5 days in Calgary end of May.

I'm going in Sept. Staying in Canmore AirBnb when I do Banff. I've got time so I'm still working on the things to do/see.

How many ppl are going? what are your interests?

I had started a thread in 2019 on going to Calgary at canadian money forum

https://www.canadianmoneyforum.com/thre ... ce.139258/

Lots of info there if you can wade through it. I may finally go in the summer!

I'm going to throw this out there in case someone responds. Has anyone been to the sheraton eau clair or westin calgary? Everyone in the canadian money forum talks like sheraton eau claire is better but with the westin you need less points so i can't decide

gr8dlr wrote: ↑ I'm going in Sept. Staying in Canmore AirBnb when I do Banff. I've got time so I'm still working on the things to do/see.

How many ppl are going? what are your interests?

Couple of us and very much outdoorsy ppl. We dont really care about the city as much as whats aroudn it. Would most likely spend most of the time exploring the mountains, trails etc. The more scenic the better.

Are you renting a car or bussing?

Latebuyer wrote: ↑ I had started a thread in 2019 on going to Calgary at canadian money forum

https://www.canadianmoneyforum.com/thre ... ce.139258/

Lots of info there if you can wade through it. I may finally go in the summer!

Thanx for this. I will for sure read through that. Most likely come back with questions

Latebuyer wrote: ↑ I'm going to throw this out there in case someone responds. Has anyone been to the sheraton eau clair or westin calgary? Everyone in the canadian money forum talks like sheraton eau claire is better but with the westin you need less points so i can't decide

I know someone who recommended Sheraton....this is what they said.

We have stayed here. Nice. Not too pricey. Just off the core. Close to the Bow River where there is a nice river side walking path and parks.

cRaZyRaVr wrote: ↑ Couple of us and very much outdoorsy ppl. We dont really care about the city as much as whats aroudn it. Would most likely spend most of the time exploring the mountains, trails etc. The more scenic the better.

Are you renting a car or bussing?

Then you should definitely spend more time in Canmore, Banff, Lake Louise area.

Lot of ppl stay in Canmore as it's only around a 20 min drive and prices are much better. I rented a AirBnb. There was a lot to choose from and you can cancel almost right up to the date of arrival. Re. car, I needed a van and they're not easy to find thru Rental companies so I did a Turo [first time for me].

If you are renting a car and plan on spending time in Banff then pre-book you time as you will be able to go through the permit lane

Banff Park Pass

Also Drumheller is another spot to visit for the Hoodoos and Tyrel Museum but it is north east of the city, not west.

cRaZyRaVr wrote: ↑ Couple of us and very much outdoorsy ppl. We dont really care about the city as much as whats aroudn it. Would most likely spend most of the time exploring the mountains, trails etc. The more scenic the better.

Are you renting a car or bussing?

Depending on your fitness level, renting a car is 100% necessary if you truly want to explore the mountains & make an outdoor trip. If you aren't city people, then I would say Calgary is probably do-able in less than a day.

The only issue with Banff/Canmore is all the damn park fees you have to pay... For a 5 day trip, you could reasonably also sneak out for a bit to Lake Louise, if you haven't been there before.


Some of the hikes I'd recommend off the top of my head:

Canmore/Kananaskis: Ha Ling Peak, Rawson Lake

Banff: Sulphur mountain, Tunnel mountain

Lake Louise: Big Beehive, Tower of Babel (scramble)

Thank you all.
The fees are what they are. Its not like we are doing these trips monthly Plus most of us have been stuck at home for past couple years. Its time to get out there again.
Based on the above comments from everyone, I am guessing that renting the car at the airport in Calgary and staying in Canmore would be best / central for daily drives out to explore?
Also trying to decide, AirBB or hotel / motel

cRaZyRaVr wrote: ↑ Thank you all.
The fees are what they are. Its not like we are doing these trips monthly Plus most of us have been stuck at home for past couple years. Its time to get out there again.
Based on the above comments from everyone, I am guessing that renting the car at the airport in Calgary and staying in Canmore would be best / central for daily drives out to explore?
Also trying to decide, AirBB or hotel / motel

FYI some AirBnb's include a complimentary Canada National Parks family/group pass in their rental...nice little savings.

A single adult is $10.50/day
Parks Canada Discovery Pass Family/Group is $21/day [$145/yr].
=> might as well get the family/group pass/day. Maybe even consider doing annual pass depending on how many days you might use it in other parks in Ontario or other provinces.

cRaZyRaVr wrote: ↑ Thank you all.
The fees are what they are. Its not like we are doing these trips monthly Plus most of us have been stuck at home for past couple years. Its time to get out there again.
Based on the above comments from everyone, I am guessing that renting the car at the airport in Calgary and staying in Canmore would be best / central for daily drives out to explore?
Also trying to decide, AirBB or hotel / motel

Rental pick up off the airport will save you the convince charge at the airport, just add an option to return it at the airport for a small fee. We save about 2/3 by picking up rental near Chinook centre.

Latebuyer wrote: ↑ I'm going to throw this out there in case someone responds. Has anyone been to the sheraton eau clair or westin calgary? Everyone in the canadian money forum talks like sheraton eau claire is better but with the westin you need less points so i can't decide

Yes stayed at both many times. The Westin is popular with business travelers as it’s on their (+15 ) system which are bridges that connect many buildings similar to the path in Toronto. All the big energy players are there.

The eu clair is a block away. It’s nicer. Suite type rooms. Only a. Block from the +15 and you’re there in summer so that matters less.

Can also look at Sheraton cavilier by airport has nice indoor water park. Lots of tubs. Water slide good for adults too. If it’s open. Nice staff

I don’t see any reason to stay in calgary proper unless you were going to a concert or some event where you’d be getting drunk and want to walk back.

Taxi and uber is reliable.

GangStarr wrote: ↑ Yes stayed at both many times. The Westin is popular with business travelers as it’s on their +20 system which are bridges that connect many buildings similar to the path in Toronto. All the big energy players are there.

The eu clair is a block away. It’s nicer. Suite type rooms. Only a. Block from the +20 and you’re there in summer so that matters less.

Can also look at Sheraton cavilier by airport has nice indoor water park. Lots of tubs. Water slide good for adults too. If it’s open. Nice staff

I don’t see any reason to stay in calgary proper unless you were going to a concert or some event where you’d be getting drunk and want to walk back.

Taxi and uber is reliable.

Any favorite places to eat? Was thinking of going to one of the Brazilian BBQ places.

gr8dlr wrote: ↑ Any favorite places to eat? Was thinking of going to one of the Brazilian BBQ places.

I haven’t been since pre COVID and I was spending on corp card but here are some

Ceasers. - 4th ave dark no window white glove service steak prepared in front of you on fire.

Charcut

The Nash

The guild

Charbar

Vintage chophouse.

The Marriott at the airport has a good cocktail lounge and they don’t allowed luggage in the lounge. They will check it for you but it’s nice to get away from all the roller bags of the airport lounges

I could check more by looking at my old travel expenses but that would just remind me of the good old days.

Remember Alberta only 5% tax good time to pick up brands that never go on sale. Apple and whatever high fashion.

The list above should keep you in. The meat fart zone.

Charbar and ceasers are probably my faves. Oh and the nash. A bit out of the way but time your dinner with sunset and view the city from scottsman hill. Get a nice shot of the city lighting up and saddle dome.

Lots of good eats in Edmonton too if you find yourself that way.

Be warned that calgary enforces parking by video equipped cars. Many of my peers would pull over to take calls for noise reasons. And to take notes. Got some nasty surprises on rental bill being stopped with 4 ways on in pay parking zones. Which we can’t expense.

Most expensive parking in Canada btw. Esp if you want the nice underground spots. I usually taxi / uber as all my business was on the (correction +15 system) Usually travel without a winter coat.

Brazilian bbq is available in Toronto and you’d probably want cuts that are more Brazilian. Pincha or however it’s spelled.

None of my colleagues or local peers / customers ever suggested Brazilian. Likewise I don’t like all you can eat formats with Brazilian probably be the one I would turn to first in that arena.not to say it’s not good. However I guess customers hanging with sales guys know the steak houses are sort of all your can drink and eat :p

Stay in Canmore if you want to explore the mountains. The crowd at Lake Louise shouldn’t be tooooo bad in May. Moraine lake may be accessible. If it is get there early (6am) or you’ll struggle to get a parking spot.

Honestly spend a day or two in the park max and do the tourist spots, then spend the rest of the time in Kananaskis. It’s a lot less busy and similar scenery. Be aware though that most trails in the mountains will still be snow covered at the end of may, so at the very least have a set of microspikes and some winter gear. If you want to go skiing Sunshine may still be open…

Kananaskis now also has a use fee (thanks Covid) of $15 a day per vehicle - cheaper than the park IG…

And the walkway downtown is the +15, the previous poster added 5ft to it.

Andy34 wrote: ↑
And the walkway downtown is the +15, the previous poster added 5ft to it.

Ok fine you got me it’s +15 but I’m going to fire right back. No mention of the +30 eh….

Tsk tsk tsk.

Thanks Gangstarr, As a fellow red flag dealer you can probably see the attraction of the westin if you use points in that because it’s a category 4 you need less points to stay. The general consensus is the Sheraton is nicer but is there anything really wrong with the westin? I also like there is a Starbucks in the lobby as I will have an early tour.

Latebuyer wrote: ↑ Thanks Gangstarr, As a fellow red flag dealer you can probably see the attraction of the westin if you use points in that because it’s a category 4 you need less points to stay. The general consensus is the Sheraton is nicer but is there anything really wrong with the westin? I also like there is a Starbucks in the lobby as I will have an early tour.

The Westin is totally fine. I was usually there for one or two nights and rarely more then to sleep or leave. It’s going ti be your standard well kept Marriott room. Not sure if they have any amenities at all. It’s really a business hotel. Apartment like. Nothings open in the area late. Pretty much drink at the attached keg til it closes then over to the pig and Duke for last call.

Oh the eu clair had a fully stocked mini bar in the room. That’s something. You don’t see these days. Don’t waste extra points on eu clair

I was always booking cash rates via work booking system. With weekday rates being around $300 and the eau Clair was usually pricier. Just book a cheap airport hotel if you need a sleep. Marriott points always best to book 5 nights as it’s 4 nights 5 free.

The alt hotel in east calgary (or Hilton) are good choose spots. The alt has a cool euro feel to it

My question is why bother staying in downtown calgary. Downtown is so dead before COVID. It’s really only had life 3-5 pm weekdays and I’m not sure on weekends as I only travel for work and stampede.

Check out that Sheraton. By the airport the caviller. Their water park is was opened for spring. Break hopefully by the time you go it’s open. Solid spot to chill for kids or adult they’ll serve you beer in the hot tub. Of course being your own non glass drinks.

No need to stay downtown. Overnight parking will be pricy. Better to drive park short term and if drinking just uber to and from.

I’d skip downtown Clagary save for a meal on your way back to the airport. Enjoy Banff and other nature.