Get $5 off your next order through my link sponsr.is/magicspoon_trav_0824 or use code TRAV at checkout. Or look for Magic Spoon in your nearest grocery store! This is Edmonton's castle on the river, the Hotel Macdonald. Join me for my captivating 2 night stay inside Edmonton's grand railway hotel. From a century old riverboat cruise, to a culinary experience, in natural beauty that surrounds it, while standing as a symbol of elegance in the river valley for over a century. Would you stay here?
My favourite story from the Mac's renovations in the 80s told of how the guys tearing out the old ceiling in the ballroom were showered with thousands of rusty razor blades because every bathroom had a little slot in the wall for blade disposal, but that's all it was - a hole in the wall. No collection or removal.
thats so cool! Thank you so much for watching! You should check out my other episodes on the other railway hotels, youll love them! especially the fort garry in winnipeg
@@trav4oilers It's hard to believe that once upon a time the Mac was all boarded up ! We all looked at it every day with sadness because we thought it would be demolished but thankfully that never happened and it's still here today !!
Thank you so much for watching Kailey! Hope you loved the rest of the video and is there anything else that stood out history wise? You should check out my other railway hotel videos at the Fort Garry in Winnipeg and Bessborough in Saskatoon, you'll love them :)
Queen Elizabeth stayed there once, and as my Husband and I were looking for a room for our wedding night and doing tours, they gave us a tour of it. You open the hotel door and walk up a huge flight of stairs. I was more impressed that the Queen was able to do that than anything else lol.
The lady was mobile, even had a hotel named after her in Montreal at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel. Thanks for watching though, you should check out my other railway hotel episodes. You'll love the one I did on the Fort Garry in WInnipeg and Palliser in Calgary!
there were lots of people mad that Mick Jagger stayed in that room when the Stones performed in Edmonton the first time. Everyone thought that the room was the Queens only room
As an Edmontonian myself, I'm so glad I saw this video! My husband and I have been looking for date night ideas forever, and it just ever occurred to me to try the riverboat! Also maybe a staycation to the hotel is in order! Thank you for doing my city so much justice and reminding me how beautiful it is. I guess when you live in the middle of it all, you kind of forget. It's hard to see the forest through the trees sometimes, I suppose. ♥
The riverboat is the perfect date night, especially with those fall colors and sunsets coming. You'll have to let them know that you saw my video and came down :) I loved visiting your city. I look forward to coming back next year :)
Living in Edmonton, we've stayed here a few times. It's a stunning hotel and the grounds and gorgeous river valley views are breathtaking!!!! We've never had a bad night, a bad meal, or bad service!! I'm sorry your meals were less than expected! The Confederation Lounge is beautiful and the patio is incredible!!! I'm so glad it was declared a heritage site because it would have been a tragedy to lose this beautiful hotel!!! Your puppy is adorable!!
It would have been so awful to see this stunning hotel demolished! Did you see the other episodes in my series on the grand railway hotels? It's all about the railway history of canada and cities it built just like this one, I'd love to hear what you think )
My graduation banquet from Victoria Composite High School was held in the ballroom (since taken down called the annex) in 1956. It was an amazing evening. I will never forget the baked Alaska being paraded in by the servers. Magical.
This is where my dad stays on business. I talked with the concierge about haunted stories because I had someone knocking on my bathroom door all night, lol! My sister and I go back without my dad when we are shopping. I love it! Oh! One time, when we were there for Christmas, the riverboat was abandoned and half in the water, and half on the land. It was eerie!
I think they doc it up for the winter but they do some functions. glad you loved the video though :) you should check out the other railway hotel episodes!
Having been once in the Mac back in the 70's rooms were tiny and having modeled once in the Mac as well as having dined once as well for lunch ...so different looking... the hallways were so small ...So much better looking today !
@@marlenegold280 the closed smallness was a turn off to me and why was not interested in ever returning back to it.. just did not feel safe at the time ...was very maze like ... Glad it may have improved
I thoroughly enjoyed your series on these Canadian rail road grand hotels; they are truly nostalgic and historic as well as aesthetic. I've visited some of them over the years and stayed at Banff Springs Hotel & Chateau Lake Louise just last month. I visited the Mac once and I believe HM Queen Elizabeth II and HRH Prince Philip stayed there on their last visit to Alberta in 2005. They also stayed at the Jasper Park Lodge during that trip while visiting Jasper, and I also visited the "recreated" Outlook Cabin in which King George VI & Queen Elizabeth (The Queen Mother) stayed at during their royal visit in 1939 as well as Queen Elizabeth II & Prince Philip's stay in 2005. During the recent Jasper wildfire I heard the Jasper Park Lodge suffered some minimal damage; hopefully no major architecture/structural damage happened. Thank you for making this series; I will continue to enjoy them for the future and share them with my family and friends.
David thank you so much for the kind words man that really means a lot! Do you have a favourite episode in the series so far? Also my apologies next week is the last episode but I'll do 10 more next summer :) The lodge did burn a bit but I'm sure they'll build it back again like they did after it burnt down in 1950. I was amazed nobody has done videos like this but it's truly my love letter to our country :)
Jasper Park Lodge had damage to staff accommodations. 1/3 of the town of Jasper is gone… burnt to the ground… the whole west side of town. People are dealing with heavy metals and asbestos in the air and in the existing properties. Many, many people lost their home, their job, everything they owned. Now some are homeless, without a job. Hopefully, Jasper National Park will rebuild soon… properly. And hopefully, they do better forest management… to prevent that ever happening again.
Your historical research and backstory was outstanding! I’m from Edmonton. I’ve never stayed at the hotel before because I just live 12 mins from the hotel! But your video gave me some great insight of how the hotel came to be. Thanks for sharing Edmonton and its river valley!
Hey thank you so much Jimmy. I loved my time in Edmonton. I'm a bit of a history nerd so glad I could teach you something. Have you had a chance to look at my other railway hotel videos? You'll love the last episode at the Bessborough Hotel in saskatoon
@@trav4oilersI’ve been really enjoying your Grand Railway Hotel series. You present the hotels and cities so well. Couldn’t have done any better than that. I’ve already watched Royal York in Toronto and Bessborough in Saskatoon! I’m glad this channel popped up randomly on my feed! lol. Looking forward to many more videos like this from you! 😁
The 3 members of Zz Top stayed there way back in the day and all their road crew stayed at the Sheraton where I worked. Party got so loud security kicked out Zz Top 😅
That's a legendary story, if I get a chance to stay at the mac again I will absolutely be mentioning that one! Hope you loved the video and get a chance to check out the other episodes at the other hotels :) would love to hear what you think
Another great episode Trav, so far every one makes you want to get on the road or ride the rails to visit and stay at all of these castles. But this one with that view out the window, a ride on that paddle-wheeler is very tempting.
Welcome to Edmonton. You should give a hotel and room tour. You should share this video to the hotel so they will know how your visit was. Disappointing food , etc. Canada should have train service like other countries. Also there should have been a group of people to continue the vision of train service in Canada.
Thank you very much Cheryl! I love your city. I sent the video to the hotel and although didn't seem to do much about it, they are aware of it and hopefully can build off it moving forward and deliver more.
That's inexcusable for such a prestigious hotel. I haven't eaten there in years, but it was always considered 'fine dining'. I'm kind of embarrassed, as an Edmontonian. Maybe they can't afford a decent chef? Edmonton was once considered quite a "foody" city, not sure if that is true anymore.
Yeah it was pretty disappointing but the hotel said they want to have me back next year to do a redo so hopefully they can piece everything together and I can share a much better experience with you!. Thank you for watching. Have you seen my other railway hotel videos?
Edmonton has a great food scene This is one hotel restaurant and isn't a reflection on what Edmonton offers. However the Mac better up their game a bit.
no, there are tons of really great restaurants just not at a place that only exists on its reputation and not its actual chops; typical of restaurants that are poorly run. Funny thing is there are some really really top tier places just within spitting distance of the hotel - Bistro Praha or Woodwork to name some big players
I love the hotel MAC! In the early 60s my dad transferred from CN in Winnipeg to CN in Edmonton. Oue family of 5 stayed at the edmonton mac for 6 weeks until our house was built. I was born the year after so i'm thinking my life "started" at the mac lol. It's truly a wonderful experience to celebrate special occasions at the buffet or high tea.
@@trav4oilers Almost every year, we would go from Edmonton heading West on a family pass. It was when passenger trains had priority and absolutely glorious!
I've been binging these videos since I recently found your channel. Love the history you give and the Canadian content. It's not just the history, it's more the way you deliver it with the slides and voice over. The behind the scenes in kitchens etc is the cherry on top. Also being a Winnipegger I'm a Dave Wheeler fan myself. Go Jets Go! Cheers from Winnipeg
Thank you so much for watching man, I'm stoked you've really gotten into the series. Have you watched them all? Bad news is there is only 1 more left next Sunday then back to my regular programming but I'll do 10 more next summer :) Thanks again for the love and go jets go, hope you loved wheeler in last weeks episode :)
The Sunday Brunch there is AMAZING!!!! Omlette bar, crepe bar (my favourite), sea food table, cheese table, hot dishes both breakfast type and lunch type. Do not eat for about a week before or after just so you can sample everything
I havn't tried the buffet but the hotel wants to have me back next summer so hopefully I can report on all of it. I hope you get a chance to enjoy the other episodes in the series I did this summer. :)
This is not what I expected when I first clicked on this video... Really amazing video, your hard work shows and I love all the history that you went through. Thank you for sharing!
thank you so much Courtney! I loved my visit to Edmonton. I appreciate your kind words. Are you from edmonton? You should check out the other railway hotel episodes I did at the other properties like the fort garry in winnipeg :)
@@trav4oilersthanks for responding! Loved the Winnipeg and Banff ones so far as I have stayed there before so was cool to learn the history. Sweet work on the pod with Matt Murray as well! Thanks for all the awesome entertainment over the years!
Thanks for the history n your opinion on it, me and my girlfriend as well stayed in 2021 and thought it was good. Little did I know we were seeing Canadian history & now I’m thinking about what if lol. Vids are always good to see Trav keep it up!
Hey thanks for watching man :) That's awesome, well now you got a few more reasons to remember it :) do you have a favourite video in the series so far?
thats amazing. What was that like? Is anything still the same as it was in the video? Hope you loved this one, you should check out the other railway hotel episodes I did at the other properties like the fort garry in winnipeg :)
Another 10/10 video bro! all episodes in this series on Canada’s grand railway hotels have been absolutely fantastic so far and I’m definitely glad I was able to give you some ideas on what you could talk about in these vids since I do remember suggesting you could mention things such as the histories and famous events that happened at each hotel before you officially started it But anyways, I just figured I could comment appreciating your hard work man since I noticed you commented on my “Calgary Desperately Needs VIA Rail” video not too long ago
Local Edmontonian. The mac is where we go for a special cocktail. I highly recommend there old fashioned. Probably the best I've had in western Canada.
I'll have to put that on the to do list for next year. The hotel is hosting me this time so hopefully it'll be better. Thanks for watching though, have you seen my other episodes in the series?
Interesting video. We’ve stayed at the Mac many times, often for Christmas. The food used to be so good! Many Mother’s Day dinners in the ball room. Unfortunately the quality has dived as much as the prices have soared. We don’t stay or eat there anymore. But I love the old girl and we have many great memories . That patio is beautiful on sunny days. Rooms were comfortable. One of the maids gave us a tour of the Queen suite. It was pretty run down at the time. Darn shame.
One thing that is odd, and guests seem to be ok with it despite the expensive room rates, is the "renovations" that don't include a bathtub, just a walk-in shower.
Just of small notes. Canada was founded May 24, 1867 not 1864. North Saskatchewan River flows from edge of Rockies, just west of Edmonton then on to Manisnowba.
Hey Just thought i would check this video out. Awesome video!! I love all the history u put in this video. Its really well done. Where did u ever find all about this history? And the details that went in to this video was amazing. I can't wait to watch more of ur videos tc have a wonderful day love ur dogo so very cute
Hey thank you so much for the kind words and watching! I loved my time in edmonton. I'm a super passionate history nerd so books, websites, forums or anything else I could get my hands on. You'll love the other episodes in my series on the grand railway hotels of Canada. I'd love to hear what you think, even the corgi is in a few more :)
Edmonton is pretty beautiful! Thank you so much for watching! You should check out my other episodes on the other railway hotels, youll love them! especially the bessborough in saskatoon!
I won to stay at the hotel. I gave it to my parents but my Mom was sick so they gave it to my sister and her husband for their anniversary. I am sad I did not get to stay there.Also if you had a tour of the hotel you could have seen the room that the Queen stayed in.
Trav; Amazing video... If you looked across the street to the west at the ATB Tower North (which used to be the Telus Tower North, but started out at the AGT Tower North), you would have seen me working on the 15th floor, making sure all Canadians had good Healthcare Insurance, whether you are an Albertan or a visitor to Alberta. If you REALLY want to see Edmonton (an potentially Fort Saskatchewan to Devon), one of the best ways you can see it is on a jet boat on the North Saskatchewan. Come back next spring/summer and I can set you and your wife up with my buddy and I and we can take a nice tour up the North Saskatchewan in a Jet Boat. Amazing scenery, amazing sites, amazing trip.
Hey man thanks for watching. Any chance you could get me up there for some better shots of the Mac? That all sounds great and the hotel is asking me to come back next summer. Send me an email travisridgen35@gmail.com
Originally from Edmonton though, I’m now living in Winnipeg. Never stayed at The Mac but we held my high school graduation there in 1983. I’m so sorry the food was so utterly disappointing. It used to be outstanding. Though I’m now divorced, I got married at the Jasper Park Lodge. I was wondering if the recent devastating fires had any impact on your state when you were there.
My parents stayed there in 1942 when they got married Oprah Winfrey stayed there when she did a tour of Canada after leaving her show she mentioned that day that she stayed Edmonton was colder than Chicago
I've stayed at The Mac a couple times and have been to the Confederation Lounge more than a few times. The food used to be an amazing experience. Since they have reopened after Covid, yeah have to agree the food has gone way down hill. They still charge as if it was fine dining but any home cook can usually do better than they offer. Sadly Edmonton has become home of the franchise, Chinese and Pizza/Donair places and not much in between.
Although I do love donair, super disappointing. I hope they can fix it and I'd love to build off that again for next summer and revisit again. Tee have you seen the other railway hotel episodes in this series?
Thanks for sharing your experience once again Trav, another fantastic looking hotel. Shame the food wasn't as good as expected, at least the Riverboat cruise seemed very pleasant. Take care bud !
We all make mistakes my friend but I hope you get a chance to check out the other episodes at the other railway hotels I did this summer. Would love to hear your thoughts
Not a flex at all my friend, it's a travel series covering the history of canada, cool stories and the modern experience. Have you seen the rest of my railway hotel series?
hahah hey as long as we shared the same experience! Thank you so much my friend, have you seen the other videos in my railway hotel series? It covers stories just like this but across Canada. You'll love it. Chat soon and thanks for watching :)
it absolutely is! all the railway hotels are. Thanks for watching though, you should check out my other railway hotel episodes. You'll love the one I did on the Fort Garry in WInnipeg and Palliser in Calgary!
It's a series my friend. Did you see the other episodes in my series on the grand railway hotels? It's all about the railway history of canada and cities it built just like this one, I'd love to hear what you think )
Hmm wonder who the chef is, he better get his shit together because that bacon looked deep fried. Did you leave a suggestion in the suggestion box. Maybe the chefs drunk. Just wondering because as a chef myself it looked lacking in every way.
I didn't get a chance to meet him but the hotel was aware and apparently want to host me next year for a redo video. I hope it was a one off but still a beautiful hotel! Have you had a chance to check out the other episodes in my railway hotel series? I'd love to hear what you think :)
Nice, homeboy jumped in on new GF wagon real quick, not throwing shade she cute but i kinda miss the ex, they could have made some serious killer babies to rule ice! 👽👿😁
hey thanks for watching brother. I wish her the best in whatever she's doing these days. Bella is a significantly better compliment to my life and where I wanna take my life / future family. Hope you enjoy the rest of my railway hotel videos :)
Perhaps you don't know that Edmonton was all native land. And they pushed all the natives off the land and didn't allow the natives to stay as per their treaties. The bands affected were the Papaschase First nation and Michel Band. I wish more people would acknowledge the true history of this land.
@@allisonyellowknee7708 hey Allison! Thank you so much for watching. maybe I could touch on that for a 2nd version of the video. As a fellow native myself, I think this style of video can reach the most people and I just wanted to make a sweet tribute to the hotel and city, You should check out my Fort Garry video where I mentioned my heritage more :)
Lived there for 44 years, before moving to the west coast. Never stayed at The Mac, but went to a glorious party there in one of the terraced banquet halls. Yeah, it was mind boggling that it was closed for so many years - in limbo. Sorry your food wasn't to your standards, but to be honest, it looked better than your description. It all depends on the manager and the chef I guess. Maybe it's time to switch them up. Thanks for the great video.
First time viewer! While I don’t wish to bicker, your script about Canada being established in 1864 felt wrong. July 1, 1867 is the commonly accepted date that Canada was created. www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/canada-day-history.html#
Get $5 off your next order through my link sponsr.is/magicspoon_trav_0824 or use code TRAV at checkout. Or look for Magic Spoon in your nearest grocery store!
This is Edmonton's castle on the river, the Hotel Macdonald. Join me for my captivating 2 night stay inside Edmonton's grand railway hotel. From a century old riverboat cruise, to a culinary experience, in natural beauty that surrounds it, while standing as a symbol of elegance in the river valley for over a century. Would you stay here?
My favourite story from the Mac's renovations in the 80s told of how the guys tearing out the old ceiling in the ballroom were showered with thousands of rusty razor blades because every bathroom had a little slot in the wall for blade disposal, but that's all it was - a hole in the wall. No collection or removal.
thats so cool! Thank you so much for watching! You should check out my other episodes on the other railway hotels, youll love them! especially the fort garry in winnipeg
@@trav4oilers It's hard to believe that once upon a time the Mac was all boarded up ! We all looked at it every day with sadness because we thought it would be demolished but thankfully that never happened and it's still here today !!
@@SirManfly like you said, thank god it wasn’t! Thanks for watching, have you seen my other railway hotel episodes?
Older homes had this too.
As a local to Edmonton this was very educational. 👍
Thank you so much for watching Kailey! Hope you loved the rest of the video and is there anything else that stood out history wise? You should check out my other railway hotel videos at the Fort Garry in Winnipeg and Bessborough in Saskatoon, you'll love them :)
Queen Elizabeth stayed there once, and as my Husband and I were looking for a room for our wedding night and doing tours, they gave us a tour of it. You open the hotel door and walk up a huge flight of stairs. I was more impressed that the Queen was able to do that than anything else lol.
The lady was mobile, even had a hotel named after her in Montreal at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel. Thanks for watching though, you should check out my other railway hotel episodes. You'll love the one I did on the Fort Garry in WInnipeg and Palliser in Calgary!
She stayed there several times in fact.
there were lots of people mad that Mick Jagger stayed in that room when the Stones performed in Edmonton the first time. Everyone thought that the room was the Queens only room
I've snuck onto that floor with the suites you are correct that the elevators don't go up there. They named the suite after queen Mary.
So did Mick Jagger
As an Edmontonian myself, I'm so glad I saw this video! My husband and I have been looking for date night ideas forever, and it just ever occurred to me to try the riverboat! Also maybe a staycation to the hotel is in order! Thank you for doing my city so much justice and reminding me how beautiful it is. I guess when you live in the middle of it all, you kind of forget. It's hard to see the forest through the trees sometimes, I suppose. ♥
The riverboat is the perfect date night, especially with those fall colors and sunsets coming. You'll have to let them know that you saw my video and came down :) I loved visiting your city. I look forward to coming back next year :)
Living in Edmonton, we've stayed here a few times. It's a stunning hotel and the grounds and gorgeous river valley views are breathtaking!!!! We've never had a bad night, a bad meal, or bad service!! I'm sorry your meals were less than expected! The Confederation Lounge is beautiful and the patio is incredible!!! I'm so glad it was declared a heritage site because it would have been a tragedy to lose this beautiful hotel!!! Your puppy is adorable!!
It would have been so awful to see this stunning hotel demolished! Did you see the other episodes in my series on the grand railway hotels? It's all about the railway history of canada and cities it built just like this one, I'd love to hear what you think )
My graduation banquet from Victoria Composite High School was held in the ballroom (since taken down called the annex) in 1956. It was an amazing evening. I will never forget the baked Alaska being paraded in by the servers. Magical.
Thanks awesome. What was the box annex like? Thanks for watching though, have you seen my other episodes in the series?
This is where my dad stays on business. I talked with the concierge about haunted stories because I had someone knocking on my bathroom door all night, lol! My sister and I go back without my dad when we are shopping. I love it! Oh! One time, when we were there for Christmas, the riverboat was abandoned and half in the water, and half on the land. It was eerie!
I think they doc it up for the winter but they do some functions. glad you loved the video though :) you should check out the other railway hotel episodes!
Having been once in the Mac back in the 70's rooms were tiny and having modeled once in the Mac as well as having dined once as well for lunch ...so different looking... the hallways were so small ...So much better looking today !
That's amazing to hear. Hope you loved the video, you should check out the other videos on the other railway hotels I've posted :)
They were tiny and very plain back then.
@@marlenegold280 the closed smallness was a turn off to me and why was not interested in ever returning back to it.. just did not feel safe at the time ...was very maze like ... Glad it may have improved
I thoroughly enjoyed your series on these Canadian rail road grand hotels; they are truly nostalgic and historic as well as aesthetic. I've visited some of them over the years and stayed at Banff Springs Hotel & Chateau Lake Louise just last month. I visited the Mac once and I believe HM Queen Elizabeth II and HRH Prince Philip stayed there on their last visit to Alberta in 2005. They also stayed at the Jasper Park Lodge during that trip while visiting Jasper, and I also visited the "recreated" Outlook Cabin in which King George VI & Queen Elizabeth (The Queen Mother) stayed at during their royal visit in 1939 as well as Queen Elizabeth II & Prince Philip's stay in 2005. During the recent Jasper wildfire I heard the Jasper Park Lodge suffered some minimal damage; hopefully no major architecture/structural damage happened. Thank you for making this series; I will continue to enjoy them for the future and share them with my family and friends.
David thank you so much for the kind words man that really means a lot! Do you have a favourite episode in the series so far? Also my apologies next week is the last episode but I'll do 10 more next summer :)
The lodge did burn a bit but I'm sure they'll build it back again like they did after it burnt down in 1950. I was amazed nobody has done videos like this but it's truly my love letter to our country :)
Jasper Park Lodge had damage to staff accommodations.
1/3 of the town of Jasper is gone… burnt to the ground… the whole west side of town. People are dealing with heavy metals and asbestos in the air and in the existing properties.
Many, many people lost their home, their job, everything they owned.
Now some are homeless, without a job.
Hopefully, Jasper National Park will rebuild soon… properly.
And hopefully, they do better forest management… to prevent that ever happening again.
yeah i love in edmonton too.. ive been here exactly once and i was pretty underwhelmed when i came. nothing screamed i cant wait to come back
Your historical research and backstory was outstanding! I’m from Edmonton. I’ve never stayed at the hotel before because I just live 12 mins from the hotel! But your video gave me some great insight of how the hotel came to be. Thanks for sharing Edmonton and its river valley!
Hey thank you so much Jimmy. I loved my time in Edmonton. I'm a bit of a history nerd so glad I could teach you something. Have you had a chance to look at my other railway hotel videos? You'll love the last episode at the Bessborough Hotel in saskatoon
@@trav4oilersI’ve been really enjoying your Grand Railway Hotel series. You present the hotels and cities so well. Couldn’t have done any better than that. I’ve already watched Royal York in Toronto and Bessborough in Saskatoon! I’m glad this channel popped up randomly on my feed! lol. Looking forward to many more videos like this from you! 😁
@@jimmypham5875 hey I’m happy you landed here! You’ll love the Fort Garry and Palliser hotel episodes then! There are 10 episodes total :)
Ten minutes walk from my home , lovely place , lovely location . Thank for the video .
My mom and dad Noreen and Denis Troock had their wedding reception in the grand ballroom on October 3rd, 1934
you mean 1934? Hope you enjoyed the video :)
The 3 members of Zz Top stayed there way back in the day and all their road crew stayed at the Sheraton where I worked. Party got so loud security kicked out Zz Top 😅
That's a legendary story, if I get a chance to stay at the mac again I will absolutely be mentioning that one! Hope you loved the video and get a chance to check out the other episodes at the other hotels :) would love to hear what you think
that and motley crue through a tv out the window too
Another great episode Trav, so far every one makes you want to get on the road or ride the rails to visit and stay at all of these castles. But this one with that view out the window, a ride on that paddle-wheeler is very tempting.
Thanks again for another week of support my friend, maybe you gotta venture out and experience these castles :)
@@trav4oilers Yes I may do just that, maybe in the off season, that night at the Royal York was a little pricey, but damn glad I took that trip.
Welcome to Edmonton. You should give a hotel and room tour. You should share this video to the hotel so they will know how your visit was. Disappointing food , etc. Canada should have train service like other countries. Also there should have been a group of people to continue the vision of train service in Canada.
Thank you very much Cheryl! I love your city. I sent the video to the hotel and although didn't seem to do much about it, they are aware of it and hopefully can build off it moving forward and deliver more.
Let’s go! One more amazing episode on the crazy hotels in Canada then it’s hockey season!! LETS GO TRAV!!! 💚💚💚🇨🇦
Thank you so much Ross for sticking with the entire series. Hockey videos return next month!
That's inexcusable for such a prestigious hotel. I haven't eaten there in years, but it was always considered 'fine dining'. I'm kind of embarrassed, as an Edmontonian. Maybe they can't afford a decent chef? Edmonton was once considered quite a "foody" city, not sure if that is true anymore.
Yeah it was pretty disappointing but the hotel said they want to have me back next year to do a redo so hopefully they can piece everything together and I can share a much better experience with you!. Thank you for watching. Have you seen my other railway hotel videos?
Edmonton has a great food scene This is one hotel restaurant and isn't a reflection on what Edmonton offers.
However the Mac better up their game a bit.
Edmonton has lots of great restaurants
no, there are tons of really great restaurants just not at a place that only exists on its reputation and not its actual chops; typical of restaurants that are poorly run. Funny thing is there are some really really top tier places just within spitting distance of the hotel - Bistro Praha or Woodwork to name some big players
I love the hotel MAC! In the early 60s my dad transferred from CN in Winnipeg to CN in Edmonton. Oue family of 5 stayed at the edmonton mac for 6 weeks until our house was built. I was born the year after so i'm thinking my life "started" at the mac lol. It's truly a wonderful experience to celebrate special occasions at the buffet or high tea.
How much did you travel on CN during those times? Thats an awesome story. Hope you loved the Mac and check out the other videos at the other hotels :)
@@trav4oilers Almost every year, we would go from Edmonton heading West on a family pass. It was when passenger trains had priority and absolutely glorious!
Was your dad an Engineer?
I've been binging these videos since I recently found your channel. Love the history you give and the Canadian content. It's not just the history, it's more the way you deliver it with the slides and voice over. The behind the scenes in kitchens etc is the cherry on top. Also being a Winnipegger I'm a Dave Wheeler fan myself. Go Jets Go! Cheers from Winnipeg
Thank you so much for watching man, I'm stoked you've really gotten into the series. Have you watched them all? Bad news is there is only 1 more left next Sunday then back to my regular programming but I'll do 10 more next summer :) Thanks again for the love and go jets go, hope you loved wheeler in last weeks episode :)
The Sunday Brunch there is AMAZING!!!! Omlette bar, crepe bar (my favourite), sea food table, cheese table, hot dishes both breakfast type and lunch type. Do not eat for about a week before or after just so you can sample everything
I havn't tried the buffet but the hotel wants to have me back next summer so hopefully I can report on all of it. I hope you get a chance to enjoy the other episodes in the series I did this summer. :)
This is not what I expected when I first clicked on this video... Really amazing video, your hard work shows and I love all the history that you went through. Thank you for sharing!
thank you so much Courtney! I loved my visit to Edmonton. I appreciate your kind words. Are you from edmonton? You should check out the other railway hotel episodes I did at the other properties like the fort garry in winnipeg :)
Awesome video! Love the series! Thank you!
Thank you so much Dave! Do you have a favourite episode in the series so far?
@@trav4oilersthanks for responding! Loved the Winnipeg and Banff ones so far as I have stayed there before so was cool to learn the history. Sweet work on the pod with Matt Murray as well! Thanks for all the awesome entertainment over the years!
Thanks for the history n your opinion on it, me and my girlfriend as well stayed in 2021 and thought it was good. Little did I know we were seeing Canadian history & now I’m thinking about what if lol. Vids are always good to see Trav keep it up!
Hey thanks for watching man :) That's awesome, well now you got a few more reasons to remember it :) do you have a favourite video in the series so far?
In 1957 our family moved from Ontario to Edmonton and lived in the MacDonald hotel for 3 months
thats amazing. What was that like? Is anything still the same as it was in the video? Hope you loved this one, you should check out the other railway hotel episodes I did at the other properties like the fort garry in winnipeg :)
Another 10/10 video bro! all episodes in this series on Canada’s grand railway hotels have been absolutely fantastic so far and I’m definitely glad I was able to give you some ideas on what you could talk about in these vids since I do remember suggesting you could mention things such as the histories and famous events that happened at each hotel before you officially started it
But anyways, I just figured I could comment appreciating your hard work man since I noticed you commented on my “Calgary Desperately Needs VIA Rail” video not too long ago
Thank you so much for your support Sam. Let's make rail travel great again :)
Local Edmontonian. The mac is where we go for a special cocktail. I highly recommend there old fashioned. Probably the best I've had in western Canada.
Maybe they do a virgin version of it? I loved my visit to your city my friend :) Have you seen the rest of my railway hotel series?
Man I've lived an hour north of Edmonton my entire life and have never been on the riverboat haha.
Man, should've walked a few blocks to Uccellino for supper!
I'll have to put that on the to do list for next year. The hotel is hosting me this time so hopefully it'll be better. Thanks for watching though, have you seen my other episodes in the series?
Interesting video. We’ve stayed at the Mac many times, often for Christmas. The food used to be so good! Many Mother’s Day dinners in the ball room. Unfortunately the quality has dived as much as the prices have soared. We don’t stay or eat there anymore. But I love the old girl and we have many great memories . That patio is beautiful on sunny days. Rooms were comfortable. One of the maids gave us a tour of the Queen suite. It was pretty run down at the time. Darn shame.
there is something about the mac that makes you want to love it, I can't quite put my finger on it
One thing that is odd, and guests seem to be ok with it despite the expensive room rates, is the "renovations" that don't include a bathtub, just a walk-in shower.
Just of small notes. Canada was founded May 24, 1867 not 1864. North Saskatchewan River flows from edge of Rockies, just west of Edmonton then on to Manisnowba.
Someone who lives in Edmonton you do forget the beauty! I also helps it's getting told by a very handsome man🤣
Awww thank you so much becky, you're too kind . The hotel wants to host me for next year so I'll have to do a better follow up :)
Hey Just thought i would check this video out. Awesome video!! I love all the history u put in this video. Its really well done. Where did u ever find all about this history? And the details that went in to this video was amazing. I can't wait to watch more of ur videos tc have a wonderful day love ur dogo so very cute
Hey thank you so much for the kind words and watching! I loved my time in edmonton. I'm a super passionate history nerd so books, websites, forums or anything else I could get my hands on. You'll love the other episodes in my series on the grand railway hotels of Canada. I'd love to hear what you think, even the corgi is in a few more :)
I think I could see my school from those wide shots, went to center high last year and its right by there.
Edmonton is pretty beautiful! Thank you so much for watching! You should check out my other episodes on the other railway hotels, youll love them! especially the bessborough in saskatoon!
Ty Trav!
Thank you for watching my friend!
I won to stay at the hotel. I gave it to my parents but my Mom was sick so they gave it to my sister and her husband for their anniversary. I am sad I did not get to stay there.Also if you had a tour of the hotel you could have seen the room that the Queen stayed in.
That's awesome, I def need more tours inside these properties :)
Curious to see if they can improve next year!
They've offered to have me back next year for a redo so hopefuly they can improve and I can share that.
Trav; Amazing video... If you looked across the street to the west at the ATB Tower North (which used to be the Telus Tower North, but started out at the AGT Tower North), you would have seen me working on the 15th floor, making sure all Canadians had good Healthcare Insurance, whether you are an Albertan or a visitor to Alberta. If you REALLY want to see Edmonton (an potentially Fort Saskatchewan to Devon), one of the best ways you can see it is on a jet boat on the North Saskatchewan. Come back next spring/summer and I can set you and your wife up with my buddy and I and we can take a nice tour up the North Saskatchewan in a Jet Boat. Amazing scenery, amazing sites, amazing trip.
Hey man thanks for watching. Any chance you could get me up there for some better shots of the Mac? That all sounds great and the hotel is asking me to come back next summer. Send me an email travisridgen35@gmail.com
Great video!!!!!!
Thank you so much Hova! Have you seen the other videos in the series on the other railway hotels? I loved Edmonton so much :)
Originally from Edmonton though, I’m now living in Winnipeg. Never stayed at The Mac but we held my high school graduation there in 1983. I’m so sorry the food was so utterly disappointing. It used to be outstanding. Though I’m now divorced, I got married at the Jasper Park Lodge. I was wondering if the recent devastating fires had any impact on your state when you were there.
I'll cover the lodge a bit about that next week, really really tragic. Hope the mac can improve cause i wanted to love the property so badly.
When I went, I had this pulled pork burger, and it was amazing. The fries that came with it were terrible tho
My parents stayed there in 1942 when they got married
Oprah Winfrey stayed there when she did a tour of Canada after leaving her show she mentioned that day that she stayed Edmonton was colder than Chicago
"Rolf can see shoddy spot-welding from a distance of twenty goats."
LOVE as always man
I've stayed at The Mac a couple times and have been to the Confederation Lounge more than a few times. The food used to be an amazing experience. Since they have reopened after Covid, yeah have to agree the food has gone way down hill. They still charge as if it was fine dining but any home cook can usually do better than they offer. Sadly Edmonton has become home of the franchise, Chinese and Pizza/Donair places and not much in between.
Although I do love donair, super disappointing. I hope they can fix it and I'd love to build off that again for next summer and revisit again. Tee have you seen the other railway hotel episodes in this series?
You aren't wrong about the food. The food at all the Fairmont hotels has really gone downhill since the pandemic.
Such a shame though because I want to love these properties and make a positive piece but when they deliver this, it's hard not too
Thanks for sharing your experience once again Trav, another fantastic looking hotel. Shame the food wasn't as good as expected, at least the Riverboat cruise seemed very pleasant. Take care bud !
Thanks for supporting the entire series man :)
wow im an idiot, all this time i thought it was part of that ronald mcdonald house thing lol
We all make mistakes my friend but I hope you get a chance to check out the other episodes at the other railway hotels I did this summer. Would love to hear your thoughts
At least the gym was good 😀
we love a good gym! Thanks for watching Lars. Do you have a favourite episode in the series so far?
@@trav4oilers they are all interesting in its own way so to me they are all good 👍
Why is bro flexing that he in dreadmonton...it's not a flex
Not a flex at all my friend, it's a travel series covering the history of canada, cool stories and the modern experience. Have you seen the rest of my railway hotel series?
ya, beat you to it by 45 years
hahah hey as long as we shared the same experience! Thank you so much my friend, have you seen the other videos in my railway hotel series? It covers stories just like this but across Canada. You'll love it. Chat soon and thanks for watching :)
Its haunted, bro.
it absolutely is! all the railway hotels are. Thanks for watching though, you should check out my other railway hotel episodes. You'll love the one I did on the Fort Garry in WInnipeg and Palliser in Calgary!
Edmonton sucks, lived here my whole life. Can't wait to move to Vancouver Island.
Get used to the rain lol. Bye
Bro, Trav has been making the same picture on the thumbnail for the past 2 months. It’s starting to get creepy 💀
It's a series my friend. Did you see the other episodes in my series on the grand railway hotels? It's all about the railway history of canada and cities it built just like this one, I'd love to hear what you think )
Okay, I won't go eat there.
The food does not match the prestige of location and the view.
Disappinting.
It is haunted
All the railway hotels are! have you had a chance to check out the other episodes ?
Hmm wonder who the chef is, he better get his shit together because that bacon looked deep fried. Did you leave a suggestion in the suggestion box. Maybe the chefs drunk. Just wondering because as a chef myself it looked lacking in every way.
I didn't get a chance to meet him but the hotel was aware and apparently want to host me next year for a redo video. I hope it was a one off but still a beautiful hotel! Have you had a chance to check out the other episodes in my railway hotel series? I'd love to hear what you think :)
Nice, homeboy jumped in on new GF wagon real quick, not throwing shade she cute but i kinda miss the ex, they could have made some serious killer babies to rule ice! 👽👿😁
hey thanks for watching brother. I wish her the best in whatever she's doing these days. Bella is a significantly better compliment to my life and where I wanna take my life / future family. Hope you enjoy the rest of my railway hotel videos :)
Perhaps you don't know that Edmonton was all native land. And they pushed all the natives off the land and didn't allow the natives to stay as per their treaties. The bands affected were the Papaschase First nation and Michel Band. I wish more people would acknowledge the true history of this land.
@@allisonyellowknee7708 hey Allison! Thank you so much for watching. maybe I could touch on that for a 2nd version of the video. As a fellow native myself, I think this style of video can reach the most people and I just wanted to make a sweet tribute to the hotel and city, You should check out my Fort Garry video where I mentioned my heritage more :)
It would be difficult to include all the bands who exchanged control fighting over the land throughout history
@@FlowerGirl8 hope you enjoyed the video! I addressed more of my aboriginal ancestors in the Fort Garry episod :)
Lived there for 44 years, before moving to the west coast. Never stayed at The Mac, but went to a glorious party there in one of the terraced banquet halls. Yeah, it was mind boggling that it was closed for so many years - in limbo. Sorry your food wasn't to your standards, but to be honest, it looked better than your description. It all depends on the manager and the chef I guess. Maybe it's time to switch them up. Thanks for the great video.
Seemed like something needed to be changed but hey, hopefully you enjoyed my tribute to your city. Have you seen the other episodes in the series?
First time viewer! While I don’t wish to bicker, your script about Canada being established in 1864 felt wrong. July 1, 1867 is the commonly accepted date that Canada was created. www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/canada-day-history.html#
I was incorrect on that so thank you very much for the correction my friend :) hope you get a chance to enjoy the rest of the videos in this series :)
@@trav4oilers I look forward to viewing your videos. I tend to gravitate towards Canadian content and channels.