West of Downtown

$100–150

Motel Village is Calgary [1]’s main concentration of moderately priced motels. The “village” is not an official designation, just a dozen motels bunched together on a single block bordered by 16th Avenue NW, Crowchild Trail, and Banff Trail. From the adjacent Banff Trail station, downtown is a short, safe ride away on the C-train. Here, the Comfort Inn (2369 Banff Trail NW, 403/289-2581 or 800/228-5150, www.comfortinncalgary.com [2], $139–179 s or d includes breakfast) combines a wide range of amenities with reasonable rates to be my pick of Motel Village accommodations. All rooms have a simple yet snazzy contemporary look, along with high-speed Internet, a coffeemaker, a hair dryer, and an ironing facility. Other features include an indoor pool and waterslide complex.

Tucked away on the forested Paskapoo Slopes, beside Canada Olympic Park [3], Ridge Side Retreat (430 85th St. SW, 403/288-3415 or 877/344-3400, www.ripleyridge.com [4], $145–375 s or d includes breakfast) offers guests the choice of accommodations in two rustic cabins—one with a full kitchen, the other with a woodstove and loft—or in spacious, comfortable units such as the City Light Suite, which features panoramic city views from a private sitting room.

$150–200

Directly opposite Canada Olympic Park is the Four Points by Sheraton Calgary West (8220 Bow Ridge Crescent NW, 403/288-4441 or 877/288-4441, www.fourpointscalgarywest.com [5], $169–195 s or d), a real standout for motel accommodations on this side of the city. The 150 rooms are big and bright and each has a balcony (ask for one with a view of Canada Olympic Park). Along with city-hotel luxuries like free wireless Internet and room service, other amenities include an indoor pool and water slide, a fitness center, a day spa, and a restaurant.

Across the road from the Sheraton is Sandman Hotel & Suites (125 Bow Ridge Crescent NW, 403/288-6033 or 800/726-3626, www.sandmanhotels.com [6], $185 s or d). It features spacious modern rooms, an indoor pool, a fitness room, and a 24-hour Denny’s restaurant.