Best Western Plus Port O Call Calgary

Some hotels are just a place to drop your bags. The Best Western Plus Port O Call Calgary turns an ordinary airport stay into something with a little more personality. You will find it on McKnight Boulevard NE, minutes from Calgary International Airport and a straight shot down Deerfoot Trail to downtown.

A Landlocked Port with a Playful Wink

Calgary is cattle country, hockey town, and gateway to the Rockies. So a hotel named after a maritime "port of call" is a charming bit of contradiction. It is like wearing flip-flops to a pancake breakfast—unexpected, but somehow it works.

The theme is subtle, not Disney pirate ship. You get nautical nods, warm wood, and a breezy atrium feel. It is the kind of place where you can land after a red-eye flight and feel your shoulders drop a notch.

Fun fact: "port of call" originally meant a stop on a ship's route. Here, you are the ship, Calgary is the stop, and the hotel is the dock. If that sounds corny, fine—sometimes corny is exactly what a travel day needs.

Rooms, Rates, and Real-Life Comforts

Rooms are designed for actual humans, not magazine shoots. You get free Wi-Fi, a coffee maker, a flat-screen TV, and beds that make it dangerously easy to ignore your alarm. Some rooms look over the indoor pool atrium, which is great if you have kids and less great if you want silence.

The hotel is non-smoking and offers free parking, which in Calgary is a small luxury. An airport shuttle is available, though you should confirm the schedule when you book. Ask about breakfast inclusion, because rates and packages can vary depending on the season.

If you are sensitive to noise, request a room away from the pool and elevator. If you are traveling with a pet, call ahead to confirm pet-friendly rooms and fees. A little prep turns a good stay into a great one.

Practical Tips for a Smooth Stay

Book directly or compare packages carefully, especially during Stampede in July. The city fills up fast, and hotel prices do a little cowboy yeehaw. Reserve airport shuttle spots early if you have a dawn flight.

Welcome to Best Western Plus Port O’Call | Calgary Airport Hotel, Alberta

Bring a swimsuit even if you think you won't. The indoor pool and waterslide are a hit with families and a sneaky-good way to shake off travel stiffness. The hot tub is there for adults who have earned it.

If you are heading to Banff or Lake Louise, leave before 8 a.m. The Trans-Canada Highway can get busy, and the mountains reward early risers. The hotel's location near Deerfoot Trail makes it easy to escape the city without crawling through downtown.

Eat, Swim, Repeat

On-site dining keeps things simple when you are too tired to hunt for dinner. Menus tend to cover the basics—burgers, salads, hearty breakfasts—with enough flexibility for picky eaters. You are also close to chain restaurants and fast-casual spots along McKnight Boulevard.

The pool area has a resort-ish vibe that feels almost tropical in winter. Outside, Calgary might be doing its best impression of a freezer. Inside, kids are splashing and parents are pretending they are in Cancun.

Around Calgary and Beyond

You are not downtown, but you are not stranded. The Calgary Zoo, Telus Spark, and the Calgary Tower are all a reasonable drive away. The Scotiabank Saddledome and Stampede Park are also accessible if you time traffic right.

BEST WESTERN PLUS PORT O'CALL HOTEL - Updated 2022 (Calgary, Canada)

For a dose of culture, check out the Glenbow Museum or Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre. In summer, Prince's Island Park hosts festivals and lazy picnic afternoons. In winter, Olympic Plaza turns into a skating rink that feels like a snow globe.

And yes, you can still do the cowboy thing. The Calgary Stampede is the city's famous ten-day rodeo and midway extravaganza. Even if you miss it, you can find boots, hats, and line dancing without trying too hard.

Why It Works for Mixed Travel Crews

This hotel is not trying to be a five-star boutique property, and that is the point. It is practical, comfortable, and a little quirky, which suits families, business travelers, and road-trippers alike. The waterslide buys you goodwill with kids; the free parking and airport proximity buy you goodwill with adults.

Solo travelers will find it safe and easy, though a car helps for exploring. Couples can use it as a low-key base before a Rockies adventure. Groups appreciate the space and the fact that nobody has to fight over parking.

Final Thought

Most of life is spent moving from one port of call to the next—school runs, work deadlines, grocery lists, and the occasional escape. A good hotel does not need to be flashy; it just needs to make the in-between feel a little easier. The Best Western Plus Port O Call Calgary does exactly that, with a smile and a waterslide.