The Fort Garry Hotel

The Fort Garry Hotel, Spa and Conference Centre, an Ascend Collection Hotel, stands as a historic landmark in Winnipeg, Canada, renowned for its stately old-fashioned elegance and modern amenities. Recognized as a Michelin Key Selected property, it consistently receives "Very Good" to "Excellent" ratings from guests, reflecting a strong consensus of satisfaction.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for The Fort Garry Hotel is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently praising its historic charm, prime location, exceptional service, and unique atmosphere. It boasts an 8.5 "Very Good" rating on Booking.com based on over 400 reviews, with high scores for location (9.2), staff (9.2), cleanliness (9.0), and comfort (8.9). The hotel is lauded as a luxurious escape that perfectly blends its rich history with contemporary comforts.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently love several aspects of The Fort Garry Hotel:

• Historic Architecture and Design: Built in 1913 in the Château-style, the hotel is a National Historic Site featuring grand marble floors, dazzling chandeliers, ornate patterns, and high ceilings that evoke a sense of timeless opulence.
• Ten Spa: Located on the 10th floor, the world-class Ten Spa is a significant draw, offering a Hamam, Canada's only co-ed Turkish Bath, hot tubs, aromatherapy, and hot stone massages.
• Dining Scene: The hotel is celebrated for its diverse dining options, including the acclaimed Oval Room Brasserie and refined Italian cuisine at Vida Cucina Italia.
• Exceptional Service: The staff receives widespread praise for being friendly, helpful, professional, and accommodating.
• Prime Location: Its central downtown location is ideal for exploring Winnipeg's attractions on foot.
• Wellness Amenities: Beyond the spa, guests enjoy a 24-hour fitness center equipped with Peloton bikes, a treadmill, and an Echelon Reflect Smart Mirror, plus complimentary access to Yoga Public classes.
• Pet-Friendly: The hotel welcomes dogs under 50 lbs, with a convenient off-leash dog park nearby.

3. Room Quality

The Fort Garry Hotel offers a variety of elegantly appointed rooms and suites, each with a unique design that blends historic charm with modern comfort. Rooms feature high ceilings, luxurious mattresses with premium linens, down duvets, plush bathrobes, and L'Occitane bath products (some newly renovated Regal rooms boast Fig & Yarrow amenities, heated bathroom floors, and mini-refrigerators). Many rooms provide city views or overlook attractions like The Forks and the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. While the vintage character is appreciated, some guests note that a few older bathrooms could benefit from updates.

4. Dining Experience

The Fort Garry Hotel is a culinary destination offering several distinct dining experiences:

• Oval Room Brasserie: As the hotel's flagship restaurant, the Oval Room Brasserie, named one of the "Top 50 Hotel Restaurants by OpenTable x KAYAK," serves elevated bistro classics for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late night. Its beautiful double-domed ceiling adds to the exquisite ambiance. Breakfast, in particular, is often highlighted as delicious and a great way to start the day.
• Vida Cucina Italia: This restaurant provides a refined Italian culinary experience, open for dinner from Tuesday to Saturday.
• The Sunset Terrace Eat + Drink: A seasonal (June to August) outdoor patio with an L.A.-inspired decor, offering casual fare, live music, and a curated cocktail list.
• The Club Room: This venue serves casual bites alongside live entertainment, including jazz and comedy shows.

The hotel emphasizes quality, tradition, and flavor, with menus crafted from the finest ingredients and time-honored methods.

5. Service & Staff

The service at The Fort Garry Hotel consistently receives high praise. Guests frequently describe the staff as "amazing," "friendly," "helpful," "professional," and "accommodating". The valet service is also a point of appreciation, adding to a seamless guest experience.

6. Location & Accessibility

The hotel boasts an "excellent location" in the heart of downtown Winnipeg, placing guests within easy walking distance of many major attractions.

• Nearby Attractions: The Forks Market, Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Manitoba Children's Museum, Union Railway Station, Canada Life Centre, Upper Fort Garry, Dalnavert Museum, and the Exchange District are all easily accessible.
• Transportation: It's a short walk from Winnipeg Union Station. The hotel provides accessible on-site parking and valet parking, including spaces for vehicles equipped for wheelchair users.
• Accessibility Features: The property features an accessible entrance, elevators, and accessible routes to common areas like the fitness center, meeting spaces, and lobby, with a range of accessible guest rooms available.

7. Value & Pricing

While considered a luxury hotel, The Fort Garry Hotel is generally regarded as offering good value for its cost, with a "Value for money" score of 8.0 on Booking.com. Guests have reported finding reasonable room rates for the upscale experience provided, sometimes comparing it favorably to prices in other major Canadian cities. Room prices can range from approximately C$188 to C$292, depending on the booking platform and room type. The hotel also offers various packages, including romance and dining options.

8. Common Complaints

Despite its high ratings, a few recurring criticisms or points of note include:

• Dated Bathrooms: Some guests mention that while the rooms are comfortable, certain bathrooms could use modernization.
• Lack of Mini-Fridges in All Rooms: While newer "Regal Rooms" on the Vice Regal Floor include mini-refrigerators, some guests in other room types have noted their absence.
• Early Check-in Fee: A fee for early check-in (e.g., $50 before 3:00 p.m.) has been a point of contention for some guests who were not informed upfront.
• Noise from Events: On rare occasions, noise from events like weddings has disturbed guests, though staff were accommodating in offering room changes.
• Haunted Reputation: The hotel is famously known for being haunted, particularly Room 202. While many guests find this intriguing, it could be a concern for others.
• No Dedicated Recreational Pool: While the Ten Spa features a Turkish Bath and hot tub, and an indoor pool is mentioned in some descriptions of the spa facilities, some guests have noted the absence of a general recreational swimming pool within the main hotel area. Guests may access other nearby facilities, sometimes for an additional fee.

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