Part of the joy of travel is revelling in the unexpected – that and indulging in your cravings. Whether you feel like opting out of modern life or living the high life in a boutique hotel, Alberta is the place to do it. With accommodations as diverse as the people who call this province home, visitors will find an abundance of unique options in Alberta.
Alberta’s Most Unique Accommodations to Rest Your Head At
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From riverside glamping digs to fairytale cottages to a Scottish-inspired castle, Alberta offers a wide variety of unique accommodation options.
- Watch the night sky come alive from a glamping dome at Métis Crossing.
- Step into a storybook cottage in the Southern Rockies.
- Check into a secluded backcountry lodge guests can actually drive to.
Glamping
Elevated Escapes (Bragg Creek)
Fully furnished tents and glamping domes, plus riverside access make Elevated Escapes a coveted retreat. Set upon a 200 acre, Indigenous family-owned campground minutes from Bragg Creek, everything a camper needs for a hassle-free getaway is supplied. Linens, lights, a cooking kit, plus a propane stove are at the ready. As a bonus, each site has access to a hammock, fire pit, picnic table and gazebo. Be sure to pack swimsuits for cold plunges in the Elbow River.
Métis Crossing (Smoky Lake)
The sky was used as a calendar, clock and a navigation system by the Métis people. Guests at Métis Crossing can access this Indigenous knowledge, plus prime views of the constellations within the cozy confines of a Sky Watching Dome. These luxurious accommodations are kitted out with a transparent ceiling, king bed and kitchenette. Heated floors, electricity and air conditioning amp up the comfort factor. In addition to stargazing, guests can try their hand at traditional experiences such as porcupine quill work and soapstone carving. The on-site wildlife park and historic village provide extra opportunities to learn more about this distinct culture.
Lodges and cabins
Mount Engadine Lodge (Canmore)
Situated in Spray Valley Provincial Park, guests can drive right up to Mount Engadine Lodge from either Calgary or Canmore. Here, it’s a matter of melting in front of massive stone fireplaces and taking in the Canadian Rockies while sipping a cocktail. Of course, the active set can bike or cross-country ski directly from the lodge’s doorstep. Choose to bed down in either a winterized glamping tent, a cabin, the main lodge or a yurt. The pet-friendly property includes all meals and highlights Rocky Mountain cuisine. And don’t forget about the lodge’s decadent afternoon tea that takes place each afternoon.
Miette Mountain Cabins (Jasper)
Anyone who’s ever fantasized about holing up in a mountain cabin can make their dreams come true with a stay at Miette Mountain Cabins. A 30-minute drive from Jasper townsite, the property sits just past the east gates inside Jasper National Park. These wooden cabins look just like a child’s play set advertisement – with the addition of private decks, full kitchens and fireplaces.
Coin-operated laundry, a convenience store and outdoor barbecues provide all the conveniences of home. Though there’s a heated outdoor pool and hot tub, be sure to take the opportunity to soak in nearby Miette Hot Springs.
Boutique hotels
The Westley (Calgary)
It’s hard to beat an in-room facial, massage or mani-pedi before kicking off the day. Business collides with pleasure in an oh-so delightful way at The Westley, a downtown hotel with a retro vibe. Part of the Tapestry Collection by Hilton, The Westley oozes with character from its art-deco aesthetic to its sustainability practices. In addition to spa services, thoughtful touches include Gilchrist & Soames amenities and 300-thread count sheets. For pre-mixed cocktails and wine, swing by The Shop before heading up to your room. Or enjoy drinks and nibbles at Fonda Fora, a contemporary Mexican restaurant that also provides room service.
Alt Hotel in the University District (Calgary)
If you’re curious about Calgary’s hottest new neighbourhood and favour a buzzy atmosphere, check into the Alt Hotel in the University District. This Germain Hotels property is known for its sleek urban design, with floor to ceiling windows in sophisticated guest rooms. Guests appreciate the in-room Nespresso coffee machine, but a full-service coffee shop on the main floor can whip up barista favourites. This LEED-certified hotel is pet friendly and flexible with check-out times. A 24-7 fitness facility and luxurious toiletries are the icing on the cake.
Fantasy digs
Charmed Resorts (Blairmore)
Storybook fantasies come to life at Charmed Resorts. A gingerbread house, Rapunzel’s Cottage and Rumpelstiltskin’s Tower are but a few of the fairytale cottages awaiting in the South Canadian Rockies near the town of Blairmore. Each quirky cottage comes equipped with beds, an electric fireplace, a kitchenette and heating. Guests have their own fire pit and outdoor, wood-fired hot tub, too! Some cottages, like Lia’s, are ideal for couples, but the majority were built with families in mind. Skiing and snowboarding is mere minutes away at Pass Powderkeg, and there’s all sorts of fun and adventurous activities to do in the Southern Rockies.
Fantasyland Hotel (Edmonton)
One of the world’s most diverse hotels, you can travel the globe without leaving Fantasyland Hotel. Uniquely decorated rooms allow you to step back in time or fully immerse yourself in an exotic destination. Soak up island vibes in the modern Polynesian room, chill out in an igloo suite or bed down in a horse-drawn carriage driven by a skeleton. As the hotel is tucked inside West Edmonton Mall, you’ll have direct access to shopping, dining and unlimited entertainment. There’s bowling alleys, an indoor ice skating rink, North America's largest indoor amusement park and the world's largest indoor wave pool mere steps away.
Luxury lodging
Fairmont Banff Springs (Banff)
Bedding down in a castle is entirely possible in Alberta. Known as the “Castle in the Rockies,” Fairmont Banff Springs was modelled after a Scottish baronial castle. Built in the 1880s, this grand dame may be over a century old, but she sure isn’t tired. Childcare services are on-site as is a championship golf course and a world-renowned spa. Hungry? Take an Eat the Castle guided tour with Alberta Food Tours to find your favourite eatery inside.
Azuridge (Priddis)
An estate hotel set on 13 acres of rambling countryside, Azuridge is only 20 minutes from Calgary but feels worlds away. The property is both grand and welcoming, with interiors influenced by the historic architecture of the Canadian Pacific Railway’s Rocky Mountain train stations. You can rent the entire estate out or rest your head inside one of its 13 guest rooms named and themed after a gemstone. Guests are granted access to Priddis Greens Golf & Country Club, or can hike the expansive grounds and visit the on-site spa.
