10 Unique Places to Stay in Alberta
Here are 10 unique places to stay in Alberta. Whether you’re into glamping in the Rockies or you’d like to spend a night in an Indigenous Tipi, Alberta has some options to add surprise and delight to your holiday plans.
Edmonton and North
1. About 90 minutes north of Edmonton, in Smoky Lake Alberta, Metis Crossing has Sky Watching Dome accommodations. The domes include a transparent ceiling and all the comforts of home, including running water and electricity. As part of your experience, you will learn how Métis people used the stars and sky to navigate and to plant, hunt, and work the land.
2. In Alberta’s Elk Island National Park, just 30 minutes east of Edmonton, you can stay in a yurt—the traditional dwelling of Central Asian nomads. The ‘Alberta Yurts’ have a hand-crafted pine interior and a 5-foot wide skylight for stargazing. They are located in a beautiful wooded valley and have a large cook shelter if you have a group of glampers.
Southern Alberta
3. Enjoy the views of Alberta’s big sky from the comfort of an Airstream trailer at Mitchell Bros Beef ‘s Flint Rock Ranch near Pincher Creek. Observe life on a working ranch and if you’re lucky, you might even get to gather around a campfire with the cowfolk in the evening.
4. Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park , about 90 minutes east of Calgary, offers Tipi camping. Sleep under the stars at the park’s Tipi Village camping area. Enhance your stay with hands-on programming which can include storytellers, drummers, and dancers.
5. How about Medieval glamping complete with an immersive experience? Located halfway between Calgary and Drumheller, Good Knights Medieval Encampment, has a choice of lavish tents to spend the night in. Included in every stay is the chance to try long-bow archery, sword-fighting, and/or craft workshops. Good Knights also hosts medieval feasts for their guests and the general public.
6. Nestled at the base of the Rocky Mountains, near Pincher Creek, is the log home mansion of your dreams at Thanksgiving Ranch. Enjoy this luxury accommodations, gourmet meals, and many outdoor activities including horseback riding and hiking.
7. Azuridge is only 20 minutes from Calgary but feels worlds away. This estate hotel is set on 13 acres facing a gob-smacking view of the towering Rockies. Decor is influenced by the architecture of the Canadian Pacific Railway’s Rocky Mountain train stations with lots of Rundle rock. Rent the entire estate or rest your head in one of its 13 guest rooms. Access to Priddis Greens Golf & Country Club is included for a fee, or you can hike the expansive grounds, or visit the on-site spa.
The Rockies
8. Nestled alongside the iconic Columbia Icefield, the newly renovated Glacier View Lodge offers unrivalled views of glaciers and snowy peaks. Include a walk on the Athabasca Glacier or an evening tour beyond the cliff’s edge on a Columbia Icefield Adventure.
9. Mount Engadine Lodge is located in the heart of Kananaskis Country. Experience a back-country lodge with the ability to drive to the door. They also offer pet-friendly glamping tents. Highlights are the daily afternoon tea, frequent moose sitings and divine dinners included in the price of your stay.
10. How about a luxurious night in a castle? Alberta’s “Castle in the Rockies,” the Fairmont Banff Springs, was modelled after a Scottish baronial castle and was built in 1888. Make the most of the on-site championship golf course and/or the world-renowned spa. Top off your stay by booking with our guided food tour called Eat the Castle. Our local guides lead you through a history, art, and architecture tour interspersed with a four truly luxurious food and beverage pairings. Pro tip: this sells out frequently so book early to avoid disappointment.