Calgary Airport's BEST Kept Secret: Premier Freeport Inn!
Okay, buckle up, because we're diving headfirst into the Premier Freeport Inn – Calgary Airport's supposed BEST kept secret. I'm going to try to be your human, honest guide, not some dry, robotic review machine. Let’s see if this place lives up to the hype, shall we?
Accessibility – Oh, Yeah, Important Stuff First (and How They Do It)
Right, gotta start with the un-sexy stuff. Accessibility. It's gotta be good. The Premier Freeport is supposed to be walking the walk, including Facilities for disabled guests. And, thank heavens, an Elevator. Think about it folks, if you are not good at walking, elevators are lifesavers! They better be! The website claims to be up to snuff, but you know, you can't REALLY know unless you're in the situation. So, I'll take that claim with a grain of salt (until someone who actually NEEDS those features weighs in). CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property are supposed to be present, which, from a security, is always a win.
Cleanliness and Safety – Shudders (Post-Pandemic Rambling)
Okay, this is where things get interesting, because, well, the world is a bit of a germ factory now. So, here's what the Freeport says it offers (because let's be real, reading a sign isn't the same as seeing it in action):
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Okay, cool. That's what we wanna see.
- Buffet in restaurant: (Not great, but they also say this:) Safe dining setup. We'll see.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Good. Very good.
- Hand sanitizer: Essential. Everyone needs this!
- Hot water linen and laundry washing: Yes, please!
- Hygiene certification: Makes me feel a little better.
- Individually-wrapped food options: Smart. Though a buffet might be a dicey proposition.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: Trying. We all are.
- Professional-grade sanitizing services: Hope so!
- Room sanitization opt-out available: Not sure why someone would opt-out, but ok.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Definitely want this.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Fingers crossed!
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Important.
- Sterilizing equipment: Great.
My Take: I want all of these. I'm still skeptical after the last few years. I'm going to be brutally observant.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – Fueling the Adventure (or Avoiding Disaster)
Alright, let’s talk food. Because, let’s be honest, that’s a HUGE part of the travel experience. Here’s the Freeport's offerings:
- A la carte in restaurant: Good! Gives you options.
- Asian breakfast: Intriguing! Always a travel plus.
- Asian cuisine in restaurant: Hmm, they're really leaning into the Asian thing!
- Bar: Needed. Absolutely needed, especially at the airport.
- Breakfast [buffet]: Potentially scary.
- Breakfast [buffet]: Potentially amazing. Let's see!
- Breakfast service: Good! Crucial for those early morning flights.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Yes. Essentials.
- Coffee shop: Double YES!
- Desserts in restaurant: Treat yourself!
- Happy hour: Excellent! We need this.
- International cuisine in restaurant: Variety is the spice of life!
- Poolside bar: If the pool is nice, this is a winner.
- Restaurants: Plural! Good!
- Room service [24-hour]: HUGE win. Especially after a long flight.
- Salad in restaurant: Healthy balance, maybe?
- Snack bar: Perfect for a quick bite.
- Soup in restaurant: Warm and comforting!
- Vegetarian restaurant: Excellent for the veg-heads!
- Western breakfast: Classic!
- Western cuisine in restaurant: Comfort food.
My Take: The variety is good. I'm curious about the Asian focus. The 24-hour room service is a HUGE selling point for me.
Services and Conveniences – Little Things That Make a Big Difference
These extras can make or break a stay. Here's what they're offering:
- Air conditioning in public area: Necessary for Calgary summers!
- Audio-visual equipment for special events: Ok, if you are a meeting type, that is.
- Business facilities: Essentials for some.
- Cash withdrawal: Always good.
- Concierge: Helpful.
- Contactless check-in/out: Invaluable in the age of Covid.
- Convenience store: Snacks and essentials!
- Currency exchange: Useful for international travelers.
- Daily housekeeping: Yes, please!
- Doorman: Fancy!
- Dry cleaning: Great if you need it.
- Elevator: Already mentioned.
- Essential condiments: Makes sense!
- Facilities for disabled guests: Important.
- Food delivery: Nice!
- Gift/souvenir shop: For those last-minute presents.
- Indoor venue for special events: Useful.
- Invoice provided: For business travelers.
- Ironing service: Handy.
- Laundry service: Helpful.
- Luggage storage: Crucial!
- Meeting/banquet facilities: More business stuff.
- On-site event hosting: ok.
- Outdoor venue for special events: Ok.
- Projector/LED display: For presentations.
- Safety deposit boxes: Peace of mind.
- Smoking area: Smart.
- Terrace: Nice for relaxing.
- Xerox/fax in business center: If you are still faxing, you should definitely book this.
My Take: The conveniences are well-rounded. They've thought of most things. The contactless check-in is a huge plus.
For the Kids – Keeping the Little Monsters Happy (and the Parents Sane)
What about families? Here's the kid-friendly stuff:
- Babysitting service: Good!
- Family/child friendly: Great!
- Kids meal: Makes life easier.
- Kids facilities: Curious!
My Take: These are nice touches.
Getting Around – Airport Life Made Easier
- Airport transfer: Crucial.
- Car park [free of charge]: Excellent.
- Car park [on-site]: Always useful.
- Car power charging station: If you have one of those fancy cars.
- Taxi service: Easy access.
- Valet parking: For those fancy folks!
My Take: Airport transfer service is a must-have - especially!
Available in All Rooms – The Nitty-Gritty
Okay, here we go, the actual ROOMS! What awaits you?
- Additional toilet: Nice!
- Air conditioning: Essential.
- Alarm clock: Yes.
- Bathrobes: A nice touch!
- Bathroom phone: Really?
- Bathtub: Lovely.
- Blackout curtains: Sleep is important.
- Closet: Storage!
- Coffee/tea maker: Crucial!
- Complimentary tea: Good.
- Daily housekeeping: Yay!
- Desk: Useful.
- Extra long bed: Great!
- Free bottled water: Always appreciated.
- Hair dryer: Essential.
- High floor: Nice views?
- In-room safe box: Peace of mind.
- Internet access – LAN: Old School.
- Internet access – wireless: Good.
- Ironing facilities: Helpful.
- Laptop workspace: For business.
- Linens: Gotta have 'em.
- Mini bar: Dangerous. But fun.
- Mirror: Yes.
- Non-smoking: Good.
- On-demand movies: Nice.
- Private bathroom: Obviously.
- Reading light: Bookworms rejoice!
- Refrigerator: Useful.
- Safety/security feature: Important.
- Satellite/cable channels: Entertainment!
- Scale: Oh dear.
- Seating area: Relax.
- Separate shower/bathtub: Luxurious.
- Shower: Also, essential!
- Slippers: Neat.
- **
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your sterile, bullet-point itinerary. This is my pre-trip therapy session, disguised as a slightly-organized plan for my Calgary airport adventure, starting (and probably ending) at the Best Western Premier Freeport Inn. Wish me luck, 'cause I'm gonna need it.
Day 1: Arrival and Airport-Induced Existential Dread (Followed by Pizza. Always Pizza.)
- 1:00 PM (ish) - Land in Calgary. Yay? Maybe? Okay, landing. The moment of truth. Pray to the travel gods the flight wasn't delayed (looking at you, WestJet). My luggage? Pray for it too. I swear, sometimes I think my suitcase has a vendetta against me.
- 1:30 PM - Airport Shenanigans. Navigating YYC. It's gonna be a zoo, I know it. The smell of jet fuel mixed with desperation. Gotta find that little shuttle bus to the hotel, and hope it doesn't smell like a wet dog. (Okay, I'm already spiraling).
- 2:30 PM - Check-in at the Best Western. Pray for a good room. "Premier"? Let's hope it's not "Premier" in the sense of "Premier of Being Stuck in a Creepy Basement." Need a comfy bed, good Wi-Fi, and a quiet room. Is that too much to ask? Probably.
- 3:00 PM - Room Reconnaissance. First impressions are everything! The hotel room inspection. Carpet stains? Check. Creaky bed? Double-check. Remote works? That's the real test of a hotel's worth.
- 3:30 PM - Unpack the suitcase of doom. This is a ritual more than a chore. Unpack. Then, realize I've forgotten something vital (earplugs. Always the earplugs). Commence mental breakdown.
- 4:00 PM - Pizza. The Universal Antidote. Seriously. After the travel horrors, I NEED pizza. There's got to be a decent pizza place near the hotel. Google Maps, lead me to cheesy salvation!
- 6:00 PM - Bed, or the Start of a Sleep Marathon. I am still unsure. This could go either way. Maybe I'll try to actually explore the hotel amenities, or do the thing I do best and go to sleep. And if I'm tired, sleep is the best thing I can do.
Day 2: The Calgary Day Trip (or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Stampede - Maybe)
- 9:00 AM - Breakfast (If my stomach cooperates). Hotel breakfast buffet… the ultimate gamble. I hope they've got decent coffee and maybe, just maybe, some actual fruit that isn't a bruised apple. Let the food fight begin.
- 10:00 AM - Downtown Calgary or bust. Okay, gotta figure out transportation. Bus? Uber? Walk? The possibilities are thrillingly terrifying. Armed with my tourist map (and probably a bewildered expression), I'll brave the Stampede-adjacent crowds.
- 11:00 AM - Calgary Tower. Up, up, and away! The plan is to visit the Calgary Tower. I will face my fear of heights and get that panoramic view. If I can do that, I can do anything, like, maybe win the lottery!
- 12:30 PM - Lunch somewhere in the city, probably rushed. Ah, the eternal lunch dilemma! Find an okay restaurant. Hope I don't spend the whole time overthinking what I'm spending my money on.
- 2:00 PM - Wandering Whimsies: Okay, so I always get side-tracked. Maybe a museum? Shopping (for stuff I don't need)? Or just wandering aimlessly until I find a coffee shop that looks inviting.
- 5:00 PM - Back to the Hotel, the Sweet Embrace of Semi-Retirement. Public transit is gonna be a mess, I can feel it. But back to the hotel, sweet, sweet hotel.
- 7:00 PM - Hotel Restaurant (if I'm feeling adventurous). Or, you know, room service again. No judgment here! The most comfortable option.
- 9:00 PM - Pre-Bedtime Rituals. The usual: Netflix, scrolling, and desperately trying to remember where I put my phone charger.
Day 3: Departure (and the inevitable airport panic)
- 8:00 AM - Breakfast Part Deux. Attempt to be civilized. No more food fights. Just a calm, quiet breakfast, yeah right.
- 9:00 AM - Pack Up and Depart (with a Prayer). The final suitcase struggle. Did I remember everything? Probably not. Panic rising…
- 10:00 AM - Check-Out and Goodbye. Smooth check-out? Fingers crossed.
- 10:30 AM - Airport Part 2. The return to the airport. The crowds. The lines. The baggage claim. I can't wait!
- 12:00 AM - Goodbye Calgary, Hello Home. Boarding the flight. If I made it this far, I can make it to where I need to go.
Okay, so that’s the plan. It's chaotic, it's likely to change, and it's probably going to involve me complaining a lot. But hey, at least it'll be honest. Wish me luck, I'm gonna need it. And if I see you at the Best Western, buy me a coffee. I'll probably need it. Or just tell me where the good pizza is. That might be more helpful.
Escape to Paradise: Okinawa's Ginowan Terrace Resort Awaits!
Calgary Airport's BEST (and Sometimes WORST) Kept Secret: Premier Freeport Inn - You NEED to KNOW!
Okay, Spill the Tea! What *IS* the Premier Freeport Inn, REALLY? Is it like, a *secret* secret?
Alright, alright, settle down, you curious cats! The Premier Freeport Inn is basically the in-airport hotel at Calgary International Airport (YYC). NOT in the main terminal, though! It's tucked away in the International Terminal, "landside," meaning *before* security. Think hidden gem, not the Ritz. Think... a comfy (sometimes) crash pad for early flights, missed connections, or just wanting to escape the echoing void-ness of a massive airport at 3 AM. Is it a secret? Well, it *should* be better advertised. I stumbled on it after a flight got cancelled and I was practically drooling from exhaustion... best decision ever. (More on that later. Buckle Up!). It's not actually that *hidden*, it's just... not shouted from the rooftops, you know? Which, honestly, I'm kinda thankful for. Keeps the riff-raff AWAY! (Kidding... mostly). But seriously. You'd think an airport hotel would be the biggest thing ever. You'd be wrong.
So… How Do You *Find* This Elusive Beast? Because, let's be honest, airports are labyrinths.
Okay, this is where things get a LITTLE bit wonky. Here's the thing: the signage isn't exactly screaming, "WELCOME TO PARADISE!" You need to get yourself to the International Terminal. Then... and I swear this is the best tip I can give you... look for the escalators. Seriously. Go *down* (or up, depending on your arrival, and who can remember that after a flight anyway?!). It's kinda tucked away near the arrivals area, usually near the rent-a-car desks. There's usually *some* kind of sign, but it's easy to miss. Seriously, I've walked past it a dozen times even KNOWING where it is. It's part of the charm, I guess. And remember, *landside* means you don't have to go through security to get to it, which is a HUGE win for a quick overnight stay. I remember once, practically crawling through the airport after a brutal delayed flight and the relief of SEEING that sign... it was like a beacon from heaven.
Alright, The Big Question: Is it Actually *Good*? Like, are we talking Luxury Suites, or "Slightly Better Than a Cardboard Box" good?
Okay, let's be real. Luxury Suites? Nope. Cardboard box? Also, no. It's somewhere comfortably in the middle. Think...clean, functional, and *quietish*. Some rooms are definitely better than others. I've had rooms that were practically silent, and I've had rooms where I *swore* I could hear the baggage claim belts grinding outside my window. But the beds are generally comfy, the bathrooms are clean-ish (look, it’s an airport, it’s not going to be immaculate like a spa, okay?!), and the Wi-Fi *mostly* works. The biggest advantage? It's SO convenient. No shuttle buses. No stressful walks. No scrambling with luggage. You're basically steps away from your gate (after going through security, of course). Don't expect the Four Seasons, but if you're knackered after a long flight, it's a godsend. It has saved my sanity (and my wallet) numerous times.
What's the Deal with the Food Situation? Do I need to pack a survival kit?
The food situation is... well, it's an airport, so you're not exactly getting Michelin-star dining. There's a restaurant nearby, and it *usually* serves something decent. Think standard fare. But here's the REAL secret: Get your snacks and drinks *before* you get to the hotel. There's a 7-Eleven nearby, and you can bring your own stuff into the room. Also, room service is an option but, again, its not the main event and I personally wouldn't bother. Stock up on those snacks, your favorite beverage (wine? beer? pop? whatever floats your boat!), and you're good to go. Don’t go expecting a culinary adventure, and you won't be disappointed. I always have emergency granola bars and a bag of chips in my bag. You know, just in case. Because traveling is HARD.
What's the WORST Thing About the Premier Freeport Inn? Because nothing's perfect.
Oh, this is easy. The noise, sometimes! I've had AMAZINGLY quiet rooms. I've also had rooms where, as I mentioned before, it sounded like a conveyor belt convention was happening outside. The airport is busy, and you're *in* the airport, so some noise is inevitable. Bring earplugs. Seriously. Pack them. Pray for a quiet room. Remember, it's a gamble. Oh, and the price can fluctuate. Sometimes it's a STEAL, other times… well, let's just say you might start considering sleeping on the airport benches instead. But for me, the convenience always outweighs the potential downsides.
Is there anything *truly* magical about this place? Is it more than just a place to sleep?
Okay, this is where my personal bias comes in. Yes, there is. It's the *feeling* of escape. That first time I stayed there after a truly horrific travel day… well, I'll never forget it. I'd missed my connection. I was exhausted. I was covered in airport grime. I was ready to cry. Then, I found the Freeport Inn. The comfy bed. The clean bathroom. The silence (mostly). It was a safe haven, a little pocket of peace in the chaos. It wasn't just a place to sleep; it was a place to *recover*. A place to start feeling human again. It's a small thing, but it can make SUCH a difference. And yes... I may or may not have shed a tear of pure relief in that bed that night. Don't judge me. Travel is tough!
Booking Tips and Tricks - Don't Screw Up!
Alright, LISTEN UP. This is key.
Best Western Premier Freeport Inn Calgary Airport Calgary (AB) Canada
Best Western Premier Freeport Inn Calgary Airport Calgary (AB) Canada
- Book in Advance (If You Can): Especially during peak seasons, it *will* fill up. Last-minute bookings get pricey.
- Check the Reviews (But Take Them with a Grain of Salt): People LOVE to complain. But pay attention to noise complaints.
- Consider the Calendar Flying on a Tuesday? You might get a better deal! Sunday nights are a bust.
- Ask for a Quiet Room: It's worth a shot. Explain your needs. It might work.
- Pack Earplugs and an Eye Mask: Seriously, it's life-changing.
- Most Important : Call the hotel *directly* and ask them to walk you step-by-step through the easiest route to get there!
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