Hotels in Alberta
Coffee makers? Check. Cable television? Check. Internet access? Check... There are certain standard amenities that can be expected in most hotels across the province. Mid-range chain brands such as Best Western and Ramada can be depended on for complimentary breakfast, free Internet access and in-room coffee and often feature on-site fitness centres and swimming pools, while economy brands like Super 8 and Travelodge will at least provide coffee makers and Internet access. From roadside motels offering basic amenities, to swanky, historic hotels that shower guests in luxury, there are plenty of choices in which to experience good ol' western hospitality in Alberta.
Guests should be aware that rooms rates do not include the provincial tourism levy of four per cent or GST (Goods and Services Tax) of five per cent, both of which will be calculated into the final price. A municipality fee of one to two per cent is also charged in some communities, including Jasper, Banff, Canmore, Calgary and Edmonton. Tips are not normally compulsory but always appreciated by the bellman.
EDMONTON & AREA
Approximately 100 hotels and motels await visitors in the culturally vibrant city of Edmonton, from high-end brands—such as Four Points by Sheraton—and elegant boutique properties to dinky mom-and-pop motels. Edmonton’s hotels cluster in north central Edmonton near the airport, in the south along Highway 2, in the downtown area, and in the west near West Edmonton Mall (Fantasyland Hotel offers exciting themed rooms at this mega mall and entertainment complex). The Varscona and Metterra hotels are two popular lodgings found on trendy Whyte Avenue.
Surrounding bedroom communities offer visitors a calmer pace yet all the amenities of the city. Reliable chain-brand hotels such as Ramada and Best Western are located in Leduc, Sherwood Park and Stony Plain, while Nisku, Spruce Grove and St. Albert welcome guests in comfortable independent properties.
CALGARY & AREA
Calgary is the province’s other major centre and visitors won’t have any trouble finding a room to suit their specific needs. Generally speaking, the downtown core is home to plenty of luxurious hotels such as the Fairmont Palliser, Hotel Arts and Sheraton Suites Eau Claire, while lots of budget and mid-range properties (chain and independent) can be found concentrated in Motel Village at the city’s west entrance along Highway 1, on Macleod Trail South and in the northeast near the airport. However, this is by no means the rule and a mix of affordable and upscale hotels can be found throughout these areas. It's important to note that July is Stampedin’ time for Calgary and accommodation bookings should be made well in advance for rooms during this colossal event.
A selection of dependable hotels can also be found in the surrounding towns of Airdrie, Cochrane, Okotoks and High River, all approximately 15 to 30 minutes from Calgary by car.
ALBERTA'S ROCKIES
Embracing their unforgettable natural setting, many hotels in Alberta's Rockies feature outdoor hot tubs, log furnishings, deluxe room options with cozy fireplaces, on-site restaurants with mountain views, and heated underground parking. The national park townsites of Banff, Jasper and Waterton all provide an impressive selection of hotels and Banff stakes claim to the region's only ski-in, ski-out property, the Sunshine Mountain Lodge. Canmore, just 20 minutes from Banff, is another hotel hub and tends to be a cheaper alternative, while visitors to Jasper National Park can opt to stay in nearby Hinton where hotels and motels abound. Lake Louise offers a few true hotel options among its many chalets, lodges and cabins, the most grand of all being the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. Other notable Rocky Mountain properties include the Fairmont Banff Springs, Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge and Waterton's Prince of Wales Hotel.
The Rockies are a prominent destination year round but traffic peaks during mid-summer (July and August) and the ski season (December to April). Room rates typically escalate during these times and early bookings are usually essential.
ALBERTA'S HEARTLAND
Pockets of hospitality greet travellers across the prairies in Alberta's Heartland. At least one or two independent hotels or motels can be found in most small communities throughout the region, with the highest concentration of properties in Red Deer, 150 km (93 mi) south of Edmonton, and Edson, 200 km (124 mi) west of Edmonton. Both Red Deer and Edson host visitors in a mix of budget and mid-range chain-brand hotels as well as plenty of locally owned lodgings. Many hotels in Red Deer, the larger of the two locations, offer easy access to downtown attractions and Westerner Park just south of the city. Other prairie towns with a good selection of accommodation include Cold Lake, Lloydminster, Wainwright, Camrose, Stettler, Rocky Mountain House, Drayton Valley and Whitecourt.
NORTHERN ALBERTA
The vast wilderness of the province's northern reaches is not without warm beds and modern amenities. Most options, from affordable motels to swanky full-service hotels, exist in Grande Prairie and Fort McMurray, where a range of independent properties mingle with well-known brands such as Holiday Inn and Ramada. Due to its robust oil industry, Fort McMurray welcomes a lot of business travellers, accommodating them in a variety of extended-stay hotels. It is also a convenient base for visitors to Wood Buffalo National Park.
A decent selection of hotels can also be found in the communities of High Level, Slave Lake and Peace River.
ALBERTA'S SOUTH
Travellers heading south to explore the badlands and hoodoos or en route to the USA have plenty of places to lay their weary heads in southern Alberta. There are a lot of distinct independent properties ranging from basic motels to full-service hotels, as well as economy and mid-range chain brands dotted throughout the region. Lethbridge and Medicine Hat are the south's largest centres and as such offer the highest number of accommodations. Chain brands like Holiday Inn Express, Travelodge, Ramada and Best Western provide plenty of choice in both towns. Visitors will also find a respectable selection of comfortable hotels in Drumheller, Brooks, Pincher Creek and Strathmore.
Guests should be aware that rooms rates do not include the provincial tourism levy of four per cent or GST (Goods and Services Tax) of five per cent, both of which will be calculated into the final price. A municipality fee of one to two per cent is also charged in some communities, including Jasper, Banff, Canmore, Calgary and Edmonton. Tips are not normally compulsory but always appreciated by the bellman.
EDMONTON & AREA
Approximately 100 hotels and motels await visitors in the culturally vibrant city of Edmonton, from high-end brands—such as Four Points by Sheraton—and elegant boutique properties to dinky mom-and-pop motels. Edmonton’s hotels cluster in north central Edmonton near the airport, in the south along Highway 2, in the downtown area, and in the west near West Edmonton Mall (Fantasyland Hotel offers exciting themed rooms at this mega mall and entertainment complex). The Varscona and Metterra hotels are two popular lodgings found on trendy Whyte Avenue.
Surrounding bedroom communities offer visitors a calmer pace yet all the amenities of the city. Reliable chain-brand hotels such as Ramada and Best Western are located in Leduc, Sherwood Park and Stony Plain, while Nisku, Spruce Grove and St. Albert welcome guests in comfortable independent properties.
CALGARY & AREA
Calgary is the province’s other major centre and visitors won’t have any trouble finding a room to suit their specific needs. Generally speaking, the downtown core is home to plenty of luxurious hotels such as the Fairmont Palliser, Hotel Arts and Sheraton Suites Eau Claire, while lots of budget and mid-range properties (chain and independent) can be found concentrated in Motel Village at the city’s west entrance along Highway 1, on Macleod Trail South and in the northeast near the airport. However, this is by no means the rule and a mix of affordable and upscale hotels can be found throughout these areas. It's important to note that July is Stampedin’ time for Calgary and accommodation bookings should be made well in advance for rooms during this colossal event.
A selection of dependable hotels can also be found in the surrounding towns of Airdrie, Cochrane, Okotoks and High River, all approximately 15 to 30 minutes from Calgary by car.
ALBERTA'S ROCKIES
Embracing their unforgettable natural setting, many hotels in Alberta's Rockies feature outdoor hot tubs, log furnishings, deluxe room options with cozy fireplaces, on-site restaurants with mountain views, and heated underground parking. The national park townsites of Banff, Jasper and Waterton all provide an impressive selection of hotels and Banff stakes claim to the region's only ski-in, ski-out property, the Sunshine Mountain Lodge. Canmore, just 20 minutes from Banff, is another hotel hub and tends to be a cheaper alternative, while visitors to Jasper National Park can opt to stay in nearby Hinton where hotels and motels abound. Lake Louise offers a few true hotel options among its many chalets, lodges and cabins, the most grand of all being the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. Other notable Rocky Mountain properties include the Fairmont Banff Springs, Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge and Waterton's Prince of Wales Hotel.
The Rockies are a prominent destination year round but traffic peaks during mid-summer (July and August) and the ski season (December to April). Room rates typically escalate during these times and early bookings are usually essential.
ALBERTA'S HEARTLAND
Pockets of hospitality greet travellers across the prairies in Alberta's Heartland. At least one or two independent hotels or motels can be found in most small communities throughout the region, with the highest concentration of properties in Red Deer, 150 km (93 mi) south of Edmonton, and Edson, 200 km (124 mi) west of Edmonton. Both Red Deer and Edson host visitors in a mix of budget and mid-range chain-brand hotels as well as plenty of locally owned lodgings. Many hotels in Red Deer, the larger of the two locations, offer easy access to downtown attractions and Westerner Park just south of the city. Other prairie towns with a good selection of accommodation include Cold Lake, Lloydminster, Wainwright, Camrose, Stettler, Rocky Mountain House, Drayton Valley and Whitecourt.
NORTHERN ALBERTA
The vast wilderness of the province's northern reaches is not without warm beds and modern amenities. Most options, from affordable motels to swanky full-service hotels, exist in Grande Prairie and Fort McMurray, where a range of independent properties mingle with well-known brands such as Holiday Inn and Ramada. Due to its robust oil industry, Fort McMurray welcomes a lot of business travellers, accommodating them in a variety of extended-stay hotels. It is also a convenient base for visitors to Wood Buffalo National Park.
A decent selection of hotels can also be found in the communities of High Level, Slave Lake and Peace River.
ALBERTA'S SOUTH
Travellers heading south to explore the badlands and hoodoos or en route to the USA have plenty of places to lay their weary heads in southern Alberta. There are a lot of distinct independent properties ranging from basic motels to full-service hotels, as well as economy and mid-range chain brands dotted throughout the region. Lethbridge and Medicine Hat are the south's largest centres and as such offer the highest number of accommodations. Chain brands like Holiday Inn Express, Travelodge, Ramada and Best Western provide plenty of choice in both towns. Visitors will also find a respectable selection of comfortable hotels in Drumheller, Brooks, Pincher Creek and Strathmore.
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