Confederation Lounge

It was my first-​ever high tea experience. High tea originated from England back in the past. It’s usually tea accompanied by scones and finger foods, viewed as a light meal enjoyed during the day. The Fairmont offers two options for high tea: royal tea & tour and weekday high tea. Royal tea occurs on the weekends and includes a historic tour as well for $ 45. Weekday tea is available Monday to Wednesday without a tour or sparkling wine for $ 25.
I attended the weekday option. I’m assuming that it’s busier on weekends because when I went, it was nice and quiet. The lounge provided a very cozy environment while overlooking the river valley. Service was excellent and attentive, I felt like a queen! Reservations are required beforehand because as soon as we arrived, our table was already set up. The food came out within 5 minutes.
The menu changes quite often, almost monthly. Although everything is a finger food, it gets very filling in the end! The food is accompanied by hot tea, of course. There is a quite selection of tea to choose from with refills being constantly made through the afternoon.
There was a choice of 2 scones to start off with, classic and raspberry white chocolate. They were buttery and crumbly, which is how a scone should be. The scones came with Devonshire cream and mixed berry compote to be spread with. For the savoury finger sandwiches, there were four different ones. The organic egg salad was served on brioche bread. It was one of the more lighter sandwiches. There was sundried tomato bruschetta on focaccia which was flavorful. The smoked salmon pinwheel was my favorite! Good thing each person got 2 portions. It was wrapped with cream cheese. It’s funny because normally I’m not a big salmon friend. The pinwheel was fresh and delicious though! Lastly, we had Moroccan spiced chicken salad croissant sandwiches. This one was the savoriest out of the four. By the time my friend and I reached the dessert part, we were almost full! For dessert, we had cute lemon and strawberry tartlets. The crust was incredibly flaky. We also had red velvet madeleines and house made cheesecake.
Overall, I had a great high tea experience! I would certainly return for a second time. I recommend trying it out if you’ve never been to high tea or if you want to catch up with a few close friends. Don’t forget to make reservations and wear your favorite outfit!

A great winter spot here in Edmonton, especially when you’re lucky to sit by the fireplace.
Great crowd, great atmosphere! Real unique drink selection too. Have always been treated really well by the staff there.

I’ll be honest, after getting married at the Hotel Mac, I have a sentimental soft spot for the hotel. That being said, Confederation Lounge is one of my favorite spots to have a drink or meal in the city, at any time of the year. Confederation Lounge is so classy, with tall ceilings, a large fireplace and huge chairs you can sink into on a cold evening in the winter. Even though it feels very elegant, it’s also comfortable enough to go while in jeans. In warmer months, you can drink and dine on the patio, featuring some of the best views of Edmonton’s river valley in the city. When it is snowy and dark out, the interior is cozy and welcoming, with low ambient volume perfect for conversation.
I have always found the service here to be top notch. Their drink menu features unique seasonal cocktails, and one of the appeals of visiting is trying something new that isn’t a standard high ball. Food wise, there are a lot of good snacking and meal options, with the high quality expected at a Fairmont establishment. I find the nachos to be a great value, as they are perfect for sharing and a large portion. Visiting the Confederation Lounge feels indulgent, and is like taking a mini-​vacation while at home. Perfect for an impromptu visit, or a romantic evening with beautiful views.

Friday after work and this place was hopping! We stayed in the hotel and had a look before 6 and the place was packed. After we came back about an hour later, it was still full so we went to our room and then came back after 7. There weren’t any empty tables but one party was leaving to we waited for that table.
After clearing the table, our server brought us food menus a bowl of nuts and oriental mix while we browsed the drink menu. They have a good variety of cocktails and I started with the raspberry one. The food menu offers quite a few decent options. There is a good selection of appetizers, sandwiches, and entrees. I decided on the crab cake sliders from the appetizer menu and our server said it came with 3 which was ample as I was wanting to try a dessert.
There are 2 TVs in the room and both were on the Oilers game but most people were enjoying their company whether it be work colleagues, family, or friends. The lounge is nicely decorated with wreaths and it’s a comfortable atmosphere with a fireplace inside too.
Our server was fairly attentive and when are drinks were emptied, he asked if we went another. I decided on the summer crush cocktail. Our food arrived at the table and my 3 crab cakes looked appetizing. I liked when they weren’t breaded and fried but still held together and I could take the crab.
After dinner, we browsed the dessert menu and the crème brûlée was eggnog which sounded tasty and I should have tried that instead of the peach crumble. The temperature was warm but not as hot as I like it and the pieces of peach and crumble were ok but something I could replicate at home. The meal was more of a hit than the dessert.
Although we were in the lounge for more than an hour and half, it didn’t seem that long and relaxing and comfortable. With the round glass table for our food, it wasn’t still comfortable to each with our armchairs. During our stay a few more tables opened up but it was a constant stream of people coming in so definitely a popular lounge in the city.

I have always loved coming here. It is so cozy if you can get a seat by the fireplace in the winter time. It is a more casual atmosphere than the Harvest Room.
The staff make sure that you are well cared for. The cocktails are always hand made and delicious. There is a great selection at the bar for some top shelf brands.
Anything that comes out of the kitchen is going to be amazing. If you get a chance to try the seasonal Egg Nog Crème Brulee during the Christmas season, you should definitely take it!
The Fairmont MacDonald has a «Canine Ambassador» by the name of Smudge who hangs out in the lobby during daytime hours. She is adorable and loves attention. A visit before you go for lunch (if you are a dog person) hits the spot.

I was in Edmonton on business and on the hunt for poutine and a comfortable place to have a drink. The confederation lounge was an absolute god send. It is inside the hotel (which looks like a castle) and has big cozy fancy furniture and a large patio with a gorgeous view of the river.
I sat down and was immediately greeted by a waiter who brought me a glass of water and a bowl of snack mix. completely unexpected and delightful. I ordered a manhattan with bourbon and the drink was delicious. For food i was planning to order an appetizer and entrée but when i ordered the poutine to start the waiter said the portion was huuge so i settled for one dish. There is a choice of butter chicken or bison for the poutine; i was feeling adventurous and chose the bison.
The french fries were the perfect thickness and cooked well. The bison gravy was really rich and the bison was so tender it practically melted. The wait staff did not rush me at all as i slowly munched on fries and read a book. Overall a wonderful place!

My favorite bar in the city. Upscale, refined, great ambiance.
I don’t drink much but my mates have mentioned their drinks being on point. The prices are not cheap but not insane either. The views are grand, the room is what I imagine a smoking room to feel like. Dark wood, ornate finishing a, comfortable leather chairs and a roaring fireplace in the winter.
For business, pleasure or even a quick afternoon snack, this is a great place. I sometimes would come here in University by train, grab a tea or coffee and study for hours in a dark corner.
Stop reading and go.
Why 4 and not 5 stars? Sometimes the service is slow and if you drive parking is annoying.

The Confederation Lounge is probably the most stunning lounge in the city of Edmonton. Forget those trendy hipster places… the Confederation Lounge is a timeless classic!
Not only can you come here on a cold winter day to enjoy a hot toddy in one of many comfy chairs, you can also come here in the summer for THE BEST patio in Edmonton! In the summer months, they have a barbecue menu which I actually didn’t try until I was there with the Unilocal Elite crew.
I had actually been to the Confederation Lounge a couple weeks prior, sitting outside on a hot sunny day. I was present the barbecue menu, and asked for the regular menu as I had already eyed up something from that menu when I was checking it out online. The waitress was more than accommodating. I must say though, the «smoked chicken sandwich» I ordered did not live up to my expectations. It was okay, but not as fantastic as I had expected. I will say though, the Confederation Lounge menu is fairly extensive, and very affordable. This would be a great date spot. Hotel MacDonald without the Harvest Room prices :)
Now, onto the purpose of my review… the barbecue! I was able to try 3 items from the barbecue at the Unilocal Event. Eggplant shrimp burger, beef burger with an amazing pepper relish, and an even more amazing pork taco. I must say, I was extremely impressed. The flavours were mouth watering, and I sincerely highly recommend coming here to try to the barbecue.
I will definitely be back in the near future with my BF and I know he will enjoy the barbecue. A gorgeous view overlooking the river valley, great service, and delicious food. Perfect-​o!

Given the impeccable service, the delicious food and drink, the wonderful atmosphere and the great view/​room architecture, it’s hard not to like the Confederation lounge. It’s expensive, certainly, but you get great service out of the amount of money you pay, and realistically it’s not as expensive as I might have imagined. The quality of food and beverage makes the price logical. I’ve always loved the patio here but I especially liked the good selection of warm alcoholic beverages available here. The truffle popcorn and the delicious drinks of all types (along with the complimentary nibbles) make this a great place to spend some time and have some good discussions.
I’m particularly fond of the blueberry tea and the fact that they offer numerous other warm alcoholic beverages. Our server checked in with us and was very prompt at taking our orders and removing dishes and answering questions/​providing service. One of our party requested a copy of the drink menu to keep and was provided one — something that the Fairmont does at their various similar establishments from my understanding — asking being key here.
The architecture (it being in a 100 year old building) is quite nice. I look forward to visiting again sometime soon.

Believe it or not I prefer the experiences and meals I’ve had here to the higher end Harvest Room. The service is always bang on. The food, while simple, is dead one 9 times out of 10 (had butter chicken once that was crummy). I keep coming here because I love the super comfy chairs, atmospheric room, fab fireplace and ultra friendly & professional staff. If you think about it, burger and a drink for $ 25 with all the service & quality this place offers — it’s the best deal in town.

Having the good fortune of staying at the Fairmont MacDonald however, arriving on the Canadian Thanksgiving Day where most restaurants were closed I was in a foodie dilemma. Needing to grab a bite to eat midday before supper time, I came to the Confederation Lounge where I ordered the local crab cake sliders with fennel, srirachi ketchup and brioche bun which was spot on.
The three sliders were a perfect size and hit the spot. Prices were what one would expect for this hotel category and The Confederation Lounge was the saving grace for satisfying my stomach on a Canadian Holiday!

If you’re looking for a place to eat/​drink that offers spectacular views of the river valley, then look no further — this is the best hidden patio in town. It makes you feel like you’re out of town on vacation because it feels so far away from the hustle and bustle of downtown. The food for the most part has been enjoyable, especially when they offer the bbq on the patio during the warmer months. I’ve tried the chorizo burger, the regular burger, the tomato salad, the tomato soup, and the mussels. All were good, but not memorable in my opinion. In fact, this may sound funny, but my favourite part was always the ever-​so-​tiny portions of coleslaw they make in house that comes with the burgers! I know, strange right?! I’m not even a lover of coleslaw normally but the one they make in house is delicious! The prices here are expensive so it’s not a place you can go regularly. Plus, parking rates are atrocious in this area! Over $ 20 to park for the evening! The service has always left something to be desired. I suppose it’s hard to predict how many customers will come, depending on the day/​weather, but never have I been wowed by the service, which is something you would expect while dining in a Fairmont venue. I do like the mixture of nuts/​crisps that are complimentary when you sit — it makes you want to drink more so mission accomplished =) The sangria is okay — a little too juicy and citrusy for my liking. Overall, if you’re looking for spectacular views on a beautiful day/​evening, think of coming here.

Sometimes I just crave to go somewhere where I’m certain I’ll be taken care of with excellent service and a perfect atmosphere. I’m a people/​relationships person, so rude or weird service is a huge turn-​off regardless of the product. If you’re like this too, Hotel Mac is worth the money.
The patio has one of the most beautiful views in the city, and the lounge menu is basic, but exceptionally done. The service is professional and enhances the experience of relaxing and taking in the river valley view.
I came here for a birthday dinner and had an excellent time. We lingered with drinks, a starter salad, meals and dessert for about 2 hours. There is a lovely garden space below the patio and I noticed other people taking a break from their tables to stroll through the paths… apparently you can even take your drink with you! If you are from Edmonton, coming here does feel like a little vacation, as other reviewers have noted.
I noticed that the prices were on par with restaurants on 104 street downtown and not much higher than anywhere else. The burger my partner ordered was delicious, in my opinion better than other ‘burger bars’ that are popular, and with a quality side included, at a lower price point. Drinks were about 1 dollar more than other lounges downtown or on Whyte avenue. Other reviewers have noted that it’s on the pricey side, yet it seems to me like 3 dollars for a coffee or 15 for a salad is going rate at most downtown restaurants.
The crowd was mixed — some older rich looking folks, some out of town business men types, and a table of young adults celebrating a birthday. We didn’t feel awkward as a gay couple, and didn’t feel like we had to seem rich to be there. The server noticed a birthday card on the table and wished me a happy birthday. At the end of our meal, before offering a dessert menu, I was presented with a plate of fruit and chocolates with «Happy Birthday» written in chocolate and a candle. It was tasteful and appreciated, and I liked this idea rather than a full piece of birthday dessert. We ordered the crème brûlée as well and it was *amazing*.
I can’t wait to bring friends and family here — it certainly feels like a special treat.

I feel lucky that I’ve been able to enjoy some time out on the Hotel McDonald patio. What a view! It truly makes me think we don’t need to travel to NYC to get some great city scape or Central Park experience. This river valley — it’s no joke, kids!
It’s like this spot was made with the question, «How can we create the most perfect proposal spot in the city?» in mind.
Come here — even just to enjoy an iced tea or a coffee! (It is the Hotel Mac after all — $$$)

The best part about this patio is the view. It overlooks the North Saskatchewan River and is one of the only places in the city where you might feel like you are on a vacation.
The service is excellent and the menu is great. It is pricey but that is expected here. I would suggest everyone comes here at least once. The patio is covered with flowers and I can’t stress how much it feels like you are out of the city here. Tourists love taking pictures with the river in the background and I don’t blame them. I wanted to do the same.

I came here for the view — and what a view it is. I got some incredible scenic shots of the North Saskatchewan River, as well as the patio itself which was adorned with foliage and flowers (it was late summer). Lots of tourists were there, asking to have their photos taken with the majestic backdrop.
The menu is quite nice but very much on the pricey side. A cup of coffee was something like three dollars. We split a small (and I mean small) tiramisu dessert, which was delicious, but around ten dollars. For a main course, even a burger, you are looking at close to twenty dollars on average.
Still, sometimes it pays to be pampered. I would like to return in the winter to experience the view from a different season.

My friend had her graduation banquet here a few months ago; her class had chosen Hotel Mac to be the venue for the special occasion. The architecture inside is spectacular. I must admit, my attention wandered during the speeches and I found myself admiring the ceiling and cornices of the hall we were in. It had a grand and classic Victorian style, cherubs were painted on the ceiling, and large crystal chandeliers hung down.
They had a buffet for the banquet that night, and we ended up going twice because there was so much. The food was alright, pretty much your typical fancy buffet fare like pot roast, grilled fish, salads and pastas. For all the fanciness, I expected more flavour. Everything was kind of bland, not rich enough. The only thing that really stands out in my memory is the mango salad. Fresh chunks of mango in a bed of greens makes one sweet and tangy salad.
Dessert was the best part. My friends and I made a point of taking one of each to share. We had our own mini dessert buffet at our table! The crème brûlée was one of the best I’ve ever had, and the strawberry cheesecake was the runner-​up.
The service was really good. Our server came by our table often, making sure we had everything and were satisfied. She constantly refilled our coffees and water glasses, and chatted with us in a friendly manner.
The view from the terrace is amazing, you can see the river valley and the city spanning out before your eyes. It’s more limited at night, but it also looks more romantic at night too, with all the city lights staring back at you. I will say one thing about the patio: they could stand to decorate it a little more, it looks pretty bare with just concrete.
All in all, it was a great experience, and I would consider coming back for a fancy girls’ night out. I’d have to make it dessert and drinks though, otherwise it could get quite pricey.

It’s often been called the best patio in the city. It’s certainly the one with the best view. The Hotel Mac garden patio overlooks our river valley. On a clear, warm day, the Saskatchewan River and green banks are spectacular. As one would expect, at the most high-​class hotel in the city, the service is superior, the menu has a wonderful selection and the prices are high. But you’ve got to do it at least once. I brought my parents here for a treat when they visited from out of town, and they were impressed. It’s a good introduction to Edmonton when often people just think we live in a cold, boring city. Our architecture’s nothing to write home about, so the Hotel Mac is a nice glimpse of the character and history we do have in this city.