Fairmont

We're increasingly seeing hotels offer promotions to incentivize future stays, and Fairmont has come out with a fantastic promotion for their North America properties.

While I've written about this before, more Fairmont properties continue to be eligible for this promotion (including in Mexico), so I wanted to share the up-to-date list.

Fairmont's "Stay Close" promo

Fairmont is offering a great promotion whereby you can get a free night for every night you book for a stay this year at your choice of 17 properties, including 10 in Canada, five in the United States (including one Swissotel property), and two in Mexico (these are new additions, and both are part of the Mayakoba complex).

This promotion is valid at the following properties:

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• The Fairmont Austin (book by June 30, 2020)
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• The Fairmont Banff Springs (book by June 15, 2020)
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• The Fairmont Chateau Laurier (book by July 15, 2020)
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• The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise (book by June 15, 2020)
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• The Fairmont Chateau Whistler (book by June 15, 2020)
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• The Fairmont El San Juan Hotel (book by June 30, 2020)
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• The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge (book by June 15, 2020)
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• The Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac (book by June 30, 2020)
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• The Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu (book by July 8, 2020)
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• The Fairmont Mayakoba (book by July 15, 2020)
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• The Fairmont Heritage Place Mayakoba (book by July 8, 2020)
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• The Fairmont Pacific Rim Vancouver (book by June 16, 2020)
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• The Fairmont Royal York Toronto (book by June 30, 2020)
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• The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess (book by June 30, 2020)
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• The Fairmont Washington D.C. Georgetown (book by June 21, 2020)
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• The Fairmont Winnipeg (book by July 1, 2020)
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• The Swissotel Chicago (book by July 15, 2020)

There are some terms to be aware of:

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• You need to stay by December 31, 2020
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• A deposit is required for the full cost of the stay, though it's fully refundable, typically until seven days before arrival (I should point out that some hotels are playing games with refunds and claiming they're not able to do so now, but I'd hope that's not the case here)
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• You can book back-to-back stays with this offer, should you want to stay longer
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• The promotion can't be combined with other offers, promotions, or packages
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• Some blackout dates apply
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• You can either have the second night free, or receive a complimentary second room on the same night (you'll need to contact individual properties to take advantage of the latter option)

This promotion is as good as it sounds

Often when hotels run BOGO promotions there's a huge catch, as they inflate the rate significantly, before comping the second night. That's truly not the case with this promotion, as the promo rate is half of the standard rate in two night increments.

For example, pulling up random dates at the Fairmont Banff Springs you'll see that the standard rate is 659CAD per night, while the promo rate is 329CAD per night.

The only catch is that you have to pre-pay your stay with this promotion, though the deposit is fully refundable, typically up to seven days before arrival.

Note that the rates shown already factor in the second night free, so expect the displayed nightly rate to be 50% of the standard rate.

I'm really tempted...

I'm so temped by this promotion, because the Fairmont Banff Springs and Fairmont Lake Louise have been on my bucket list for so long. The properties and area look gorgeous.

The problem is that I'm not sure if this is realistic for 2020. The border between the US and Canada is closed for non-essential travel through June 21, 2020, as there has just been a further 30 day extension. That could be extended well beyond that. That doesn't even account for the question of whether one should travel between the US and Canada in the coming months.

Then again, the rate is refundable, so I'm tempted to make a speculative booking for later in the year and hope for the best.

Bottom line

Fairmont has a fantastic buy one get one free offer for 10 properties in Canada, five properties in the US, and two properties in Mexico. While you do have to pre-pay your stay, the deposit is supposed to be fully refundable, typically up to seven days before arrival.

(Tip of the hat to Frequent Flyer Bonuses)