Hotwire Hotel: 4* Calgary Downtown October 1-4 2014

[Richmacr]

Hello,

 

I am looking for assistance in identifying a 4* Calgary Alberta Hotel, Downtown, from Oct 1 - 4

 

FULL AMENITIES: Free Breakfast, Free Internet, Fitness Center, Internet access

$168 USD/night

"Still gathering reviews"

 

Thanks for your help

 

Regards,

--Tom

[thereuare]

Welcome (officially) to BetterBidding!

The Hotel Elan or the Kensington Riverside Inn would be my best guess for this one.

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Let us know how it goes or if we can be of further help.

[blkjck1]

As a Calgary resident, I can tell you that while the Hotel Elan and the Kensington Riverside Inn are listed as "downtown hotels" by Hot.wire, these two properties are not truly in the downtown core.  The Kensington is located on the north side of the Bow River, right by the Louise Bridge.  Crossing that bridge from the north takes you to the extreme west side of downtown.  The Hotel Elan is located several blocks away from the downtown core in the Beltline area.

 

I've stayed at the Kensington.  It's officially a bed and breakfast establishment, but is a really nice hotel.  When George W. Bush was in Calgary for a speech, the organizers booked him at the Kensington to accommodate him and his entourage.  The Elan is actually a converted apartment building that was recently turned into a boutique hotel.  They are both in vibrant and trendy neighborhoods that you can walk around and especially have a great meal.  

 

If you have a vehicle, you should also factor in parking costs.  Parking in downtown Calgary is among the most expensive in North America, rivaling New York City in some respects.  For example, parking at the Westin or the Hyatt here can be upwards of $40 a day.  It's $15-18 a day for the aforementioned hotels.

[Richmacr]

Thanks both for your help and detailed response!

 

I'm still considering my options

 

Any sense of what this might be (same dates)?

 

3.5*

Free Breakfast, Free Internet, Suite, Indoor pool(s), Fitness Center, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Business Center, Self service laundry, Internet access, Golf Nearby

155 USD

75% recommend

 

Thanks,

--Tom

[thereuare]

My guess for this one would be the International Hotel Suites Calgary.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

Let us know how it goes or if we can be of further help.

[blkjck1]

Unless you need to be in the downtown core, I would highly suggest not staying there during the week.  If you have a car, the cost of parking can be a huge source of sticker shock here.  Getting in and out of downtown Calgary during rush hour is an exercise in frustration (which is why I try and get out of my office before 4 pm daily).  Downtown is a series of one way streets which can sometimes be less than helpful, and not only does 7th Ave S have the C-Train (above ground LRT system) that fouls up traffic as the train moves through the core, car traffic is forbidden along 7 Ave as well.  I've traveled in some of the world's major subway systems, and the least civilized of the one's I've been on is Calgary's.  The C-Train is often overcrowded because the train platforms were originally designed to only carry three cars per train, and the growth in ridership since the mid-90s has left an infrastructure deficit that will take a few more years to overcome. 

 

If I can be of any assistance to help you plan your trip to Calgary, I would be happy to help. 

[Richmacr]

Thanks again for all your input.  It looks like I waited too long on the 4* and missed the boat.  So I have reserved something refundable elsewhere, and will keep searching to see if something comes up.  If I end up getting something through Hotwire I will definitely post it here.

[AaronJB]

Thank you for keeping us updated and let us know whatever you decide to do for this stay and let us know if you have additional questions.

 

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