Review: Calgary Airport Marriott In-Terminal Hotel

Engaging in a mileage run for Air Canada Aeroplan Elite status, I needed to book two nights for my layover at Calgary International Airport (YYC). Fortunately, YYC had two in-terminal hotels, both affiliated with the Marriott Bonvoy banner. The Marriott was inside the terminal building in contrast to the other property, a Delta, which was a short walk away across the airport roadways. 

Read on for my review of the Calgary Airport Marriott In-Terminal Hotel.

Booking & Check-in

A few factors were considered when booking the Calgary Airport Marriott over other options in the area. With connection times of around 9 hours, I didn’t want to book a room that was off-property in case of any delays or issues between the repositioning flight and the miles run. Additionally, the Marriott had a lounge with flexible operating hours and food options from all times of the day, which was great for my 2 AM arrival on the last leg of the mileage run.

The Marriott has multiple entrances, one on the Arrivals and Baggage claim level and one from the Departures level. This was really convenient, especially after my evening and overnight arrivals. There were also two banks of elevators, one pair that only went up to the lobby and convention center levels, and another pair that extended upwards to the rooms.

The check-in desk was staffed well, even at 11 PM at night. With no lines, checking in was very quick and efficient. I was notified that my room had been upgraded to one with views of the airport apron as opposed to the parking garage and roadways courtesy of my Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite Status. The agent also proactively asked whether or not I needed a late check-out, but I declined as was leaving before the standard noon check-out time anyway.

If you want to save a few dollars off your booking, you can use your CAA membership to get a discount off the regular rate, $29 off per night in this example. 

The Calgary Airport Marriott In-Terminal Hotel offers reasonably priced Marriott Bonvoy point redemptions, as rates tend to hover between 25,000 to 40,000 points per night. This means this property could present a good option for redeeming a Marriott free night award earned from either the American Express Marriott Bonvoy card or the American Express Marriott Bonvoy Business card.

American Express Marriott Bonvoy Business Card

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American Express Marriott Bonvoy Business Card

The American Express Marriott Bonvoy Business card offers benefits that include an annual Marriott Bonvoy free night certificate and 15 elite qualifying nights towards Marriott Bonvoy elite status.

BONUS
60,000 Marriott Bonvoy

MINSPEND
$5,000

EST. VALUE
$540+

ANNUAL FEE
$150

FOREX FEES
Yes

EXPIRY
–

Location

As mentioned previously, the Calgary Airport Marriott is conveniently located inside the airport terminal, without having to go outside. Located between the international and domestic check-in areas, the entrance is convenient for both kinds of travel destinations.

If you’re looking to go into the city, the Lyft pick-up is just steps from the doors of the Calgary Airport Marriott. Otherwise, taxis are also available for about $40-$45 for a trip downtown which can take about 20-30 minutes. Public buses to the light rail or Downtown are also available, which can take 50 minutes to go Downtown at a cost of $3.80.

Parking 

On the property’s website, on-site parking is $36 daily or $125 weekly. Valet parking is also available for $45 daily. Although it’s not listed online, I would assume that parking for the hotel is across the street in the airport’s parking garage. For comparison to the airport rates, YYC charges $30 daily and $150 for a week.

Room – Runway View, 2 Queen Guest Room

Walking in, the room was what I expected for a 2 queen room. Nothing particularly out of the ordinary except for the bathroom door placement, which faces the bed instead of the entranceway. It was also a sliding door, so every time I went to the washroom, I had to make sure that the curtains for the windows were closed and that the door was all the way closed especially during the day. Everything else about the bathroom was what you would expect from a Marriott property.

The bed and workstation had the same layout as well. Though the coffee maker was not located on the work desk, but instead where you would’ve expected the bathroom door to be.

The closet was smaller, where one side opened to the iron and ironing board with an ice bucket and some glasses, as well as the in room safe. The other side closest to the entry door had room for some hung clothes. If you needed more places to hang your coat, there were three hooks on the left of the coffee maker and entry mirror.

If you’re a plane nerd like me, the views from the window are perfect for you. Overlooking the Concourse C apron, you can get fantastic views of aircraft departing and arriving at Calgary Airport, with the closest runway on the right side.

Restaurants 

M Club Lounge – Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite Complimentary Breakfast

One of the most worthwhile benefits of attaining Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status or above is the complimentary breakfast that’s provided. In my experience, most if not all, hotel lounges are a lot quieter and have more food variety than what you would see at airport lounges, like Air Canada’s Maple Leaf Lounge which would have been my alternative breakfast option before my early morning flight.

Boasting a breakfast spread of more than 3 hot food options offered at the Calgary Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge, I was quite impressed with the variety and options available. With a mix of both cold and hot options, you could really indulge in the food before your flight.

YAKIMA Social Kitchen + Bar

In the lobby area, you can find the hotel’s restaurant which features a variety of food from around the world, including asian meals like ramen and korean fried chicken to pizza, steaks, or burgers. Their hours of operation are between 6 AM and 12 AM midnight, though the complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite breakfast benefit is not offered through the restaurant. You can check out YAKIMA’s menu here.

On the other side of YAKIMA was the hotel’s small convenience store where pre-made meals, made-to-order coffee and some groceries were available for sale.

Facilities

On the mezzanine floor of the hotel, the Fitness Center, Pool, and Spa facilities are available to hotel guests.

M Club Lounge

Lounges provide a level of exclusivity and quiet away from the hustle and bustle of other guests and airport chaos. The M Club at the Calgary Airport Marriott offers quite a wide variety of breakfast and bakery food or drinks with exceptional views of the airport view and sunrise or sunset.

This lounge rates quite high in my personal rankings for what I’ve seen in North America, and is quite comparable to what I saw at the Nagasaki Marriott in Japan.

At various times of the day, food and beverage service was provided, though there was a break between 10 AM and 5 PM if you wanted any kind of hot food or alcohol. Snacks, fruit, and non-alcoholic drinks were available all-day.

On the first night, I arrived at around 10 PM so the dessert round had already started. There was a selection of different pastries, charcuterie and even tuna sandwiches available. Similar to Calgary’s Maple Leaf Lounge, the Vancouver Maple Leaf Lounge didn’t have much hot food variety so being able to fill up at the M Club after a long day was a relief.

The lounge also had a private bathroom which was well maintained as well as a small business centre with printing services and internet access for business travelers.

Fitness Center

The fitness center also had a view of the airport apron, with a variety of exercise equipment and towels and headphones for your comfort. Exercise balls and some free weights were also available.

The gym was never occupied every time I visited with lots of room to spread out.

Pool

The on-site heated indoor pool is standard sized with a small jacuzzi in the back. It never looked busy and access to the pool was only available through the change rooms.

Spa

I was surprised to learn that the YYC Marriott had on-site spa services. Although it wasn’t available whenever I was on the property, it offered a variety of services for anyone in need of a spa treatment.  

Conclusion

The Calgary Airport Marriott In-Terminal Hotel provides a comfortable stay for any travelers flying in and out of Calgary Airport, with the features of a premium hotel including a Club Lounge for elite status holders.

My stay never had any issues or unexpected surprises which is always great, especially for the tight itineraries involved in a mileage or status run. If I ever had an early morning or late night flight into Calgary with little time to get into the city, I wouldn’t hesitate to book the Calgary Airport Marriott for any travel plans that involve the proximity of the airport as a factor.