Hotel Arts Kensington

We found a wonderful place to stay on our first trip to Calgary. The neighbourhood is fun to explore, with eclectic shops and good restaurants, and breakfast was fresh, delicious, and full of nice touches. Our room was comfortable, with six pillows, a small fridge, a fancy bathroom, and glass water bottles plus drinking and wine glasses. Our staff member stood out for prompt, helpful service, and it felt like every detail had been thought of.

This has become one of our favorite little escapes, and we’ll be back. The restaurant is amazing, and the in-room spa services are a lovely extra. I also love the free breakfast and underground heated parking. The hotel is quaint, the staff are friendly, and the area is perfect, with cute shops and restaurants nearby. I almost want to keep it to myself.

Hotel Arts Kensington has a stylish, personal boutique feel, and the restaurant was excellent. My room was beautifully designed, with a cozy fireplace that made it feel special. The location is close to downtown but still quiet and charming. I really enjoyed staying here and would happily return.

I’d stayed at Hotel Arts Kensington several times before, so I booked a higher-end suite for a Christmas staycation in late December 2025, after deciding not to travel to the U.S. It was about $300 a night, and I expected the polished boutique stay the hotel advertises. Instead, the experience was deeply disappointing for what was supposed to be a special break. It felt more like a cut-rate roadside motel than one of Calgary’s leading boutique hotels. The suite was spacious and the bed was very comfortable, but it felt worn and neglected. The toilet handle was broken, the rainforest shower head leaked, and hot water took several minutes of running to arrive. The couch seemed like something salvaged from a basement, and we could only use it after propping it up with bed pillows. Cleanliness was the most troubling part. There was heavy dust on surfaces and behind the television, dust on the Bodum kettle, and visible debris and stains on the desk chair. In the entry area, picture frames, stair bases, and light fixtures were thick with dust. Room service trays and garbage were left in the hallways for more than 24 hours. These seemed like broader housekeeping problems, not one missed spot, and made me question whether management inspects the property closely. There was construction immediately beside the hotel, affecting access and causing noise, but nothing was disclosed when booking or before we arrived. Oxbow and the lounge/lobby bar, which also serves as the breakfast space, were unavailable or had reduced service without advance notice, even though the hotel’s public materials still promote them as key amenities. On Tuesday evening, December 23, we planned to have a quiet drink and light meal by the fireplace. At about 7:20 p.m., we were refused service because “last call” had already been called and the lounge was closing at 8 p.m., although several other guests were still seated there. Staff mostly came across as indifferent. Bar service was refused well before closing, closures weren’t explained proactively, and we only discovered limits once they inconvenienced us. I contacted the hotel through its text platform, in person, and finally by phone with the Director of Operations. The response was a generic “by the way” message about closures and a lukewarm “hope you’ll give us another chance,” without real ownership, an apology, or an effort to make things right. For the price and the way the property presents itself online, its operating standards are far behind its branding and rates. I used to consider it one of Calgary’s finest boutique choices. It’s disheartening to see how far things have slipped, especially when budget chains seem to handle basic cleanliness and communication more consistently.