Luxury Hotels Atlas / Places / Canada / Edmonton / Fairmont Hotel Macdonald
Fairmont Hotel Macdonald
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada · Fairmont · High Luxury
Grand Trunk Pacific opened the Châteauesque Hotel Macdonald on July 5, 1915 on an Edmonton bluff above the North Saskatchewan River, naming it for Canada's first prime minister. Ross and Macdonald clad the turrets and copper roof in Indiana limestone; the facade and key interiors are a municipal historic resource. After CN closed the hotel and demolished the 1953 Box wing, Canadian Pacific spent $28 million and reopened the Mac on May 15, 1991.
- 198 rooms
- Opened 1915
- Neighborhood: Downtown
- Architect: Ross & MacFarlane
About Fairmont Hotel Macdonald
- It was one of the first two establishments reissued an Alberta liquor licence after the province repealed prohibition in 1924.
- The third-floor Queen Elizabeth suite, reached only by private elevator, was renovated for her 2005 tour of Alberta.
- Empire Ballroom bas-relief carvings stayed hidden under a false ceiling until the late-1980s restoration uncovered them.
- Before construction, the site held a squatters' camp nicknamed the Galician Hotel after Ukrainian-speaking migrants from Galicia.
History
Fairmont Hotel Macdonald opened in 1915 as a Canadian National Railway hotel, built in the Château-style by architects Ross & MacFarlane. Situated on a bluff overlooking the North Saskatchewan River valley, it has served as Edmonton's premier social gathering place for over a century. The hotel was named in honour of Sir John A. Macdonald, Canada's first Prime Minister. It was sold to Canadian Pacific Hotels in 1988 and was designated a Municipal Historic Resource in 1984.
The setting
8 km from Telus World of Science. 15 km from West Edmonton Mall.
Restaurants and bars
- The Harvest Room — Restaurant
- Confederation Lounge — Bar
- Happy Hour — Bar · Cocktails, local beer, select wines, shareable bites
- Fairmont Gold Lounge — Room service · Local culinary offerings
Experiences
- Fairmont Gold — Hotel-within-a-hotel with private lounge access, all-day honor bar, complimentary breakfast and afternoon canapes, and dedicated concierge.
- Wellness & Being — Multi-level health club with saltwater pool, whirlpool, outdoor sun deck, squash court and massage services.
- Sunday Brunch Buffet — Brunch in the Empire Ballroom with a sustainability-focused menu and live cooking stations.
- Weekend Afternoon Tea — Afternoon tea with signature sandwiches, pastries and a curated selection of Fairmont loose-leaf teas.
- Edmonton's Favourite Happy Hour — Twice-daily happy hour Sunday through Friday with cocktails, local beer, select wines and shareable bites.
- Festive Celebrations at the Castle — Holiday dining, traditions and winter stays in the hotel.
Amenities
- Spa
- Indoor pool
- Sauna
- Hot tub
- Fitness center
- Pet-friendly
Awards
- MICHELIN One Key (2026)
- AAA Four Diamond (2025)
Open Fairmont Hotel Macdonald in the atlas for live weekend rates, photos, and the full folio.
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