HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS AND SUITES CALGARY UNIVERSITY BY IHG, Calgary

The hotel sits at 2373 Banff Trail, placing you steps from the C-Train line that reaches downtown Calgary in about 17 minutes. Multiple restaurants-including Get Smoked Southern BBQ, Joey's Seafood, and Phil's Restaurants-are within a 5-minute walk. The University of Calgary, Olympic Oval, and an ice-skating rink are all nearby. The neighbourhood is a mix of commercial and residential; the hotel maintains secure access with key-card elevators and CCTV for a safe stay.

Room options include standard rooms and king suites. All rooms feature a private bathroom, hairdryer, free toiletries, ironing facilities, and a flat-screen TV. Many rooms include a microwave and mini-refrigerator; suites add a separate sitting area. Beds are consistently described as comfortable, with a choice of pillow firmness. Windows are soundproofed, so street and train noise is minimal. Some rooms have limited views (e.g., facing a canopy or brick wall) - higher floors generally offer better outlooks. No rooms have a balcony.

Breakfast is served daily from 6:30-9:30am on weekdays and 7-10am on weekends. The buffet includes pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon or sausage, hash browns, fresh fruit, yogurt, cereal, bagels, and beverages. The breakfast area can get busy during peak hours. There is no restaurant or room service on the property. For lunch and dinner, you can walk to a strip mall 0.3-0.5 km away with options such as Green Chili, Swirl Indian Fusion, Rockies Sports Bar and Grill, and Domino's Pizza.

The pool is small and shallow, designed more for splashing and children than serious swimming. The waterslide is a hit with kids. The hot tub is available and maintained at a warm temperature. The fitness centre offers basic cardio and strength equipment. All facilities are free for hotel guests. Note that the pool area can become crowded, especially when sports teams are staying. Periodic maintenance may close the pool temporarily; check at the front desk. There is no spa or sauna.

WiFi is available throughout the hotel at no charge. The 24-hour front desk offers express check-in/out, a safety deposit box, and luggage storage. Laundry and dry cleaning are available for an additional fee. The business centre includes fax and photocopying (also extra). Parking is free underground and above ground, but spaces are not reserved and fill quickly during events. Key card access is required for the elevator, and CCTV covers common areas. Pets are not accepted. A deposit is required at check-in.