Feeling Welcome At The Malcolm
Our experiences at The Malcolm Hotel have been loaded with comfort and hospitality.
While most were preparing for Christmas and embracing the season, my husband, Zach, and I spent the holidays working towards acquiring a new business, CanmoreAlberta.com.
The prior owners of Canmore’s community portal for the past 15 years, Hugh Hancock and Terri Harrison, live in Spring Creek, in the heart of downtown Canmore. After courtesy calls with general questions being asked and answered, a relationship with Hugh started to develop. Our business transaction began to take shape and our intentions were put on paper. When it came time to meet in person, Hugh invited us to join them for a holiday celebration, The Festival of Trees, at The Malcolm Hotel in Spring Creek.
Zach and I knew where the The Malcolm is but we had not spent any time there. A stay-cation wasn’t in the current budget and, coming from Maui we had more of a feeling that, without a reservation, we usually wouldn’t consider spending time in a luxury hotel. So, this visit, that included an introduction to the folks whose company we wanted to buy, and the Festival of Trees at a luxury hotel, felt like a big deal to us.
As it was Christmas time, walking through the slider doors into the main lobby was truly breathtaking. There was a white Christmas tree from floor to ceiling and the fire was burning within the grand hearth. Frankly, I don’t know what was taller the bold chimney stack or the picturesque windows that whispered the calls of the outdoors to me. Mesmerized, I could feel myself walking towards the views, nearly bumping my nose against the crystal clear glass.--- ** 4 Stars ** to the staff member who is taking care of those! There were decorated trees, candied gingerbread houses, smiling people. It felt like a true wonderland.
But then Christmas was over. There were still some things that needed to be done to wrap up the business transaction and Zach and I got another invite to The Malcolm.
“Meet me at the table by the windows behind the fireplace.”
And again, Hugh said, “There’s a grand circular staircase to the right of the front door, I’ll be at the tables at the top of those.”
The beginning of each business meeting was like a quick hide and seek that lead us to these special nooks within the hotel. And as we walked the halls to find our way, every single member of the Malcolm team that we encountered, whether they were meeting us at the Front Desk or QR Code check-in; or passing in the halls with carts of warm food for an event; crossing within the washrooms while they maintain the high standards of cleanliness; or being introduced to Andrew, the General Manager; it was never without a warm greeting, a nod of welcome, or a friendly hello.
And then there is The Stirling, the cool little lounge & grill within The Malcolm. There is a fine dining side, with either an ala carte menu or a 3-course “Trust the Chef” experience and some wonderful wine offerings, but we only visited the lounge side, where it seems that everyone who’s someone in Canmore, goes for lunch. After each business meeting, Hugh, Terri, Zach, and I, would break bread sharing the delights that come out of the Stirling kitchen. Sometimes it was just a salad and yam fries, sometimes it was their special TNL wings and burgers. I loved the brussel sprouts and beef bites-- and I don’t usually like brussel sprouts! It is cozy comfort food with some twists. We always toasted our progress and our futures with tasty craft beers, coffees with Bailey’s and sugared rims, and velvety glasses of wine.
Our experiences at The Malcolm Hotel have been loaded with comfort and hospitality. It is a place of understated elegance. You know you are lucky to be there; yet, it is unpretentious, allowing you to truly relax and enjoy where you are.
Thank you to The Malcolm, and Hugh and Terri, for introducing us to such a spot! It will always be the place where we got our start with CanmoreAlberta.com.
Sincerely, Carrie and Zach Wheatley, CanmoreAlberta.com, New Owners