Hotels in Calgary

Visitors looking for great accommodations at hotels in Calgary are finding an increasingly cosmopolitan city that likes to maintain its country roots. Calgary is thriving and growing, becoming a great city to visit. With new theaters, galleries, retailers, boutique spas and other high-end amenities, Calgary is, in the words of the New York Times, "exchanging its cowboy duds for a tuxedo." A prime example of the old Calgary is the Calgary Stampede, a western-style festival held every July, and still beloved. The new trendy city atmosphere is underscored by the Glenbow museum, home to world-class collections of art and history.

Neighborhoods

The downtown core of Calgary is business-centered and not particularly lively on weekends. But just a few blocks out lie neighborhoods brimming with life. Chinatown, Kensington, Uptown 17th Street and "International Avenue" are just a few of the many faces of Calgary these days. Uptown 17th street is full of the night life that party-goers in vibrant cities try to find. Inglewood is becoming the place to go to find antiques, a quiet tea house, and an enjoyable afternoon out, while Kensington is known as the fun and funky home of the art house cinema the Plaza. Marda Loop is the place to find locally owned boutiques and street performers, and Willow Park Village is reminiscent of an old European Square. In any of these neighborhoods, Calgary hotels are centrally located. From the Luxury West in Calgary in the center of town, to the budget Econo Lodge Motel Village just a few steps away, people with all budgets can find the best rooms for their needs and wallet size. Luckily, most destinations in Calgary are easily accessible by public transportation, as parking in the city has been listed as the most expensive in Canada.

Calgary Quick Picks and Tips

Conventions

Guests of hotels in Calgary can attend the many conventions and events held at the TELUS Convention center, including the Art Market Art and Craft Show and the International Pipeline Conferences.

Dining

As Calgary grows, so does its dining options. While it doesn't have a signature dish, residents are fond of Alberta beef, and steakhouses abound. Visitors looking for Mexican food may have difficulty finding it, and seafood is less popular here than near the lake edges or the coasts.

Major Point of Interest

No visitor should miss the TELUS world of science, with its Creative Kids Museum, Discovery Dome, and many classes and programs offered through the year.

Shopping

Calgary has a diverse shopping atmosphere, scattered throughout its main neighborhoods. Locally owned shops and boutiques selling everything from clothing to antiques to local foods at the farmers' markets vie with full name-brand shopping malls for the visitor's cash.

Sports

Calgary's football team, the Stampeders, plays at McMahon stadium in Northwest Calgary, but visitors and residents often find themselves at the BMO Centre to watch a good hockey game or attend an event.