RnR Wellness Spa Palliser

I’m someone who genuinely loves going to the spa and prioritizes relaxation, so I decided to try the Fairmont Palliser Spa after previously visiting the hotel for high tea and it was good. Unfortunately, this was one of the worst spa experiences I’ve ever had, and I would not recommend it. The front desk staff were friendly and welcoming, but the facility itself was extremely disappointing. The changing room was tiny . Two people could not comfortably fit inside. The bathroom area was messy, with toilet paper on the floor, hair in the sinks and shower, mold, and an overall dirty appearance. The mirrors were loose on the wall, the shower curtain looked very cheap, and there were no washcloths available. It honestly made me feel uncomfortable and itchy, and I almost left before my service even started. I even pointed out the condition of the bathroom and the dirty items in the shower to a staff member who was dropping off towels, and she simply said “okay” and walked away without addressing it. For a luxury hotel brand charging premium prices, this level of cleanliness and upkeep is unacceptable. The massage itself was also disappointing. The therapist did not seem confident or skilled, did not focus on the areas I specifically requested, applied more pressure after I asked for lighter pressure, and spent a lot of time rubbing in lotion rather than actually performing a proper massage. Overall, the spa feels outdated, poorly maintained, and unhygienic ;more like a two star facility than a luxury experience. It’s shocking that a Fairmont property would allow a spa in this condition, and I truly believe someone could get sick if the cleanliness issues are not addressed. I will not be returning .I’ll stick to the others im use to ; much cleaner, more professional, and a far better value for your money.

Unfortunately, this wasn’t the relaxing experience my partner and I were hoping for. It had the potential to be great, but a few issues made it disappointing overall. The check-in process was smooth, and we were shown around the facilities before our massages. However, things started to feel a bit awkward once our therapists came to get us. They were nice but our introductions weren't great and during the massage, one of the therapists continued to talk and ask my partner questions, which made it difficult for either of us to fully relax. Partway through, I also noticed a bug crawling on the floor beneath me, which I had to interrupt the session to have removed. While I understand that’s not the therapist’s fault, it definitely took away from the calming atmosphere. The highlight of our visit was the use of the pool, hot tub, and steam room — those amenities were very enjoyable. We went early Sunday afternoon so it wasn't very busy with hotel guests. It seemed to just be guests from the spa. Lastly, we were told afterward that one of the massage services couldn’t be direct billed through insurance because the RMT was new and not yet in their system. I wish this had been mentioned beforehand, especially since I had called two days prior to confirm direct billing was available. I also had issues trying to bill through my insurance (couldn't find the RMT in the system) so I phoned the spa and the response from the front desk was to wait a few days to try again or call my insurance because they aren't an insurance company. Overall, while the facilities themselves were nice, the service and communication issues made it far less relaxing than we expected. We will come again but request different therapists and make sure they can be direct billed for a smoother more relaxing experience.