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Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Welcome to Canada's most dynamic city and Calgary's premier hotel. Centrally located in downtown Calgary, Fairmont Palliser is conveniently situated near the city's business and financial district and is within walking distance to the city's most exciting retail shopping, arts, culture and entertainment venues. Join us for all-day dining in Hawthorn Dining Room and Bar; Classic Cocktails in the Lounge; and traditional Afternoon Tea on Saturday and Sunday. We invite you to sit back and relax with friends and family at our iconic hotel.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Accor Hotels.
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
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The Fairmont Palliser hotel garners appreciation for its cleanliness, with many guests enjoying the spacious and well-kept rooms. Its charming atmosphere and prime location in downtown Calgary are highlights, although some guests find parts of the hotel a bit outdated. While the service receives compliments for being attentive, a few visitors have encountered slow responses.
Room opinions are divided due to noise and maintenance issues. Guests are pleased with amenities like the Gold Lounge, but the value is debated, especially regarding food quality and extra costs.
Location
Convenient
Atmosphere
Charming
Rooms
Comfortable
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Meticulous
Service
Inconsistent
Amenities
Outstanding
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My family and I had a wonderful staycation at the Fairmont Gold, Calgary Palliser because the staff are the absolute best and the true asset of this hotel.
From booking with Sana who gave me great recommendations and advice on what is the best room for our family. Ended up booking a two rooms at the Gold floor. The Valet Parking dude is so great lifting luggages, a hard job for him but still carries on an awesome character. Okazana welcomed us with her sincere smile and a coffe for me and hot coco for the kids, Neha and Jameson are the golden duo at the Gold floor. Beautiful people that works so hard and efficiently making sure that guests are well looked after. Jameson also have one of the prettiest face on earth. He should cast as one of the leading man in Hallmark christmas movies. Abe is so wonderful looking after the breakfast room ensuring there is enough for evryone. Everyone in the team is working hand in hand in the front desk and at the same making sure that the gold lounge is tidy and well put together.
Rooms are meh, no toilletries no coffee maker or tea packets , no plush robes as incicated in the booking but was totally fine because we just use it for sleep as we stroll around Calgary area when we arrived and head to Fairmont Banff Springs the following day which my sister booked for us. Justin Beaber woke us all up at 5am as the alarm clock went on singing. Perhaps the other guest before us set it up and forget to turn it off. We were all tired on one of the rooms because of that,have not had a feedback in the other room.
🌸The most deserving 10 out of 10 goes to the amazing staff of this Calagry Fairmont Palliser property!🌸
Date of stay: January 2025Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
After a week at the Fairmont Palliser, I am convinced that there is no better hotel in Calgary. From the moment we pulled up to the valet, to a very smooth check-in on the gold floor level everything went well. The room was spacious and clean, the bed very comfortable and the Palliser Gold Floor staff had a welcome fruit platter placed in the room. The lounge was excellent. It is located on the top floor with very large windows facing south. The food offerings for morning breakfast were sumptuous. Sweet and savory, as well as oatmeal, cheeses, meats, smoked salmon lox and every kind of juice you could want as well as smoothies. Evening canapes varied each day and were delicious. The pool at the Palliser is styled after a Greco-Roman bath with pillars and comfortable chairs around the pool. The first hour of the morning and the last hour of the evening is adults only. Housekeeping came twice a day, once in the morning and then a turndown service in the evening.
The valet was quick and efficient. Each day when the car was ordered, it was ready to go about 10-15 minutes later. The gold floor staff are accommodating, helpful and discreet. Overall, the staff, the facilities and the food was outstanding. They have certainly earned my loyalty.
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Date of stay: August 2024
Value
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Location
Cleanliness
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Trip type: Travelled with friends
Room Tip:Â Gold floor rooms are worth the premium price. While a separate company from the Fairmont, the spa...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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We stayed at the hotel through a Travelzoo deal, which came with a $100 food credit. We dined in the Hawthorne Bar for dinner, which had live entertainment and delicious food. The room was modern and sufficient in size. The toiletries were Le Labo, and the room had a Nespresso machine with pods, and fancy tea. Staff members were efficient. Self parking is far, but as we were there on the weekend, was a fraction of the cost to valet. As a heads up, self parking is very far. My children enjoyed the hotel, from the pool to the large communal spaces, especially in the lobby area. Location was great. Hotel is just beautiful.
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Date of stay: March 2024
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Â The restaurant has a nice atmosphere, good food and is beautiful.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We waited for about two hours and nothing arrived so we opted to order a snack and some beverages of which one the kitchen did not appear to have.
One of the things that we noted upon arriving to the room was that there was what appeared to be some snot on the blanket on the bed as we were now exhausted and just wanted to get through the evening as we had a long day the next day, we flipped the blanket And proceeded to go to bed.
Upon waking up and preparing ourselves to leave, we made our way to the front desk and checked out at which point we requested the valet bring the vehicle around. I was very unhappy to find that the included wash with a valet service that is noted on the website was not completed on the vehicle at all. The valet on duty at that time was a charming man, and I don’t suspect that this was his fault as he appeared to be different than the valet. We had the night before. I was never provided with an invoice that showed the total, but I suspect I was charged for the valet, which is what I had anticipated however was let down that the vehicle remained in the exact shape that I had given to them, this is not the first time that I have stayed with the Fairmont brand, however I was let down after having my hopes built up the night before by the representative having not prompted it myself. It’s one thing to offer a service. It’s another to promise more and not deliver. I’ve waited a really long time before sending this survey as I wanted to take the time to make sure that I highlighted how much of a letdown it was to stay at the Palliser for what should be the most magical night of my life I realize that I did not opt for a wedding suite or any additional services as we had not planned to stay long and we just wanted a night away from family that was in town at the time. I do hope that someone takes the time to reach out to me as I’m still somewhat upset that no one has bothered to follow up as I’ve had in the past with other Fairmont establishments.
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Date of stay: September 2024
Value
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Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Fairmont Palliser, Other at Fairmont Palliser
Responded Oct 15, 2024
Dear G3617YKadamn, Thank you for sharing the details of your recent stay, and please accept our heartfelt apologies for the disappointment you experienced, especially on such a significant occasion. We truly regret that the service you received did not meet your expectations or the high standards we aim to provide. We would greatly appreciate the opportunity to connect with you personally and investigate the matter further. Could you kindly email us directly at winkie.franiatfairmont.com? We want to ensure that your concerns are addressed thoughtfully and that we learn from this to improve our future guest experiences. Once again, we are deeply sorry for any frustration caused, and we hope to restore your confidence in us. Warm regards, Winkie Frani Executive Assistant
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
My recent interaction with the hotel's phone help line left much to be desired. I called in to request a rubber bath mat for my room, a simple accommodation one would expect from any reputable establishment. However, the frustration began almost immediately.
Upon dialing 0, I was greeted by a lady who, Maria or Darla.,unfortunately, struggled to communicate in English. Her difficulty in understanding my request was evident from the outset. After repeating myself several times and spelling out "rubber bath mat" slowly, I was assured that my request would be fulfilled promptly.
Shortly thereafter, a hotel staff arrived at my door carrying a yoga mat. Yes, you read that correctly—a yoga mat. Despite my explicit request for a rubber bath mat to prevent slipping in the shower, I received a yoga mat more suited for a morning sun salutation than for bathroom safety.
The sheer frustration of trying to explain such a basic need and then receiving an entirely unrelated item was palpable. It's disappointing when a simple request turns into a convoluted ordeal due to communication barriers. One expects a certain level of service and comprehension when contacting a hotel's help line, especially in a reputable hotel where international guests are the norm.
While the hotel itself is comfortable and well-appointed, this experience with the phone help line has left a sour taste in my mouth. Clear communication should be a priority in hospitality, and unfortunately, that was sorely lacking in this instance. For future guests, I would recommend double-checking any requests made over the phone to ensure they are understood correctly—a lesson learned the hard way.
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Date of stay: February 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We moved from the Marriott less than a block away as this hotel was booked as part of our gold level reservation with the Rocky Mountaineer. Upon entering our room, we were struck by an overwhelming smell of unclean carpet due to a dirty vacuum. It doesn’t take much to clean the filter and change out the canister or bag. It was a horrible smell that did not dissipate and we were happy that we were only there for one night. The room overlooked a large bank of windows of another hotel and although the bed was comfortable, the decor was dated, and although the lobby is palatial and grand the room we were in did not reflect this grandeur. I would recommend Rocky Mountaineer begin to partner with Marriott! Compared to our other “deluxe“ accommodations at the other locations where we stayed, this hotel paled by comparison. I set out on this journey with relatively few expectations, yet this property was disappointing from a cleanliness perspective which we consider one of the most basic aspects of a hotel stay.
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Date of stay: August 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: We should have asked for a different room yet we were there for less than 12 hours so it didn’t...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I booked the Fairmont for New Years Eve since I had booked the Fairmont in Toronto for New Years Eve the prior year. In Toronto they had a DJ and gave out party favors at the Fairmont. At the Fairmont Calgary there was no music in the bar when they normally have live music in the bar from 5pm to 10pm every night. It made no sense to cancel the Live Music at the Bar. The employees said that there would be live music at the restaurant adjacent but that tickets were sold out. The management said you would be able to hear the music in the bar from the restaurant. I did not hear nor see any music in the restaurant. There was no music in the Bar. There were no party favors nor decorations for New Years. It was a rather somber affair compared to the Fairmont Toronto. I had called the Hotel prior to New Years and asked for Live Music at the hotel and I even offered to pay something additional for the live music. I asked They said this was not possible. I asked several employees to provide some live music or even a DJ. They said they had 2 weddings set that night in their ballrooms. However, the ballrooms were shut and you did not see any activity from the ballrooms filter into the Bar Area. At about 7pm on New Years the staff at the bar said they did not know if there would be any music. They were completely uniformed. Regrettably, all Fairmont Hotels are not created equally. Fairmont Calgary should celebrate the New Year in the same style as the Fairmont Bar in Toronto. Give the Guest something to look forward to in the New Year. I canceled my last nights reservation at this Hotel as it was time to move. Avoid this hotel if you want to celebrate the New Year. Eric Stupel Miami Florida
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Date of stay: December 2024Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Just returned home from spending the afternoon at the spa before returning home to the us. Decided to spend a few hours at the spa before my flight. Wish I hadn’t. At first walking into the Fairmont it was a beautiful property and the spa looked nice and well kept, I was wrong.
They don’t offer day passes so you have to buy a service which was fine they were able to get me in for a pedicure. I had an hour before my pedicure, so I thought I’d enjoy their facility’s Upon walking into the ladies locker room I noticed several robes on the floor and sandals. As I understand the spa cannot control people leaving the used robes on the ground it shows that the attendants were not on it or doing their job as they were there for several hours
I decided to fry a tea and relax in the quiet room whilst waiting for my service. The cups for the coffee/tea machine were too big to fit under the dispenser so made it awkward to fill my cup, no one around to ask for another cup The quiet room is situated next to the pool but I came to realize the pool isn’t just for spa guests but for the entire hotel so kids were playing and screaming which is fine but definitely not a spa atmosphere
The lady who did my pedicure although very sweet and very nice was one of the worst pedicures I’ve ever had. She didn’t massage my feet or legs she was way too gentle with “cleaning up my feet”, it almost felt as if this was one of her first times giving a pedicure It took over 75 mins which normally would have been nice if I had received a nice massage and foot rub but no, I just sat there not relaxed in cold water
The spa needs updating the toilet seats are old and beaten up. For a Fairmont you would expect a much nicer spa and better service I would never go back to this spa it’s not worth the money and it’s far from relaxing
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Date of stay: October 2023Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
These guys need to up their game. The first thing that put us off was when we checked in and they tried to upsell us to a bigger room – kind of tacky. There was no shelf space for toiletries in bathroom and it needed some towel bars. The bathroom fan was very loud. The towels were nowhere near the quality I’d expect in a 5-star hotel – they were rather thin and not quite white. Poor water pressure. There were 2 chairs, but neither was terribly comfortable – one was a desk chair. The side table was tiny and nowhere near the chair. Lighting was dim. They gave us a coupon for a glass of sparkling wine or a dessert for our anniversary, which we appreciated. The room was bigger than we expected, which was nice. But, the flat pillows were lumpy and made from foam and the duvet covers were of some synthetic material that bunched up inside and looked like a little mountain range in the middle of the bed – no nice fluffy down here. There were 2 luggage racks but they were so flimsy we were sure they’d hold up under the luggage. The Wi-Fi was very slow. And there was this trough in the middle of the floor – kind of like the carpeting had been laid over a seam in a concrete floor. The room really needed dusting, especially the “hidden” things like vents, tissue boxes and baseboards. The heater in the bathroom looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in years – and it was rusting and in need of paint. On one dresser the knob was falling off a drawer. This old building did have some wonderful vintage touches – we loved the high ceilings, wood trim & moldings and glass doorknobs. The concierges didn’t seem to know much. When we asked about things to do they steered us to shopping and restaurants, never telling us about Fort Calgary, the free train throughout downtown, the Glenbow Museum or Studio Bell (the Canadian National Music Centre). When we asked about transportation to the airport, she had to Google it to find out! Then she didn’t know how long a cab would take – “maybe 40 minutes?” – it took 20. One night the elevators weren’t working for over an hour – and they spent lots of time trying to open stairwells for people to use. They finally got 1 elevator working, but really didn’t seem to have good contingency plans. The main entrance needed cleaning and the rug replacing – the hotel’s logo was almost worn completely away. And the exterior trach bins were overflowing. It certainly was not a 4-star hotel and we would likely not return here.
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Date of stay: June 2022
Value
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Fairmont Palliser, Other at Fairmont Palliser
Responded Oct 19, 2022
We appreciate your taking the time to tell us about your experience. We are disheartened to learn that this happened during your stay and we intend to investigate this thoroughly. Should you wish to discuss this in more detail, please do not hesitate to reach our executive office at palliser@fairmont.com.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Beautiful hotel with so much old world ambience. I love the main entrance with the huge hall. The ceilings are amazing and there are mouldings and mirrors and chandeliers. The welcome we received upon arriving was great and we had no problems with checking in or our keys the entire time we stayed. Wifi is free. The room was like stepping back into time blended with the modern world. The carpet appears vintage and the door knobs for the walk in closet and bathroom were glass. High ceilings were great. The huge window even opened a crack. Not a great seal on it though as there was a draft and even though the thermostat was simple I couldn’t figure it out. The mini bar was stocked and expensive so we just looked. The espresso machine made great coffee. The bathroom was nice and everything worked as it should. The beds were very comfortable and the linens were smooth and clean. Pillows were great too. The pool was very cool with blue lights and small tiles. The hot tub was not working so that was a disappointment. The steam room was working great so we used that but had really been looking forward to a good soak. Even though the building is very old, things were clean and maintained. As we left the Christmas trees and all the decorations were being hung. So beautiful!! We enjoyed our stay and would definitely return.
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Date of stay: November 2023Trip type: Travelled with friends
Room Tip:Â Parking is difficult. Use valet if possible. Pool is in the basement. Not set up for kids so...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear guest,
Thank you for your question!
It can take up to an hour depending on how many stops will have to Allied Shuttle bus make. It usually picks up guests from other hotels located in downtown as well.
Please let us know if you have any further questions.
Sincerely,
Lucia Kubackova
Communications Manager
Fairmont Palliser
There are more places to choose from in the Calgary area.
PRICE RANGE
C$252 - C$510 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
the fairmont palliser hotel calgary, fairmont hotel calgary, fairmont hotel palliser, fairmont calgary, calgary fairmont
LOCATION
CanadaAlbertaCalgaryDowntown
NUMBER OF ROOMS
407
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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