Residence Inn by Marriott Calgary Downtown/Beltline District

The passing train was the one thing that got a bit annoying. Otherwise, we loved our stay. Our room was spacious and had great amenities, with a nice city view. The location was perfect for Calgary attractions, and we could walk to Stephen Avenue and the Wonderland sculpture. We enjoyed the free breakfast, and the staff were very nice. Parking costs extra, but we appreciated having underground parking. We'd definitely stay here again next time.

Parking made this stay extremely frustrating. The hotel doesn't have its own parking. I asked the front desk where to park, scanned the QR code there, and followed the staff's help to select and pay for the weekend option. But it turned out only one night had been paid, and we got a ticket on checkout morning. Management told me to deal with the parking company, offering no real assistance or accountability. Guests shouldn't have to second-guess staff directions when fines can result. The room's cleanliness also seemed questionable from the moment we arrived, and it didn't feel properly maintained. Read the parking reviews carefully, including the valet parking complaints. Save yourself time and frustration by staying elsewhere. I'll never choose Marriott again, and I'll gladly go anywhere else next time.

The bathroom water pressure was my only real criticism. Both the sink and shower were noticeably weak, making it harder to wash properly and feel refreshed. Hopefully they can improve that. Otherwise, I had a really enjoyable stay and would happily recommend this clean, comfortable, well run hotel. The rooms felt spacious and functional, with a modern design and everything needed for a short or extended visit. Breakfast stood out: lots of fresh, healthy, tasty choices for different tastes and diets, nicely presented and replenished regularly. Staff at reception, housekeeping and general enquiries were all friendly, professional and welcoming. The gym was reasonable for keeping up a routine, and the on-site laundry was extremely handy. At $3 per wash and $3 per dryer load, it was affordable and I used it often. The hotel is a little outside the very center, which I liked. It was quieter and more relaxed, and the area around it, including the car park, felt more comfortable than some busy downtown spots.

The parking issue added to a disappointing experience. The underground lot isn't managed directly by the hotel. On arrival, I asked the front desk manager where to park, scanned the QR code at the desk and was sent to Indigo Parking. He told me to press “Next” and choose the $5 weekend rate, so I paid expecting the whole weekend to be covered. We checked in Saturday around 3:00 PM and left Monday morning, but at 9:30 AM Monday we got an $80 ticket. The senior manager told me to contact Indigo Parking, so the hotel took no responsibility despite my following their instructions. If you stay, check all parking arrangements carefully yourself. I wouldn't rely on their directions, including valet recommendations. I had also booked through Booking.com and requested a higher floor, one of the main reasons I chose the property. I'd stayed before and liked being higher up, away from city noise. When I called to confirm, they said the highest available was the 14th floor, even though the building has 32 floors. I explained why I'd booked again, but was told an upgrade would cost extra. The website didn't clearly say floor level required an upgrade fee. It felt as though there was little flexibility because I'd booked through a third party and already paid, and perhaps a direct booking or new customer would have had better options. That didn't seem fair to a returning guest or loyalty member. I booked one day before arrival and also saw the rate was already $100 higher than when I checked the same room about a week earlier. Before the stay, this wasn't the service I expected. The experience has made me reconsider staying in Calgary in the future.