Hi..I will be travelling to Vancouver, Calgary and Ottawa in the next three weeks... Like to have some hotels recommendations on those cities as I never been to Calgary and Ottawa, don't want to be too expensive since company doesn't want it to be...I prefer starwood properties, will be mainly travelling during weekends...Any suggestion on what is the best way to get the best rate.

Regards,
Empress

In Calgary, Westin downtown, not far from the Gardes and the RR station. It is good and reasonable both.

In Ottawa, your really in luck. The Westin in the center of the city is just off the river by the War Memorial is truly excellent and also very reasonable. The Sheraton is also downtown and another reasonable choice. It has an Executive floor as I recall but I do not remember having one at the Westin.

Perhaps some of the FT natives can further advise you!

The Westin Calgary has recently had specials (weekends, I think) for CAD$69 per night.

In Ottawa, I like the Minto Suites, but they're not affilated to any FF program.

In Ottawa, if you want to stay in a Starwood property, the Westin is the way to go. It is conveniently connected to the Rideau Centre shopping mall and close to the Parliament Buildings, Byward Market (restaurant/bar/public market area) and just opposite the Rideau Canal. Shop around for best rates (hotel direct, Starwood, Expedia or Click it! Weekends on TravelWeb).
The Sheraton, (which used to be a Hilton which used to be a Four Seasons which used to be an efficiency suites apartment hotel) is starting to be better (only after a severe nosedive in service/amenities), but is still nowhere near the stature of the Westin. If you do stay there, take my advice and eat at the Westin...or anywhere else. Their restaurant is severely understaffed and mal-nourished!
In Calgary, the Sheraton is located close to the airport, and is a typical suburban type hotel. Certainly adequate, but unspectacular nonetheless. The Westin is better.

[This message has been edited by flyme2 (edited 09-14-1999).]

If you can't get a decent rate at the Westin, and you don't absolutely have to be right downtown, consider the Best Western in the SW quadrant. Not fancy, but acceptable. As a bonus, it's closer to fun places like the restaurants along 17th Avenue SW.

Empress--When we visited Vancouver 2 years ago, we stayed at the Waterfront Centre Hotel. Right on the waterfront at Canada Place. Had a very nice room for the 4 of us (2 adults, 2 kids). Hotel was very nice, and close to Joe Forte's Seafood and Chop house, a very enjoyable restaurant, where we had great fresh NW seafood. We used the Entertainment Book discount, and got a good rate on the room. BTW, the current version of the Entertainment Book shows the Delta Vancouver and the Four Seasons as participating in their 50% off program. Definitely worth checking out, to see if that rate would be available.

Has anyone stayed at the Renaissance in Vancouver?

The two Starwood properties are in downtown Vancouver. One is newer than the other. If you have a 50% off coupon, the new suite property is supposed to be nice, according to the reservationists. Be careful, one hotel is across Stanley Park -- difficult if you have no car.

While the Westin Bayshore (next to the Stanley Park) is a bit distant form the city, there is a hotel shuttle that drops you off in downtown. The bus stop is also just up the street. The beautiful surrounding (Stanley Park) was worth the distance.