Hotels in Calgary
A thriving hub of international commerce makes finding a cheap bed in Calgary difficult. Downtown offers a full complement of international business-class brands like Sheraton, Westin, and Delta, with few independents and little to distinguish between them, save location. Newer modern and sleek hotels like Le Germain and Hotel Arts have livened things up a bit.
Less expensive rooms, if they're available at all, tend to cluster around the motel strips: Macleod Trail S, or 16th Avenue NW, which is what the Trans-Canada Highway becomes as it passes through the city. A few deals can be found downtown at cheaper chains like Best Western (www.bestwestern.com), Sandman Inn (www.sandmanhotels.com), or Travelodge (www.travelodge.com). There is a dearth of accommodation outside the central financial core and motel strips, unfortunately, notably in trendy neighborhoods like the Mission.
If you like B&Bs, try the Bed and Breakfast Association of Calgary (www.bbcalgary.com), which has several dozen listings for the city. The many hotels in Motel Village, which link to the city center via the C-Train, are another option; you can often find these rooms at discount hotel websites.
Motel Village
Northwest of downtown, this triangle of more than 20 large motels, plus restaurants, stores, and gas stations, forms a self-contained hamlet near the University of Calgary. Enclosed by Crowchild Trail, the Trans-Canada Highway, and Highway 1A, the village's costlier establishments flank the highway, and the cheaper ones lie off Crowchild Trail. If you're driving and don't want to deal with downtown traffic, just head here to find a room; for C-Train service, use the Lions Park or Banff Park stops. Except during the Stampede, you'll be able to find a vacancy without reservations. Use a discount hotel website such as Travelocity to find deals here. Popular chain hotels and some independents are located here, including Comfort Inn (2369 Banff Trail NW; tel. 403/289-2589), 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). You can expect rates of about C$120 to C$140 for a double.
Camping
The Calgary West Campground (tel. 403/288-0411; www.calgarycampground.com), on the Trans-Canada Highway west of the city, allows tents and pets. Facilities include washrooms, toilets, laundry, a dumping station, hot showers, groceries, and a pool. The price for full hook-up with two people is C$45 per night; tent sites are C$29 to C$32 per night.
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7 Results
- Hotel
Acclaim Hotel
If all you need is a good bed before or after your flight, this newish airport hotel is a fine choice. Complimentary shuttle, big fluffy beds, a rooftop hot tub, and a fitness club will ease your travel-weary bones. It’s way out of town, though, so not the place to stay if you're…$$Airport
- Hotel
Holiday Inn Express
Our choice for best mid-range hotel in town, the Holiday Inn Express offers the predictable high-rise hotel experience , plus breakfast. The rooms are average in looks, but spotless and with very cushy beds. The location is excellent and guests can use a small, on-site fitness…$$Downtown - Hotel
Hyatt Regency Calgary
Of all the chain hotels downtown, this is probably the best. That’s because it’s one of the newest and because it’s tucked right into the facade of the historic Stephen Avenue Mall. Rooms are very large (it a bit staid in their looks), the beds are quite comfy and the service is…$$Downtown - Hotel
Kensington Riverside Inn
With more flair and personality than just about any other hotel in town, this boutique inn—on the north side of the river a short walk from downtown—is private, design-forward, and oh-so chic. The rooms are large, the ambiance cool, and the creature comforts here go above and beyond:…$$Kensington - Hotel
Sandman Calgary West
Across from the Canada Olympic Park, this is the last hotel in Calgary before you hit the road to Banff. It’s functional (slight praise, we know), with an indoor pool and a 24-hour restaurant. But often the price is quite good, so if you're simply looking for a place to crash before…$$West of downtown - Hotel
Sheraton Suites Calgary
Not many hotels appeal to both family groups and business travelers, but the Sheraton Suites accomplishes that neat trick, thanks to a nifty array of amenities. Families like it because there's a water slide at the swimming pool, a babysitting service, and a fold-out couch in the…$$$Downtown - Hotel
The Fairmont Palliser
Opened in 1914, this historic landmark has deep roots in the Calgary community. Rooms here are notoriously cramped, as in most urban hotels of this vintage, but they retain an old-world elegance typical of Fairmont. The new Fairmont Gold rooms have extra value with a private…$$$Downtown
