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The Fairmont Palliser
Category: Event Planning & Services Hotels Hotels & Travel Hotels Hotels [Edit]
133 9 Ave SWCalgary, AB T2P 2M3
(403) 262-1234
- Price Range:
-
$$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
16 reviews for The Fairmont Palliser
16 reviews in English
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Review from Rick P.
Lethbridge, AB
11/29/2011 5 Check-ins Here
Always have a great stay at this property !!! the lobby and Oak Lounge are sooo impressive. The GOLD floor has undergone some major changes and the rooms are fab. Staff is always there to make your stay a pleasant experience.
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Review from Karlie M.
6/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
I got an amazing deal through the Fairmont website on a king room on the Friday and Saturday night of the May long weekend for $119/night - how could I say no?!
The staff were probably the nicest staff I've ever encountered at a big hotel - right from check-in to the valet to the porter. Really genuine people. I've stayed at other Fairmont properties and I was really impressed with the staff at this hotel.
Our room was great - absolutely huge, to start with. I thought that since we got such a good deal, we would get one of the smaller, older rooms, but we had a renovated room on the sixth floor. I prefer beds on the softer side, and this one was heavenly, as were the pillows. It was a little strange that the toilet was immediately next to the shower/tub, but no bother. I'm a member of the Fairmont President's Club (sign up! It's free!), so internet was free for us; you have to pay otherwise.
Since we were in town for the Chump Car race and therefore spent most of our time at the track, we didn't spend lots of time around the hotel, but it is in a great location, directly beside the Calgary Tower, close to Stephen Avenue, lots of restaurants, etc.
If I could get a cheap rate, I would definitely stay again.Listed in: Hotel, motel....
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Review from Crystal H.
Vancouver, BC
5/10/2011
If only I could always find a deal so that I could stay with you. You're so my style when you're not $250 a night.
Even on the second floor, it still felt like luxury. The bathrobes, the full length mirror discreetly tucked into the closet and the bed. How I've yearned for a hotel that equips a bed with both feather and synthetic pillows. I haven't slept that well in a hotel for ages. (Well except for the party goers roaming the hallways. I get it, it was the weekend. But perhaps the hotel could invest in soundproofing the interior walls and doors?)
Some people might balk at the train noises rumbling by from time to time, but to me, that's part of this historic hotel's charm. If you like trains, ask for a room on the south side of the building and enjoy imagining what the hotel felt like back in the day. If that doesn't grab you, I'm sure the grandiose lobby will.
Please, fairy-hotel-god-mother, I beg you. Find me another deal for this hotel soon! -
Review from Crystal W.
Calgary, AB
6/20/2011
The Oak Room is the Palliser's upscale lounge, where I enjoyed over-the-top martinis. I sat at the bar with friends and was equally entertained by watching the bartender put together our ridiculous beverages. I felt I should have taken a photo of each new martini we tried. Presentation is great and the drinks were delicious, my fav being the Peach Thunderbolt. They also had some awesome spiced cashews to snack on.
The drinks are pricey, I felt somewhat under-dressed in jeans and the tapas were nothing special, but having a sense of affluence for a few hours (and still remembering how delightful the martinis were) was worth the dough for one night! -
Review from Jacqueline S.
Edmonton, AB
4/18/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I can't comment on the pricing for this place, since I was lucky enough to not have to pay for my room during my stay here. The location of this hotel is excellent: right near Stephen ave and the C-train.
My room was very nice, and very clean, more than just your standard hotel room, with some comfy chairs and a desk that was actually well-lit. All the staff I encountered were friendly and helpful.
I'm giving them four stars to reflect a few of the things that I found a little off (the washrooms on the main floor weren't very clean, the toilet in my room was about 2 inches from the wall, and the front desk and concierge gave me contradicting advice), and my general disappointment in the breakfast buffets at places like this. $30 for something that's only a step up from Denny's? Bleh. The buffets served at the events I was attending were good, although again I wasn't paying, and free food is always tastier. -
Review from Melissa L.
Calgary, AB
2/18/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I got a fairly good rate on a recent one-night stay at the Palliser. I'd had great experiences at other Fairmont Properties (I spent a good portion of my childhood in the Fairmont President's Club Lounge in the Fairmont Waterfront in Vancouver!) and was looking forward to a lovely stay at the Palliser.
We visited mid-week, during a time when nothing really special was happening in Calgary. We thought we'd try for an early check-in, but were told by a very icy receptionist that the hotel had been fully occupied the night before and no rooms would be available until the official check-in time of 3:00. Okay, no big deal... but I had to wonder about the occupancy rate considering NOBODY was in the lobby. We left our bags with the concierge and went about our day. Around noon we headed back to the hotel and spoke to a different receptionist, who was sweet as sugar and got us right into one of our rooms (the other was being cleaned but became available well before 2:00 pm).
Our rooms were both quite small with minimal room to move around. I'm sure it was the discounted rate that got us scenic second-floor views of the air conditioning units and high walls (I kid). I was also kind of disappointed by the lack of water pressure in the shower, and have definitely slept on nicer mattresses. We did appreciate the great location (the Palliser is connected by indoor walkway to most of downtown), the opulent reception area, and the peace and quiet (our inner-facing rooms didn't hear a peep of downtown noise all night).
If you're looking for a run-of-the-mill downtown hotel, the Fairmont Palliser's basic rooms might fit your bill. If you're looking for a very special experience, spend more to get one of their nicer rooms, or try a different hotel. -
Review from Eric B.
2/1/2010
The Palliser Hotel was built in 1914 was named after Captain John Palliser, who was an explorer in the region during the 1850s. It's architecturally distinct as are many of the other former Canadian Pacific Railroad hotels. And like the Hotel Mac in Edmonton, my experience is limited to exploring the public areas and having a drink in the lounge so I can soak it all in.
The hotel is still close to the railroad tracks, although with all the hustle and bustle of downtown Calgary, you'd hardy notice. The VIA Canadian train now travels through Edmonton, but if you want a historical and scenic railroad experience that links to Banff and Lake Louise, the Rocky Mountaineer has a nice package that can include the Palliser. -
Review from John T.
Calgary, AB
7/19/2010 3 Check-ins Here
This is more a review of the lounge, The Oak Room!
The Oak Room is one of my favourite places downtown to go for a drink, snack, or meal. The atmosphere is very relaxed making it a great place to chat with friends, or enjoy some quiet time reading a book.
Good quality food for reasonable prices, and always good service from the staff. I have had some mix-ups with my food orders, but they have always fixed it at no extra cost! (one time they brought me a seafood tower, when I asked for seafood chowder, they gave me both and the only thing on my bill afterwards was my cappuccino!)
There is free wi-fi available (for Fairmont President Club members- but that's also free to sign up for) - great for bringing my iPad in and surfing the web!
Overall a great experience- I will definitely keep coming back! -
Review from Gabe A.
2/17/2011
Pure class! The rooms are very nice, with amazing beds (firm and supple), and a fantastic pool area with steam room. The breakfast options were also good, had a delicious omelette and a fine cup of coffee. To top it off, if you have rowdy neighbors and a drinking glass, you are set for an evening of entertainment.
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Review from Lizz H.
Calgary, AB
6/29/2011
I ended up staying in the Palliser due to some rather bad weather that Calgary was having recently; I found online that the Palliser was having some great 'weekend' specials, so I figured it would be worth the stay to stay somewhere nice, rather than be stuck in a Super 8 someplace. I also decided to go with the Fairmont President's Club membership, which allows access to the "gold" rooms...
So, I get there and I'm cold and tired from the short but exhausting trek from work (too much snow, too many people, etc). I went to the 8th floor to check-in, and was pleasantly surprised, the woman on the front desk was very nice, and accommodating and was willing even to give me a tour of the hotel so I knew where everything was. I didn't take her up on this offer, but rather headed out to my room.
I got to the room and it was COLD even though the heat in the bathroom and supposedly in the bedroom was on at full blast. So I asked up at the reception, and they had someone from maintenance there within 15 min, so in that aspect the service was great.
Then, I tried to order some food. I realize that I am terribly picky when it comes to food, but usually if I'm hungry I let quality slip a bit. So they brought up my calamari and my 'butter chicken'. I ate the calamari - it was rubbery and not overly fresh, but it wasn't horrible. Then I cracked into the butter chicken - which looked disgusting - like a brown sludge was over it. The 'basmati rice' looked like it had been drowned in oil, with weird brown pieces strewn throughout (those were supposed to be onions, but looked like worms); the "raita" was more like a sourcream sauce than a yogurt-based sauce. Now, if the dish had been decent within itself, I would have eaten it. But the rice tasted like kitchen cleaner, the chicken was overcooked, and the other bits on the plate weren't much to look at either. So I called down and told them I wasn't impressed... their response? "Well, that's the first time I've heard that!".. and then SHE ARGUED WITH ME (!) about how their chef was from India, and how she'd never heard of such a thing, yadda yadda. I asked her if the executive chef prepared my meal.. "Well, no".. which was exactly what my point was - maybe it was his recipe, but it was some poor schlub making $8/hr that actually cooked it - and cooked it poorly.
So I asked about getting a replacement meal, and asked if the seafood in the seafood pasta was fresh "Yes, everything is fresh".. well, I should have asked if the seafood was overcooked and old too, because honestly, that is what it tasted like. And again, much like the calamari, it was just not the standard that I would expect the Fairmont to meet But by this time I was hungry, so I ate the pasta - but the mussels were OLD in the mix, the halibut in the seafood was overcooked and dry.
So far this has only been about food. I guess when someone argues with me about my reaction to their food that puts me off a bit. But the real kicker was the loudness. I had specifically requested a very quiet room - away from the elevators and ice machines.. so I was away from the elevators and ice machines, but I was *not* away from the TRAIN. There is a large train track that runs right behind the hotel, and it ran about 5 trains during the night - usually no horns or whatnot, but still the clackity clack is just a bit much.
In the morning I woke up, was able to enjoy a complimentary breakfast because of that whole President's club thing, and then I went to check out. SO I was asked if all was okay, and I said, "Well, the room was a tinch loud", and the woman at the front desk nearly jumped down my throat, "well, we gave you the quietest room in the hotel, and there isn't much we can do to stop the noise from the train..". Then she went to print out my charges for the room, but I wanted to look it over before I left - and she walked away, instead of asking me if everything was okay! I had to make sure that my charges for my food were correct, but they weren't making sense, so she was eventually able to confirm them. But it was such a PROCESS that it shouldn't have been.
I left to go and get a taxi or something (whatever I could find outside) and was waiting in a taxi line behind another girl. There was the valet guy, he asked her what she needed, but never made eye contact with me, nor asked me if I needed assistance, or even acknowledged me. I realize that at that point I had on winter boots, massive winter jacked and was not well "made-up" but guy didn't need to overtly judge me like that. I'm sure he didn't know, or care, that I work in the same city, and in fact look for places to book visiting dignitaries on a regular basis - there could have been a LOT more business for the Palliser if I would have been a bit better responded to... but with service as it was - intermittent, and when issues were brought up, the staff became defensive - I don't know that I could recommend them. -
Review from Christopher W.
Calgary, AB
12/17/2008 1 photo
The Palliser Hotel offers a real sense of history in a city that doesn't have an abundance of it.
A friend who came to town insisted we go to the lounge here and have a scotch. I had never been, so we did. There's a touch of elegance to the whole place and it was a good drink. I've never spent a night there, but their facilities appear to be well kept and in top shape.
A cool place full of history right in the middle of the city..... -
Review from Sapna G.
Calgary, AB
10/1/2009 1 photo
Uh oh... this isn't going to be very nice....
So last night, I had some friends from a prominent TV show in Toronto arrive in town. It was their very first time in Calgary and the show booked their stay at The Palliser Hotel.
First of all, they got bumped to a smoking room because the hotel was sold out. Let me clarify; They booked their suites when the hotel WAS NOT sold out, but somewhere along the way, THEIR ROOMS GOT BUMPED. It's not like the rooms are wallet-friendly... We're not talking about your local Motel 8. The rooms are PRI-CEY, so the LEAST they should be able to do at a hotel as pretigious as the FAIRMONT Palliser is get the room right. That's not too much to ask for...is it???
I understand that It's a big weekend in town (The Dalai Lama is here, as is Jack Canfield), but these Toronto peeps are ALSO important people. No, they aren't here to bless you or feed you chicken soup for the soul, but they ARE important nonetheless.
So after finally deciding that they could no longer breathe in their suites, they went down to the concierge who apologized and...wait for it.... offered them an air purifier. You're joking right? REALLY?!?!??!
Being their friend & their local tour guide, I was MORTIFIED. This is NOT the impression I wanted my colleagues and friends to have of our city on their very first visit to Calgary.
I expected a lot more from The Palliser... but i'm understating the fact when I say that I'm disappointed to the core. Fairmont chain or not, The Palliser Hotel is now officially off my map. -
Review from Elle C.
5/10/2010
The fairmont palliser is a great place to stay if you're looking to soak in some historic architecture and Canadian Pacific heritage. They've gone through some renovations, I've stayed here a few times over the course of the last few years and I'm impressed at how diligent they are in keeping the overall 1914s theme. Very elegant set up, the rooms are always very clean and the bedroom fashions are still the original handcarve-detailed solid wood peices. They've kept the exposed radiators and I think it's a nice touch inline with all victorian wallpaper and linens.
Dedicated floor to executive stays, with full bar, breakfast and evening hors d'oeuvres lounge. Sunday brunch is always a treat, full fruit and salad bar, hot plates, and huuuuge dessert section. Custom omlette station, and sometimes there's the chocolate fountain is a special bonus.
I could go on forever. The only things I advise other travellers to be wary of is parking and room upgrades. The room upgrade is a no go, they put you in a bigger room by sq ft, but charge you $$$. Second, there isn't alot of parking lots left in downtown and you might be forced to valet your car. But if you are willingto walk, there are 2 lots still within the 3-4 block range if you want to save yourself $37 CAD/night. (Lot parking is around $5 in the evenings till 9am).
Taken from site:
The above rates are applicable ONLY if guest charges parking to their room folio. If guest chooses to pay separately, the following will apply:
*$2.50 per half hour up to maximum $20.00 until 6pm. After 6pm another $5.00 is charged until 6am. Nights and weekends are both $6.00.
*No in and out privileges. -
Review from Jason L.
Edmonton, AB
6/1/2010
I have to confess that this is my least favourite Fairmont Hotel. It's well located, next to the Calgary Tower, a block from the Glenbow Museum, two blocks from the Jack Singer Music Hall, the Stephen Avenue Mall and maybe five blocks to Chinatown with a little further to Eau Claire. They also have a really good kitchen producing excellent food. Levels of service are excellent.
However, I find the rooms really dimly lit which makes the traditionally decorated rooms seem more old than charming. The plumbing is also the least updated across the entire chain. It also lacks the views that many of its Fairmont sisters enjoy, nor does it have the really dramatic entry and lobby areas which makes these grand old hotels special. I stay at Fairmont Hotels quite a bit, but I really don't think of the Palliser in the same class as the others. I'm sure that some if that feeling comes from downtown Calgary itself which makes the streets around the hotel rather bleak and sketchy at night. -
Review from Lee N.
Vancouver, BC
1/14/2011
Wonderful hotel right downtown. The revamped and modernized suites are great, having 2 47 inch TVs is a little much though. The lobby is that classic space for morning coffee and the paper. The price is standard 5 star, but if travelling off season ask for a discount we got a suite for the price of a room.
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Review from Diane B.
6/21/2010
This hotel was very nice. I was upgraded to a suite which was unexpected! The room was very comfortable. The only very strange thing was how the toilet was placed. Literally up against the counter sink. Very uncomfortable. The rest was nice though. Service at concierge was average...but everyone else like the front desk went out of their way and were great. The facilities for a meeting were very well done as well (I was a presenter at an event so this was appreciated). Very nice hotel and well located.
