Calgary Accommodation Choices
The City of Calgary is one of the largest cities in Canada being the centre of the nation's energy industry and corporate headquarters for many major Canadian companies. This city is very spread out and covers a land area of 5,083 sq km (1,963 sq mi); the population sits at just over a million. Naturally finding the right place to stay is an important part of planning a visit. Business travellers will have different considerations than leisure travellers, and it's advantageous to be aware of all the accommodation options that exist. WorldWeb.com Travel Guide offers tips and detailed specifics on a large and varied selection of places to stay in Calgary with an emphasis on several key areas of the city including the Calgary International Airport, City Centre, Macleod Trail South, Motel Village and some surrounding communities.
CALGARY AIRPORT
For many visitors, Calgary International Airport is the entry point into the city. The Calgary Airport area has many full service hotels, restaurants, and business services. Many business travellers choose to stay in this area because of the short drive to downtown (an average trip takes 20 minutes depending on traffic) and because it offers easy access to both the airport, and Hwy 2 North that connects to Red Deer and Edmonton. Leisure travellers will also find this area convenient if they are planning a recreational vehicle excursion, as there are several RV rental companies located nearby.
CALGARY CITY CENTRE
Calgary boasts a vibrant downtown core, with abundant shopping, numerous restaurants, and a wide array of accommodation options. For the business traveller, there's something to suit any taste and budget. Many of the world's largest and most prestigious hotel chains have properties in Calgary's city centre. Just beyond the high-rise city core, you will also find more economically priced accommodations that are within walking distance to the business hub in downtown Calgary. If you find yourself in Calgary often, or for long periods of time, then perhaps an extended-stay hotel should be considered. One of the unique advantages of staying downtown while on business is Calgary's +15 pedestrian indoor walkway system. One of the most extensive of it's kind, it is possible to attend several meetings throughout the day, shop through your lunch hour, enjoy a fine dining experience in the evening, and return to your room at night without ever having to brave the frigid January temperatures outside.
CALGARY SOUTH (MACLEOD TRAIL)
Visitors who enter Calgary from the south will find a large assortment of accommodations located on and around Macleod Trail. Everything from full service hotels, to extended stay suite hotels, to comfortable inn-style motels can be found in Calgary's south. The area features Calgary's highest concentration of restaurants, several nightclubs, and easy access to local businesses. Calgary's south is also near several indoor shopping centres, including Southcentre and the recently renovated Chinook Centre—one of the largest in Western Canada. Both business and leisure travellers will find this area appealing, as it offers easy access to downtown and to local attractions such as Spruce Meadows and Heritage Park. In addition, the area affords travellers quick, easy access to destinations south such as Lethbridge, Waterton National Park, and across the Canada-U.S.A. border to the state of Montana.
CALGARY MOTEL VILLAGE
Located on the western end of the city, Motel Village is a concentration of accommodations with a variety of budgets in mind. Just minutes away from the TransCanada Highway, this area has great access to points west, including Alberta's Rocky Mountains and the communities of Canmore and Banff. Sports fans will enjoy the close proximity to McMahon Stadium as well as the varied activities at Canada Olympic Park and the Olympic Oval. Motel Village is also in close proximity to the University of Calgary and Foothills Hospital. Shopping, dining, and entertainment are all at hand, and business travellers will find that downtown is also easily accessible. Several of the accommodations in this area have splendid views of the mountains to the west.
CALGARY BED & BREAKFASTS
There are several quality bed and breakfasts (B&Bs) in Calgary and the surrounding area. Some of these accommodations even specialize in serving the business traveller, and are centrally located. Bed and breakfasts can offer a personal touch to the lodging experience and are usually found in quiet and attractive residential areas of the city.
CALGARY SURROUNDING AREAS
The communities of Okotoks, Airdrie, Cochrane and Bragg Creek offer small town character but with easy access to big city services. These communities, each with their own distinct characteristics, generally offer a more relaxed pace and are all within an easy 35 minute drive (or less) from Calgary. When finding a room in Calgary poses a challenge, staying in one of these communities is an option that shouldn't be overlooked. Okotoks is accessed from south on Highway 2 and Highway 2A, Airdrie can be reached by Highway 2 North, Cochrane by Highway 1A West, and Bragg Creek by Highway 8 West and Highway 22 South.
CALGARY STAMPEDE
Finding Accommodations
Calgary is perhaps best known for the ten-day summer event that has been called "The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth". If you plan to visit Calgary during Stampede, be aware that rooms of all kinds will be in short supply. It may be wise to book your accommodations several months in advance, and keep in mind that rates will be at their peaks during this period.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
Most areas of the city are serviced by the Light Rail Transit System (known locally as the C-Train) and buses of Calgary Transit. The C-Train connects northeast Calgary, south Calgary, northwest Calgary, the Calgary Stampede Grounds, and Downtown Calgary. Where there is no C-Train there are ample bus connections to the nearest C-Train station, as well as to all other points in the city.
CALGARY AIRPORT
For many visitors, Calgary International Airport is the entry point into the city. The Calgary Airport area has many full service hotels, restaurants, and business services. Many business travellers choose to stay in this area because of the short drive to downtown (an average trip takes 20 minutes depending on traffic) and because it offers easy access to both the airport, and Hwy 2 North that connects to Red Deer and Edmonton. Leisure travellers will also find this area convenient if they are planning a recreational vehicle excursion, as there are several RV rental companies located nearby.
CALGARY CITY CENTRE
Calgary boasts a vibrant downtown core, with abundant shopping, numerous restaurants, and a wide array of accommodation options. For the business traveller, there's something to suit any taste and budget. Many of the world's largest and most prestigious hotel chains have properties in Calgary's city centre. Just beyond the high-rise city core, you will also find more economically priced accommodations that are within walking distance to the business hub in downtown Calgary. If you find yourself in Calgary often, or for long periods of time, then perhaps an extended-stay hotel should be considered. One of the unique advantages of staying downtown while on business is Calgary's +15 pedestrian indoor walkway system. One of the most extensive of it's kind, it is possible to attend several meetings throughout the day, shop through your lunch hour, enjoy a fine dining experience in the evening, and return to your room at night without ever having to brave the frigid January temperatures outside.
CALGARY SOUTH (MACLEOD TRAIL)
Visitors who enter Calgary from the south will find a large assortment of accommodations located on and around Macleod Trail. Everything from full service hotels, to extended stay suite hotels, to comfortable inn-style motels can be found in Calgary's south. The area features Calgary's highest concentration of restaurants, several nightclubs, and easy access to local businesses. Calgary's south is also near several indoor shopping centres, including Southcentre and the recently renovated Chinook Centre—one of the largest in Western Canada. Both business and leisure travellers will find this area appealing, as it offers easy access to downtown and to local attractions such as Spruce Meadows and Heritage Park. In addition, the area affords travellers quick, easy access to destinations south such as Lethbridge, Waterton National Park, and across the Canada-U.S.A. border to the state of Montana.
CALGARY MOTEL VILLAGE
Located on the western end of the city, Motel Village is a concentration of accommodations with a variety of budgets in mind. Just minutes away from the TransCanada Highway, this area has great access to points west, including Alberta's Rocky Mountains and the communities of Canmore and Banff. Sports fans will enjoy the close proximity to McMahon Stadium as well as the varied activities at Canada Olympic Park and the Olympic Oval. Motel Village is also in close proximity to the University of Calgary and Foothills Hospital. Shopping, dining, and entertainment are all at hand, and business travellers will find that downtown is also easily accessible. Several of the accommodations in this area have splendid views of the mountains to the west.
CALGARY BED & BREAKFASTS
There are several quality bed and breakfasts (B&Bs) in Calgary and the surrounding area. Some of these accommodations even specialize in serving the business traveller, and are centrally located. Bed and breakfasts can offer a personal touch to the lodging experience and are usually found in quiet and attractive residential areas of the city.
CALGARY SURROUNDING AREAS
The communities of Okotoks, Airdrie, Cochrane and Bragg Creek offer small town character but with easy access to big city services. These communities, each with their own distinct characteristics, generally offer a more relaxed pace and are all within an easy 35 minute drive (or less) from Calgary. When finding a room in Calgary poses a challenge, staying in one of these communities is an option that shouldn't be overlooked. Okotoks is accessed from south on Highway 2 and Highway 2A, Airdrie can be reached by Highway 2 North, Cochrane by Highway 1A West, and Bragg Creek by Highway 8 West and Highway 22 South.
CALGARY STAMPEDE
Finding Accommodations
Calgary is perhaps best known for the ten-day summer event that has been called "The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth". If you plan to visit Calgary during Stampede, be aware that rooms of all kinds will be in short supply. It may be wise to book your accommodations several months in advance, and keep in mind that rates will be at their peaks during this period.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
Most areas of the city are serviced by the Light Rail Transit System (known locally as the C-Train) and buses of Calgary Transit. The C-Train connects northeast Calgary, south Calgary, northwest Calgary, the Calgary Stampede Grounds, and Downtown Calgary. Where there is no C-Train there are ample bus connections to the nearest C-Train station, as well as to all other points in the city.
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