This week, the Calgary Stampede returns to Calgary, Alberta. Last year, I was lucky enough to attend the long running event, and while there I stayed a short drive from the event in South East Calgary at Hotel Blackfoot. The privately owned, contemporary hotel offers incredible views of the Rocky Mountains, as well as the Calgary’s downtown area, and offers as much in on site activities and amenities and it does in comfort.
I stayed on the Executive Floor, which is the top floor of the hotel that chains often call their Club level, in the Summit King room (pictured above). The floor gives you access to the Summit Lounge (pictured below), which is a private lounge room accessible with your room key, for guests staying on that floor. In the room they serve complimentary food and beverages throughout the day, with appetisers and cocktails between 5pm and 7pm as well as a European continental breakfast between 6am and 9.30am. Tea, coffee and select beverages are available at all hours, and you’re welcome to take it back to enjoy in your room if you don’t want to hover around the lounge.
Your 280 sq ft room, meanwhile, comes with a massive and comfortable King bed, with both sheets and blankets (I’ve noticed it’s a trend of some hotels to only give you the one layer as standard, so I’m starting to think this is worth mentioning), multiple pillow options, plus a work area and a massive 47″ flat screen TV. It was great for watching the Stampede’s Rodeo replays when I returned from the festival. Seriously, I did that. It got addictive! The whole hotel, including your room, also has free wi-fi, with no password needed.
Moving onto the impressively sized bathroom, their luxury spa robes and slippers are as comfortable as the description suggests, and the glass enclosed rain shower is as good as you’ll find. The complimentary BOGMAR bathroom amenities are wonderful, and there’s a complimentary copy of the Globe and Mail newspaper waiting for you when you wake up. And if you can’t bring yourself to walk all the way to the Summit Lounge in the morning, you can brew one yourself with the in-room Keurig machine. The complimentary local calls with your in-room phone is a nice plus too. This is a hotel that shies away from charging you for every little thing, and it makes the stay stress free and as comfortable as it can be.
The whole hotel has very friendly service, which is no surprise being in Canada, from the staff in their massive reception area, to those working in the lovely bar and restaurant. We recommend a visit to the Lobby Bar (pictured below) if you get a chance – there’s a great atmosphere and there’s often live music playing! As for the hotel’s location, it felt nicely removed from the city centre, but not overly isolated. It’s not too far a trip for taxis or ubers – or you can drive if you’re not planning to drink, with plenty of on site complimentary parking at the hotel.
And if you have any time outside of the Stampede to enjoy some of the other facilities on site, they have quite a lot on site in addition to the Lobby Bar and on site dining options. There’s an impressive gym, a large outdoor pool as well as a comedy club (The Laugh Shop) and “The Other Side” Sports Bar which is open until 2am nightly (except for Sundays, when it closes at Midnight).
All in all, The Hotel Blackfoot offers a relaxing retreat in a great location for visitors to Calgary; and for us, it was a haven post the excitement of the Stampede and everything else the town has to offer.
Rooms start from $159 a night, with the Executive Floor – Summit King starting from $219.00 /night. The first three floors of the room are pet friendly. For more information head to http://www.hotelblackfoot.com/.
Learn more about the Calgary Stampede, which starts on July 7th, at the official website.
Photos supplied by the hotel, unless otherwise mentioned. Prices in Canadian Dollars. The writer stayed at the hotel as a guest of Travel Alberta.
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