SusanC

I will be there for opening weekend and, of course, have run into the usual hotel issue: prices doubled and limited supply! Here are my choices:

Holiday Inn Express on 8th Ave @ 10th St for $249 (incl breakfast + parking), ranked #12 in TripAdvisor. My concern is location - 1) I like to be conveniently located and this is a bit out of downtown and 2) Reviews (while positive overall) said neighborhood was "transitional" w/ lots of panhandlers

Ramada: 8th Ave @ 6th St for $269 - Ranked 34. The issue here is they only have one room w/ a king and we need 2 beds so they have to squish in a cot. Also ranked lower for what that is worth.

Marriot in absolute best location for $379 - ranked 10. Issue here is cost but I think at least this is an executive room rather than a regular room so at least getting more for the extra money.

Last time I went I had to stay in the YWCA!! This time I'm bringing my Dad so obviously am not doing that. Anyone familiar with these hotels? All the rest are either booked or over $400.

Thanks.

Cruiseryyc

Spend the extra and take the Marriott, of course at this late date getting a room might be an issue. Is this a last minute trip or did you plan in advance? For Stampede week you should have booked a hotel long ago.

Judy_in_Calgary

Agree with Cruiseryyc that the Marriott is by far and away the best choice.

For what it's worth, the Holiday Inn at 8th Avenue and 10th Street SW is not outside of downtown. It's still in the downtown core, albeit at the western edge of downtown and away from the main cluster of restaurants and shops that are further east than that.

Nonetheless, the hotel is very close to the C-Train. Use of the C-Train is FREE in the downtown core, along 7th Avenue South. If your dad does not feel up to walking from the hotel to the restaurant district, you could get there by train.

I don't know if you're coming to Calgary to take in the Stampede or if your timing has coincided with the Stampede by accident. If you want to get to Stampede Park from the Holiday Inn, a southbound train (labelled Somerset) will get you there (albeit you will need to pay because Stampede Park is outside of the free fare zone).

It's true that the neighbourhood around the Holiday Inn is a bit scuzzy. However, because your options probably are so limited now, the Holiday Inn would be my second choice if I could not get into the Marriott. But the Marriott would be my first choice by a long shot.

If you're staying at the Marriott, the best way to get from there to Stampede Park is to walk.

Hana

I can't comment on the hotels themselves as I have never stayed in them (I live in Calgary). I don't particularly care for the area around the Holiday Inn Express - the reviews are correct in their description of the area being transitional.

It does sound like the Marriott is the best choice for you - unfortunately also the most expensive!

Enjoy Stampede.

Terrence

I'm with the others - go with the Marriot.

SusanC

Thanks for feedback although no need to lecture - I actually reserved a few weeks ago (earliest rezzie ever in my life so no more lectures please!) but am tinkering with the trip and considering staying longer.

Frankly, I was pleasantly surprised by all the options that were available and made these additional reservations but want to cancel on a timely basis for other travelers. I'm mostly trying to get value for the money. Of course, Marriot is nicer and in a better location - but is it worth $130 + tax more???? Walking no problem - as New Yorkers we walk everywhere (don't even own a car) plus will have been hiking for a week prior to arrival.

Frankly I was leaning towards the Ramada (better location than HI but a lot cheaper than Marriott plus they seemed very nice) but noted that none of you even mentioned it - should we stay away?

Thanks.

Hana

Susan -

I simply didn't mention the Ramada due to your statement that the room layout was not ideal. Again, I can't comment as to the hotel and its service but yes, the location is better than the Holiday Inn!

Sounds like you and your Dad are quite active - perhaps you aren't expecting to spend much time in your room. In that case, I'd probably book the Ramada for the weekend.

SusanC

Thanks for feedback although no need to lecture - I actually reserved a few weeks ago (earliest rezzie ever in my life so no more lectures please!) but am considering staying longer.

Frankly, based on past experience I was pleasantly surprised by all the options that were available given the usual terrible availability. I've made some of these additional reservations but want to cancel on a timely basis for other travelers.

I'm mostly trying to get value for the money. Of course, Marriot is nicer and in a better location - but is it worth $130 + tax more???? Walking no problem - as New Yorkers we walk everywhere (don't even own a car) plus will have been hiking for a week prior to arrival.

Frankly I was leaning towards the Ramada (better location than HI and a lot cheaper than Marriott plus it has an outdoor pool and they seemed very nice) but noted that none of you even mentioned it - should we stay away?

If everyone still comes back with Marriott then I'll probably go with that....just want to make sure that I will really be getting money's worth. Especially since I confirmed it is only a regular room - as an fyi ALL of their rooms are termed "deluxe"!!!

Thanks.

Judy_in_Calgary

The Ramada's location is somewhat better than the Holiday Inn's location. But the Ramada is still towards the west end of downtown, which is dominated by businesses, and has fewer restaurants and even fewer shops (although it's a shorter walk from there to the restaurant / shopping part of downtown).

A regular poster at TripAdvisor stated that the Ramada was noisy, and that was outside of Stampede.

Any comments about noise are significant I think because whatever noise may exist under normal circumstances increases during Stampede.

jfreides923

We just booked the Westin for $129 CAD for next weekend. They are having a Canada Day sale.

Good luck!

lunabug

I just stayed at the Westin a couple of weeks ago. Be warned that they are in the middle of a renovation. Not sure if it will be completed by next week. The room I stayed in really need renovation too and we could tell that it had been a smoking room before all Westins went non smoking.

However, if you can get it for $129 go for it!

SusanC

Needless to say, the $129 rate is NOT available Stampede weekend! But otherwise do try - internet only @ westin.com.

We are only going to spend 2 nights in Calgary instead of 3 so I am going to follow all of your suggestions and stay the Marriott - gulp!

Thanks for all of your advice. Susan

SusanC

Unbelievable - when I went to change reservation from 3 days to 2, I had to pay in full (which I knew) but for some reason the rate fell from $379 to $299!! Yay! So ended up only being slightly more than all the lesser places. Plus as you pointed out, it really is a much better location - we walked to Stampede.

Thanks for all of your recommendations!