TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

This review is for their Hi Tea which I was excited to share with a good friend who has never had the experience. I've had Hi Tea at other Fairmont hotels in Ottawa, Victoria, Niagara Falls, and the Banff Springs (2 times) which have all been wonderful. This one was not. We had gluten free Hi tea and mine was lactose free as well. The gluten free bread they used was totally dried out like it had been sitting around for hours. If it can't be ready fresh at least toast it so it doesn't taste like dried out bread. Two sandwiches were salmon so they had the same taste even though they were done in slightly different ways. The cauliflower ball was good. The cucumber cream cheese sandwich that was GF and Lactose free had such a thin filling one couldn't even taste it and the cucumber was just as thin so there was no crunch in the sandwich. The scone tasted like a biscuit but you can buy boxed GF mixes that actually taste like scones. The carrot cake was good and the chocolate cake, but that was about it. Not worth the $200 meal for the two of us. If you can't make good gluten free go to Totally Gluten Free bakery in Lacombe, their baked goods are amazing!

Historical Building - Beautifully Renovated. Nice amenities with gorgeous views and on site restaurants. Pricy parking - Valet only at $50/day!!! I feel the rooms (at least the one I was in) could be better worked. It felt haphazard and not well thought out. Had heard amazing things about Fairmont beds and pillows but really didn’t find it to be very comfortable. Nespresso coffee machine provided good morning coffee. Restaurants & Bar were extremely expensive. Go if you can afford it but be forewarned …$100 for breakfast for two seems extreme. Especially when they weren’t gourmet big breakfasts. Happy for the ambiance and room views. But probably wouldn’t stay again.

Goods - The room was nice and well kept. The staff were courteous and very helpful. Valet was efficient, very professional and quick. The restaurants were conveniently located and homie. The gold tier lounge had delicious food. Location to where are event venue was, was preferred. Cons - The 10 pm alarm that went off with no explanation was unfortunate. The food appetizers that both my wife and I had at the Harvest Room were under seasoned and disappointing for that price. Receiving drinks after ordering was slow (not even a quarter occupancy full). I had to show the recipe for my drink to the server, even tho it was on the Fairmont's web page. The food we ordered at the Confederate room the following night was also very disappointing. Both are dishes were very cold.

We travel to Edmonton to visit family and we always stay at the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald. The newly refurbished rooms are lovely and modern, while still honoring the hotel's storied history. The rooms are also very quiet, even when the hotel is busy. The staff, particularly the restaurant staff members Douglas and Michelle, are the best! We love the river view rooms and book one looking down over the garden towards the river. The location is excellent, an easy walk of downtown venues, as well as an easy drive to family in St. Albert and the Southside. We enjoy being able to walk along the river paths just steps away from the hotel. We'll be back for our next visit in a few months. Thank you!

Beautiful hotel with an excellent staff. The Harvest Room dinner was excellent, and out server, Amanda, was wonderful, she gave great advice and listened patiently to our questions. The decor is beautiful, and the atmosphere is stuffing. Overall, a great place to stay!