Beverly R.
Yelp
We chose the Manior Richelieu for its location, its ambiance, its view and because of the Fairmont's reputation for service. We had stayed at the Fairmont Chateau in Whistler last year and felt like a king and queen!! This Fairmont was disappointing on several levels:
1. There is no concierge, you must wait in line at the service desk, and there was often only one person working (with clients lined up waiting).
2. All of the fireplaces are either non-working, or the one 'fire' we found was a fake one, and small at that. This resort is in a cold climate area, overlooking water, and there are no fires were burning, except for the fire pit outside on occasion. They told us the government did not allow it because the hotel is on the register of historical places. Hmm, I'm not sure I buy that. Fairmont Manior RIchelieu is made of stone and has stood there for 120 years!! -sad-
3. We ate at the restaurant in the hotel the night we arrived. The meal was decidedly mediocre. My husbands' walleye had many, many bones and scales in it! This, too, was disappointing.
4. Many of the little, but elegant, touches we have seen and expect from 5 star resort hotels with a storied history were missing---no large, shiny coffee urn in the hall with cream and sugar in the morning, no large glass water dispenser (with slices of fruit floating) in the foyer, (they did have a small plastic jug of water and apples set out for the walkers and joggers by the front entrance), no chocolates on the pillow at turndown, etc....there was a lovely fruit tray in our room upon check-in, and the housekeeping was good. Our room was large and comfortable, and we had a huge closet, but my husband and I usually took turns in the bathroom because it was so tiny.