The Guide's Pantry — Restaurant in Alberta

Far Below Fairmont Standards – A Disastrous Experience

As a frequent visitor to Fairmont properties, I have always been impressed by the impeccable service and high-quality food. Naturally, we chose to stop at Fairmont Lake Louise for a bite to eat. To say we were disappointed would be an understatement.

When we approached the counter to ask if there was a seating area where we could enjoy our sandwiches, the response was curt: “We close in an hour.” As if ordering a coffee and a sandwich would somehow delay their closing process! Immediately after, we were coldly told there were no seats available. Fine. We decided to eat outside.

Next, I headed to the restrooms located to the right of the café, only to find them locked. When I asked the staff member if I could use them, her response was that the restrooms were “not open to the public.” Let me clarify something: when we purchase goods, we are customers, not random passersby. Refusing restroom access to paying customers is unacceptable. Her suggestion? Walk 16 minutes outside to find another facility. Does Fairmont Lake Louise really not have the resources to keep restrooms open for its guests? In all my experiences, I have never been denied access to restrooms after making a purchase.

To top it all off, the pastries were mediocre at best — frozen-quality fare more suited to Starbucks than to a Fairmont property.

In summary, this was a complete failure, far beneath the Fairmont standard. I would not recommend this...

Okay. You are the Fairmont. You don’t want the normal people shake up your guest. But you are the only place around and lots of dayguests will need a coffee or a cold pop. And without any other place to choose from you can make lots of $$$

So you set up a little store in the last corner of your building. Offering Crossaints, coffee, pop and some more for really high prices.

And to make your customers feel not welcome, you put a sign at the entrance that tells the unwanted customers with there wanted money that they please may leave asap.

But to see the light in all this darkness: the staff is attentive, helpful and nice overall. The coffee is strong and hot and the drinks are cold.

So overall, if you come here like me with nothing but trail food and water, you are the one to blame. And if so, hop in, grab a cold drink and enjoy it. After all, you are at one of the best known lakes in the world and in the most wonderful...

Located inside the Fairmont hotel is this newly renovated bakery/deli snack cafe area (grab and go style with no seating area). You can find a lot of baked goods (ranging from $5-8) to fresh cut fruits and yogurt parfaits. A wide selection of drinks as well from your standard warm/hot drinks to canned to cold brews. They also serve hot food such as burgers and pizza ranging from $25-30. Everything here is nearly displayed and clean (as expected in a Fairmont). The gorilla bread (banana bread with walnuts and chunks of chocolate) I would recommend. It is a heavy, moist and luxurious banana bread with a thick cut. The plain croissant was the ok - Not as flaky as one would expect (on that particular day at least). The fruit bowl was good for freshness and ripeness. Ladies behind the counter were helpful. Overall a good place to grab a snack post hike or as a coffee break - just expect...