CC Homemaker

We spent last weekend in Calgary. Whenever we go to Calgary, we stay at the Fairmont Palliser.

Photo credit: The Fairmont Palliser - Photos

It’s a beautiful historical building.

Photo credit: The Fairmont Palliser - Photos

During off-season (winter), provided it’s not a long weekend, the rates are reasonable, especially when they have a sale.

I love the elegant, traditional decor of Fairmont properties in general. The Palliser’s lobby is always tastefully done, and it currently features a gorgeous tree.

My one beef with the Palliser is the outdated rooms, which are sorely in need of a facelift.

To illustrate, here’s a photo of the bed (during our previous stay at the Palliser).

Not bad? Wait till you take a step back:

I don’t think I need to point out the obvious.



I do like the desk chair, though.

The bathrooms were simple enough, but the florals do make a minor appearance in the valance.

Back on the lobby level, the lounge wasn’t hideous, but it was kind of…meh.

Not digging the casters on the chairs. Looked a little too much like an Irish pub to me (don’t get me wrong, love Irish pubs, but not appropriate at the Fairmont).

The room we checked into this weekend was smaller – one window instead of three, and no wingchair and ottoman – so the upside was that there were fewer gaudy florals.

There’s that couch again. *shudder* And the chair is ugly this time.

I did appreciate the original blueprints of the hotel framed as artwork on the walls, though.

Thankfully, the hotel is currently undergoing renovations and upgrades, and they promise new “timeless” decor. Fingers crossed.

On a somewhat unrelated note, here are two must-do’s in Calgary (besides the Stampede, of course):

Go to Peters’ Drive-In for a burger and fries. And if not because I said so, because Wolverine said so.

Yes, that cup of fries IS the size of the steering wheel. Not bad for three bucks.

Go to Crate & Barrel at Southcentre Mall. OK, this might’ve just been a big deal to me because there currently isn’t a Crate & Barrel in either Edmonton or Vancouver.

I had a very bad experience at Crate & Barrel the first time I went there, simply because I was ignored by ALL the staff the entire hour I was there. However, during my second time there I was acknowledged by two of the staff, so it was OK. And I guess I can’t be too mad because they have such gorgeous stuff that’s totally my style.

I got my only two non-Dollarama Christmas decorations (this year) there, as well as two bentwood trays, bamboo chopsticks (I HEART bamboo kitchen utensils, for whatever reason), and a salt mill.

Photo credit: Crate & Barrel

And one day I will buy a sofa there.