Accommodation in Alberta's South
• A WorldWeb.com Travel Guide for Alberta's South, Alberta.
Southern Alberta is an increasingly popular tourist destination, mostly due to its accessibility, varied landscape, unique culture and increasing development. International and national visitors can fly into Calgary International Airport before heading south or take one of the many roads that lead to the region from British Columbia, Saskatechewan and the state of Montana in the United States, while visitors from the rest of Alberta can head south for an affordable and eventful vacation in their own backyards, popularly dubbed ‘staycations’.
The region's larger centres include Lethbridge, Medicine Hat and Drumheller, while smaller towns such as Brooks, Fort MacLeod, and Pincher Creek are also popular destinations. There are plenty of recreational opportunities for avid sportsmen and outdoor enthusiasts, kitschy cultural attractions for families, and even romantic getaways for honeymooners. Whatever the reason for visiting Alberta's South, there are accommodations suited to every need, including hotels and motels, inns, bed and breakfasts, lodges, resorts, extended stay suites, hostels, cabins and campgrounds.
TRADITIONAL ACCOMMODATIONS FOR EASY TRAVEL
The nation’s cross-country highway, the Trans Canada Highway (Highway 1) passes east-west through southern Alberta, and the province's primary highway, the Queen Elizabeth II Highway (Highway 2) travels north-south through the region. This accessibility is the reason many Canadians visit the southern part of the province or take breaks in the region while passing through to other destinations.
In addition to independent hotels and motels that usually offer character and hospitality, chain properties such as the Days Inn, Econolodge, Super 8, and Travellodge are sprinkled throughout the southern region, including in the communities of Claresholm, Drumheller, Hanna, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Oyen, Pincher Creek, Strathmore, Taber and Three Hills.
These budget-friendly hotels offer consistent and comfortable accommodation with a standard range of amenities and services, such as comfortable beds, kitchenettes and laundry facilities, for self-catering options. Many also have on-site restaurants and lounges, and some even have convenience stores in the lobbies. Waterslides, pools, and fitness facilities also provide great opportunities for children and adults to burn off some energy.
For more personal and intimate stays, warm and inviting bed and breakfasts can be found throughout the region. Some are large ranch-style homes with many rooms but most, especially in small communities, have one or two guest rooms, making them best suited to single travellers and and couples. The Prairie Bells Bed and Breakfast is a larger accommodation with six rooms, located at a halfway point between Saskatoon and Calgary.
The Burmis Bed and Bales, east of Bellevue is a quiet, cozy, country retreat close to the Crowsnest River, a fantastic river for fly fishing. Similarly, Blairmore Heritage House is a small, comfortable facility where the proprietors serve a hot, nutritious breakfast each morning and are happy to organize guided tours of the many attractions in the area, including the Frank Slide Centre, Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump and Waterton Lakes National Park. Bed and breakfast hosts are always keen to share their knowledge about favourite spots off the beaten track, enhancing a spontaneous or loosely planned vacation.
FLEXIBLE ACCOMMODTIONS FOR GROUPS & EXTENDED VISITS
Families, groups and those staying for longer visits will find many choices for vacation rental properties, cabins, chalets and extended-stay suites. These are usually more affordable options for large groups as compared to traditional accommodation.
Sports enthusiasts will enjoy the accommodation options available in Claresholm. Lyndon Creek Cottage is nestled in the Porcupine Hills which is well suited to mountain hiking, fishing, biking and horseback riding, while the Seventh Fairway Retreat is a property located on the 7th fairway of the Bridges Golf Course.
Extended stay suites are a good option for groups, especially families since they provide flexibility and independence. Most are equipped with kitchens (though some are limited to smaller versions, called kitchenettes) and hence are especially well suited to travellers with special needs, such as dietary requirements or small children. The Ramada in Medicine Hat is well situated and has plenty of amenities for visitors, such as suites with kitchens and complimentary continental breakfast every morning.
LUXURY ACCOMMODATIONS FOR A RELAXING VACATION
Luxury vacationers have many options for accommodation on Alberta’s southern plains. Popular choices include heritage homes for romantic honeymooners, guest ranches for corporate outings, and isolated retreats for sportsmen.
Couples looking for privacy and fun can stay in one of the two small cabins at the Rocking R Guest Ranch in Strathmore. These sweet spots are situated atop a ridge with beautiful panoramic views and couples can enjoy an equestrian adventure before unwinding with an indulgent spa service. Misty Mountain Adventures is a family-owned-and-operated guest ranch that specializes in wilderness retreats with activities and packages that include horseback riding, hiking and team building activities.
An ideal spot for sportsmen is Anchor B Ranch Fly-Fishing Lodge in Cowley, a working cattle ranch on the Oldman River. This ranch accommodates up to eight guests who are hosted by four full-time fishing guides. Similarly, the TL Bar Ranch in Trochu overlooks the Red Deer River and horseback riding, fishing, and canoeing are popular activities in the Valley of the Dinosaurs. Fossil bones, shells and plants can be found while wandering on the trails; many of these treasures are displayed at the nearby Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology.
SIMPLE ACCOMMODATIONS FOR FREQUENT & AFFORDABLE TRIPS
Budgeting wisely is easy when visiting southern Alberta. Affordable accommodations including inns, hostels, campgrounds and teepees are found in and around every community. Inns and hostels offer comfortable indoor accommodations at reasonable price with the primary difference being that rooms at inns are usually private whereas a hostel typically has a mix of private and shared rooms as well as guest cooking facilities.
Inns can be found in many communities including the towns of Drumheller and Rosebud. Hostels are available in downtown in Pincher Creek and on campus at Lethbridge Community College. A unique hostelling experience is found at the East Coulee School Museum in Drumheller. Guests must bring their own bedding to historic site, where they can enjoy a tour of the museum, a homecooked meal and good company. Campgrounds and teepees are a fun and affordable way to enjoy the area in the warmer seasons. From late spring to early autumn, the sparsely populated landscape make sleeping under the stars a magnificent experience, while winter time camping is a possibility with specialty equipment clothing, although visitors should check campgrounds and teepees for opening dates.
Campgrounds are found in virtually every community, as well as in provincial and national parks. Elbas Farms, just outside of Lethbridge has both tent and RV facilities, and guests at the Spirit Walker Ranch in Lundbreck can stay in a modern lodge or in a traditional tepee. There are plenty of recreational opportunities including fishing, hunting, and photographing the abundant wildlife.
The region's larger centres include Lethbridge, Medicine Hat and Drumheller, while smaller towns such as Brooks, Fort MacLeod, and Pincher Creek are also popular destinations. There are plenty of recreational opportunities for avid sportsmen and outdoor enthusiasts, kitschy cultural attractions for families, and even romantic getaways for honeymooners. Whatever the reason for visiting Alberta's South, there are accommodations suited to every need, including hotels and motels, inns, bed and breakfasts, lodges, resorts, extended stay suites, hostels, cabins and campgrounds.
TRADITIONAL ACCOMMODATIONS FOR EASY TRAVEL
The nation’s cross-country highway, the Trans Canada Highway (Highway 1) passes east-west through southern Alberta, and the province's primary highway, the Queen Elizabeth II Highway (Highway 2) travels north-south through the region. This accessibility is the reason many Canadians visit the southern part of the province or take breaks in the region while passing through to other destinations.
In addition to independent hotels and motels that usually offer character and hospitality, chain properties such as the Days Inn, Econolodge, Super 8, and Travellodge are sprinkled throughout the southern region, including in the communities of Claresholm, Drumheller, Hanna, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Oyen, Pincher Creek, Strathmore, Taber and Three Hills.
These budget-friendly hotels offer consistent and comfortable accommodation with a standard range of amenities and services, such as comfortable beds, kitchenettes and laundry facilities, for self-catering options. Many also have on-site restaurants and lounges, and some even have convenience stores in the lobbies. Waterslides, pools, and fitness facilities also provide great opportunities for children and adults to burn off some energy.
For more personal and intimate stays, warm and inviting bed and breakfasts can be found throughout the region. Some are large ranch-style homes with many rooms but most, especially in small communities, have one or two guest rooms, making them best suited to single travellers and and couples. The Prairie Bells Bed and Breakfast is a larger accommodation with six rooms, located at a halfway point between Saskatoon and Calgary.
The Burmis Bed and Bales, east of Bellevue is a quiet, cozy, country retreat close to the Crowsnest River, a fantastic river for fly fishing. Similarly, Blairmore Heritage House is a small, comfortable facility where the proprietors serve a hot, nutritious breakfast each morning and are happy to organize guided tours of the many attractions in the area, including the Frank Slide Centre, Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump and Waterton Lakes National Park. Bed and breakfast hosts are always keen to share their knowledge about favourite spots off the beaten track, enhancing a spontaneous or loosely planned vacation.
FLEXIBLE ACCOMMODTIONS FOR GROUPS & EXTENDED VISITS
Families, groups and those staying for longer visits will find many choices for vacation rental properties, cabins, chalets and extended-stay suites. These are usually more affordable options for large groups as compared to traditional accommodation.
Sports enthusiasts will enjoy the accommodation options available in Claresholm. Lyndon Creek Cottage is nestled in the Porcupine Hills which is well suited to mountain hiking, fishing, biking and horseback riding, while the Seventh Fairway Retreat is a property located on the 7th fairway of the Bridges Golf Course.
Extended stay suites are a good option for groups, especially families since they provide flexibility and independence. Most are equipped with kitchens (though some are limited to smaller versions, called kitchenettes) and hence are especially well suited to travellers with special needs, such as dietary requirements or small children. The Ramada in Medicine Hat is well situated and has plenty of amenities for visitors, such as suites with kitchens and complimentary continental breakfast every morning.
LUXURY ACCOMMODATIONS FOR A RELAXING VACATION
Luxury vacationers have many options for accommodation on Alberta’s southern plains. Popular choices include heritage homes for romantic honeymooners, guest ranches for corporate outings, and isolated retreats for sportsmen.
Couples looking for privacy and fun can stay in one of the two small cabins at the Rocking R Guest Ranch in Strathmore. These sweet spots are situated atop a ridge with beautiful panoramic views and couples can enjoy an equestrian adventure before unwinding with an indulgent spa service. Misty Mountain Adventures is a family-owned-and-operated guest ranch that specializes in wilderness retreats with activities and packages that include horseback riding, hiking and team building activities.
An ideal spot for sportsmen is Anchor B Ranch Fly-Fishing Lodge in Cowley, a working cattle ranch on the Oldman River. This ranch accommodates up to eight guests who are hosted by four full-time fishing guides. Similarly, the TL Bar Ranch in Trochu overlooks the Red Deer River and horseback riding, fishing, and canoeing are popular activities in the Valley of the Dinosaurs. Fossil bones, shells and plants can be found while wandering on the trails; many of these treasures are displayed at the nearby Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology.
SIMPLE ACCOMMODATIONS FOR FREQUENT & AFFORDABLE TRIPS
Budgeting wisely is easy when visiting southern Alberta. Affordable accommodations including inns, hostels, campgrounds and teepees are found in and around every community. Inns and hostels offer comfortable indoor accommodations at reasonable price with the primary difference being that rooms at inns are usually private whereas a hostel typically has a mix of private and shared rooms as well as guest cooking facilities.
Inns can be found in many communities including the towns of Drumheller and Rosebud. Hostels are available in downtown in Pincher Creek and on campus at Lethbridge Community College. A unique hostelling experience is found at the East Coulee School Museum in Drumheller. Guests must bring their own bedding to historic site, where they can enjoy a tour of the museum, a homecooked meal and good company. Campgrounds and teepees are a fun and affordable way to enjoy the area in the warmer seasons. From late spring to early autumn, the sparsely populated landscape make sleeping under the stars a magnificent experience, while winter time camping is a possibility with specialty equipment clothing, although visitors should check campgrounds and teepees for opening dates.
Campgrounds are found in virtually every community, as well as in provincial and national parks. Elbas Farms, just outside of Lethbridge has both tent and RV facilities, and guests at the Spirit Walker Ranch in Lundbreck can stay in a modern lodge or in a traditional tepee. There are plenty of recreational opportunities including fishing, hunting, and photographing the abundant wildlife.
B&B Accommodation
Pet-friendly Rooms
Restaurant/Lounge/Pool
Heritage Inn Pincher Creek
Conveniently situated on Highway 6 and surrounded by spectacular scenery!
Free Wi-Fi
Pet-friendly Hotel
Ramada Inn & Suites Drumheller
Official Site: Click for guaranteed best rates. Save with Ramada: Book Now!
