Review: Residence Inn by Marriott Calgary Downtown Beltline District

On a recent jaunt to Calgary, I had the opportunity to stay at a new Marriott property in the heart of downtown; the Marriott Residence Inn Calgary. For a party of three, the spaciousness of the rooms was a major attraction, as each of the 390 rooms and suites is equipped with a full kitchen. Moreover, the hotel’s great location, complimentary breakfast buffet, and range of other amenities create a great value proposition for both business and leisure travelers. 

In this article, we provide an in-depth review of the Marriott Residence Inn Calgary Downtown Beltline District, including the hotel’s facilities, services, and guest experience to help you decide whether it’s the right choice for your next trip to cow town.

Booking the Residence Inn by Marriott Calgary Downtown, Beltline District

We booked this property at the cash rate for ~$120 CAD, on a Saturday. The points rate is approximately 20,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night. 

Most of the various room types are the same cost in cash or points, and all have kitchenettes, so this isn’t the type of property where one would consider using a Nightly Upgrade Award. 

Of note, there was no resort fee.

Location

The Marriott Residence Inn Calgary Beltline is located in the heart of downtown Calgary, not too far from the Calgary Tower. We were within walking distance of many popular areas, bars, and dining options.

More importantly, we were a short 10-minute Uber ride from the Laugh Shop comedy club. For those flying into Calgary, this hotel is about a 30-minute (20 km) drive from the nearest airport, YYC Calgary International Airport.

Parking

There was no valet parking option at this property, only self-parking in an underground parking lot. The cost was a daily rate of $30 if you pay at the front desk. You can also pay in the parking garage, but this would likely only save you money if you were staying for less than 12 hours. Alternatively, there is an off-site Impark nearby, but the prices are very similar.

Check-in

The check-in process was smooth and efficient, typically of most Marriott properties. The lobby itself was very spacious, and the elevators were conveniently located directly next to the front desk. 

There was even a hooligan handing out free Budweiser’s to those waiting in the lobby.

Room – Larger Studio, 2 Queens

As this was a boys weekend trip, we booked a large studio with two queen beds and a sofa. The room was indeed deceptively large and spacious, with an open floor plan and air conditioning. The flat-screen TV was optimally visible from both the sofa and beds. 

The two queen beds were nicely situated with outlets and lights on both sides of each bed. There was even a white noise machine on one bedstand, which was a nice touch. The sofa was not a pullout, but some select rooms, such as the king suite, did have a sofa bed.

The kitchen is closest to the door and features a full fridge, dishwasher, microwave, drip coffee maker, and more. 

Unfortunately, the coffee did not include any creamers, just a whitener powder, which left a bit to be desired. But maybe I am just getting spoiled by all the Marriotts I’ve stayed at with Nespresso machines.

The hotel staff also left us a nice personalized welcome letter with 3 cookies, which was a nice touch of service that complimented all the other room amenities.

Moving on to the private bathroom, the tub/shower, vanity, and toilet, were all very basic and adequate. 

The bathroom had an access door on each side, including from the closet hallway and ensuite next to the bed.

The closet hallway was ample sized with plenty of storage, coat racks, luggage storage, and a safe to store one’s valuables.

I tend to never use these as I think the risk of theft is much lower than the risk of me forgetting my stuff when it’s out of sight…

Facilities

Guests of the Marriott Residence Inn Calgary Downtown can enjoy a range of amenities, including a 24-hour fitness center, laundry service (self-serve), and business center. 

Fitness Center

On the ground floor, just past the elevators, is the 24-hour fitness center. This is just opposite the laundry room and has two levels with both free weights and cardiovascular equipment.

Overall the gym facilities were fairly well designed. The equipment was nicely spaced out and there was plenty of natural light. 

Business Center

Business space is something many hotels slack on, but the Residence Inn has extensive meeting and business facilities, including six large meeting rooms and five breakout areas.

The main business center area was actually really nice and modern, offering a plethora of different seating options, from chairs to couches to booths. 

Two printers were available as well, as is typical for Marriott business centers. 

Restaurants

The Marriott Residence Inn Calgary Downtown Beltline offers a complimentary breakfast buffet each morning and a complimentary social hour with drinks and appetizers on select evenings.

Complimentary Breakfast – 3rd Floor

On the third floor is a massive dining area with a plethora of seating options. Once again, I found the natural lighting to be very pleasant.

The free breakfast was set up as an American-style buffet with a multitude of different stations, including all the staples of cereal, bagels/toast, yogurt, fruit, eggs (scrambled), meats and cheeses, bacon, sausage, hash browns, etc.

A particular highlight was the self-serve waffle station.

Overall I found the breakfast to be of surprisingly good quality, especially considering it was included as complimentary for all guests.

Starbucks coffee is always a welcome addition to any buffet as well.

Hearth Room Lounge – 3rd Floor

Within the 3rd floor main lounge is a smaller room with a cocktail bar, called the Hearth Room.

The Hearth Room is open 5:00 PM – 12:00 AM Monday through Saturday (closes an hour early on Sundays). It offers some more intimate seating with nice views of the street.

You can view the full dining menu here. 

Stable Cafe – Lobby Level 

On the hotel’s lobby level is another cafe and cocktail lounge called Stable, offering gourmet coffees, hand-crafted cocktails, and “farm-to-table” foods. 

We didn’t get a chance to visit Stable, but it is apparently open from 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM throughout the week, and at 9:00 AM on weekends.

Conclusion

Overall, the Marriott Residence Inn Calgary Beltline was a comfortable and convenient place to stay in downtown Calgary. The rooms were spacious and modern with plenty of natural light, and the service was above the standard expected of a Marriott hotel. 

If you’re looking for a spacious suite in a good location, with the option to cook for yourself, definitely consider the Marriott Residence Inn on your next trip to cow town!