
If you’ve made it to this page you’re probably planning a trip to Calgary, Alberta, Canada and wondering where to stay in Calgary. By area, Calgary is one of the largest cities in Canada, and Calgary hotels are spread all over the city, from north to south and from east to west. So where should you stay in Calgary?
Personally, I’ve stayed at many Calgary hotels. When I’m in the city to visit friends or family, or to attend a conference, I always like to stay in a new hotel. Over the years I’ve stayed in at least a dozen different Calgary hotels, and I’ve learned exactly where to stay in Calgary depending on the purpose of your trip and your travel companions.
Traveling on a cross-country road trip with kids? You’ll definitely want to choose a Calgary hotel with a big water park where your kids can blow off some steam.
On an important business trip? Look for a comfortable downtown hotel with a lobby that will impress your new partners when you meet for coffee.
Coming to Calgary for the famous Calgary Stampede? Stay within stomping distance of the grounds so you don’t have to wait for a taxi to get back to your accommodation after a long night of line dancing.
Keep reading to see exactly which Calgary hotels I recommend, and scroll down to the bottom to leave a comment if you have any other questions about hotels in Calgary.
Where to Stay in Calgary for the Stampede

The Calgary Stampede is located just southeast of the city center, beside the Victoria Park / Stampede C-train station. This means that any hotel near a C-Train station is a good option, but certain hotels are a great option.
If you’re coming to Calgary to experience the famous Calgary Stampede, you’ll want to choose a hotel in the city center – and you’ll want to book your Calgary Stampede hotel well in advance, since hotels always sell out.
🤠 Important Note! The 2026 Calgary Stampede dates are July 3-12, 2026. Hotels will sell out, so book early! 🤠
The Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott and the Hotel Arts are two of the closest hotels to the Calgary Stampede grounds. They’re both within a kilometer of the Stampede grounds, making for an easy walk to and from the show. As a solo female traveler, I would be comfortable walking from the Stampede grounds to both hotels at any time of day or night.
- The Fairfield Inn and Suites is the more affordable option, with simple rooms and a complimentary breakfast buffet. This is where I would stay if I was coming to the Stampede with kids.
- On the other hand, Hotel Arts is one of Calgary’s best-known boutique hotels, with a fun rooftop pool bar, several trendy restaurants and even complimentary bike rentals. This is the perfect Calgary Stampede hotel if you’re coming with friends and want to make it a party.
Recently, some new hotels have opened just north of the Calgary Stampede grounds, in the East Village. These are also within about one kilometer of the Stampede grounds, but the walk takes you through a slightly “rougher” neighbourhood. By day it’s no problem, but by night I’d probably opt for a taxi or an Uber. In the East Village, you’ve got two good hotel options:
- The Hilton Garden Inn has a rooftop terrace, and indoor pool and pet-friendly rooms.
- Alt Hotel Calgary East Village has three on-site restaurants, including an exclusive eight-seat chef’s table.
All of these hotels are also close to my new self-guided walking tour of Calgary, so you can spend half a day away from the Stampede Grounds, exploring the city center on foot.
Where to Stay in Calgary Near the Airport

My favorite hotel near the Calgary airport is actually right inside the Calgary airport – the Calgary Mariott In-Terminal Hotel. I’ve stayed here twice when my outbound flight has been cancelled and rescheduled for the next day. The rooms are modern and quiet (no airplane noise!) and the on-site restaurant is great. In the morning, it’s just a one-minute walk across the road or pedestrian walkway to the airport terminal.
💤 Thinking about sleeping at the Calgary Airport? Read my full review of the in-terminal Marriott Hotel. 💤
Just down the road from the terminal, an assortment of new airport hotels have recently opened their doors. Two of the most popular are part of the same hotel group: Hotel Clique Calgary Airport and Applause Hotel Calgary Airport. Both hotels feature rooftop hot tubs, modern rooms, great breakfasts (often included in the rate – check at booking!) and an airport shuttle.
Where to Stay in Calgary for Families

The best Calgary hotels for families are dotted around the city, from the area surrounding the airport to the city center to the southern city limits.
- Best Western Port o’ Call Hotel in northeast Calgary is a local favorite. Not too far from the airport, this hotel features an 8,000 square foot waterpark, complete with two water-slides, two hot tubs, a leisure pool, a wading pool and more. There’s also a squash court and fitness center for the adults in your group.
- Sheraton Suites Eau Claire is the best hotel in downtown Calgary for families. It has a riverfront location in the picturesque Eau Claire district. From here, it’s an easy ten-minute walk to most of Calgary’s best tourist attractions, but you might have a hard time pulling the kids out of the pool, which also features a waterslide and Jacuzzi. In the summer, there’s a free outdoor waterpark just a few steps away from the hotel.
- Deerfoot Inn and Casino is a bit further afield, in the south part of the city, but some consider it a destination in its own right. Here, the waterpark has a two-storey waterslide, a pool, a hot-tub, and lots of fun water fountains. For the adults, there’s an on-site casino with 32 gaming tables and more than 800 slot machines. The hotel also hosts concerts and special events.
Where to Stay in Calgary for 1 Night

If you’re staying in Calgary for one night because you’re just driving through the city, I recommend a hotel near the Trans-Canada Highway. I would personally recommend one of the two hotels near the former Calgary Olympic Park (today it’s called WinSport), which are just minutes off the highway:
- Sandman Hotel & Suites Calgary West – Relax in the indoor pool and hottub after a day of skiing, snowshoeing or hiking in the Rockies.
- Four Points by Sheraton Calgary West – You’ll expect to see ski jumpers overhead at this hotel at the base of Calgary’s former Olympic ski hills.
However, if you’re staying in Calgary for one night (or a weekend) because you want to do some sightseeing or are on a business trip, I recommend a hotel in the city center. I’ve stayed at quite a few different downtown Calgary hotels, and my recommendations would be one of these three:
- Hotel Arts is a great option if you’re spending a night in Calgary with your friends and want to sip some cocktails poolside before heading out to a bar or club; it’s chic and it’s centrally located.
- The Fairmont Palliser is an iconic Canadian hotel, built in 1914 as the Canadian Pacific Railway expanded westwards. You’re really stepping back in history here, and everywhere you look, from the facade to the lobby to your room, will have a kind of classic elegance. The only caveat is that rooms in a 100-year-old hotel are a bit smaller than in some of their newer neighbours.
- For something in the middle, a favorite of mine is the Hyatt Regency Calgary. Located between 7th Avenue (where the train runs quietly through the city) and 8th Avenue (a pedestrian shopping street), you can’t get any closer to Calgary’s best tourist attractions. The Hyatt is also great in winter, as it’s connected to the indoor +15 walkway system with direct access to the Calgary Tower (you don’t have to set foot in the snow!). I’m also a fan of the Hyatt’s Stillwater Spa and the adjacent Rosso Coffee Roasters coffee shop (OMG their breakfast pastries are delish!).
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Before you go, read these helpful Calgary travel guides:
🚉 How to Use the Calgary Transit App
✈️ How to Get from the Calgary Airport to Downtown
👟 The Essential Self-Guided Walking Tour of Downtown Calgary
🧖🏻♀️ Calgary’s Newest European-Style Thermal Spa Experience
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