OverviewLocated in Calgary's southeast quadrant, about 450 metres off Barlow Trail (a major north-south artery), this hotel appeals to families, business travellers and guests who are interested in value-added amenities like a casino and a pool with a waterslide.
All of the 188 rooms in this hotel have free Wi-Fi, a 32" LCD TV, a mini-fridge, a coffeemaker, a hair dryer and an iron and ironing board. There are standard rooms (with a choice between king or double beds), suites (which are larger and have various additional amenities, like a microwave and/or a jacuzzi) or themed rooms (there are two available: romance or Western). Pets are permitted for an additional cost of $15/night.
There is dining available on-site at the Mohave Grill, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. There is also a pub and a couple of lounges offering drinks and casual dining options. A buffet is served on Friday nights in the Chrome Showroom. On-site amenities include free parking, a casino, an indoor pool with a waterslide, a hot tub and a gym.
Guests will need access to a vehicle to reach attractions and shopping. The Chinook Centre (one of Calgary's largest malls), is about a 14-minute drive away. The downtown area (where the Stampede Corral, the Calgary Tower and the business district are all located) is a 21-minute drive away. Air travellers should budget about 23 minutes to travel the 30 km between the hotel and Calgary International Airport (YYC). (All distances and driving time estimates: Google Maps)
Confirmed with a front desk agent: Wi-Fi and parking (call date: August 27, 2012).
The GoodGenerally, reviewers enjoyed their stay at this hotel, and were particularly enthusiastic about the on-site amenities and about the size and cleanliness of the rooms.
Several guests enjoyed having a casino on site. Several more guests enjoyed the pool and the waterslide in particular. They said that the pool water was warm and that the area was clean.
Guests frequently complimented the large, clean rooms. Several guests were pleasantly surprised by the size of their rooms. A number of guests felt that the rooms were well laid out and comfortable as well.
Guests reported receiving good service from staff at this hotel. Front desk staff and smooth check-in process were mentioned specifically. A few guests were pleased with the consistency of attentive, friendly service throughout the hotel.
There were some additional comments about comfy beds and from guests who enjoyed the "extra touches", like drinks and appetizers in the lobby.
The Bad
While most of the reviews used for this analysis were positive, there were a few things in common among guest complaints, including strong odours and the location of the hotel.
A few guests complained of strong "sewer-like" odours emitting from various points in the hotel.
Some guests felt that the hotel's location was not ideal and was isolated — far from shopping, restaurants and attractions. A few guests did not like this hotel's proximity to an industrial park.
There were some peripheral comments about spotty Wi-Fi connections and from some guests who found that the food in the on-site restaurant was expensive.
TripAdvisor.com guest reviewers ranked this hotel #40 out of 97 Calgary hotels, based on 69 reviews.
Priceline.com guest reviewers rated this hotel 7.5 out of 10, based on 4 reviews.
Expedia.ca guest reviewers rated this hotel 4.5 out of 5, based on 24 reviews. 88% of guests would recommend this hotel.
Confirmed with a front desk agent: Wi-Fi and parking (call date: August 27, 2012).
