Nice hotels close to the 'Dome

[Crispy's Critter]

Hi all. Going to be taking my holidays during the Flames preseason, and the company I work for has a box in the Dome, so I've decided to stay for a week or two and catch a few games. Any recommendations on where is a good place to stay while in Calgary? Since this is my vacation I want to stay in a fairly nice place, preferably with all the amenities. (ie close to hookers and blow ) Just kidding, actually I am thinking a place with pool, restaurant, nice lounge, stuff like that. Since I'll be cabbing it everywhere because I'll be flying down something fairly central might be good too. Have been looking into hotels, but sometimes pictures and descriptions don't always tell the whole story, so was wondering if there were any I should check into further. Thanks

edit: really looking at the Blackfoot Inn, seems like it might be what I'm looking for. Anyone know more about this place?

[RougeUnderoos]

The Blackfoot Inn is completely wrong if you want to be central. It's in the sticks.

I don't know price range you are looking at, but the Westin, Palliser, Hyatt, Hotel Arts... they are downtown. There are others.

The Blackfoot Inn is on Blackfoot Trail, which is essentially a freeway, and not close to anything.

[Tyler]

Blackfoot Inn is like 10 minutes from the Dome

Edit: Probably even less.

[Crispy's Critter]

Originally Posted by RougeUnderoos

The Blackfoot Inn is completely wrong if you want to be central. It's in the sticks.

The Blackfoot Inn is on Blackfoot Trail, which is essentially a freeway, and not close to anything.

Really? Because on their website it says they are 5 minutes from downtown, and close to many attractions. Like I said, descriptions don't tell you everything

Thanks for the leads

[Ro]

Have you used Priceline before for hotels? You will save a crapload of money if you're staying in a hotel for that length of time. Check it out, and PM me if you have any questions about how it works or want some advice. I've used it plenty of times for hotels here in ON and a couple in the US also, getting a great deal every time.

[RougeUnderoos]

Originally Posted by Crispy's Critter

Really? Because on their website it says they are 5 minutes from downtown, and close to many attractions. Like I said, descriptions don't tell you everything

Thanks for the leads

5 minutes by helicopter, depending on the lights.

If you get a room at the Blackfoot that faces west or north you'll be able to see downtown, but if you want to stroll out the door and have a look around downtown you'll need a sherpa.

It ain't really central.

[Dion]

The money you will spend on cabs over your holidays would probably cost more than if you rented a car.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Crispy's Critter

Really? Because on their website it says they are 5 minutes from downtown, and close to many attractions. Like I said, descriptions don't tell you everything

It's probably about a 5-10 minute cab ride to Stampede Park, so it's not far, but as was said, it's not really close to anything itself. It's in sort of an industrial area, so it's not really a place to just hang out. The closest "attraction" would be Chinook Centre, which is just down the road (less than 5 minutes by car), but it's just a mall, nothing to get excited about. The biggest advantage to the Blackfoot Inn is that it's close to Blackfoot, Glenmore, Macleod, and Deerfoot Trails, which are the main transportation routes in south Calgary, so it would be relatively quick to get anywhere by car.


There are plenty of hotels that are right downtown. The Sandman Inn is right on the C-Train route, right downtown (and conveniently located across the street from what is not so affectionately known as "Crack Mac's"). It looks to be in the same price category as the Blackfoot Inn. I don't know how nice it is though (right across the street from Crack Mac's after all).The Hyatt is also right on the C-Train, about a block away from the Tower. The Marriott is between the Hyatt and the Tower (the Hyatt and Marriott are both attached to the Convention Centre, which shares its building with the Glenbow Museum). The Palliser is next to the Tower and is old luxury (although, I've heard you're paying for the history, and not the quality, or size, of the room).

If you don't want to be right downtown, or want something a little cheaper, there are quite a few places along Macleod Trail south, but I can't speak for their quality (which seems to be lacking for some of them). There are quite a few restaurants and bars along Macleod, so you wouldn't be quite as isolated as you would be at the Blackfoot.

I think Hotel Arts is your best bet if you can afford it (I thought it was a bit pricey, but I could be wrong...) It's only about a 3 block walk/stumble to the dome and 5 blocks to the restaurants on 17 Ave (the Red Mile) The only downfall is it's a block and a half from the Mustard Seed, so there are lots of homeless people camped out around there.

[burn_baby_burn]

Originally Posted by Puxlut

I think Hotel Arts is your best bet if you can afford it (I thought it was a bit pricey, but I could be wrong...) It's only about a 3 block walk/stumble to the dome and 5 blocks to the restaurants on 17 Ave (the Red Mile) The only downfall is it's a block and a half from the Mustard Seed, so there are lots of homeless people camped out around there.

Yeah, I don't think you can get any closer to the Dome than Hotel Arts. Even though its an old Holiday Inn or something the rooms have been renovated and are pretty nice. Also the proximity to 17th Ave cannot be beat. You could pretty much walk everywhere, which isn't a bad idea when your guzzling $7 beers.

[burn_this_city]

Can't go wrong with the Shamrock, 15 min walk from the dome.. Interesting atmosphere and unforgettable hotel/bar patrons. Just wear your clothes to bed and pack heat.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by Puxlut

I think Hotel Arts is your best bet if you can afford it (I thought it was a bit pricey, but I could be wrong...) It's only about a 3 block walk/stumble to the dome and 5 blocks to the restaurants on 17 Ave (the Red Mile) The only downfall is it's a block and a half from the Mustard Seed, so there are lots of homeless people camped out around there.

+1

There is a pool there, and two of the top restaurants in Calgary, The Raw Bar and Saint Germain.

[JD]

The Sheraton in Eau Claire is pretty nice too. Lots of restaurants and bars in the area, including a couple in the hotel itself. It's not as close to the Dome as other places mentioned, but close enough to the C-Train. You could just walk down to Flames Central and catch their bus to the games too. That's always fun.

As for the Blackfoot, unless you have a car, don't stay there. You'll be stuck there.

[burn_baby_burn]

Originally Posted by JD

The Sheraton in Eau Claire is pretty nice too. Lots of restaurants and bars in the area, including a couple in the hotel itself. It's not as close to the Dome as other places mentioned, but close enough to the C-Train. You could just walk down to Flames Central and catch their bus to the games too. That's always fun.

Plus its real close to the French Maid.

[Muta]

Must...resist... suggesting... it....

...The... Ce...

[Ozy_Flame]

Come on gents, how come no one has recommended the Cecil? If you want a hotel with a proud tradition of serving A-class patrons, I say book a night!

[burn_baby_burn]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

Come on gents, how come no one has recommended the Cecil? If you want a hotel with a proud tradition of serving A-class patrons, I say book a night!

Great suggestion! Pizza by the slice on the main floor, a liquer store, what else could you ask for.

[Rhettzky]

Originally Posted by burn_baby_burn

Great suggestion! Pizza by the slice on the main floor, a liquer store, what else could you ask for.

Plus billing is available by the hour. Think of the savings that could be had if you checked in at midnight and then out by six AM. Can you say bargain?

[burn_baby_burn]

Originally Posted by Rhettzky

Plus billing is available by the hour. Think of the savings that could be had if you checked in at midnight and then out by six AM. Can you say bargain?

How do you know that?

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

Come on gents, how come no one has recommended the Cecil? If you want a hotel with a proud tradition of serving A-class patrons, I say book a night!

Yep, pretty much the only hotel in Calgary where you actually WILL get hookers and blow.

well, maybe not blow...that's a little too upscale for the Cecil. Would you settle for hookers and glue?