Fairmont Hotel Macdonald

We were only in Edmonton one night to see a hockey game but this hotel was really as comfortable and accommodating as you would come to expect from the Fairmont brand. It is conveniently located, very clean, and our room was quite comfortable and well appointed. The best part though was getting to spend time with the wonderful hotel doggie in the lobby! As good as everything else at the Macdonald was, we would return just to see him!

My family of five stayed in room 238 for a weekend and had one of the worst hotel experiences we've encountered. We were completely blindsided by a DJ event taking place directly below our suite. From evening until 1 AM, our room was filled with pounding bass and DJ announcements. None of us could sleep. This is a historic building with no soundproofing, and it felt like the event was happening in our room. What makes this experience even more frustrating is that when we raised this issue with hotel management, we learned these DJ events happen *weekly*. Yet at no point during booking or check-in were we informed that our room would be directly above a late-night event venue. When I asked why guests aren't notified of these events at check-in, I was told "these are business decisions." That response shows a complete disregard for guest experience. A simple heads-up would have allowed us to either choose a different room or make an informed decision about staying elsewhere. Instead, we paid premium prices for a sleepless night with our children. The Fairmont brand is known for luxury hospitality, but this location prioritizes event revenue over guest comfort without even the courtesy of disclosure. I cannot recommend staying here, especially with children, and would strongly advise future guests to specifically ask about events before booking. **Rating: 1/5 stars**

Everyone at this hotel was so kind and helpful--especially aiding me to print out our boarding passes. We had a spectacular view of the North Saskatchewan River from our room. It was a perfect spot to explore downtown Edmonton or to catch the LRT to explore the other neighborhoods. Our room was well appointed!

I took my wife here as a surprise for her Birthday and retirement and it did not disappoint. As locals we have known about this hotel for a very long time but never stayed. We are so glad we did. From the moment we drove up we were treated very well. The valet service was prompt and took great care with our vehicle. The bell service was quick and attentive. When we went to check in they advised us that they had upgraded our room free of charge due to our special occasion. Our upgrade gave us a premium river valley view that was spectacular. I had requested some items be ready in the room prior to arrival and all was done including a birthday dessert from the hotel. The hotel was immaculately clean and the newly renovated rooms were stunning. The outdoor patio restaurant and grounds were amazing and a real treat to relax in. Overall this hotel is a 5 star from all aspects and its historical roots are worth exploring. It is close to the arts district and a number of excellent restaurants I highly recommend staying here even if you are a local.

Cancelling a hotel booking that was booked in May, and advising patrons that they can book again at the higher rate is very poor business practices. Everyone who books here should be made aware of this.