The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth happens every July in Calgary. If you’re joining the millions of visitors heading to the Calgary Stampede or just taking a longer look around Calgary before heading to the mountains, you’ll want to stay at one of Calgary’s best hotel hideouts. As a local who is a luxury hotel reviewer, let me point you in the right direction. There are many excellent hotels in the city but these three Calgary Stampede hotel hideouts are exceptional, each in their own way.
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The Dorian, Autograph Collection
Named after Oscar Wilde’s fictional character, Dorian Gray, The Dorian, Autograph Collection is as fanciful as the author himself. Centrally located and within walking distance of Calgary’s Light Rail Transit line to the Stampede Grounds, The Dorian makes a great hotel hideout.
Style Notes
The Dorian, Autograph Collection is the result of an obsession with England. The developer, Patricia Phillips, CEO of PBA Group, spent several years in London and then labored for ten years in Calgary to bring her British inspired vision to life. English cottage-core floral wallpaper, brass fittings, and hounds tooth patterned fabrics meet mid-century modern lighting and a love affair in teal and violet ensues. A bottle of the bespoke house spirits, Earl Grey Gin by local Eau Claire Distillery awaits you on a brass trolley cart, along with martini glasses, and a cocktail shaker. Teatotallers can simply reach for the ceramic Haden kettle and open a box of fragrant specialty teas. Sip tea, or spill the tea, your choice.
Can You Keep A Secret?
If you remember story of The Picture of Dorian Gray, Dorian’s portrait grows older and more ravaged as the man himself remains youthful, no matter how far he descends into the depths of depravity. Now I’m not suggesting that you do anything sinful. Whatever happens at Stampede, stays at Stampede. But there is a very special bit of digital magic happening in the portrait that hangs across from the smartly styled reception desk. And if you text your activities to an anonymous QR code, be they altruistic or deeply selfish, you will be judged by other guests of the hotel and the painting will move from delightful to decadent, or vice versa. Of course, you also get to judge the other guests. Fair is fair. But this hotel hideout’s secrets stay hidden.
Clean it Up
Wash your sins away under a rainfall shower in a spacious, spotless bathroom or linger in a deep soaker tub (found in the suites) with a copy of Oscar Wilde’s book. You’ll find Aesop toiletries from Australia and fluffy robe in either case. Don’t get too comfortable though. There’s more fun to be had just outside your door.
Eat, Drink and be Merry
The award winning Wilde on 27 is a must see and you can also see all of downtown from the outdoor terrace. Named Best Restaurant of 2025 by Avenue Magazine and winner of a DiRoNA (Distinguished Restaurants of North America) award in the same year, the Canadian centered menu features Alberta bison, Digby scallops, and BC Salmon prepared with a flourish. The bar gets a buzz on in the evening and weekend brunches are a place to see and be seen.
On the second floor, Le Petit Chef has taken up permanent residence. A series of tiny international chefs appear to serve up dishes from around the world while entertaining you with their hi-jinks between courses. The projected experience is enchanting and more than a little romantic, as the chefs perform on your table while the rest of the room is in semi-darkness.
For a sunny, stylish place for drinks or to pop open your laptop head for Prologue Cafe Cocktails, across from reception. You can also pick up a copy of The Picture of Dorian Gray or a bottle of Earl Grey Gin from the tiny bookshelf gift shop.
Prologue Cafe Cocktails at The Dorian, Autograph Collection.
Is This My Hotel Hideout?
Couples, singles, anglophiles, steampunk aficionados, folks looking for a place that’s a bit quirky, very witty, with delicious dining. Children are welcome of course, but families might prefer an option with a pool, like the Hyatt Regency reviewed below.
“You will always be fond of me. I represent to you all the sins you never had the courage to commit.” – Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray
Hyatt Regency Calgary Downtown
Friendly, modest, reserved, with a lot to offer behind the scenes – just like Canadians in general, Hyatt Regency Calgary Downtown makes a great hotel hideout. Take the lobby for example. That gigantic canoe shaped light fixture and the map of the fur trade routes behind the reception desk are not so subtle nods to Canada’s history. So are the 60 foot high sandstone walls in the soaring lobby. They aren’t just a decorative feature. They’re a real part of Calgary’s history.
A City on Fire
Hyatt Regency Calgary fills a city block of turn of the century buildings. In November of 1886, fire broke out in the mostly wood frame buildings on what is now Stephen Avenue. It raced through the town, overwhelming the lone fire truck until the mayor sacrificed his harness shop and had it blown up to create a firebreak. After the ashes settled, only two buildings made of stone were left standing. A building frenzy of fireproof buildings began that led to Calgary’s nickname of “Sandstone City”. Those two buildings are now part of Hyatt Regency. By the way, this was the unlucky mayor’s second fire experience. The first one was the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.
Water, Water, Everywhere
A hotel hideout with a hot tub, Hyatt Regency Calgary boasts one of the best spas in the city, the jewel box Stillwater Spa. Sink into luxury with one of their signature facial treatments featuring products from BABOR of Germany or BIOEFFECT, an all natural line from Iceland. Nine treatment rooms are staffed with certified RMT’s who are ready to massage your worries away. If Stampede has tied you in knots, you can always drop in for a targeted thirty minute session guaranteed to unwind your lasso or your torso.
Hyatt Regency is one of the few hotels downtown with a pool, and the only one with this view of the Calgary Tower, making it very family friendly.
As a bonus, Hyatt Regency is only one block away from the Stampede Parade route. The traditional Friday before Stampede celebration kicks off the ten days of fun. It’s also right on Stephen Avenue pedestrian mall which comes alive from morning till late at night with free pancake breakfasts, buskers, vendors and live music.
There’s plenty of great shopping and dining within a few blocks of the hotel and the LRT (Light Rapid Transit) that can whisk you back and forth from the Stampede Grounds is right on the corner.
Is This My Hotel Hideout?
A great hotel for groups of friends the Hyatt Regency Calgary has large, modern rooms (many connecting), paired with top notch service and legendary fine dining at Thomson’s Kitchen and Bar. Families will love the pool and the quick transfer from downtown to the fun at the Stampede Grounds.
Fairmont Palliser
Stampede Parade Headquarters – Almost
The chosen hotel of dignitaries and celebrities, it’s no surprise to see Prime Minister Mark Carney, an Olympic athlete or a Canadian astronaut in the tasteful, marble clad lobby of Fairmont Palliser. Built in 1914 as part of the Canadian Pacific Railways chain of “castles in the mountains” like the Fairmont Banff Springs and Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, this elegant hotel sits in the shadow of the Calgary Tower next door. A seat in the stands outside the hotel is the perfect (if pricey) place to catch the start of the Calgary Stampede Parade.
Fairmont Palliser certainly moves with the times and the dark mahogany Oak Room has been replaced with Hawthorn Dining Room and Bar, a gleaming brass-fitted bar surrounded by comfortable mid-century modern furnishings. The menu delights guests from early morning to live jazz filled late evenings with casual breakfasts and burgers during the day and white tablecloth service and 40 oz Hawthorn Cowboy Chops by night. The Canadian inspired Afternoon Tea service on Saturday and Sunday is always a good choice if you like dainty finger sandwiches and pastries served with a selection of internationally inspired teas.
The rooms are luxurious and filled with every modern amenity, but some can be on the smaller side. It’s best to go up a category or two to take full advantage of the space. Fairmont Gold, the “hotel within a hotel” is a fine choice with a complimentary buffet bar that’s stocked throughout the day, a private lounge, dedicated check in and top notch concierge service.
Keeping Your Head Above Water
Fairmont Palliser offers a spa, steam room, and fitness centre, but the star of the show might be the Romanesque heated indoor pool on the lower level. If a quiet escape is on your wish list, this hotel hideout has you covered with adults only swim time between 10 and 11 p.m. daily.
Is This My Hotel Hideout?
If you enjoy the finer things in life, Fairmont Palliser is your perfect hotel hideout. Close enough to downtown and the Stampede Grounds, but filled with pure big city elegance and charm. The dining is superb, the staff are friendly, the rooms are so luxurious you might never want to leave and Fairmont Palliser has one of the few on-site spas in town. Giddy up!
