The Concierge

Because of our small size, we provide our groups with a very personable and attentive service. From our dedicated sales and catering team, knowledgeable front office colleagues and the impeccable housekeeping staff, our entire team will ensure your group has a great experience from beginning to end. As concierge at The Fairmont Hotel Macdonald I have provided our guests with same-day international newspapers and last-minute executive transportation arrangements. We have also been known to save the day with requests at midnight for large amounts of color printing needed for a morning presentation, or suit cleaning and pressing and shoe shining for our guests. I remember recently lending out my own dress shirt and tie to a guest because an airline had lost the luggage of one of our guests and he desperately needed a shirt and tie for an early morning meeting.

What are your group restaurant recommendations?
For groups, just steps away from the hotel there is Sorrentino’s downtown. A local favorite for authentic Italian cuisine, they feature an extensive wine list and two private rooms that can be booked for corporate or private functions. Other local favorites include Von’s Steak & Fish House for a cut of our world famous Alberta beef or The Unheardof Restaurant for a taste of exotic local game meat.

If we only have an hour or two, what should we definitely check out nearby?
The city of Edmonton has lots to offer. The Fairmont Hotel Macdonald is in the middle of it all. If something local is what you want, then close to the hotel is the Muttart Conservatory or the Royal Alberta Museum. The Muttart Conservatory is located in the heart of the river valley and features plants and vegetation from four different climate zones. The Royal Alberta Museum features many different exhibits and showcases the diverse Alberta life and history. If you need to find that perfect souvenir or are just missing that perfect accessory for your evening attire, City Centre Shopping Centre is a block away from the hotel and has everything that one could need or want. The Gallery Walk on 124th Street is a collection of local art galleries featuring local art and artists as well as some trendy coffee and tea shops.

What has been an unusual request from a group?
A recent group staying at the hotel needed a 20-by-20-foot dance floor for an outside venue. They forgot to arrange one and asked the hotel if they knew or could provide one. Our team arranged for our dance floor to be transported to the venue just in time to save the day.

A memorable concierge moment was setting up a once-in-a-lifetime meeting with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. When she first stayed in 1951, a mother brought her daughter to the hotel to try to catch a glimpse of the queen. For her visit in 2005, the daughter wanted to bring her mother to meet the queen again. Our staff was able to arrange an official handshake and conversation with Her Majesty herself.

What’s a unique event that has taken place at your property?
Over the past years many groups have come and gone from the hotel. We are accustomed to accommodating groups and guests from all over the world. My first week working in the hotel we hosted Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Her entourage and herself took the top floors of the hotel and the hotel was swarming with activity for her stay with us. Other notable guests have included Sting, Brad Pitt, Mariah Carey, and the Rolling Stones.

A recent memorable group was the hosting of the auditions for the Canadian Idol television show. They set up their studio with a judges’ table right in our Empire Ballroom and were very happy with our hotel and the hospitality. They were so happy with us, they returned to the hotel for another season.