Fairmont Palliser

Calgary, Alberta

Star rating

The hotel

Fairmont Palliser first opened its doors to guests in 1914 as one of the Canadian Pacific Railroad Hotels. Today it’s one of Calgary’s landmark buildings, offering a superb range of amenities and luxury accommodation in the heart of downtown. Dining at the Rimrock is essential whilst here, an incredible Tudor-style restaurant with barrelled ceilings and massive stone fireplace. Don’t miss out on the hotel’s award-winning Sunday Brunch, served in the grand lobby and accompanied by live piano music – book early to avoid disappointment. For drinks and entertainment, there’s the Oak Room, a cosmopolitan meeting space, serving tapas and cocktails along with some very cool jazz. If you want to pamper yourself, RnR Wellness Spa offers the latest beauty treatments whilst the Boulevard Club features a eucalyptus steam room, 12-person spa and an indoor heated swimming pool.

Amenities

  • Bar
  • Spa
  • Swimming Pool
  • Valet parking
  • Fitness Centre/Gym
  • Close to City Centre
  • Restaurant

Where is it

In the centre of town and connected to attractions via the Plus 15 Walkway system. Another city landmark, the Calgary Tower, is just next door. Transfer time from Calgary Airport: 25 minutes.

Hotel information

407 rooms on 11 floors in 1 building. All with air-conditioning, cable TV, telephone, WiFi access*, mini-bar*, tea/coffee making facilities, hairdryer, bathrobe and iron and board. Fairmont Rooms with 1 king-size bed, 1 queen-size bed or 2 double beds, sleeping maximum 4 adults or 2 adults and 2 children.

Junior Suites are ideal for families, with either 1 king-size bed, 1 queen-size bed or 2 double beds, sleeping maximum 4 adults or 2 adults and 2 children.

1 Bedroom Suites have a spacious seating area with large windows and a separate bedroom area with bathroom. With either 1 king-size bed and a double sofa bed or 1 queen-size bed and a double sofa bed, sleeping maximum 3 adults or 2 adults and 1 child.

Fairmont Gold Rooms are found on a private concierge floor with upgraded services and amenities. Rooms are newly renovated and complete with modern business amenities including a CD player/alarm radio, complimentary shoeshine and nightly turndown service, morning delivery of coffee, tea or juice and choice of newspaper. With either 1 king-size bed, 1 queen-size bed or 2 double beds, sleeping maximum 2 adults.

Fairmont Gold benefits include:

  • Private check-in
  • Exclusive lounge access
  • Continental breakfast and afternoon canapés
  • Complimentary DVD's, books and games
  • Computer access in the lounge
  • In-room internet access

Hawthorn Dining Room & Bar (open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, weekend brunch and late-night happy hour). Starbucks. Afternoon tea*. The Boulevard Club - fitness centre with indoor swimming pool, large whirlpool, eucalyptus steam room, aerobics and gym. RnR Wellness Spa*. In-room massage treatments*. Self-parking CA$42 plus tax, per day Sun-Thu, CA$30 plus tax, per day Fri-Sat (payable locally, subject to change).

Please be aware that this property may be unsuitable for some guests due to 9 steps at the entrance. Wheelchair adapted rooms with partially accessible amenities or facilities available on request. Please note that these rooms are subject to availability and may be restricted to specific room categories and bedding arrangements. Rooms and facilities vary between hotels so please check at the time of booking. For more information and contact details please check out our Special Assistance page

*Denotes local charge.

Rating summary

  • Location Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Sleep Quality Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Rooms Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Service Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Value Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Cleanliness Image of the Tripadvisor rating

Traveller rating

  • Excellent (2003)
  • Very good (960)
  • Average (371)
  • Poor (190)
  • Terrible (115)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Great service & comfort

Jul 22, 2025 Davide V Montreal, Canada

I stayed at the Fairmont Palliser in Calgary for six nights during a business trip and I was very happy with the level of service and overall experience. The staff made me feel welcome. I inquired about the possibility of switching rooms since I wasn't appointment what I had originally requested and the staff looked into it and kept me updated… Read more
I stayed at the Fairmont Palliser in Calgary for six nights during a business trip and I was very happy with the level of service and overall experience. The staff made me feel welcome. I inquired about the possibility of switching rooms since I wasn't appointment what I had originally requested and the staff looked into it and kept me updated via text, which I thought was a convenient touch. This hotel exceeded my expectations in terms of service and comfort and I would happily return on my future trips to Calgary. Highly recommended! Read less
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Jul 21, 2025 Maria Arianna T

The services we received from the Heartists were one of the best we've experienced. We stay at the Palliser every time we visit Calgary and this time we had a great opportunity to be upgraded to a signature suite that faces the city. My only comment would be that the room was not up to par...My baby (1 year old) found an empty can of vodka soda… Read more
The services we received from the Heartists were one of the best we've experienced. We stay at the Palliser every time we visit Calgary and this time we had a great opportunity to be upgraded to a signature suite that faces the city. My only comment would be that the room was not up to par...My baby (1 year old) found an empty can of vodka soda under the lounge chair by the TV, and when I took a shower the next morning, I noticed that the the hair conditioner & shower gel were empty. The worst experience was that the bed linens had dried food spill (or it could be human waste) when it was unravelled, and the pillows smelled like sweat, we did not use the pillows. I wish I said something sooner to address it, but I want to give the hotel grace. My husband and I are heartists ourselves and we all do our best to turn things around for our guests. I am hoping that this will not happen again as we prefer staying at the Fairmont Palliser whenever we visit Calgary and stay in the city for a night or two. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating A Perfect Stay at the Fairmont Palliser: Comfort, Service, and Prime Location

Jul 18, 2025 Munro1954 San Francisco, California

We stayed at the Fairmont Palliser in Calgary because Fairmont is our go-to hotel brand—and once again, it didn’t disappoint. We chose to upgrade to the Gold level, which turned out to be a great value considering all the perks, like a delicious full breakfast and evening appetizers in the private Gold Lounge. The staff was… Read more
We stayed at the Fairmont Palliser in Calgary because Fairmont is our go-to hotel brand—and once again, it didn’t disappoint. We chose to upgrade to the Gold level, which turned out to be a great value considering all the perks, like a delicious full breakfast and evening appetizers in the private Gold Lounge. The staff was exceptional—friendly, professional, and truly made us feel welcome at every turn. Our room was spacious, and the mattress and pillows were honestly some of the best we’ve ever slept on—we woke up feeling completely refreshed. The location couldn’t have been better—right in the heart of downtown Calgary, close to everything we needed. If you’re visiting Calgary and want comfort, convenience, and top-notch service, this is absolutely the place to stay. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Extremely underwhelming with no service to speak of. do not recommend.

Jul 16, 2025 Dana H New York City, New York

So underwhelming that I am not sure we'll ever stay at another Fairmont hotel ever again. On arrival, the city was over 30 degree and the AC for the entire hotel was not working. Hotel didn't think it was necessary to inform the guests when checking in. We were BOILING in our room, and thought we were too dumb to figure out how to use the AC. I… Read more
So underwhelming that I am not sure we'll ever stay at another Fairmont hotel ever again. On arrival, the city was over 30 degree and the AC for the entire hotel was not working. Hotel didn't think it was necessary to inform the guests when checking in. We were BOILING in our room, and thought we were too dumb to figure out how to use the AC. I tried calling Concierge, waited online for over 15 mins and no one answered. I eventually went downstairs only to be informed: AC is broken indefinitely and Concierge was off so no one would answer the call. Except, the IVR (interactive voice recording) never said there's an operating hour and kept on saying "please hold for the next available agent". The best hotel could offer was to send us water and a bucket of ice. The next day - AC was still not fixed. Same thing -- you call Concierge and no one answered (b/c they are still not working and IVR is still not set up correctly). This time when I went downstairs, the front desk manager promised to send me water/ice "immediately". I waited for 2 hours and no one showed up. I was working from the room that day and I worked while SWEATING. By the afternoon, I asked again, this time, I was told "at least you don't have a room facing west, they have it worse". Then I got delivered 2 giant buckets of ice. To me, that really came off as "everyone is hot, go fu*k off with your complains". AC was fixed by the evening of the 2nd day. Overall, service was extremely lacking. You go for breakfast, it takes 5 mins for the host to sit a group and half of the restaurant was empty. really disappointing stay. do not recommend. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Loved it as a resting place after a long flight and horrid stop over in LAX - nightmare experience

Jul 11, 2025 Ann Y Melbourne, Australia

Top of the range hotel Stayed in Gold Leaf room which was huge and beautifully furnished and 2 queen beds Was extremely busy as Calgary Stampede was on so lounge downstairs was extremely noisy full of cowboy hats and boots ,so was wonderful to be in Gold Leaf away from all that excitement - just arrived from Australia and was exhausted