Live Like Royalty at Fairmont MacDonald

Alberta has firmly established itself as Canada’s western frontier but very rarely have I ventured out as a tourist in my own province.  Originally from Montreal, I can’t explain why I haven’t done more exploring in the seven years that I’ve lived out west but I’m glad that I’m finally getting around to it.

In Edmonton, I stayed at the Fairmont Hotel MacDonald (rooms from $239 per night, parking is not included).  Majestically towering high on a bank, the hotel makes an instant impression.  I traveled with my family and my youngest excitedly exclaimed “you didn’t tell me we were going to stay at a castle.  I’m going to be a princess!”   She’s right about that, the hotel does look a bit like a castle towering on the hill.

Arriving at the hotel is a little tricky.  The traffic in the area makes it a little difficult to get into the hotel parking lot, but don’t worry, this is the most stressful part of the stay.

Guestrooms

Our room had two double beds, adequate for our family needs, but it’s a shame that none of the room are outfitted with two queen beds.  A minor thing, to be sure, but it would be a consideration for some.

The room was very comfortable and incredibly quiet.  Furnishings included a desk and two over-sized chairs with ottomans, with plenty of space for the four of us.  The mini-bar was stocked with the usual, along with coffee, tea, and chocolates.

Some minor housekeeping issues included the television left unplugged.  It’s a simple fix to plug it in, of course, but does leave me wondering about the lack of attention to small details.  It’s the small details that separate the good hotels from the great ones.  Another issue was that the bathroom floor mats were stained, marring an otherwise sparkling and spacious bathroom.

And a final annoyance, one many travelers will share, is that there is a charge for internet access.  When will hotels learn that FREE internet access is desired more than a well-stocked mini-bar?!

Dining

The Harvest Room Restaurant includes an absolutely incredible patio overlooking the North Saskatchewan River Valley, the largest urban parkway in North America.  I did not have the chance to eat there, but the guests that I spoke to all had great things to say.  The menu, which features the best AAA beef, celebrates local fare for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  The dress code is smart casual to semi-formal and entrees start at $28.

The Confederation Lounge is a great place to unwind.  It offers premium liquors, specialty coffees and wines but also a flexible menu ranging from wings and nachos to entrees like Chicken Stroganoff and Tuna Nicoise.

The hotel also offers the Royal Tea and Tour and a Sunday brunch ($33 per person, excluding taxes and gratuities).  Live like royalty and indulge in a traditional afternoon tea, complete with delicious finger sandwiches, scones with Jersey cream and fresh fruit compote, fruit salad, pastries, and, of course, an assortment of tea.  After tea, take a tour of the hotel and learn about the history of one of Edmonton’s landmark properties.

For an even more opulent experience, feast on the Sunday Brunch (Adults: $48, Seniors: $38, Children 6 to 12: $24 and children 5 and under eat free) in the Empire Ballroom, a designated municipal heritage site.  Take in more than 90 years of history as you sample from over 50 items, beginning with champagne and orange juice followed by deluxe breakfast entrées, luncheon cuisine and pastries.  The dress code is smart casual (denim is discouraged) and reservations are strongly recommended.

If you want to get away from the hotel for a meal, you’ll find a number of options in all price ranges within a short walk of the hotel.

Pool and Spa

The pool and spa at the Fairmont Hotel MacDonald are clean and comfortable, and well laid out.  The changing rooms are stocked with the necessary items, including hair gel and sanitized combs.  Forget your swim suit?  Not to worry — they even sell disposable bathing suits!

The fitness area is in need of some updating.  The equipment is crammed into a small space with an old television mounted to the wall.  How much nicer it would be to work out in a more spacious area with a few modern amenities.

On  the plus side, there are toys for kids to play with, including a little basketball net with a floatable ball, and the spa offers a wide range of massages (starting from $75).  I had my eye on the massage that was intended for headache relief ($40) and the foot reflexology ($40 for 15 minutes and $105 for 60 minutes).

Things to Do in the Area

Edmonton is Alberta’s capital city and there is no shortage of things to do and see.  The tourism board is conveniently located right outside of the hotel, and that’s a good starting point for information and suggestions.

Edmonton is probably best known by tourists as the site of the famous West Edmonton Mall.  From the Fairmont Hotel MacDonald it’s not a complicated walk, although a bit of a trek, just stop at the front desk and get a printout with directions.  The West Edmonton Mall has a lot to offer and you could easily spend a day or two here and please your entire family.  Guests can choose from 800 stores and services, more than 100 eateries and nine parks and attractions including the Galaxyland amusement park and the World Waterpark.

Another stop should be the Royal Alberta Museum.  We enjoyed the fact that there were artifacts as well as living things to see, even if that included live tarantulas!.  It didn’t take long to tour the entire museum, an hour or so is probably sufficient, and the exhibits are engaging for all ages.  This is a great option for a family excursion since kids won’t get bored and the admission prices are decent (adults $10, youth $5 and family $28).

We’d all agree, though, that the highlight of our trip was a visit to the Ukrainian Village, a 25 minute drive east of Edmonton.  This provincial historic site allows visitors to experience the life of a Ukrainian pioneer.  With more than 30 buildings, including three churches of Eastern Byzantine Rite, a fully-functioning grain elevator and a blacksmith shop, there is a lot to see.

Within the village are actors dressed for the time period presenting a characterization from the era.  No matter how hard you might try, you can’t break their concentration.  They really are incredible and the best thing to do is just engage with them as if you are from the same era.  The only place where role-playing is forbidden is the chapel since it is considered disrespectful to pretend in a holy place.  Whether within the village or at the gift shop (where they sell amazing old-fashioned candy!), the staff were absolutely amazing.  Admission prices are also very reasonable (Adults $8, Youth $4 and Family $20).  I do have one word of advice – wear bug spray since mosquitoes seem to love the place as much as I do!

Reservations and Travel Information

To book a room or to find out more information visit the Fairmont Hotel MacDonald website.  It is regularly updated to provide the most current information about special events or packages, making it a great resource when planning your trip.

Fairmont provided complimentary accommodations to the author for the purpose of a review; the opinions expressed here, however, are solely those of the author.