Super 8 by Wyndham Calgary/Airport

The staff greeted us warmly, and we were happy with our stay. Compared with nearby hotels, the price was good, and the room and bathroom were larger than at most Super 8 hotels with similar amenities. There was a desk and chairs, and although there wasn’t a microwave in the room, guests could use one in the lobby.

The place is an absolute hole. The rooms are outdated and dirty, toilets don’t flush, and the beds are never washed. We were charged more than expected after being lured in with a $67 rate, and I feel they make up lies to keep your deposit. Hidden charges and misleading billing are part of the problem. The free breakfast barely counts as one, and you’re lucky to find cereal. The coffee is disgusting, and I got a skin infection from using their washer and dryer. It should be condemned. Customer service was horrible. They seem to believe people off the street over their own guests, and the district manager didn’t reply when I contacted him to resolve things and train staff. He made assumptions without getting the full story. They don’t seem to care about customers or cleanliness, just taking extra money. I’m surprised Super 8 still allows this franchise to operate. It doesn’t meet the Super 8 standard or uphold the Wyndham points program. Try the Emerald up the road or Comfort Inn instead for a better experience.

For 60 bucks a night, with a good location close to the airport, I can’t complain too much about the value. The hotel and rooms were pretty dated, though, and the beds and pillows were lousy. You could hear the noisy elevator throughout the building, and the juice machine in the breakfast room sounded like it needed to be put out of its misery.

The hotel felt sketchy and uncomfortable, especially with kids. People who appeared to be drug users were hanging around, smoking outside the entrance and around the corner despite the non-smoking policy. I even saw someone come into reception with a cigar behind his ear. The room smelled terrible, and the lobby smelled like someone had used the bathroom and it hadn’t been cleaned. That first impression never improved. I’d requested a crib ahead of time, only to be told they don’t have any. When I asked for spoons, a staff member brought a handful of wooden ones from an old, dusty-looking box and dropped them on the counter, unpackaged. Breakfast was very poor and limited, with supplies running low even though there weren’t many people. There was nothing to put on the bread, no eggs or spreads, and the whole setup felt unprepared. The lift also made worrying noises every time it opened or closed, like a vintage 1950s elevator badly in need of repair. My flight was at 8 PM, and I planned to leave for the airport at 5 PM, so I asked for a late checkout. They refused and offered only 12:30pm, which was no use for our large family with small children. Other hotels have given me late checkout at no charge, so this felt unhelpful. When I went to the vending machine for water, every option but Diet Coke was sold out. At least a staff member gave me a bottle after I asked. This was one of my worst hotel stays. It was dirty, poorly managed, and not family-friendly, and I won’t be back or recommend it.