One night in Calgary - accommodation suggestions please
 

Hi all
Always appreciate Fodorites' input so I'm throwing it out there once again!

Need advice as to where to stay in Calgary in January next year ..22nd please��
Coming in from ny with daughter 22 and son 19 to meet my husband who'll be flying from Sydney Australia in one big swoop
We will have most of the day to hang round waiting for him to fly in early evening so we are looking to stay the night in Calgary rather than following through with the original plan of driving straight on to Banff...our actual destination

Ok..so
I guess we should stay downtown?
Last time husband and I overnighted at the acclaim hotel and then drove to Banff...this time the kids and I will take a cab to some hotel ...and head out to have a look at Calgary whilst we wait for my husband to arrive, pick up the rental etc and meet us

We obviously need three beds to accommodate our family so that probably means a family suite
Doesn't have to be flash...just clean and a safe neighbourhood
Id prefer to just step out and be central to ' things'...we only have a few hours...just a meal and a bit of a look around
I'm only familiar with the cross iron shopping mall where I bought some snow boots last time so id appreciate suggestions.
Thanks!

Hi I live in Calgary and the downtown is pretty safe and any big chains like the Hyatt, westin, comfort inn is good. The sandman is lower price but homeless people sometimes sleep in entryways so I'd avoid that one. A friend stayed at the comfort inn which is a bit more modestly priced and not as fancy but said it was clean and the staff were nice. Hyatt, Westin are higher priced and nicer. There is shuttle bus from most of the hotels to the airport for $10 a person and you can meet there to use the service even if you are not staying at the hotel. Hope that helps and I hope you have a wonderful time in the Rockies!

Thank you12345!
Not such a huge decision really lol..just one night but it's more the location I guess and price
With husband coming in later we might have to grab a quick dinner somewhere... Nothing fancy...cos I think he will be totally exhausted from the long flight or maybe he will just want to go to bed and the kids would've had a pretty early start from New York that day too
Just wanted to avoid too many cabs...that's why I thought downtown would be easier than getting an airport hotel

I'll look at the Westin...we r booked in at the Westin New York Times Square and that's got good reviews
Thanks again...
Love the Rockies and am so privileged to be going again...!

If you stay downtown the C-train within the downtown core is free. Things to do: Calgary tower is only a 5-10 minute walk from most hotels in the core as is the Glenbow museum. If you enjoy Zoos you can get to the Calgary zoo by taking the C-train. There is a train stop at the zoo about 10 minute ride. There is lots of shopping too lots of chain stores, Holt Renfrew, The Hudson's Bay. The buildings with the shopping are connected with what is called a "plus 15" (covered walkways) that interconnect the buildings in the downtown so in January you may not even need a coat to go shopping. If you prefer to stay in more of a historical hotel you might consider the Palliser Hotel which is one of the old railway hotels. Cheers!

We stayed at the Westin for one night in Calgary on our way to Banff. It was a very comfortable hotel and I would highly recommend it. We wanted to experience the city of Calgary and the location was very good. Be aware the breakfast in the hotel is buffet only and quite expensive; we walked two blocks to a cafe that was more reasonable. Also, our rate did not include wi-fi in the room (I think it was $10 extra), but wi-fi was free in the lobby. A number of good restaurants for dinner were within walking distance.

Thanks for all your suggestions! I'm noting them down now...

Keen to see the zoo and do the undercover walk..believe there's a good parkland that connects the city parts

I actually booked the best western suites $ 297AUD for the night
( was $25 usd for a rollaway ... For my son) the rate includes parking wifi and breakfast
Hopefully will be a nice relaxed start on a Saturday morning to head out to Banff..hmm
Didn't think of weekend ski traffic though...people heading out to the Rockies?
Do we need to think about weekend traffic in Calgary if we are staying downtown?