Resources – Urban Suites

Getting Around Downtown Calgary

Eddy — Thu, 27 Sep 2018 20:03:27 +0000

When you stay in Downtown Calgary, all the very best the city has to offer is simply a short walk, pedal, or drive away. With so many options to get you from A to B, getting around Downtown has never been easier. From public transit to picturesque pathways, and everything in between, Calgary offers a whole host of ways to explore the city…

Walk

A city that was made for pedestrians, Downtown Calgary not only boasts the iconic Plus 15 pedestrian system, but it is also home to the largest network of walkways and pathways in North America.

The Plus 15 stands 15 feet above street level, hence its clever name. Spanning over 16 kilometres and 50 blocks, the Plus 15 is a fully enclosed, climate-controlled network of walkways which offer a convenient and comfortable walk between shopping centres, businesses, and parking lots all year round – especially during the bitterly cold winter months! Navigating the Plus 15 network can seem a little daunting at first, but there are plenty of maps along the way to help guide you throughout the Downtown core.

During the warmer months, pedestrians can get some fresh air and enjoy Calgary’s extensive collection of well-kept walkways and pathways, including the popular Prince’s Island Park. This urban park is the perfect green escape from the hustle and bustle of Downtown, offering multiple pathways throughout the park and along the Bow River. When you book your stay in Calgary with Urban Suites, you’ll enjoy the convenience of the Bow River pathways right on your doorstep – only a 1-minute walk from your apartment.

Ride

For those who prefer to see the city on two wheels, there are a number of well-maintained bikeways devoted to giving cyclists a smooth and scenic ride around Downtown. All areas of the city are connected by one of the most extensive bikeway networks in North America, and there are also separated cycle tracks to make navigating through Downtown traffic a lot safer. You can check out the complete map of Calgary’s bike path network here.

Park

There’s no doubt that finding a park in the city can be painful, but Calgary has its very own interactive parking app to make parking in Downtown that little bit easier. Simply enter your destination into the map, and the app will highlight all of your closest parking options. Not only that, but the app can also help you find a parking spot for every budget, over 3,000 free weekend spots, and a greater selection of long and short-term spots. The Calgary Parking Authority also offers free street parking after 6pm Monday to Saturday, and all day on Sundays and holidays.

Transit

Calgary is home to a quick, easy, and extremely efficient public transit system that makes travelling to, from, and around Downtown a breeze. The light rail C-Train is the city’s most popular transit method, operating on two lines, North and South. The Downtown section of the C-Train, which travels along 7 Avenue, is considered to be the ‘fare free zone’, so you can ride for free if you are travelling between the 10th Street and City Hall Stations. If you are continuing to ride the C-Train outside of the Downtown area, you must purchase a fare and carry your proof of payment with you. Urban Suites apartments are all conveniently located within a short walking distance of transit stops. Find your closest stop on Calgary’s public transit map.

Taxi

When your legs are too tired to walk any further, it’s easy to grab a cab in Downtown Calgary. Taxis run all over the city and can be flagged down on the street, or you can find a designated taxi stop zone. The main taxi stops in Calgary can be found outside of the major hotels, such as the Marriott, Hyatt and Westin, or on Stephen Avenue in front of key nightlife hotspots. The most commonly used taxi companies in Calgary are Checker Yellow Cabs and Associated Cabs.

Uber

Getting around Downtown via Uber has become extremely popular, as it offers a more personalized, reliable, and, often, a more cost-effective service than traditional public transport or taxis. Catching a ride with Uber is as easy as opening the app on your phone and requesting a ride from a nearby car. There are usually plenty of Uber cars available in the Downtown area, especially during peak hours.

Short Term Apartment Rentals vs. Hotels: Choosing Your Home Away From Home

Eddy — Fri, 08 Jun 2018 17:54:15 +0000

So, you’ve picked your destination. You’ve booked your flights. Now it’s time to decide on a place to call home during your vacation. Whether you’re staying for a couple of nights or a couple of months, there are a lot of benefits to choosing short term apartment rentals over hotels.

Save Your Pennies

While renting a whole apartment may sound expensive, it is often actually a lot more cost-effective than a hotel! Short term apartment rentals don’t have all the usual overheads that hotels have, so they are able to keep operation costs and rental fees down. Where hotels have rigid pricing structures, apartment rentals have the flexibility to work with their guests’ budgets – especially on longer term stays. Not only that, short term apartment rentals also provide you with your very own kitchen to cook up a storm! You’ll be surprised how much money you can save by not dining out for every meal.

Make Yourself At Home

Serviced apartment rentals offer the freedom, privacy and comfort of home-style living, with the added bonus of hotel luxuries, such as wifi, regular cleaning, and linen services. Having a space that’s totally your own will make you feel much more at home than in an impersonal hotel room surrounded by other travelers. Short term apartment rentals, like the ones offered on Urban Suites, are set up just like your own home with a fully-equipped kitchen, full-sized bathroom, and the convenience of a washer/dryer. This certainly makes keeping your routine while on the road much easier.

Get Some Space

When it comes to offering the most space, apartment rentals definitely win out this category. Where the average hotel may be one-bedroom or studio style, apartment rentals offer multiple rooms, including living area, kitchen and bathroom, as well as separate bedrooms for extra privacy.

Live Like A Local

Perhaps one of the most rewarding benefits of short and long term apartment rentals is that they give you the chance to experience life like a real local in the area. Usually positioned in an authentic local neighbourhood, you can get a taste of the genuine culture and vibe of the city you’re visiting – rather than feeling like just another tourist. Most apartment rentals will offer a concierge service too; your very own local source of insider info!

Want to enjoy all the comforts of home while on your next visit to Calgary? Check out Urban Suites. Renting nightly, weekly, or monthly, these stylish Downtown suites will have you feeling right at home.

Day Trips From Calgary – Part 1

Eddy — Mon, 30 Apr 2018 14:28:58 +0000

Whether it’s experiencing all of nature’s splendour in the great outdoors, or heading inside to sip on a drink or enjoy a museum, nearby Rocky Mountains destinations have no shortage of things to do. The best part – you can get there in about an hour from any of our executive suites!

The Rocky Mountains are undisputedly are one of Alberta’s greatest treasures, and here you can golf, hike, bike, walk, canoe and kayak or even try your hand at horseback riding in the summer; or ski, snowboard, snowshoe among other activities in the winter. Whether you are a guest with Urban Suites in town on business or pleasure, your stay can further be enhanced with the plethora of nearby alpine activities!

Provincial Park and Rocky Mountain destinations such as Canmore and Banff not only offer an abundance of natural beauty and activity, but also history.

Canmore

Canmore, about 45 mins west of Calgary is a great day trip escape from the City. Surrounded by the Rockies, explore many of the local trails such as those found at Grassi Lakes and the Nordic Centre. If you are feeling extra adventurous try a natural history, guided cave tour through Rat’s Nest Cave: a wild, undeveloped cave under Grotto Mountain near Banff and Canmore. This expedition is in not for the claustrophobic, as the caves can be very narrow – oh and there is no interior lighting, no hand railings, and no developed walkways. It is a cave in its natural state.

After a day of play in Canmore you can kick back a one of the many local pubs, or fine restaurants or stroll down mainstreet and peruse the many specialty gift shops.

Banff

The town of Banff, located inside Banff Provincial Park and about 1 hour west of Calgary, is rich in history. Tour the historic Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, a western Canadian Landmark and architectural masterpiece. While in town, take a dip in one of Banff’s most famous attractions; the naturally warm, Upper Hot Springs, a historic spa and bath house nestled against the backdrop of alpine grandeur.

For further insight into the Western Canadian past, visit the some of the museums in the area like The Banff Park Museum and Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies. Both of these well established destinations offering a glimpse of what life was like in the undiscovered Rocky Mountains, as well as showcasing the impressive Natural wonders and wildlife that did, and still do, inhabit the region.
Banff boasts some delightful shops along the main street and through the town, like the Banff Tea Co., specialty candy and chocolate shops, various alpine and outdoor clothing stores, and many pubs and restaurants. Live music can be found playing 7 days a week.

So whether it’s exploring nature, trying new cuisine, or learning about Alberta’s rugged history – take the short drive to Canmore or Banff, then relax back in your Urban Suite – you’ll be glad you did!

About Urban Suites

Urban Suites offers executive accommodations in Calgary Alberta. Our stylish suites are available for long or short term stays. Offering guest furnished and fully equipped suites that include all the comforts of home. Browse our suites or contact us to book your next stay!

Relocating to Calgary for Business?

Eddy — Wed, 31 May 2017 17:30:48 +0000

Thinking of relocating to Calgary or visiting Calgary short-term? Urban Suites offers fully furnished, luxurious suites in the heart of downtown Calgary. Conveniently located throughout west-Eau Claire, Urban Suites is the ideal choice for your executive home away from home.

Our suites are furnished with a modern and clean aesthetic, including full cookware for entertaining guests at the drop of a hat and are secure with heated, underground parking.

Our selection at Urban Suites range in size from one bedroom bachelor to large executive penthouse suites which can accommodate your entire family.

If you are considering a relocation to Calgary for business, our suites are in easy walking distance of the financial and oil hub of downtown Calgary, as well as cultural flagships like The Glenbow Museum, Alberta Theatre, numerous art galleries and of course world class restaurants.

Access the Bow River pathway system, playgrounds, The Calgary Zoo and Telus Spark Science Centre on foot or by C-train which is also a stone’s throw away from our beautiful executive suites.

Calgary City Guide

Eddy — Thu, 25 May 2017 19:24:15 +0000

We know that business travelers coming to Calgary want more than work and sleep. That’s why we ensure that our executive suites are all located in Calgary’s City Centre, putting you within walking distance of all the amenities one would expect from a thriving urban location.

Calgary has a lot to offer, and we are pleased to share it all with our guests. That’s why we’ve provided this list as a set of tools to help you enjoy our city. Everything from cycling to day trips to nights on the town are included – all to make your stay in Calgary as convenient as possible.