, charcuterie, fresh seafood, made to order options, outdoor bbq, smoothies and fresh juice, desserts and more. I would love to see a mimosa option built into brunch. A drink after at Confederation Lounge is a must. The outdoor patio literally makes you feel like you aren't in the middle of Edmonton and it's absolutely gorgeous. This place is necessary visit. read more

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Nicely modernized. Good amenities. Great pool and gym. Comfy bed. Nicely renovated rooms. The beds are comfy, the bathroom quite big. The room was nice and comfortable. It came with complimentary tea and coffee (keurig) machine. Spent the evening in the pool and basically had the place to ourselves on saturday night. Theres a sauna and a steam room. The place is newly renovated now and looks better than before on my last visit a few years ago. Theres 1 restaurant and 1 lounge in house for good options to dine in. They have a super cool 20 foot gingerbread house this year but I wish they decorated it like their previous houses. I loved reading merry christmas in all the different languages. The patio is my favorite place in edm. I'm sad they close it off in winter, but they supposedly get huge icicles. If you go to their sunday high tea, you get a free tour of the tge queen suite and the hotel which is pretty cool! This place is iconic and you have to see the outstanding views of Edmonton's river valley here. Tip: the esplanade stairs to the river valley is located outside the hotel! read more

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This review is about the Fairmont Hotel MacDonald's Harvest Room food on Sept 28th 2022.. We were led to the outside onto the patio with a lit fire, warm ambiance, and charming decoration. We were seated on a very soft and too low to the ground sofa, because we were in heels. My girlfriend was most uncomfortable and had to place a pillow under her butt to prop her up. We also needed a few pillows behind our back in order to stay upright to eat. Now on to the food: The avocado appetizer was bland in taste and really just expensive guacamole for some oily tasting chips. My salmon was spiritless.. I make a much better salmon in my air fryer with soya sauce, fresh garlic and honey. My girlfriend's fish dinner on asparagus was no better off in taste. The Purple Reign cocktails were the best thing about our dinner. Those and our server, who was attentive and had a lovely smile. The view of the city from the Harvest Room's outdoor courtyard is also fetching. In the end we spent a lot of money on bland, and forgettable dinners. We highly recommend getting a new chef and kitchen staff who have an imagination and actual culinary skills. This establishment is a pricy draw for businesses, corporations, and event planners in Edmonton and the food fails to reflect well on the hotel. read more

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I thought for sure I reviewed this when I stayed a few months ago, but Yelp is saying I didn't, so here goes. Very beautiful hotel with a decent location. It's a little worn around the edges in place but you can envision it in its glory days. I arrived early and my room wasn't ready but was able to hang out in the lounge on the concierge level until it was good to go. My room was small and awkwardly shaped, with a dormer window but it was quite cozy, even if the lamps were a little weird. Bathroom was fairly good size but oddly shaped and the toilet was in a little corner that was super cramped. Loved the giant walk in shower, however. Everything was clean, bed was comfortable and the toiletries were good. Staff everywhere were very nice. The gym in the basement is on various levels. None of the levels are very big, but they have a decent amount of equipment. You enter the gym via the spa, which looked pretty nice. Views from the river side of the property are lovely. I was there at the end of November and they had a massive Christmas tree in the lobby. I enjoyed my stay here. read more

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My husband and I had a fantastic experience on our 1st wedding anniversary last Dec 28, 2018! Kayla from the front desk made our stay extra wonderful by setting up a table in our room with a plate of desserts and a complimentary red wine. We got the city view which was not bad. Mind you we checked in on a Saturday night thinking it might get too loud as it is right in Edmonton downtown but no, we slept soundly all night. Our room was standard but comfy enough for a night. It has a space for office work, a recliner to put your feet up while drinking wine, tv, small fridge, and a small coffee maker. They also provided 2 white bathrobes which were really nice but we weren't able to use them. We also got complimentary beverages in the Lounge as part of their gift to us. All of the staff were very polite and very professional. Superb service is what we received from them and I cannot thank them enough for making our anniversary memorable! read more

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This is one fancy place. I can remember royalty standing out on the balcony in front. I have been inside. Certainly this hotel fits into the traditions of the CP hotels found in every major city in Canada. If you are trying to "collect"them all, then there is lots to see in the hotel, and some great views from the windows of the river valley. There are some pretty fancy restaurants. Everything feels old - not shabby old, old as in European old. It has presence. The rooms vary in size. Once I stayed in a room as part of a bridal party. We had a huge suite with all kinds of amenities. Another time I was voting someone else who was passing through town. Their room was nice, but much smaller. So you do need to think about what you are looking for when you stay here. They have different restaurants catering to different needs. A nice place for snacks, and then a more formal restaurant for the full experience. read more

Nice hotel on the river. Super friendly staff. Clean rooms with comfortable beds. Really nice bar in the lobby. Walking distance to some nice eateries. Reasonably priced. read more

Very welcoming. Friendly helpful staff. I like the text for service feature. The history meant a lot for me as an attraction however I found once I arrived there was much more to appreciate. The bed...wow...nice and comfortable. Wonderful pillows. I did not want to get out of bed! Room was somewhat smaller than I expected. However it was very comfortable. All the features in the room were nice. The electric strip was funny but turned out to be very convenient. Soaps were nice. Shower was set up nicely and wonderful. Good water pressure and nice nozzle. The restaurant was nice. The breakfast buffet was good. I liked the omelet they made me. The lounge was very warming and service good. One drink was weird and had to send it back. Waitress was very good and asked good questions to improve the service and drink. Valet was fast and friendly. They were attentive to many other needs as the weather was...wet. Great views and a wonderful spot to experience some of the city. read more

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As you all know, the YELP stars always get me. This said, this review is based also on events and I would rather give it a 2.5. Yes, I am sorry to say it, and I cannot believe the Fairmont Mac Brunch is to this point. Since 2004, when we moved to YEG, we proudly and happily brought our friends and family from the US & Italy here for brunches: Birthday, NYDay, Easter and for holiday days. This year, the combination of Birthday and Boxing Day on the Sunday with a dear friend in to celebrate with us was the perfect Sunday...well, not so much. The food was delicious and well appointed for Covid19 protection, as well as good distancing amongst patrons. What I didn't appreciate and the response I received was the "new" charge for the Mimosa which preCovid was part of the Sunday Brunch. At NO time did anyone tell us that there would be a 10$ PER POUR for the Mimosa's that the wait staff came with as they have ALWAYS done preCovid at NO EXTRA CHARGE. When I inquired, the Senior Staff of the Ballroom said, "well, thank AGLC for it" and then pointed to a 3X5 card with pricing, including the Mimosas. It was a white card, on a white clothed table under the sugar holder, and at NO TIME did anyone let us know, "Mimosa's are extra now". This said, if there IS a charge, why does the wait Staff come around with it and leisurely pour as it always has before this new charge? I didn't argue given it was a celebration of my husband's birthday (for which I told them of the occasion and our dear friend came in on the 25th to be with us for NYE--two nice things to celebrate) and didn't want to cause a fuss in front of them. For the Brunch and this event that occurred, the $330 charge (50$ of this was the Mimosas with 2nd-3rd tier sparkling wine), I am sorry to say, we won't be coming back to the Fairmont MacDonald for the Brunch with anyone, anytime soon. A shame for us really as we always enjoyed bringing our guests and family from out of town here to showcase this beautiful room, with good food and view so that everyone can appreciate what we always have... I would like to hope the Staff will be better versed in alerting its patrons for the Brunch of this charge and NOT pouring anything beforehand. If they are not, please ask them yourselves before they freely (NOT) ask and gingerly pour that nice Mimosa...it'll be the most expensive part of the brunch for what it is :-/ read more

A boutique hotel feel but I want to say it's a small chain but an upscale one at that. There's a nice garden right out front to enjoy nice weather. The lobby is nice and there's a hotel dog here which is cool. They are definitely pet friendly. The rooms are nice and large. I had a window overlooking the garden which was nice. Spacious rooms. Nice staff as well. Greeted and asked if I needed help the first few times passing though the lobby. Walking distance to some restaurants and shopping. read more

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Love this place. I enjoy breakfast, brunch, dinner, drinks and an evening. Fairmont is my go to and I do love this one. I'm a fan of the ambiance And staff. If you want to go to the best Fairmonts, that would likely be either in Banff or Victoria. The location is what makes those special. Edmonton, no matter what is still Edmonton, but enjoy yourself a bit and head to the Fairmont. read more

I've been to many of the Fairmont hotels and only disappointed once. This one is no exception to the general beauty of the buildings. It's gorgeous, centrally located to downtown, and within walking distance to the river walk (needed after a huge dinner). The room is large, the staff warm and welcoming, and the beds are more than comfortable. Only two drawbacks: one is common for the Fairmont hotels and that's parking. Simply put, it sucks. And the valet parking is getting tiresome but necessary when you want to stay at those hotels especially anywhere near downtown. The second is generally less common and that is the insulation - the vehicle traffic from outside and the door traffic from inside (your door rattles whenever someone down the hall closes their door) is less than desirable. read more

Fairmont Hotel Macdonald - Hotels Near Me - Edmonton, Alberta

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A very elegant experience staying on the Gold Floor. Delicious breakfast and happy hour food. High Tea was a relaxing sumptuous hour. The old world charm and attentive staff is not to be missed. read more

Ghost stole my son's pillow and passport. Manager was not helpful. Even though never had room service, items were missing. There were no security cameras in the hall to determine who entered room. read more

We stayed one night at the Hotel Macdonald for a staycation in December before the busyness of the holiday season. I booked it online and was impressed at the level of attentive service. A few days before our stay, I received an email and phone call asking if we were celebrating a special occasion and if there was anything that could do in preparation for our stay. On the check in day, I received an email asking what time we would be checking in with options for the afternoon. Although check is at 3PM, I completed the online check in for 1PM since it was one of the options. When we arrived at the Fairmont, I asked the doorman where self parking was and he directed us the heated parkade just east of the hotel. We rolled our luggage and walked under the cover to the hotel. The lobby was beautifully decorated with the Christmas tree and gingerbread house. It definitely puts one in the festive mood. Smudge, the Fairmont doggie, was walking around greeting visitors and getting love. There were 2 staff working the front desk and we asked about checking in. Since it was 1:30, he said check in was at 3 and our room wasn't ready yet but he would ask that they rush it for us and should be ready in 45 min. So we went for a walk and run some errands downtown and came back an hour later. It was another staff and she called but our room still wasn't ready. She offered a deluxe room but it would come with 2 double beds and was a bigger room on the west side and partial view of the river. We decided to go with this room and were provided with a few drink tickets for the lounge for our trouble. The room was very nice and clean. It was large with chairs and tables and 2 closets. There was a Keurig machine and kettle with a variety of teas. Inside the mini fridge there were coffee mate creams along with many small bottles of booze. There was lots of counter space by the sink and it's separate from the toilet and bathtub. Very spacious. During the afternoon, it's noisy from the traffic on 100 Street. But glad it was quiet for bedtime. There were large windows with a few that could open so nice for fresh air. I've used the spa and gym in the basement of the hotel and it's great. The gym isn't very busy and if you need earphones, they are provided at the check in desk. There are lockers if needed and I brought my own lock. There were a few people using the pool but not busy and no one in the whirlpool. For a hotel gym, lots of machines and good free weight area. We ate at Confederation Lounge and it was busy until about 7:30. The food and service were good and prices a little high for cocktails but it offers a great view and is a hotel lounge. The check out process was easy as I received an email and we could use the self check out process on the TV and leave our key card in the room. We enjoyed our staycation as it was a great break away from home! read more

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Terribly overpriced poor quality food. Gordon Ramsay would have a fit. The waitress was great , food no good at all. You would get a better meal in a fast food joint. The chef can't even serve good chips. read more

We had the best experience planning and having our wedding at the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald. Julie, the wedding and catering coordinator, and the staff went above and beyond our expectations to make sure we had everything planned the day of. The building itself, the service, and the food were phenomenal. All our guests couldn't stop raving about the food. When we came to our room the night before the wedding they had put a fancy cheese, cracker, and honey (which they make on site or the bees do) platter out for us and after our ceremony there was champagne and strawberries. We were so busy with everything else we forgot our wedding cake at the hotel but we called up the front desk, they sliced it, and it waiting for us when we stopped by. We had a smaller wedding (~35 to 40 people) and we could afford to have the wedding we dreamed of. My advice if you are interested in having a wedding here is to outline a budget before you go look. read more

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My brother and I had Sunday Dinner in the Confederation Room. We enjoyed the relaxing atmosphere. Our waiter, David, provided some recommendations as to what we might like from the menu. I had the salmon and my brother had "beef cheek". Each dish was delicious. David was attentive and helpful, but gave us time to enjoy the quiet luxury of our surroundings. Wonderful time away from home, while observing Covid rules. read more

Every event or experience I have ever had at this particular hotel has been marvelous. The staff here take their jobs very seriously. I've been really impressed by the care and effort they put into their jobs. I've attended social activities, booked events, and toured through this hotel over the years. I even like the staircases as the windows have such excellent views. The hotel is 100 years old this summer, and this means that the architecture is worth a gander. Edmonton doesn't have many other hotels of this age with which to compare it, but it is a truly remarkable gem in our downtown core. That said, it isn't inexpensive. It's a very pricey place to spend the night -- mind you most rooms aren't quite as fancy as the Queen Elizabeth II suite which is the most expensive set of rooms in the building. The lounge and patio are quite amazing and the hotel is getting bees to help the local environment! Some people describe the hotel as a castle but it has always been a hotel rather than ever being such a grandiose personal abode. In the basement there are great fitness facilities. If you ever stay here, bring a bathing suit so you can enjoy the pool and hot tub (and/or sauna) as well as the machines in the gym portion. The hotel also has a dog (Smudge) and is very pet friendly. Located in downtown Edmonton, the hotel provides easy access to the neighboring areas downtown and there's good valet parking. Transit is also nearby if you wish to access other areas of town via transit. read more

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I love the Fairmont group, and there are a couple reasons I won't give it a higher star rating, but I'll go through the positives first. Even though I'm a fairly young person, I love how they address you as "Mr.****"or "Mrs.****"... the attention to detail and friendliness from this staff has is truly top notch. When they ask, how your day was, or when they welcome you back, makes you feel like you are at "home". I know as well as the next person that they are paid to treat you like that, however I have stayed in other establishments at a similar price where there is no courtesy like this. The decor of this hotel matches every other Fairmont, antique castle feel, and even though it was rebuilt in the 1990s the craftsmanship appears to match the era they are going for. The room finishes are nice with solid wood furniture and a VERY comfortable mattress, which in the end is what we are paying to stay on. The facilities are very accommodating and have a health club with gym, racquet ball court, pool, sauna, and massage, with access to a personal trainer. If you are a fitness buff this gym surpasses any other hotel gym I have worked out in and you will barely feel like you are compromising. The lounge and restaurant are nice, I wish they had a couple more TVs but other than that it's still nicer than most pubs, and has a very upscale feel. The dinner menu in my opinion, is high but acceptably priced. The Breakfast menu is WAY too expensive even for the buffet... $31 for a meal you have to serve yourself is not worth it. Their breakfast menu items are much more acceptable but still higher than I typically pay for an upscale breakfast. Lastly the reason I cannot give this hotel a better star rating is the location and so called view. I get that this hotel is supposed to be a landmark, but if I wasn't staying here for work, I would not stay here at all. The price of the rooms is just a little too high for the area's amenities. Most Fairmont are situated next to golf courses or other attractions, such as ski hills, or next to a coast. This one is not, it's just a nice building in downtown Edmonton. The rink I guess is somewhat close and that would be why 90% of the NHL teams stay here when they play against the oilers. But other than that this is a great place to stay for business and I will be back if I am not with my family. I hope the purchase of the Fairmont group by Accor hotels doesn't dilute this service or the presidents club membership benefits. Doing some reading the Accor benefits do not seem to as specialized as the Fairmont's. read more

Worst Fairmont I've ever stayed in. I suppose you don't exactly go to Edmonton to visit a fairmont. It's dated and unkempt.

I have very mixed feelings about this Hotel the service and the food. Defaulted to ordering the hamburger most times and I can tell you the bun is soft goes soggy in your mouth the rest isn't anything special. Very pricey at $32!!! with small portion of tiny fries!! Overall service is mediocre, food is uninspiring. Only saving grace is the location if you sit outside when the weather is warm. Outside wrought furniture extremely uncomfortable read more

I have stayed here, gone to events here, had dinner here, had high tea here, and I've had drinks here. It's a wonderful place, a gem in the heart of the city In the winter it's a great place to have a drink in the cosy lobby by a log fire. In the summer the patio opens to a beautiful view of the city. The high tea is also very wonderful. After the High tea you can get a historical tour of the hotel read more

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And right now was 4:00am, I was wake because of the "noise" from the room which next to me. I can't really say it was a noise, cause the people who live in that room was actually talking. Fortunately they dont speak English, or I could exactly know what they are talking about at a midnight, bcuz the two gentlemen had already did something crazy at 11pm, one was shouting to another for almost 30 min, the other gentleman shut the door hardly again and again. For sure this fairmont was a very old building, but I was wondering why the hotel did nothing to the facilities about noise control. And I don't think I'm the only guest who complains the noise. read more

The Hotel MacDonald is one classy and architecturally ample lady. Coming from the south, you see it standing high on the bank overlooking the North Saskatchewan River Valley. It's one of the old Canadian Pacific Railroad hotels and has been serving guests in great style since 1915. Like Jennifer, I have never actually slept here, but have often wandered over from where I was staying at the Westin. In particular, I love wandering around the Lobby and then pretending that I'm on vacation as I relax at their Garden Patio and take in the stunning views. Such elegance can be a little pricey, but it is definitely worth the splurge. And if I ever end up bringing Gayle up to Edmonton, this will be our romantic place to go. read more

The five of us attended high tea for my colleague's 70th birthday. The staff Jacob and Christina treated us like royalty. During our high tea the manager even checked in our group. I couldn't ask for better service than what we received. Jacob even gave my friend's daughter a take home activity package. It was also a great surprise for my colleague that they gave her an extra slice of cake for her birthday. The tea was delicious and the variety of treats were very filling. It's definitely a lifetime experience. Tthis is the second time I've been at this location and couldn't speak more highly of it. read more

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If it's good enough for Her Majesty the Queen, then it's good enough for lil' ol' Fairy. I didn't get to stay in the Queen's suite, but my corner room digs overlooking the snow-covered North Saskatchewan River Valley - the largest urban parkway in North America - was just as magical. Okay, not magical, but the room offered old world luxury, plenty of space, delicious Le Babo bath products, four large windows, and a walk-in closet. And to think the hotel turns 100-years-old come July 5, 2015. The outrageous $12 daily wi-fi charge - there isn't even complimentary wi-fi in the lobby or any of the restaurants/cafes - set this place back a star. (If you're paying a good amount to stay at this magnificent hotel, wi-fi should be included, especially when far more thrifty hotels like Holiday Inn Express offer that service for free.) ...Fortunately, what brought the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald back up to five stars was SMUDGE, the house dog - a yellow lab to be specific. She greets guests in the lobby, where you'll find her large wooden dog house, mail box and a few scattered toys. She loves belly rubs, but most of all, she loves baby carrots - what the bellmen often feed her. Be warned, she can't resists any sort of snack and will follow you with darling, sweet puppy eyes. With permission, I treated her to some of my green apple. If only I could have packed her in my suitcase to bring back home for my sweet lil' Sexy Texie. He would have loved her. read more

Jacob was our host for Royal Tea and was wonderful. I was there with a group of ladies for just a get together celebrating things.Absolutely love the salmon bagel. A few of us were not a fan of the sweet raspberry thing.we went outside on the balcony too and it's a beautiful view of the river valley. the entire harvest room, which is where the royalty was held, was absolutely amazing.the atmosphere is just gorgeous and classy.everybody was very polite.absolutely love the atmosphere also because it was a Sunday and everybody around us seemed really happy as well.this is an excellent place just for a Sunday afternoon activity. A few weeks later, I stayed in the hotel as a guest.the check in ended up being very late for some reason and we didn't get into the room until 5:30 PM in the evening even though we did request a 3 PM check-in. However I guess they made up for it by letting us check out a little bit later. I liked the gym, I have some photos of Gyms usually Just so my friends can see what it's like sometimes.I also enjoyed the Lane pool which was very short however it was still nice that there was a lane divider.the hot tub was nice. There's a view of the gym from the pool. The next morning, the gym and the pool - fitness centre - is open at 5:30 in the morning.which I like very much.I start my days very early.when we called up the front desk, i.e. the royal treatment - they brought up Q-tips - a whole bag of them.which is nice except, they did not have nail polish remover, and referred us over to the shoppers drug Mart.my friend thought it was quite funny One of our friend's weddings was in the empire ballroom.very spacious good for about 150 people.sound quality was good.even for standard mic and speaker equipment.I Made a speech as part of her wedding party & felt good with the sounds quality. There was a string Quartet, which actually sounded great in that particular room. The catering and food was excellent. there was a large variety of cold cuts, and roast beef, warm fish, warm vegetables, and of course the dessert. I love macarons!! My friend ended up grabbing a bunch of them for us because she knows how much I love them. She had a tummy ache the following day - clearly a sign of "macaron-itis" ;) Overall, great experience for our friend's wedding. read more

Food and service were very good. Waitstaff very attentive and when a plate was delivered with the meat overcooked (from the rare requested) the whole meal was quickly replaced with one that was done perfectly. Manager came and apologized. The other 3 plates were very good right off the bat. The patio is a great location, but I have to say for the price I expected table linens and a more extensive menu. Didn't feel like a 5-star evening. Again, great food and good staff. read more

Looking for a classy, high end hotel with history in the heart of Edmonton? Look no further than Hotel MAC! From the moment I stepped foot into this hotel, I was one happy girl. (Side note: I'm assuming I can still call myself a girl, even if I'm going to be turning the big "4-0" later in the year?!) Girl or woman, I was happy... thanks to the friendly bell staff, the adorable welcoming dog, "Smudge," who sits right inside the front door, the spacious room that I spent several nights in, the more than decent fitness facility, and the lounge and restaurants serving a variety of food and drink throughout the day and night. Sure... the rooms themselves could use a bit of a facelift, but the fact that this hotel is so well-run and has so much history, along with the reputation it has in the city, make it a top choice to hang your hat when traveling... I will be back! read more

The Fairmont Hotel MacDonald is completely gorgeous old-school class, and after 100 years, they very well pull it off to perfection. Not your kind of luxury, Jay-Z - think Queen of England (who I've heard has stayed here on occasion (unconfirmed). It's the kind of luxury where everyone calls you sir or madame, and everyone working here is named Jeeves. (also unconfirmed.) That said, when I walked into the lobby, the first thing that met my eyes was a giant hotel Mac built entirely out of Lego AND they have a doggy! Now THAT is my kind of style! Way to shatter my stereotype, Hotel Mac. I do say so sir - well played, old chap. Mmmyes, quite. The view from the garden has got to be the best in Edmonton and the view from the South facing rooms have got to be even better. I stayed in a North facing room, so I can only personally attest to the view of downtown Edmonton from the second floor. Try get a South room if you can. :) Great summer cocktails in the lounge make for a perfect way to enjoy the garden and those long Edmonton summer nights well into the evening. The garden is also the perfect venue to kick of your day with a cup of coffee. Put me up at the Fairmont any day, please! read more

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Always a lovely experience. Whether I'm just popping in for an event, or dining at one of their three dining establishments, or staying for a night or two, I always leave thinking "I've got to come back here more often!" They really do set the bar really high and very few other business can touch it. One might feel intimidated by the fact that it's upscale, but I'd urge you to look a little deeper if that's what's deterring you... the services and quality of the amenities and products make their rates extremely reasonable. Hospitality here is outstanding. I always feel as though staff are genuinely trying to ensure that I have the best experience I possibly can. Lots of little touches here and there, like fruit and teas set out in different areas in the morning, or staff that is always pleasant and ready to help, really add up. When I've stayed here for special occasions, such as anniversaries, or birthdays, they go the extra mile to make sure the stay is extra special. I loved being greeted with a personally inscribed plate of gourmet chocolates. Though Fairmont is a chain, each of their hotels has it's own unique character for a very personal experience, you never feel as though anything is washed out by the international brand, they all feel like a very local icon and staple of their environment. It is a luxurious brand, and the Hotel Macdonald meets the expectations that you might have of that brand. It certainly boasts the same linens and mattresses that all Fairmont hotels do (which you can actually purchase to enjoy at home as well). The grounds and the hotel itself are historical and beautiful, and boast many extraordinary views of the river valley. Inside the hotel, you'll find gorgeous construction and decor details and ornamentation at every turn, in every nook and cranny. Outside, meticulously landscaped gardens beg to be explored, or you can just sit and enjoy them - my favourite spot is by the fountain. Despite all the antique charm, the technology and utilities here are not outdated, speaking of which, score free wifi by signing up for a Presidents Club membership (free and easy). Make sure you say hello to Smudge the dog in the lobby, she's a sweetheart! read more

Great view, great tea and drinks. Highly recommend for a pleasant afternoon outing.