Canada - Calgary downtown hotel and dining

Hi all,

I'll be in Calgary from the end of the week. I haven't really chosen for a hotel yet but it will be in downtown. I'm thinking about either the Sandman on 7th Avenue x 8 Street or 5 Calgary Downtown 5 Ave x 5 St, maybe the Ramada.

Any recommendation? Which place is better situated with regards to walking to restaurants (no take aways or fastfood outlets)? I'll be there for 8 nights.

Cheers,
Romana2

Not stayed at any of those hotels, but the Ramada looks really old from the outside and lobby/meeting room areas. All 3 are in reasonable walking distance to each other and to food places. Middle-end places are either in Eau Claire (near the Sheraton and Westin) and on 17th Avenue, although there are a few decent places around 8th street and on 11th and 12th avenues between 5th and 8th streets (mostly chains, although Laurier Lounge in good). If you want a '70's oil baron steak place, there is always Ceaser's on 4th Avenue near 5th street.

Cheers for your advice. Indeed those hotels are not quite up to the standard I'm used to. I think I must have annoyed the department secretary. But anyway, as long as the bed is ok I'm fine.

I'm more picky about the food. A really good steak sounds good! It doesn't need to be huge but well aged and of excellent meat quality. I just can't get that here!

Can't wait to go.

Cheers for your advice. Indeed those hotels are not quite up to the standard I'm used to. I think I must have annoyed the department secretary. But anyway, as long as the bed is ok I'm fine.

I'm more picky about the food. A really good steak sounds good! It doesn't need to be huge but well aged and of excellent meat quality. I just can't get that here!

Can't wait to go.

Bring your money if you go to Caesers. Laurier Lounge is home to the Warren Buffet burger and assorted fondues (among other things).

I recommend the Sheraton Au Claire. Spacious rooms, well located, and the property has a very nice lounge.

Neither is a particularly great hotel I think, but I've not stayed at either. Tripadvisor is probably your friend here.

The Sandman might have a slight edge for being on 7 ave, and close to the C train. The train is free on the 7 ave strip, so you can use it to get to other restaurants. There are a number on 8 ave, say between 2 st SW and 1 street SE (Teatro's at Olympic Plaza)

I like Thompson's in the Hyatt (nice hotel too) and Murrieta's in the Alberta Hotel building ( 1 st and 8 ave). It's been a while since I've been to Tribune on 8 ave, but they used to be good. If you want to go a bit further, the River Cafe on Prince's Island is excellent. I'm not sure if they are open in the winter though.

There are also a few independent boutique hotels in downtown near to transit. If you're looking for something a bit different, they can be pretty good choices.

There's Hotel Arts (http://www.hotelarts.com)

Nuvo Hotel Suites (http://www.nuvohotelsuites.com)

Great rooms, but facilities vary.

Another boutique hotel is Hotel Le Germain. It also has a great restaurant and bar. Other restaurants I like are Rush and Home Tasting Room