Each Christmas, David and I attend a delightful Christmas lunch at the grand historic Palliser Hotel in downtown Calgary. We both cherish lovely old things and days gone by, so we enjoy making these historic places part of our holiday season:
The Palliser sits in the shadow of the Calgary tower, on one of the oldest streets in Calgary. The hotel opened in 1914 and always hosts Calgary's most famous guests, including celebrities, rock stars, politicians, and royalty. This is where the well-heeled stay when they're in town, so you know lunch will be good...!
Today, the hotel was beautifully appointed for Christmas. I am so fond of wreaths (my favorite Christmas motif, if you hadn't noticed!). These windows are perfect:
The front lobby is very grand and delightfully sparkly for Christmas. A gingerbread replica of the hotel took center-stage in the lobby this year:
The ballroom was all ready for guests or a recital:
The main dining room is very inviting for Christmas lunch, which includes an amazing salad and breads table, clam chowder, turkey, prime rib, pork tenderloin, stuffing, cranberries and every other holiday dish you can imagine:
Meals are prepared by a team of 50 chefs and helpers, including wonderful pastry chefs who create a stunning dessert table each year:
My favorites are the yule log, flourless chocolate cake, and the German stollen (before I even start here, I am usually full already...)
I *adore* my coffee, but simply can't tolerate it (caffeine) due to migraines, so I enjoyed a rare splurge with a small pot of decaf!
After our meal, we wandered the hotel admiring all the glorious crystal chandeliers:
David's company Christmas parties were once held here, in the Crystal Ballroom:
What a charming place! I would love to stay here for a night or two...
Happy Holidays!
We are heading out to Lake Louise, in the Rocky Mountains, tomorrow for the night, to stay at the beautiful Chateau Lake Louise, which is another Fairmont grand hotel. Stay tuned for more holiday hotel photos...
9 comments:
Another beautiful posting! My hubby and I stayed there many years ago when we were newly married, but I don't remember it being so elegant. The desserts look great!
I could bite right into that Yule log!
BEAUTIFUL! We know you're a celebrity but now I think you might be royalty after getting to have lunch at such a fancy establishment. I don't think I would be allowed in such a place.
The first chandelier photo is killer!
Beautiful photos. I too love old, historic buildings and things from the past. Our house will turn 80 years old in 2012.
I am new to your blog, but look forward to going back and reading older posts. Your cat, by the way, is very handsome indeed!
Claudia
How elegant and beautiful! Thank you for taking us along to another lovely old hotel with you. I can't wait to see your photos from Lake Louise. Happy holidays!
Beautiful post. I , too, love the wreaths, especially the ones in the tall windows. What a great holiday tradition.
Happy Holidays!
my mom's coming for xmas friday and staying at the Palliser for 4 days...now i'm looking forward to seeing the hotel too, sorry for typing in all lower case i broke my wrist a few weeks ago so i'm the one hand wonder for the holiday's, i hope you have the best xmas ever, would be great to get together again for coffee in the new year... x
What a gorgeous place for lunch.
I hope you take photos in Lake Louise. It's such a magical place.
Oh you show us things that I wouldn't otherwise see. What a marvelous gingerbread house those were, especially the large replica of the hotel itself.
Wreaths are your favorite Christmas motif? I've never thought what mine might be. I'd like to say the Nativity, but I'd be lying. I don't find Nativities particularly well done and if they were well done, they'd put a much too beautiful slant on the experience. Perhaps to see the infant's face...now a Savior's face... Though the Word tells us that He has no beauty that would draw us to Him. What thoughts.
Okay, back to the Hotel. Thank you for taking us on the tour and please do show us the next on the list, too. A wonderful week to you, Terri!
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