Empire Ballroom - Fairmont Hotel Macdonald

Review summary

1. D

   Donna

   Edmonton

   1 review

   3.0

   1 review

   Dined 1 day ago

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   The room is lovely, excellent service but the food was not up to their usual standards. Most was lukewarm ,overcooked only the omelet was excellent. Food was not being replenished. It was not the experience we were expecting.
   

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2. T

   Tracy

   Vancouver

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   A lovely Holiday experience. The food is good, however not great. Many of the hot dishes were not warm enough (sitting out too long?) . Would be a nice touch to include a mimosa or Holiday cocktail in the $100 fee.
   

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3. C

   Corey

   Edmonton

   5 reviews

   5.0

   5 reviews

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 5

   Great experience, looking forward to our next visit.
   

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4. B

   Brenda

   Edmonton

   2 reviews

   5.0

   2 reviews

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Beautiful setting, fantastic food, excellent service.
   

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5. B

   Brent

   Edmonton

   3 reviews

   3.0

   3 reviews

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 3

   Over the past few years it seems that they are cutting corners and costs more and more. This is an expensive brunch yet the value keeps dropping. I could hear many people asking about the fresh squeezed orange juice. It was delicious in the past but nowhere to be found now. Instead, you need to ask for it from your server. 10 min later you get a watered down version. The buffet you see to expand down the hall, now it is small. Wet few meat and seafood options compared to fresh grilled tenderloin, prime rib and many seafood options before. This used to be a great buffet. Not anymore.
   

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6. D

   David

   Cancun

   3 reviews

   1.0

   3 reviews

   Dined on 15 December 2024

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Food was cold and not to Fairmont quality. Been there many many times before.
   

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7. w

   wendy

   Calgary

   9 reviews

   3.0

   9 reviews

   Dined on 15 December 2024

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 5

   This was our third Christmas brunch gathering at the Fairmont to celebrate a year of hard work and friendship together. We were so excited to go as the previous two brunch experiences here had been spectacular- beautiful food displays, exceptional service and atmosphere. What you would expect at the Fairmont- expectations exceeded. This year we were sorely disappointed… we were kept waiting for more than 30 minutes past our reservation time with the excuse they were backlogged - we didn’t mind at first but then realized at around the 25 minute mark it seemed the maitre D had actually forgotten we were there until our men went to track him down. The food selection and displays were noticeably paired down and even a few of the chafing dishes were empty or with “old” food in them. The whole experience was very disappointing all around. To their credit the staff did apologize for the wait and took 15 per cent off the bill and brought us a complimentary bottle of Prosecco and Orange juice. Even so we are not sure we will come back again to drop hundreds of dollars for what turned out to be a brunch buffet that was not much different than a middle of the road meal…
   

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8. M

   Mark

   Vancouver

   4 reviews

   5.0

   4 reviews

   Dined on 15 December 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Great from the start greeted as soon as you get to the door shown right to our seat. Service AAA+++ Coffies and drinks are always full. Food was excellent
   

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9. B

   Brandi

   Calgary

   5 reviews

   3.0

   5 reviews

   Dined on 8 December 2024

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 5

   The beautiful decor and food were amazing. However, the bill paying experience was confusing, time consuming and ridiculous. There were ten of us for the festive brunch. They insisted on giving us one bill which was $1350. Obviously we wanted separate bills. We are not family. Our server went back and forth several times to discuss the situation, saying he could maybe split up up in two, then four, then came back with three bills for 3.3 meals each. This made no sense. Then the valet told us at time of check out that we needed cash. It’s 2024 - this should not have been difficult. Again, delicious food. Strange customer service.
   

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10. L

    Luela

    Calgary

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on 8 December 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 2

    The food was great, staff are amazing and attentive. The ballroom itself with the beautiful ceiling and chandeliers are amazing but the tables need better centrepieces and the chairs need upgrading. They looked old and uncomfortable.
    

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