admin | Calgary Hotels

Kensington Sun and Salsa Festival July 25 2010

calgary sun & salsa festival Put it in your calendar – July 25th, 2010 marks the date for the 17th annual Sun & Salsa Festival in Calgary. Come join the merchants of Kensington Village as we close down the streets to cars and open them up to the people of Calgary. Tantalize your taste buds with over 40 of the most unique salsas you’ve ever experienced prepared by Kensington restaurants, and vote for your favorite. Get swept up in the music as you dance to one of the many live bands. Learn a new move with Salsa dance demonstrations, or practice an old one on the beach volleyball courts. Make it a family event and let the kids run at the Kid Carnival, and make sure Fido gets taken care of too at our dog-watering station. Enjoy the shopping as many merchants celebrate the day with sales, or find that hard-to-find gift from one of the local vendors who set up for the day. Help support local charities too, as the proceeds from chip and water sales go directly to the Brenda Strafford Center and Brown Bagging for Calgary’s Kids.

The Kensington Village 2010 Sun & Salsa Festival, an experience that will not soon be forgotten.
More details at www.visitkensington.com

Asian Heritage Month

During the month of May, there are many exciting events taking place in the city of Calgary as part of Asian Heritage Month. To give you an idea of some of the highlights, Calgary Hotels is pleased to publish the official press release below:

imaginasian

Discover the riches in the fabric of our lives
This May, experience Asian Heritage Month

Asian Heritage Month engages people of all backgrounds through events that foster awareness of the broad spectrum of Asian Canadian’s social participation and cultural heritage. The Asian Heritage Foundation (AHF) hosts ImaginASIAN celebrations in Calgary throughout the month of May.
Back by popular demand are the “Find the CanASIAN in You” Bus Tours, which visit different communities on each Sunday and affords the experience of sights and sounds and tastes of Asia. The youth programs have been expanded to encompass visual arts, theatre and dance. The I HeART YOUTHinASIA art show promises to be a revelation of artistic talent among Asian Canadian youth. ACCT-OUT improvisational theatre was extremely well-received in 2009, and this year sees the participation of Asian Canadian high school students from across Calgary in “Meet the Asians”. New to the Festival is the New Millenium Allstyles dance showcase and competition, featuring local dance crews and a special guest performance by Quest Crew.
Also this May, the ImaginASIAN Film Series screens three very different, but uniformly excellent films: Mao’s Last Dancer, One Crazy Ride, and All About Dad. In June is the special Bollywood Extravaganza, with sumptuous dinner, entertainment and demonstrations to wrap up ImaginASIAN. As an ongoing project from last year, AHF raises support for the From Asian shores to Alberta Prairies project that purchases books and materials for public libraries, reflecting the increasing diversity of library users across the province.

For tickets and information, visit www.asianheritagecalgary.ca.

Carifest Calgary

carifest 2010 Carifest is a long standing annual festival which celebrates all things Caribbean by showcasing the culture, music and food of the many nations located throughout the Caribbean.
This year’s event takes place from June 5-12 2010, and promises to be as fun filled and popular as ever.
The festival starts on June 5th with a Caribbean Gospel Concert which takes place at the Full Gospel Tabernacle Church in NE Calgary from 7-10pm.
The following weekend, on June 11th the Friday Night Gala and Costume Show will feature singers performing a full range of Caribbean music, with prizes awarded for the best performers which will take into account both the singing and and the carnival costumes. This showcase takes place at the Theatre Junction Grand (608 1st St SW) starting at 7:30pm.
On June 12th, the Carifest Parade will start at 11am from Olympic Plaza, finishing at Shaw Millenium Park. The parade promises to be a lively and colourful affair with carnival bands from across the country competing for cash prizes based on their performance and costumes.

The parade will lead into the main event, the Sunshine Festival, at Shaw Millenium Park, where live Caribbean music will be accompanied by food and crafts from across the Caribbean. The Sunshine Festival runs until 7pm and admission is free.
For more information about Carifest, including photos and video from previous years, be sure to visit www.carifestcalgary.com

A Day of History & Culture in Calgary

With a skyline filled with modern tall buildings and office blocks, and branded as the ‘Heart of the New West‘, you could be forgiven for thinking that Calgary does not have much to offer those interested in looking back in time to a bygone era. However a little exploration reveals a city rich in culture and proud of its history, and a visit to any or all of the following excellent museums would be a fantastic start to appreciating that history for yourself.

Fort Calgary

Located a short distance from downtown Calgary in the trendy neighbourhood of Inglewood, Fort Calgary is an interpretive centre based in an accurately re-built version of an original 1875 North West Mounted Police post. The Fort has its own history to tell with stories of the Mounted Police who originally inhabited the settlement, and also tells the history of the city of Calgary from 1875 to the 1940s. Highlights include a ride in a virtual streetcar through scenes of Calgary’s past, historic stores and places of work, pleasant pathways through a community garden, and a general store where you can buy RCMP and Canadiana souvenirs. Also on site is the historic Deane House Restaurant which offers excellent lunch and brunch menus.
Fort Calgary is open year round and is not to be missed!
For further information and for opening times, prices and special events visit www.fortcalgary.com

The Hangar Flight Museum

Aptly located close to Calgary Airport, the mission of the The Hangar Flight Museum is “to promote the appreciation of Western Canadian contributions in aviation and space”. Exhibits include full aircraft in a large hangar including a Lancaster Bomber from World War 2, a Sopwith Triplane from World War 1, civil aviation and recreational aircraft, and vintage helicopters. Other highlights include a collection of 58 aeronautical engines and aircraft memorabilia including artwork and interesting wartime photos.
The museum is a must-see for aviation enthusiasts and even visitors with just a passing interest are sure to be impressed by the larger exhibits of these magnificent vintage aircraft.
For more information, visit www.thehangarmuseum.ca

Glenbow Museum

Both a museum and an art gallery, the Glenbow is certainly Calgary’s most famous and most popular museum with an eclectic range of exhibits that finds appeal with visitors with a wide range of interests. Located in the heart of downtown opposite the Calgary Tower, the impressive building houses permanent exhibitions which have a strong focus on the history, heritage and culture of western Canada, including an excellent portrayal of native cultures from Alberta and across the country. Also of note are the Asian Gallery, the Mineralogy Exhibition, and an exhibition dedicated to 5 centuries of warriors and war in different cultures across the world.
There are also many temporary exhibitions from the Glenbow’s own collections and travelling exhibitions from international museums.
Such is the quality of this museum, many people visit Calgary specifically to visit the Glenbow, and if you are in Calgary for other reasons, you really owe it to yourself to include it in your itinerary.
For further information, and to find out more about the current exhibitions visit www.glenbow.org

Traditional Delectable Dining

Among the fast paced bustle of Calgary hotels, it is still possible to find a traditional and relaxed dining experience at The Rimrock. Located at the Fairmont Palliser, this downtown Calgary restaurant offers exquisite service and remarkable food for breakfast lunch and dinner. With such decadent dishes as Seared Giant Canadian Sea Scallop and Parmesan Crusted Rack of Alberta Lamb, you will not be disappointed.
Reservations are recommended – call 403 260 1219
133 9th Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta

Kensington Riverside Inn

With a unique location in one of Calgary’s traditional city centre neighbourhoods, the Kensington Riverside Inn offers a pleasant alternative to staying in the downtown core, while still being within walking distance of the Calgary business district.
Guest rooms are very well appointed with Egyptian cotton sheets, and special consideration given to business needs with a large desk, data port and wireless internet access. With morning coffee and a newspaper delivered to the door and a gourmet breakfast included, you will certainly be well taken care of, whether visiting Calgary for business or pleasure.
In addition, the small village of Kensington has all the amenities you might need outside of working hours, with trendy restaurants, cool bars, and eclectic shopping.
To check rates & availability Click Here.

In the Heart of Downtown

If you are looking for a hotel in downtown Calgary and convenience is your main priority, we have put together a shortlist of hotels that are situated as close as you can possibly get to the heart of the city:

Of all downtown Calgary hotels, perhaps the most central of them all is the Hyatt Regency Calgary, located at 700 Centre Street in the core of the downtown shopping and business district. See map.

The Calgary Marriott Hotel at 100 9th Ave also has an enviable location, just a stone’s throw away from the business and leisure facilities of downtown Calgary.
See map.

The Fairmont Hotel Palliser rounds out the selection, found at 133 9th Ave SW, you can walk to anywhere you might need to go in Calgary city centre.
See map.

Award Winning French Cuisine

The Saint Germain restaurant in the chic Hotel Arts offers traditional French dishes made with fresh local ingredients. Lunch favorites include Onion Soup Au Gratin, and Beef Bourguignon, while dinner brings French classics such as Steak Tartar and Provencal Bouillabaisse. Dessert deserves a mention of its own with Valrhona Chocolate Caramel Tart and a wonderful selection of French cheeses.
For reservations call 403.290.1322
115, 12th Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta

Hotel Arts

If you like to combine extravagance with modern design, you may wish to consider the chic Hotel Arts in the Victoria Park area of Calgary. Located close to Calgary’s Design District, this boutique hotel is just four blocks south of the downtown core, and 5 blocks north of the lively Uptown 17th Ave with its abundant selection of fashionable restaurants, bars and shopping.
The luxurious rooms sport a hip modern design and are furnished in tones of espresso and chocolate, with LCD flat screen TVs and spa products in the elegant bathrooms. With various types of room and suite available, you are sure to find your own level of indulgence. The courtyard pool provides an immediate escape from the city, and in-room spa treatments are also available.
Dining at Hotel Arts is no less luxurious with both Raw Bar and St Germain having won awards for their cuisine.

The Fairmont Palliser

This landmark hotel offers a level of luxury and sophistication you would expect from the magnificent Fairmont group of hotels. The Fairmont Palliser is conveniently located in downtown Calgary Alberta, just a brief walk or short cab ride from the business district and the Calgary Telus Convention Centre, as well as popular attractions such as the Calgary Tower and the 8th Ave pedestrian shopping street. Guest rooms are exquisitely appointed with traditional furnishings and relaxed tones. Choose between the Fairmont Room, a selection of luxury suites, or for the ultimate in service, the Fairmont Gold Floor with private lounge and dedicated service.
The Rimrock restaurant offers first class dining, and the Oak Room provides a more relaxed setting for lunch or a casual dinner.
With an excellent range of business services and a resourceful concierge desk, the Fairmont Palliser is an ideal luxury hotel for business or pleasure.
If you are travelling to other destinations in Alberta and you are find of Fairmont hotels, you may also be interested in the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald in Edmonton Alberta, the Fairmont Banff Springs and the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise both in Banff National Park, and the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge in Jasper.