Boutique Hotels in Calgary | Chic Stays for Every Travel Budget

As soon as you walk through the entrance and past the 25-foot high glass art installation in the lobby, you will realize Le Germain Hotel Calgary is all about design. Even the staffs’ uniforms are created by a local fashion designer. The hotel’s 143 guestrooms are elegant and boldly designed with a tasteful mix of natural wood, concrete, brightly colored diva couches, geometric shapes and commissioned artwork on the walls. All rooms have special touches like goose down duvets, bamboo and cotton linens, a Tivoli stereo system, rainfall showers and cotton robes. The rooftop terrace is a lovely place to contemplate life and enjoy phenomenal views of the city.

It’s easy to keep up with your gym routine at the 24/7 fitness room—with more panoramic views from the floor to ceiling windows, your workout will fly by. To add to your self-care, treat yourself to a hot stone massage in the hotel’s penthouse level RnR Wellness Spa.

Centrally located downtown directly across from the iconic Calgary Tower, Le Germain Calgary is within easy walking distance to pubs, restaurants, public art, galleries and shopping at the Stephen Avenue pedestrian mall. Need to go some place further, but don’t have a vehicle? No problem—guests have access to a Lexus courtesy car during their stay.

At award-winning Charcut Roast House, owners Connie DeSousa (of Top Chef Canada finalist fame) and John Jackson serve up an Alberta urban-rustic menu featuring items like their in-house butchered meats, a to-die-for charcuterie board and homemade preserves with comfort sides like duck fat fried poutine. The complimentary deluxe continental breakfast is also prepared by Charcut.

If art’s your thing, stay at the Hotel Arts. This contemporary boutique hotel celebrates modern art with its sleek designs, splashes of bold color and an extensive professionally-curated art collection. The hotel features 185 designer rooms and recently renovated suites, all with free Wi-Fi, Keurig coffee brewers and triple-sheeted duvets with fine linens. Suites have roomy lounge areas with a full-size wet bar and 42-inch wall televisions. There’s an on-site fitness facility, heated underground parking and in-room spa treatments are available. At the seasonal pool with poolside patio, you can lounge away summer days (remember Alberta is known for its sunshine) enjoying the food and beverage service and rubbing shoulders with the locals.

For dining, you can choose from two award-winning restaurants. Yellow Door Bistro features bistro-style dishes with a modern and seasonal twist in a dining room decorated with a whimsical mix of modern and period elements like old window shutters and splashes of bright yellow. A highlight is the weekend brunch buffet where delicious surprises based on local, seasonal ingredients are available.

At Raw Bar, Vietmodern cuisine is served in an artsy, heavenly-blue décor. The menu includes an impressive selection of small plates, like cinnamon gochujang chicken wings and broccoli and cheddar fried rice.

Located in Calgary’s arts and entertainment district, Hotel Arts is just a short walk to downtown, Studio Bell and the Saddledome arena. For a quick and efficient way to cover the sites, hop on one of their complimentary cruiser bikes.

Small and intimate, Hotel Arts Kensington (Hotel Arts sister hotel) has only 19 luxury rooms, allowing for extraordinarily exceptional service. Located riverside on the banks of the Bow River, Hotel Arts Kensington is Calgary’s only boutique hotel with a waterfront view. Rooms feature complimentary Wi-Fi, complimentary access to nearby Kensington Fitness Studio, in-room spa services through RnR Wellness, flat screen televisions, plush bathrobes and slippers, French doors, Nespresso coffee machines and some rooms have fireplaces and deep soaker tubs. There is underground parking (for a fee).

The charming Kensington neighbourhood is walking-friendly and filled with sociable gastro pubs, unique boutiques, wine bars and restaurants. Time for some exercise? Go for a run on the public riverside pathway system just across the street from the hotel or borrow one of their Brooklyn Cruiser bikes and journey to the Calgary Zoo or Prince’s Island Park.

At Oxbow you can enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner at the fireside lounge or on the river-facing patio.
The open kitchen fuses traditional, uncomplicated food with a twist, using seasonal Canadian ingredients, to come up with dishes like smoked mozza-stuffed meatballs or baked potato gnocchi.

Hotel Elan is the perfect choice if you want to be away from the hustle and bustle of the downtown core, but still have easy access to the city. The hotel’s 62 rooms are outfitted with premium linens, heated bathroom floors, heated toilet seats, Keurig coffee brewers, a microwave, free Wi-Fi, windows that open, flat screen TVs, an i-Pod docking system, plush bathrobes, and complimentary calling to 75 countries. A highlight is that this is the only boutique hotel in Calgary where the suites have in-suite meeting spaces for four-six people.

You can get your workout in at the fitness centre, before enjoying your complimentary deluxe continental breakfast, served with fresh fruit and hot items. Underground parking is available for a fee, and there is a sedan service available (also for a fee) for rides to and from the airport. Hotel Elan is in the Car2Go Zone, a car sharing service where you can grab any available car on the street.

Situated close to the 17th Avenue Retail and Entertainment District, a pedestrian-friendly revitalized district filled with over 200 unique shops and restaurants, makes for easy access to bistros, pubs, diners, fast food chains, delis and chocolatiers.

Just because you’re staying just five minutes from the airport, doesn’t mean you have to forfeit boutique swankness. The Hotel Clique Calgary Airport’s 100 Euro-chic rooms are decorated with a tasteful mix of neutral colors, bright pops of color and artwork on the walls. If you’re looking for a bit of fun, several theme suites are available, like the retro rock ‘n roll themed Vinyl Suite which has a music turntable, a vinyl record selection, and a Hi-Fi system, or the Cornerpocket Suite with a pool table, wet bar, and an electric fireplace.

Rooms feature amenities like a Keurig coffee brewer, 47-inch flat screen television, and a Blu-Ray music player. There is a fitness centre and you can relax and unwind in the two rooftop hot tubs while enjoying city and airport skyline views.

The trendy Tonic Kitchen & Bar puts its own spin on classic faves like burgers and mac and cheese. Wondering how the restaurant got its name? Order a G & T made with one of the 50 different gins and tonics.

Aloft Calgary University hotel is within walking distance to the University of Calgary, but if you’re also drawn to the bright lights of downtown, it’s easy to jump on the city’s light rail transit system and be there in 10 minutes. This 143-room hotel features one and two-bed rooms, each with a coffee maker, mini fridge, free high speed internet, and a work desk. The 42-inch flat screen televisions offer plenty of options with cable or satellite and pay-per-view movies.

The re:charge gym allows for a workout before a dip in the indoor pool. Massages and manicures are available at Le Soleil Spa (appointment required). A free buffet breakfast is served, and the re:fuel snack bar is open for breakfast and lunch to get your java fix or purchase items like salads, sandwiches and snacks. The WXYZ Bar & Lounge is a fun place to sip a specialty cocktail, order off the tapas and small plate menu, and play a game of pool.

Opened in 1914, at the Fairmont Palliser, you can tap into the city’s history. This beautiful historical landmark was built in the Edwardian Commercial style with straight geometric lines to mimic prairie grain elevators.

Each of the 407 newly renovated rooms has robes, a coffee maker, down duvets, opening windows, and high speed internet. A Royal Service guest service hotline is available so you can get an immediate answer to your questions about services or if you need anything to make your stay more comfortable. There is a Fairmont Gold Floor, where members get that special “hotel within a hotel” experience. The health club has brand new exercise equipment, and you can enjoy a spa treatment at the tenant spa, RnR wellness, located on the boulevard level.

The Oak Room Lounge and Rimrock Dining Room are currently closed for renos, but an exciting new restaurant and lounge will re-open in spring of 2019. In the meantime, you can enjoy casual dining for breakfast and an all-day menu at the pop-up Boulevard Restaurant.

Located next to the Calgary Tower in the heart of downtown Calgary, the Fairmont Palliser is within easy walking distance to Stephen Avenue pedestrian mall, and an abundance of galleries, pubs and restaurants.