While In: Edmonton - Where to stay

I've been up to Edmonton a number of times, since it's the closest major city to my own.  (Still a good 3.5 hour drive up mind you!) I have a few good friends that I have stayed with in the past, but if you're not so lucky (or like me, don't always want to impose on friends, or don't want to stay in homes that are far from the action) you'll be looking for a hotel.

Where the action is

I like to stay downtown. While Edmonton's downtown area is a bit sleepy after 5pm on weekdays and most of the weekend... it's at least reasonably central which makes it easy to get in and out on transit.  It's also usually close to the main purpose of my stay - the venue where I'll be seeing a show.

I've stayed in a few different places, and each has ups and downs... Prices also fluctuate; on my last trip up to see PaganFest, my normal go-to hotel was way more expensive than a hotel only across the road from the venue which is normally much more expensive.  The lesson - check out a few different options before making up your mind.

One additional benefit of staying in the downtown core - transportation.  Both light rail transit, buses, the Greyhound and Red Arrow bus lines all stop downtown, and all of the places I've stayed have been within an easy walk of all.   (Even in Edmonton's predictably unpredictable winter weather.)  The downside - that 'sleepy' downtown experience.  While restaurants, grocery stores, and shops are all well within easy walking distance, the core tends to shut down pretty early, which means after a show I'm often going hungry if I haven't prepared in advance.

The suite experience

My go-to hotel in Edmonton's downtown core is the Alberta Place Suite Hotel. Suites are a great option for me when the prices line up right because it means there's a kitchen... so I can grab some groceries for those post-show munchies (when nothing else is open...)

The Alberta Place Suites is a bit of an older hotel though, and the last time I was there I noticed more than ever how much the hotel is in need of a bit of sprucing up.  Rooms are large, and there's a (freezing cold) pool plus a hot tub to soak sore muscles.  Their website has new photos which makes it look like they've done those updates since I was last there, but I can't say for sure that it's not just a one lucky room and the lobby!

Parking is included (or at least it was the last time I drove up) in their parkade. However, when I was there last the parkade was overfilled, and we had to park half a block away in an open church parking lot.  I also had a friend who's car was broken into, and his goods stolen when he parked in their parkade, so it's not as secure as one might hope.

Coast Edmonton House Hotel suite - I'm standing in the kitchen, and the door on the right is my bedroom.

However, the last time I was up in Edmonton for a show, the Alberta Place Suites was really expensive, so I picked the Coast Edmonton House Hotel which was basically across the road from the venue.  I was really impressed with this hotel, and if the price is right would stay again for sure! The building is a neat round tower and has fitness facilities, an indoor pool, and a convenience store on site.  The room I stayed in had a separate bedroom with en suite bathroom, a living room, kitchen, desk and two-person dining table as well as a private balcony.  The kitchen was a bit basic and a little out-of-date, but perfectly serviceable for a short visit.  I didn't drive up, so I don't know about parking costs (if applicable) but they have on-site parkade parking.

Visit: Alberta Place Suites Hotel website
10049 103 Street NW, Edmonton, AB T5J 2W7, Canada

Visit: Coast Edmonton House Hotel website
10205 100 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T5J 4B5, Canada ‎

A bit more posh

I've also stayed at a higher-end hotel in Edmonton's downtown area, the Delta Edmonton Center Suite hotel.  I always think of "suite" as meaning it has a kitchen or kitchenette, but these rooms don't. Instead they have some rooms with in-room (as in, not in the bathroom) jetted tubs, which is a lovely feature if you have the time to take advantage. Inside rooms look into the shopping mall through floor-to-ceiling windows (which was great when I attended a conference there, because I could see the conference center too, and judge the line up to get in...).  I never had a "city view", but considering the location, I imagine that it overlooks the parking garage (which you'll have to pay to park in) and Greyhound station. Not nearly so nice.

Furnishings, amenities and linens are high-end at the Delta, and those tall windows are tinted so shoppers can't see into your rooms easily.  Being basically inside the shopping mall means it's fairly easy to get breakfast, lunch, and dinner within the mall hours, but it's still a bit of a walk through the indoor mall to get to Tim Horton's, which is the only establishment that opens early.  (Early enough for the pre-conference breakfast at least.)  Although the cost is usually higher, if you don't need the kitchen, this is a great downtown place to stay, especially if you can find a deal on the price. 

Visit: Delta Edmonton Center Suite Hotel website
10222 102 St NW, Edmonton, AB T5J 4C5, Canada ‎

Out of the core

If the West Edmonton Mall is your destination (as it was when I saw Apocalyptica at the now-closed Edmonton Event Centre)  then you'll likely want to stay somewhere close. Of course, there is the Fantasyland Hotel, which is directly in the mall (with a few very expensive themed rooms and the remaining plain rooms, also at a premium price) but I have never found the location desirable enough to justify the price.

Instead, I've stayed at the West Edmonton Mall Inn, across the street from the mall.  Incidentally, this is the same place that Apocalyptica stayed when they were in town; I ran into Paavo, one of the band members in the lobby as I was heading to grab a bite to eat, and he was heading back in from his run.   The Inn is a clean and simple 3 story  building without a lot of frills. There is an underground parking lot, and bars and restaurants are across the street in the mall (most are open late).  There's no pool or hot tub, and there's a bit of sound transfer between rooms, but not enough to keep me up.  The location is about 10 blocks closer than the nearest group of hotels to the mall, which makes it a good location if you're going to be walking a lot... however the prices are usually cheaper if you can stay a bit further away and drive or transit to the mall.

Visit: West Edmonton Mall Inn website
17504 90 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T5T 6L6, Canada