Finding inexpensive lodging in Calgary can be difficult. The city's booming economy means that many of the older hotels that once offered perfectly pleasant but moderately priced accommodations have gentrified. If you enjoy B&Bs, try the Bed and Breakfast Association of Calgary (www.bbcalgary.com), which has several dozen listings for Calgary. The newly relocated Hosteling International Calgary City Center is an option for budget travelers. The many hotels in Motel Village , which link to city center via the C-Train, are another option; you can often find these rooms at discount hotel Web sites.
Moderately Priced Hotels -- Travelers on a budget have excellent though limited choices downtown. Luckily, Calgary's light-rail system makes it easy to stay outside the city center yet have easy access to the restaurants and sites of downtown.
Motel Village -- Northwest of downtown, Motel Village is a triangle of more than 20 large motels, plus restaurants, stores, and gas stations, forming a self-contained hamlet near the University of Calgary. Enclosed by Crowchild Trail, the Trans-Canada Highway, and Highway 1A, the village is arranged so that most of the costlier establishments flank the highway; the cheaper ones lie off Crowchild Trail, offering a wide choice of accommodations in a small area with good transportation connections. If you're driving and don't want to deal with downtown traffic, just head here to find a room.
Except during the Stampede, you'll be able to find a vacancy without reservations; on C-Train, use either Lions Park or Banff Park stops. Use discount hotel websites such as Travelocity to find deals here. Your favorite chain hotels are located here, including Comfort Inn Calgary Motel Village, 2369 Banff Trail NW, (tel. 800/228-5150 or 403/289-2581), Best Western Village Park Inn, 1804 Crowchild Trail NW (tel. 888/774-7716 or 403/289-4645), Travelodge North, 2304 16th Ave. NW (tel. 800/578-7878 or 403/289-0211), and the Quality Inn University, 2359 Banff Trail NW (tel. 800/661-4667 or 403/289-1973).
Camping -- The Calgary West Campground, on the Trans-Canada Highway West (Box 10, Site 12, SS no. 1), Calgary, AB T2M 4N3 tel. 403/288-0411), allows tents and pets. Facilities include washrooms, toilets, laundry, a dumping station, hot showers, groceries, and a pool. The price for full hookup with two people is C$39 (US$31) per night; tent sites are C$27 (US$21) per night.
