visiting calgary area in febuary(second research trip)cochrane,chestermere,strathmore okatoks,high river,would appreciate any accommodation advice or recommendations.

That would depend on your family size surely??

Since you evidently don't plan to live close to downtown, I suggest you avoid staying downtown or close to it. Try to pick a location that somewhat approximates what it's like to commute from an outlying residential area. For example, you could consider the Super 8 Motel in Shawnessy towards the south end of Calgary. Another one you could consider is the Inn on Crowchild, which is located adjacent to Varsity Estates and across Crowchild Trail from Dalhousie in the NW part of Calgary. I have not stayed at either of them. I'm going by location.

If you want self-catering accommodation in the suburbs, a Google search brings up this one-bedroom apartment near the University and Market Mall, again in the NW. Note weekly rate is 500 euros, booking deposit is 500 euros, and damage deposit is 1,000 euros.

If you want to stay in a B&B, you might consider Hartwood House at 1727 - 47 Avenue SW. That's in Altadore in SW Calgary. Alternatively you could consider Lions Park B&B. It's in Hounsfield Heights, just south of North Hill Shopping Centre and just west of Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, in NW Calgary.

There are several other B&Bs that are located closer in, but I avoided mentioning them because of my belief in the wisdom of basing yourselves away from downtown if you're going to live away from downtown. Even Lions Park B&B is a little too close in to give you a realistic impression of commuting.

I have not stayed in these B&Bs and, as was the case with the hotels I mentioned, I was judging them by their locations.

Staying in a B&B might be nice in the sense that B&B hosts often are a good source of information about the neighbourhoods in which they live and the surrounding area. At least that's what I've experienced when I've holidayed in B&Bs.

Further to Butch's point, if you'll be travelling with children, you might want to do a Google search for SUITE HOTEL + CALGARY. In that case you'll get more than one room. Another alternative is to book two adjacent rooms with interleading doors.

Hope that helps.

I can recommend a good bed and breakfast called 'A taste of home' which can be contacted at www.bbcanada.com/5050.html?showpage=1

Please tell them Helen Parnell recommends them.

Interestingly enough, Helen, that's in Oakridge, where I live. I didn't know of the B&Bs existence. Well, from the point of view of being a "normal" neighbourhood that would provide a realistic experience of commuting, etc., it would qualify.

I must admit I have never stayed there, but three different friends have and all highly recommend it. I eventually visited it just out of curiosity and they are great hosts.

Thanks for that link. My wife and I are hoping to sort out a reccie soon and the only thing I don't know about is somewhere to stay.

Is CAD$50 - 75 an average price for B&B in the towns outside Calgary?

Cheers

Chris

combined weight =150kg

thankyou

From what I've seen on the Internet, they start around C$70 and go up to, say, C$140. If you look around, you can find them in the C$70 - C$80 range.

I believe I'm correct in saying that, below a certain size threshold, B&Bs don't have to charge their guests 7% GST and 4% Alberta tourism levy the way hotels have to do. If you add the fact that B&B rates include breakfasts (often sumptuous breakfasts), whereas many hotel rates don't include breakfast, B&Bs look all the more attractive.

But some B&Bs don't accept payment by credit card and their cancellation policies generally are more stringent than those of hotels.

We booked for hubby and me for 1 week in September at a B&B overlooking Fish Creek .... can't remember its name now, but it sounded wonderful.

Then about 2 weeks before we came, we decided to make this the landing trip and bring the whole family straight into a rental. We very apologetically informed the B&B that we had to cancel, not expecting to get our deposit refunded at all. But they did, in full! They said welcome to Canada and wished us well!

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Karma sent

BC

Hi

We are a family of 2 adults and 3 children varying ages, We stayed in a 2 bed suite at Residence Inn Marriot 5 -10 mins frm airport dependant on if you get lost. It was very clean and excellent accomadation which we would use again. It had a full equipped kitchen with all fridge. dishwasher etc in and a lounge and all room had tv's. Also Holiday Inn was very good to didnt have a full kitchen though but if you are eating out then its not as important. Both places included breakfast in price which was excellent especially at Marriot and however much you wanted to. Good luck Im sure you will find somewhere depends liek alot are saying on how many people and how much u have to spend. Alot of places dont fit 5 in so we were more restricted.

Julie