Boutique Hotels

[schteve_d]

I got some tickets to the Winnipeg game later this month for Christmas so I'm going to make a long weekend of it in Calgary with my girlfriend.

Was looking for a deal on a nice hotel (Westin, Hyatt) downtown and came across these "boutique" hotels - the Hotel Arts, the Hotel Elan and there was one more.

From the pictures, they look kind of neat. Any thoughts or experiences on these places? I've never stayed in a hotel like that before.

It'll be just myself and my girlfriend. A weekend away together so somewhat romantic I guess.

[OutOfTheCube]

My wife and I stayed in the Hotel le Germain for our honeymoon night.

Pretty swanky. Expensive, though.

EDIT: Just looked it up, it is a boutique hotel, probably the third one you couldn't remember the name of.

It is a REALLY nice room, well designed, great view, huge bathroom. Our favorite part was the shower. Big walk in shower that you could stand under and felt like warm rain coming down over your body. Wonderful after a stressful wedding day. Gigantic soft bed, robes, threw in a mini bottle of champagne since it was our honeymoon night. The breakfast in the morning was fabulous too. Also had valet service, which was neat.

I've never had a lot of money so I'd never stayed in a place like that before. Of course you go all out for your honeymoon night though. Definitely cool and special.

[csnarpy]

My wife and I stayed at the Hotel Arts a year ago. Great room but better restaurant! Raw bar was simply amazing.

[Temporary_User]

Hotel Elan is newer and in an arguable better location. Both are great locations overall though.
Hotel Arts has a pool and bikes that you can borrow out to use around town.

If I was coming to town and picking between these two hotels I would stay at Hotel Elan.

[Northendzone]

Great thing about calgary in the winter is that we plow the bike lanes, so you'll enjoy tooling around town. It will likely be the fastest method of moving around......

[darockwilder]

Germaine is quite nice, Kensington Inn is nice too although not exactly downtown. Good restaurant at it as well.

[Righteous1]

Hotel le Germain

[OldDutch]

Le Germain is nicest. Charcut is very good too, although I think the hype machine has pumped it a bit too high.

Hotel Arts I have stayed at. It was good, but it is a reno'd older hotel. So I found the HVAC a bit loud. For eats, Raw Bar is good, but I have a soft spot for Taste around the corner. Haven't been in a year, but it has been awesome every time I went.

Elan I never heard of, so can 't comment

Kensington Inn is awesome hotel. Chef's Table is very good. Always enjoy there and Rouge for a fancy dinner in Kensington. Wine bar is great too.

[Calgary '89]

I'm pretty sure Elan is more of a business hotel, they remodeled an old apartment building and dedicated an entire floor to offices & conference rooms. I've heard nothing but good things about Kensington Inn though.