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Five stars for Calgary's charming, luxurious Fairmont Palliser

Details like great staff, superb location and comfortable rooms make Calgary's Fairmont Palliser outstanding. Linda Solomon takes you there.

Fairmont Palliser Gold room

The epicenter of Canada's booming gas and oil industry and the banking business that supports it, Calgary is also the last urban stop for vacation travellers heading for the Canadian Rockies.  Recently named by The Economist the fifth most livable city in North America,  Calgary  boasts a distinctly Canadian culture and charm that is easy to enjoy with a stay at the incomparable Fairmont Palliser.

 Set in the heart of the city, The Fairmont Palliser is a historical landmark itself offering distinctive accommodation in elegant surroundings. The hotel is centrally located, making it an easy walk to business appointments or tourist stops.  It is connected by skywalk to the Calgary Tower, TELUS Convention Centre, The Glenbow Museum, and the EPCOR Centre for Performing Arts. Unique shops, dining venues and entertainment are located just steps away from the hotel.  The hotel is less than a 25 minute drive from Calgary International Airport.

The Fairmont Palliser's newly renovated Fairmont Gold floors and Fairmont Gold Lounge, offer an environment where you can truly relax, and be made to feel special by a service-oriented team who know how to deliver excellent service.

The 99-year-old hotel is rich in character and charm and its 73 Fairmont Gold guest rooms feature luxurious rooms and amenities that cater to the corporate traveler.  But Fairmont Gold will also please couples,  families and groups of friends, seeking a little extra pampering, like the five women friends I met who were visiting from Montreal, in search of quality time together and a little extra pampering.

Crowning it all is the new Gold Lounge, located on the hotel's penthouse level.  In a room filled with lush couches and stylish decor,  I enjoyed catching up on email and impeccable food and beverage service. The  tranquil setting was accented by panoramic views of the city skyline, as seen from Calgary's Ninth Avenue.

All rooms are equipped with high-speed internet access, voice mail, in-room movies, refreshment centre, and a computer / modem hookup. Additionally, all hotel guests have complimentary access to the pool, hot tub and health club. Other services available include meeting facilities, concierge, business amenities and in-room massage/esthetics services.

Dining at the Fairmont Palliser is a multi-generational pleasure. The Rimrock offers a range of healthy, locally-sourced gourmet dishes that take into account pleasing gourmands of all stripes: omnivores, vegetarians and vegans. 

Calgary’s landmark hotel is privileged to have Paul Peddle as The Fairmont Palliser’s executive chef.  Peddle brings 16 years of hospitality experience to his position at the Rimrock Restaurant and Oak Room Lounge, as well as the food and beverage operations of the hotel.   Before coming to Calgary, chef Peddle was executive sous chef at The Fairmont Dallas. Prior to his time in Texas, he was the banquet sous chef at the Fairmont Château Laurier, restaurant chef at the Fairmont Algonquin and banquet sous chef at The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. 

The meat-eaters in my family found chef Peddle's dishes delicious. My son, who had spent the day touring the campus at University of Calgary, ordered the pan roasted duck breast, while my mother ordered "Duo of Lamb: Sous Vide Lamb Loin and Lamb Meatball." I had the Prime Bone Ribeye.  Each dish evoked exclamations and praise.  The starters included "French Onion Soup Made of Clam Chowder," salad with mixed greens and "Tuna Crudo", which was ginger soy marinated tuna, avocado puree, orange segments and jalapeno. 

Desert was the pinnacle of a wonderful evening: "Classic Angel Food Cake with seasonal berries and mandarin orange sorbet, "Creme Brulee with Peach Sorbet" and "Meyers Lemon Tart with Mascarpone Cream", all enjoyed by the fire and expertly serviced.

The spa is another delicious luxury the hotel offers guests.

Fairmont Palliser pool

If you're seeking service, comfort, and a convenient location in Alberta's premier city,  The Fairmont Palliser will provide you with that and more. 

Photo below: Fairmont Pallisers now

 Fairmont Pallisers then...

Fairmont Pallisers historical photograph

 

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