12th October 2016: I have just been very fortunate to experience a journey on the Rocky Mountaineer, travelling in GoldLeaf Service - Wow!
GoldLeaf Service
Whether you travel in Gold or SilverLeaf, the service is second to none, with a high attention to detail, from arrival at the station on the morning of your departure, to arrival at your final destination hotel.
Everything was taken care of, even our luggage, which was transported separately and waiting on arrival in the Kamloops overnight hotel. The next morning you leave it in the room as you return to the train and then you don’t see it again until you arrive at your destination hotel.
All the staff were friendly and attentive, whether it’s the station staff who wave you off from the station, the Rocky Mountaineer Hosts with their impeccable service and great stories, the culinary team serving some of the most delicious food, and finally the enthusiastic welcome you receive at the end of your journey.
The Journey
The journey I took was from Jasper to Vancouver, with an overnight stay in Kamloops. We boarded the train at 7.45am, where we had been assigned seats in the top deck of the carriage. The whole time you are on board, you are treated to the most amazing natural scenery and if the crew or your fellow guests spot wildlife, there’s a shout out, so all have a chance of seeing it.
At the back of the carriage on the lower deck, there is an outside viewing vestibule, which is great for stretching your legs, getting some fresh air and getting some great shots on your camera. With ever-changing panoramas of pine-covered slopes, shimmering lakes and if you’re really lucky, the odd bit of wildlife including bald eagles and osprey, elk, beaver and even bears.
Dining
On the lower deck you’ll find the dining room and kitchen, where all meals are prepared fresh by a team of chefs. The carriage is split into two groups for dining and you experience both first and second sitting over the two days. On day 1 we joined the second sitting, so not long after we left the station, group 1 went to the dining room. Just to keep us going until our sitting, we were served fresh coffee or tea with a warm cinnamon scone, complete with butter and jam.
Very soon it was our turn to go down to the restaurant. First came the warm blueberry muffins, while we deliberated over the wonderful choice of cooked breakfast options. Decision made, we were served a fresh fruit smoothie before our breakfast main course arrived freshly cooked, so we left the dining room extremely happy.
Later the 1st group then went down to lunch at around 12pm and just in case we had not eaten enough at breakfast, we were treated to a cheese and wine reception before our lunch. Lunch was a 3-course affair, with a choice of salad or soup to start then a selection of 6 or 7 mains, before a scrummy desert, served with a selection of fine Canadian wines. It’s hard to believe the chefs can prepare and serve such wonderful food from such a tiny kitchen, but they definitely delivered.
Hotel Stays
My journey included an overnight stay in Kamloops, so just before arrival, the train managers come around to advise you of your coach number, in order to transfer you to your hotel for the evening. This procedure is very quick and runs like clockwork, so your trip to the hotel is so stress free and easy. Our luggage had arrived in our rooms before us, so after we’d freshened up, we set off to have a look around Kamloops. It was nice to have a stop in a hotel, just for the chance to explore the city and have a change of scenery over night.
The following morning we were picked up again and returned to the train, all ready for another delicious breakfast. Yet again, we had some amazing food!
How Does SilverLeaf Compare?
GoldLeaf is the prestigious service, however guests I spoke to travelling in SilverLeaf were also very impressed with their experience. The main differences with SilverLeaf were that all meals are served at your seat, on an aircraft style fold down table. The meals are also pre-prepared and heated on board, so not cooked to order like GoldLeaf.
The carriages are just single decks, with a small area for outside viewing and while the carriage does not have the glass-domed top, it does have large picture windows for excellent viewing, as well as the same attentive cabin stewards and staff. SilverLeaf is a fantastic option for those on a lower budget, but who still wish to experience this iconic journey on the Rocky Mountaineer.
Whichever option you take, the journey promises to be an unforgettable one. With impeccable service, captivating views and delicious food, there's really no better way to discover the beauty of Canada.
Is Canada on your bucket list? This destination is increasing in popularity, with a wide variety of tailor-made holidays in this vast country to discover. With 14 shops on high streets across the South West and South Wales, we are proud to have a Canada Specialist in every one of our shops. Our Specialists have a wealth of first-hand experience of travelling in Canada and can advise on the best itineraries and hotels to suit you.
.jpg)
