Fairmont Palliser Calgary

It's all taken care of.

My husband and I were married in December and chose the The Fairmont Palliser for our small ceremony. We only had to deal with one person-- the very capable catering manager-- who arranged the food, space, sleeping room, and all the other details on very short notice. The reception went wonderfully-- we didn't have to worry about a single detail. The dinner was expertly served and the food was top rate. The desert looked like a piece of art.

Our sleeping room-- the royal suite-- was the most luxurious I've ever stayed in, with all the positives you've read in the other reviews and none of the negatives. Moments after our arrival in the room a bottle of champagne, flutes, truffles, and a small gift were elegantly presented at the door.

There was no hesitation to accomodate us when we called to ask for a later checkout time. Attendents were always on hand to help with luggage (and even to carry a message down to the ceremony room prior to the wedding to say we'd be a few munites late!) By the time we went to breakfast the following morning in the concierge lounge we were feeling like royalty.

In my letter of thanks to the catering manager I requested a copy of the printed menu for memorial purposes, fully realizing that he was likely too busy to concern himself with having another printed for us. Last week two menus arrived in our mailbox.

I would highly recommend the The Fairmont Palliser for any gathering, weddings included. The accomodations are luxurious and the staff is capable and professional, and will ensure a lovely experience.

Terrific

Old and stately hotels are better than new modern boxes in my opinion, the trade off being the bathrooms in the former tend to be on the dated side, but who cares!

We stayed here one night as our flight arrived in Calgary in the late afternoon and I didn't feel like driving 2 hours and splurging that much money at our next stop, Chateau Lake Louise, for only a few hours room time. In short, we both enjoyed the Palliser (wife: "you've done good!") and the Oak Room provided a nice relaxed (and reasonably priced) dinner alternative.

Pampered at the Palliser

Just spent two nights at the Palliser, chosen on the basis of other reviews here. I'd like to add my enthusiastic endorsement.

I was on the 8th floor (Gold floor, I think they call it). Though my visit started with a glitch - assigned a non-smoking room in error - it was a good test of a great hotel. I'd checked in too late at night to care, but they immediately transferred me to a smoking room when I reported the error the next day. Frankly, I was expecting it would be a step down in quality, something we smokers are only too familiar with. But not at all - the smoking room was equally nice, if a little smaller. But best of all, it was fresh & clean, and didn't smell like a dirty ashtray! ... as in so many other hotels.

Both rooms were beautifully decorated and much larger than expected in a hotel of this age. High ceilings, attractive moldings. Nicely laid out, with separate sleeping, working, and living areas. Huge bathroom, marble counter, deep tub, a good makeup mirror, very good toiletries. Comfortable bed with good linens and feather pillows. Windows that open. Edwardian feel to the furnishings & decoration, yet with all the modern conveniences like high-speed internet access, phone in the bathroom, etc.

What impressed me the most was the thoughtful attention to detail. A generous packet of fragrant bath salts on the pillow every night. A stocked magazine rack beside the wing chairs. A terry bath robe that was large enough to wrap around the most "rubenesque" of guests. A pair of comfortable slippers atop a linen "towel" on the floor by the bed, so your bare feet need never touch the (admittedly spotless) carpet. The TV listings open at today's date, a radio playing soft music, and a couple of lights already on when you open the door. Fresh cream & milk for your coffee in the mini-bar. The TV in the armoire pulls out and swivels so it can be viewed from anywhere in the room. A light in the closet. Padded hangers. A generous assortment of goodies in a snack basket (honour system) for those late night munchies. All the little comforts that make one feel like a truly welcomed guest.

I didn't have an opportunity to dine in the hotel, other than the complimentary buffet breakfast in the lounge on the same floor, and that was excellent. A quiet, pleasant atmosphere. Fresh fruit salad, smoked salmon & cold meats, assorted breads & pastries, cold & hot cereals, etc. A lovely leisurely way to start the day.

Every member of the hotel staff I encountered was friendly, efficient, and cheerful.

Bottom line: I'd be delighted to have a reason to visit Calgary again, just so I could return to the Palliser.

Great chocolate fountain

Make sure to try the chocolate fountain with fruits and cake if you are having a reception. It is the best chocolate I have ever had.

Beautiful foyer and bar but..........

elegant and grand from the outside with beautiful original features and decor in the foyer, bars and restaurant but small pokey cluttered bathroom with coffee machine balanced precariously on shelf over sink. full scale job to make a coffee. toilet behind door and tiny bath. service in bar indifferent and corked wine!!!! not overly impressed for the price.

Elegant service

Just finished a 3 night stay. The hotel common rooms are very elegant and the staff service is 5 stars! My room was small and simple, but very clean. The bed and bedding were fantastic. The bathroom could use a face lift. The tile was old and the sink/faucetry was stained. Had room service twice...the first time it was perfect...the second time (cold dish items) it taste as though it had sat in the fridge to long as it had picked up the flavors of other foods. All and all it was a very lovely stay and I would return.

An elegant hotel !

Another impressive Fairmont hotel. Very helpful staff. The view from our room (444) was not so good, but the king-size bed made up for it.

The connecting walk-way to the Calgary Tower was very useful. The breakfast was not as good as we experienced in Vancouver but came a close second. The busy shopping centre was within easy reach.

Palliser is best!

Having stayed in the Calgary Palliser Hotel on many occassions and in many types of rooms, I can honestly say I have had nothing but good experiences. The rooms are excellent in comfort and ammenities, though some views are better than others. It is nice to be able to open windows when one wishes. Sometimes it seems a long walk from the bed to the bath, but on soft carpet, this is good. Enough pillows and blankets of high quality are available. The portable room phones are a great convenience. Plenty of room to spread out. The hotel is "old-elegant," meaning everything works, and is of real quality, not "pretend" as is found in some newer chains. The rooms are modernized only in quality and needful updates, not just for the sake of "show." The grand-dame feeling survives well.The Gold level is better yet. Private check in.

Personal escort service to door (if desired). Private lounge just for 8th Floor quests, with upscale nibbles and honor bar (pour liquor yourself, jot down amount). The hotel brochure blurbs are gushing but pretty accurate.The main lobby is impressive, large and functional. A piano is off center and occasionally a guest is a playing softly. The Oak Room next to the lobby is in the classical tradition, quiet and relaxing. A perfect place to meet friends over drinks before dinner in the elegant Rimrock dining room. Outstanding food, and atmosphere, upscale in every way, and not pretentious.I've stayed there by myself, and with various tours and all was fine. The Fairmont Chain is really Canadian Pacific, the old railroad Hotel chain which is to say elegant.

When they bought out the American company, they used the Fairmont name for an international flavor. The Palliser is not a dowager. It sits downtown (next to the railway of course) and is within convenient walking for most stuff you wish to do. For me, The Palliser is the best hotel in Calgary, bar none.

Rainy Bathroom at the Palliser

Beautiful hotel but not too happy with service when our bathroom ceiling was leaking. Offered change of room but warned it would not be as nice as the one we were in. No discount was offered. Countless phone calls downstairs and not much done. Bathroom was old and in need of renovations and new decor. Not worth the price of the room.

Above Average Service

We happened to be stranded, with many others, in Calgary for a few days as a result of Sep 11th. The staff at the Palliser who were having to cope under extremely difficult circumstances were fantastic, particularly those on the 8th Floor.

The hotel itself is very nice and our room was comfortable and pleasant.

We ate in all the restaurants and also despite the crowds they were also above average.