Holiday Inn Express and Suites Calgary Airport Trail NE By IHG Canada

Calgary Airport Hotel: Unbeatable Deals & Perks at Holiday Inn Express!

Calgary Airport Hotel: Holiday Inn Express - My Honest, Messy Take (and Why You Should Book)

Okay, let's be real. I've stayed in a lot of airport hotels. They're usually… functional. Predictable. Soul-crushing in their blandness. But the Holiday Inn Express at Calgary Airport? Well, it actually surprised me. And not just with the complimentary (and surprisingly decent) breakfast. Let's dive in – and I’m gonna tell you like it is, with all the hiccups and happy discoveries.

Accessibility – The Good & The “Could Be Better”

Right off the bat, accessibility matters. And the Holiday Inn Express does mostly okay. Wheelchair accessible? Yup, they've got it in place. Elevator? Check. And that’s a big win in my book. But, while I didn’t need it on this trip, I’d still need to investigate to check for things like grab bars and turning space in actual rooms, just to be thorough.

Cleanliness and Safety – Breathe Easy (Mostly)

Look, we're still living in a post-pandemic world, and “cleanliness” is a big deal. The Holiday Inn Express seems to have taken things seriously. They’re boasting about their Anti-viral cleaning products and Daily disinfection in common areas, and I did see staff constantly wiping things down. I'm not a scientist, so I can't prove it, but the place felt clean. They’re also keen on Physical distancing of at least 1 meter and offer things like Cashless payment service. Plus, they have hand sanitizer everywhere, which is a huge plus from my perspective.

Room Sanitization Opt-Out? I’m not sure about this, but it's a thing they have listed, so I wonder if they offer it.

Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – Fueling Up Before You Fly

Okay, the breakfast. This is where the Holiday Inn Express really shines, at least in the airport hotel realm. It was a breakfast [buffet] setup, so naturally, I was a little wary of the usual rubbery scrambled eggs. But, they had a decent selection. I would have loved to have an Asian breakfast option or Asian cuisine in restaurant but alas, there wasn't something they offered in the way of diversity. They also offered the usual suspects, like cereal, pastries, and fruit. Breakfast takeaway service: (If you're in a rush) I can't fully confirm if they did one of those but having that extra choice is a plus. They have a coffee shop which is very important because I need my morning coffee!

They also have a Bar which is great if you want to wind down after the day.

Services and Conveniences – More Than Just a Bed (Thank Goodness)

This is where the Holiday Inn Express flexes. They've got a solid array of services:

Air conditioning in public areas: Always a plus, especially in a city like Calgary where the weather can be wild.
Business facilities: Includes Business facilities, meeting/banquet facilities, and a Xerox/fax in business center.
Concierge: A lifesaver when you're trying to navigate a new city.
Laundry service: Essential for travellers.
Luggage storage: Free up your hands before your flight.
Car park [free of charge] & Car park [on-site] Definitely a perk, especially if you're renting a car.
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! And Internet access – wireless.

"Things to Do" & Ways to Relax – Not Exactly a Resort, But…

Okay, let's be honest, you're probably here for a quick stay, not a spa getaway. They don't have a full-blown spa with Body scrub, Body wrap, Massage, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, etc. It’s an airport hotel, not a destination spa! However… There’s a Fitness center, which means you don't have to abandon your workout routine. The best part about the hotel's pool with view is that you can wind down during winter. Swimming pool: Check. Swimming pool [outdoor]: Not listed, so don’t expect a dip in the sunshine.

For the Kids – Family Friendly?

They state it's "Family/child friendly", which is important. Babysitting service: I didn't use it, but it’s good to know it’s there. Kids meal: Yes, they have a kids meal.

In-Room Experience – Comfort and Convenience

The rooms are your standard Holiday Inn Express, but they're well-equipped. It was clean, practical, and comfortable.

Air conditioning: Praise be!
Blackout curtains: Crucial for catching some Zzz's before your flight.
Coffee/tea maker: Yes! Caffeine is a must.
Free Wi-Fi: Essential.
Ironing facilities: Because nobody wants to look like they slept in a suitcase.
Fridge: Helpful for storing snacks and drinks.
Safe box: Always a good peace of mind.

The Deal – Unbeatable Perks?

Alright, let's talk about those "Unbeatable Deals & Perks." I can't speak for every single time. However, I remember getting a good rate, especially considering the location (right by the airport – huge convenience).

Quirks and Imperfections

Here’s where the real-life stuff comes in.

The Elevator… It felt a bit slow. Not a dealbreaker, but something to be aware of.
The Shuttle: They have an Airport transfer service but it has limited availability.
The Noise: Airport hotels, by nature, are loud. Sometimes, I did hear a plane.

My Verdict: Book It (Probably)

So, would I recommend the Holiday Inn Express at Calgary Airport? Yes, I would. For an airport hotel, it exceeded my expectations. It’s clean, convenient, offers good services, the breakfast is a win, and the staff were friendly. It's a solid choice for anyone needing a comfortable and stress-free stay before a flight.

Here's My Pitch – A Compelling Offer To Get You Booking:

Tired of Airport Stress? Escape to Comfort at the Calgary Airport Holiday Inn Express!

Stop rushing. Stop stressing. Say goodbye to those pre-flight jitters and book your stay at the Calgary Airport Holiday Inn Express.

Here's why you NEED to book NOW:

Unbeatable Convenience: We're just steps from the Calgary International Airport, saving you time and the hassle of a long commute.
Start Your Day Right: Fuel up with our complimentary, hot breakfast buffet.
Stay Connected, Stay Comfortable: Enjoy free high-speed Wi-Fi in every room, plus all the standard amenities designed to make your stay pleasant.
Rest Assured: We prioritize your health & wellbeing: With our rigorous cleaning protocols, including professional sanitation, and anti-viral cleaning products, you can relax knowing you’re in safe hands.
Peace of Mind For the Whole Family: Bring everyone! This hotel is child-friendly with Kids meal options.

Book your stay today and enjoy special rates, exclusive perks, and a stress-free travel experience! Don’t wait – these deals are disappearing faster than a free donut at the breakfast buffet! Click here to book your stay NOW!

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Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn’t your grandma's itinerary. This is my Calgary Airport Trail NE adventure, starring yours truly and the fine folks at Holiday Inn Express and Suites. Prepare for a rollercoaster, because I'm still recovering from the flight, and frankly, I'm operating on about three hours of sleep.

Day 1: Arrival (and Surviving the Canadian Wind)

1:00 PM - Arrival at Calgary International Airport (YYC): Oh, sweet, sweet freedom… and the biting Canadian wind. Seriously, the jet stream felt like it was trying to rip my parka off. Good thing I packed like I was going to the Arctic. Note to self: Buy a nicer scarf. Mine looks like a dead badger. After the interminable baggage claim (why are suitcases so heavy?!), I somehow stumbled towards the shuttle to the hotel. The driver, bless his heart, had the patience of a saint dealing with my foggy-headed questions about the weather.
1:45 PM - Check-in at Holiday Inn Express and Suites (fingers crossed for a decent room!): The lobby… well, it smelled faintly of chlorine and artificial lemon, a scent that always reminds me of childhood swimming lessons. I’m not complaining; it’s clean! The front desk staff was perky, bordering on too cheerful. I suspect they've had a lot of jet-lagged, grumpy travelers. I got the room, thankfully on a higher floor. Praise the travel gods.
2:30 PM - Room Reconnaissance & Panic-Induced Food Search: Alright, the room. Not bad, not bad at all. Spacious enough, clean enough. Sigh of relief. The view? Mostly a parking lot and the highway. Okay, not ideal, but I'm not here for the view, am I? (…Maybe I am a little…) The fridge is empty. Disaster. I immediately start rummaging in my bag for snacks. A sad-looking banana and half a bag of questionable trail mix will have to do. Time to find food. And coffee. Must. Have. Coffee.
3:00 PM - The Quest for Caffeine (and maybe actual food): Wandering aimlessly. The hotel advertised a restaurant nearby. Found it, finally. It was a bland, chain diner with a TV blaring some sports game I didn't understand. Ordered a greasy burger and a large coffee. Felt my energy levels start to tick up. This, folks, is the miracle of caffeine and processed food.
4:00 PM - The Great Room Reorganization: I have this thing where I unpack immediately. It's a compulsion. Shoes scattered, toiletries arranged… It's my little way of making a hotel room feel less like a prison and more like a… well, a slightly better-equipped prison.
6:00 PM - Embracing the Bed and the Inner Netflix Gremlin: The day has done me in. The allure of the gigantic bed is strong. Netflix, here I come…
8:00 PM - "Did I forget something?" Panic: I can't figure out exactly what, but I have the nagging sense that I've forgotten something important. Passport? Phone charger? My sanity? A classic traveler's ailment. I'm going to blame it on the airplane air.

Day 2: Culture, Coffee, and Constant Disappointment

7:00 AM - The Hotel Breakfast: A Study in Buffet Dynamics: Argh. Breakfast time. I'm not a morning person, especially buffets. The usual suspects: rubbery scrambled eggs, undercooked bacon, and a waffle maker that probably hasn't been cleaned since the Jurassic period. Ate it anyway because, hello, free food. Note to self: Pack protein bars for future hotel breakfast disasters.
8:30 AM - Attempting Calgary "Stuff": Today, I decided to be a tourist. sigh. First stop: The Glenbow Museum. It was…eh. Not bad, but not exactly mind-blowing either. The exhibits were informative, but my brain was still running on low-power mode. (I blame the buffet eggs.) Saw some cool artifacts, then got distracted by a really, really long conversation between two teenagers about video games. A reminder of how much I don't miss my teenage years.
11:00 AM - The Coffee Catastrophe (and Salvation): Disaster. I was craving something other than the hotel's lukewarm coffee. Found what looked like a cute independent coffee shop. Ordered a fancy latte with oat milk and a pastry that looked delicious in the case. The latte. The pastry. Both were, to be frank, awful. My face said it all. Despair. Then, a nearby barista - who had clearly witnessed the catastrophe - took pity on my face and offered a perfect espresso shot. Coffee gods heard my plea.
12:30 PM - Lunch: The Salad Incident: Found a cute little restaurant nearby. Opted for a salad. Healthy, right? Wrong. The lettuce was limp, the tomatoes tasted like cardboard, and some kind of overly-sweet dressing coated everything. I swear I saw a tear roll down my cheek. My first world problems overfloweth.
2:00 PM - Driving around Calgary: I can't even drive properly in my neighborhood. I attempted driving downtown. Too. Much. Traffic. I gave up and went back to Holiday Inn.
5:00 PM - Back to the couch and Netflix.
7:00 PM - Pizza Delivery. This is what I live for.

Day 3: Departure (and the lingering scent of Adventure)

7:00 AM - Hotel Breakfast: The sequel. More eggs, more bacon, more existential dread. But hey, it's fuel, right?
8:00 AM - Last Minute Packing (the real adventure): Finding everything, figuring out the best way to pack, where all the phone chargers, etc., are.
9:00 AM - Check out.
10:00 AM - Airport Drop-off: This is it. Goodbye, Calgary. You were… interesting. *Shuttle ride to the airport. The driver asked about my trip. Gave a vague answer.
11:00 AM - Security and Boarding: (The usual airport chaos)
12:00 PM - Plane. "Whew."

Reflections:

Calgary, you were… a contrast. The hotel did the job. The food. let's not talk about the food. The wind did try to steal my hat. But, for all the imperfections and the near-constant caffeine deprivation, I had an experience. I survived, got to see a new city, and that, my friends, is what matters.

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CYYC Holiday Inn Express: Your Brain-Saver at the Calgary Airport? Let's Talk!

Seriously, Is This Hotel ACTUALLY Close to the Calgary Airport? Like, No Kidding?

Okay, listen, I've *lived* the airport-adjacent life. And "close" is subjective. But with the Holiday Inn Express near YYC? Yeah, it's legit. Like, "stumble-out-of-the-terminal-and-into-a-shuttle" close. My flight was delayed, like, four hours last time, and the idea of another hour of bus hell? Nah. Grabbed the shuttle, and boom – I was in a warm bed with free cookies. Seriously, worth its weight in gold when you're running on airport fumes and desperation. I swear, I'm no travel agent, but I felt practically *smug*. Plus, the shuttle actually arrives when it's supposed to! Unlike that one time in… well, never mind.

Free Breakfast? Is it the Soggy Scramble Kind, Or Actually Edible?

Alright, let's be honest, hotel breakfasts are usually a gamble. You're praying for something, *anything* beyond the dreaded "continental." The Holiday Inn Express? They actually make an effort. I'm talking the usual suspects - eggs, maybe some sausages (sometimes rubbery, but hey!), but *also* things like… (and brace yourself for the pinnacle of culinary excellence)... waffles! Yes, you get to make your own waffle masterpieces! And let's be real, that waffle iron is the hero we didn't know we needed at 6 a.m. One time, the waffle batter was SUPER runny, and I nearly made a giant mess, but I got a perfect one! It's not Michelin-star dining, but it's hot, filling, and FREE. That, my friends, is a win in my book. Plus, coffee! Infinite coffee! A caffeine lifeline for the weary traveler.

What About the Rooms? Are They Clean? (Please!!!)

Okay, this is a biggie. Cleanliness is KING. And honestly? The rooms at the Holiday Inn Express near the airport? Pretty darn good. I'm a little germaphobe-y, I admit. But I’ve always felt comfortable there. The linens are crisp, bathrooms are usually sparkling (sometimes a little hair in the drain, lets be honest, it is a hotel, people!), and the housekeeping staff does a solid job. They even have those tiny bottles of shampoo and conditioner, which, let's be real, are the perfect size for… uh… experiments, I won't get into it, just sayin'. My only complaint is that sometimes the AC makes noises like a small, angry goblin. But hey, at least it works! And the beds? Pretty comfy. Slept like a log after that delayed flight.

Is There a Pool? And If So, Is It Gross?

Okay, pool time! The last time I was there, there wasn't a Pool, I don't know if it has changed. But let's be real, airport hotels aren't really known for their Olympic-sized swimming facilities. My expectations are low. Now, if it's a small indoor pool, perfectly fine. But, I don't have any answers for you, and I need a bit more investigating.

What does the "Unbeatable Deals & Perks" part of your title mean? Is there even a DEAL to look forward to?

Alright, the truth! I'm not their marketing department, but from what I've seen... yeah. *Sometimes*. They often have packages and deals, especially if you book in advance. Look for things like free airport parking (HUGE win), or points deals if you're part of their rewards program. Also, depending on the time of year, Calgary hotels can fluctuate wildly in price, I got a screaming deal in January. Do your research! Check booking sites, compare prices, and see what kind of offers are floating around. But, like, don't expect miracles. A hotel with a shuttle and free waffles is already a pretty good deal, if you ask me. The best deal is a room when you're tired and stressed out, that's all I can tell you for sure!

Okay, I know about the waffles, but is there anything ELSE to do at the hotel?

Well, beyond gorging yourself on waffles and collapsing into your bed? Not a whole lot. There's usually a small fitness center (I've never used it, because, well, airports are exhausting), and sometimes a business center with computers and printers (for the unlucky souls who *need* to print documents at 3 a.m.). Mostly, it's a place to crash. And honestly? After a long flight, that's really all you need. Get some rest, recharge, and be ready (ish) to face the next adventure. It's not the most glamorous experience, but it gets the job done. No, you can't party there, and they don't offer massages, although I am pretty sure I need a massage after traveling on a plane!

What Are the Biggest Downsides? Don't Hide Anything!

Okay, confession time. It's not a perfect paradise. Biggest downsides? The airport noise *can* be audible. Especially if you're a light sleeper (which, let's face it, who *isn't* after a long flight?). Bring earplugs! And sometimes, the hallways smell vaguely of chlorine (from the possibly-nonexistent pool), or maybe cleaning products. Nothing major, but it is a hotel. Also, depending on the time of year and day, parking can be a pain. You will likely get hit with the baggage fees too. And the walls... well, they're not soundproof. You can hear the person in the next room snoring, so try to pack some earplugs.

Final Verdict? Would You Recommend the Holiday Inn Express Near Calgary Airport?

Look, if you need a convenient, clean, and reasonably priced place to crash near the Calgary airport? Yes. Absolutely. It's not fancy, it's not luxurious, but it's reliable. It's the perfect "I just need a bed and a shower" hotel. The free breakfast is a bonus, but the real hero is the shuttle. It's a stress-saver. Would I rave about it to all my friends? Probably not. But would I recommend it to someone who needed a good, solid airport hotel? Without hesitation. Go for it. Just bring earplugs. And maybe a travel-sized bottle of your favourite wine, just in case. You know, for emergencies.

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