Fairmont Hotel Macdonald — Restaurant in Central Core

Hotel Experience- Lack of consideration for guests After checking into the hotel, we thought we could relax with a drink in the lounge before our dinner reservation. However, it quickly became clear that this hotel does not prioritize its guest at all . We were told the lounge was fully reserved for Valentine's Day, and when I asked if there were any seats available for hotel guest, I was bluntly told no. Apparently , they only keep two seats out of 100 open for hotel guest- which is completely unacceptable. What kind of hotel books out their entire lounge and leaves no space for paying guest? After 10 minutes of discussion, they finally gave us a the two reserved seats but only for 30 minutes, as they were apparently booked after that. This was a frustrating and disappointing experience before our meal even began

Now let talk about the meal We decided to have dinner at the Fairmont Harvest Room, expecting a high-quality experience given the price point. While it wasn't the most expensive meal, it was still on the higher end.

Service & Atmosphere

First, I have to acknowledge Jonathan and his entire team - they were fantastic. The wait staff provided excellent service, and if it weren't for them, this review would be far worse. However, the evening started on a strange note. Guests were asked to line up outside the restaurant, and despite the scheduled opening time, they didn't open the doors for another 15 minutes. Once inside, we were escorted to our table, but the experience only went downhill from there.

The Food

We opted for the six-course meal with a wine pairing, and unfortunately, the food was incredibly disappointing: Temperature Issues: Several plates arrived half-cold, which was unacceptable given the setting. Quality of Ingredients: The ingredients used seemed cheap and low-quality, which was surprising for a Fairmont restaurant. -The Meat (Beef... or Horse?): The dish presented as beef was bizarre - I genuinely suspect it may have been horse. The exterior tasted like charcoal, while the inside was raw, except for the outer edges, which were so overcooked they couldn't be cut. The "Potato": I'm not even certain it was a potato, but whatever it was, it was ice cold. Amuse-Bouche Disaster: A macaron stuffed with foie gras - truly confusing and unpleasant combination. Salad: Finally, something delicious! This was one of the few bright spots in the meal. Beetroot Soup: This was nothing more than a bowl of Campbell's tomato soup. Dessert: It tasted store-bought likely from Safeway.

Wine Pairing - A Complete Letdown

For a meal at this price point, I expected thoughtful wine pairings to elevate the experience. Instead, they chose the absolute cheapest wines available, barely a step above box wine. The selections were uninspired, low-quality, and did nothing to complement the dishes. It felt like an afterthought rather than a carefully curated pairing.

Final Thoughts

This was, without question, the worst meal I have ever eaten. Given the reputation and standards expected at Fairmont, this level of quality is simply unacceptable. They should seriously reconsider their kitchen operations or just close entirely.

Staff & Training

While Jonathan and the waitstaff were excellent, one major issue stood out: most of our plates were served without any explanation. The staff didn't seem to know what they were serving, which made the experience even more confusing. Some additional training on the menu would go a long way. Our waitress did know but she was incredibility busy, so we had random people drop off our food and turn and walk away

Overall, while the service team tried their best, the food and wine were so poor that I would never return. If changes aren't made, I wouldn't be surprised if others...

I stayed at the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald for a short getaway vacation, and it was a great experience overall. The hotel offers a unique mix of old-world charm and modern convenience, making it a great place to unwind without leaving the city. The beautiful architecture and the peaceful riverside setting give it a timeless atmosphere that’s hard to find anywhere else.

🏨 Historic Atmosphere & First Impressions Fairmont Hotel Macdonald is a landmark property in downtown Edmonton, and from the moment you pull up to the entrance, the building's architectural grandeur makes an impression. Built in the early 1900s in Châteauesque style, the property has a rich historical character that sets the tone for a sophisticated stay.

🛏️ Guest Rooms – Comfortable but Dated The rooms were fine—clean, comfortable, and well maintained—but it’s clear they haven’t been fully modernized in some time. The furniture, fixtures, and overall decor felt dated compared to the rest of the hotel, which is unfortunate because the rest of the experience feels elevated.

That said, the bed was comfortable, the room was quiet, and I had everything I needed for a restful stay. Housekeeping was consistent and detail-oriented. While not luxurious by today’s standards, the room did its job well.

👨‍💼 Service & Hospitality – World-Class Staff Where the hotel truly excels is its service. Every single staff member I interacted with—from the front desk to the restaurant servers and housekeeping—was professional, warm, and eager to help. The staff consistently went out of their way to accommodate requests and ensure a comfortable stay. This level of attention made a big difference and stood out even by luxury hotel standards.

💆 Amenities – Impressive and Well Maintained The amenities at Hotel Macdonald are a strong point. The wellness facilities are top-notch for a historic property: a full fitness center, an indoor pool, a hot tub, sauna, steam room, and even squash courts. Everything was in working order and clean. The spa and wellness areas felt like a retreat in the middle of downtown.

🍽️ Dining & Food – Excellent Across the Board The food and dining experience were outstanding. The Harvest Room delivered exceptional meals made with fresh, high-quality ingredients. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus were all impressive, and the level of service matched the culinary experience.

The Confederation Lounge, with its historic ambiance and sweeping river valley views, is a gem. It’s a perfect spot to enjoy cocktails or a casual meal. Both the food and the atmosphere in the lounge were a highlight of the stay.

📍 Location – Ideal for Business & Leisure The location of the Fairmont Macdonald is one of its biggest strengths. Nestled right above the North Saskatchewan River, the property offers immediate access to Edmonton’s extensive river valley trails—perfect for walks, jogs, or taking in the natural beauty.

You're also within walking distance of the downtown core, the ICE District, Rogers Place, and the Edmonton Convention Centre. Whether you're in town for business, events, or sightseeing, it’s an extremely central and well-connected location.

✅ Final Thoughts – A Classic Worth Staying At Fairmont Hotel Macdonald offers a unique blend of historic charm, personalized service, top-tier amenities, and excellent dining. While the rooms themselves could benefit from a refresh, the overall experience more than makes up for it.

This is a hotel with soul, something increasingly rare today. If you appreciate character, thoughtful service, and a luxurious yet unpretentious setting, this hotel is absolutely worth considering. I’d gladly return and recommend it to both business and...

My husband and I decided that we were going to book the Fairmont Hotel for a date night downtown away from the kids. We were going to see the hockey game and I wanted to have a nice relaxing night to get ready and enjoy ourselves. When I made the booking I asked if we could be on a higher floor not to hear the noise from the restaurants and bar. I booked the Executive King Suite, I paid $50 extra for a late checkout so we could sleep in and not be rushed in the morning as well as the $50 for parking. We arrived for check in and I mentioned to the front desk about my request for a higher floor, I do this at every hotel especially when I travel for work. She apologized and explained she couldn't move me to a higher floor because they are doing reservations in the hotel. At no stage of my booking through the hotel website was there mention of renovations. She then proceeded to tell us we were on the 2nd floor and said we were selected as the guest of the night with a special surprise in our room. I asked if there was any other rooms which she indicated they were sold out because of the hockey game. It was too late to find another hotel and everything in the area was sold out so we took our keys and headed up in the elevator. When we arrived to our room it was right next to the elevator with a very busy hallway. I am already disappointed at this point but this was the only the beginning. When I say I have stayed at nicer Holiday Inns than this hotel room I am not exaggerating. The first thing we noticed was the door had a 3 inch gap at the bottom so you can hear everything in the hallway. The beige chairs had black stains on them as well as the ottoman. The king size bed had a sheet over what I think may have been a duvet cover but was so thin I couldn't tell, also there was no extra blankets in the room so I slept with my full pajama set on. The bed would almost tip over if you moved around and no we are not large people I'm 165lbs the bed was literally on its last leg. We go over to open the curtains to our river view which actually is a roof top that what can be best described as a structural disaster waiting to happen. Perhaps if I took my binoculars could I have seen the river in the distance. My husband went to pull his phone into the lamp/charging station next to the bed and it came forward and almost hit him in the head. We he turned the lamp over it had two of the front legs missing. I went to get changed into the robe so we could order dinner and relax and the robe was so hard with a nice big makeup stain down the back. The bathroom was no better looking like its from the 1940s, towels were hard and the shower had something broken off underneath the head and it was just hanging there. There was a nice black stain on the shower curtain just as you enter the shower. There was no insulation in the rooms so you can hear your neighbor talking as if they are in your room. Not to mention the wonderful renovations that woke us up 8:30 the next morning. Let me just say that I travel for work all over the world, I have travelled quite a bit both personally and professionally so I have seen all types of hotel rooms. When I stay at a Fairmont hotel that charges over $500+ per night and this is the quality you walk into it should be a crime to scam people like this. I will not be booking with the Fairmont again and I will make sure our friends and family hear about the experience we had. As a worldwide hotel if you cannot provide the luxury rooms that you are charging luxury prices for close the room until you can...