Hotel Arts Kensington

A little off the beaten path but still very central, Hotel Arts Kensington is my new go-to in Calgary. Having stayed at the other location a few times, I wanted to check out the new outpost and wasn't disappointed. Service was friendly and competent, cost was very reasonable and the daily breakfast delicious. The room was also very spacious and great for getting a solid night's sleep without interruption. Would also recommend the bike rental as the hotel is directly on the Bow River cycling path. The only drawback is that the restaurant/bar isn't open every night (at least when I was there).

My boyfriend and I enjoyed a lovely stay at this boutique hotel! The service was wonderful - staff were helpful and accommodating, even letting us store our bags both before check-in and after we checked out. We needed a mini-fridge in our room, and the team sorted it out for us quickly and without any hassle, which we really appreciated. The rooms were modern, clean, and came with high-quality toiletry products. Breakfast was simple but tasty, with a selection of fresh fruit, charcuterie, cereals, bread, and spreads. The location couldn’t have been better! There’s plenty to see and do nearby, and everything was just a short walk away - public transit, the river, grocery stores, restaurants, shops, and more! We’d absolutely stay here again and recommend it to anyone looking for a cozy, convenient spot in Calgary. And next time, we’ll remember to take more photos - oops!

We just had an awesome staycation here. It had a super bizarre start to it, which created great disappointment which was later changed to absolute satisfaction with the way it was handled... The day before staying here, I went and dropped off a special bottle of Champagne (as a surprise for my husband for our anniversary) to be in our room upon arrival. It was a producer that we really like and a very special vintage (2008) which was the year we met (thank the Lord we met on such a great vintage year for Champagne, jajajajaja!!!). When we arrived to our beautiful room the next day, I was surprised and dismayed to see a bottle of non-vintage Billecart Salmon on the coffee table (we love this producer too, but the vintage aspect was the big deal). When I went to the front desk to discuss it, Colin was there and heard my story with confusion, not knowing the story or what had happened. We were just heading out for a walk so he said he would get to the bottom of it while we were gone. When we returned, Colin was aghast to have to tell us that there was a mix-up and our Champagne was put in the wrong room the night before and had been consumed by another couple. (I'm still waiting to see their review about the exceptional Champagne greeting them in their room!) He fully understood the importance of the bottle for us and was determined to make it right. While he offered us anything off of their menu, he knew there were no comparables and said he would go outbound and find us whatever bottle could make it up to us. We found another bottle that we love at a wine store at least 15 minutes away and he didn't hesitate to go out and get it for us. He truly went above and beyond to show care and exceptional customer service and it wasn't lost on us. Not only that, but every person involved in the mix-up went out of their way to find us, apologize and take accountability. We went to the restaurant in the late afternoon for (their excellent) happy hour - we had glasses of wine and oysters - and even there the server was aware and apologized. While we don't want to define our stay by that situation, we were just so very impressed by the level of accountability taken and the care to make things right. That's a sign of excellent business/customer service. We will absolutely not hesitate to recommend this hotel to others. Other than that, our room was lovely, with a little balcony overlooking Memorial Drive and the river. The king size bed was comfortable (the pillows are meatballs but I already know how fussy we are with pillows and we always bring our own - good thing!), great bath tub and good water pressure in the shower. The self-serve breakfast was nice too. An assortment of breads, croissants, fruit, some tasty egg bites, and yogurt and berry compote. The coffee may be good but since there in a Deville across the street (my fave Calgary coffee) hubs just went and got us some there. Unlike some of the other reviewers, we had zero issues with parking. There was underground availability and a super convenient elevator onto the main level. Top notch stay, service, and quality. Thank you Colin and Hotel Arts Kensington!

A nice area of the city. Parking is limited, but if you are flying in it's perfect. The staff is very friendly. It's a small hotel so they have to wear a lot of hats, but I never had problem getting a hold of anyone if I needed something. The window in my room needed a bit of repair, but I brought it to the staffs attention. My only complaint is that the chair for the desk is a little uncomfortable if you are sitting in it for more than 30 minutes. ||||The only hotel I have seen to have a variety of pillows (soft to firm), which I loved, being able to customize my sleep experience. ||||I will very likely be staying here again.

The problem is the smoke from the lounge/breakfast area from the wood burning fireplace is apparently sucked back into the HVAC system making it smoky in mornings and evenings when they use the fireplace. The smell problematic in our room not the hallways or the area with fireplace. We asked about this twice and on one occasion were told by the manager Colin that all the rooms have this issue and it is weather dependant - how the smoke is sucked into fresh air vent. It was smoky in the morning and late evening all 4 days we were there. Another couple we talked to said they noticed it in their room too. What is puzzling to me is that the fire was burning even during times when this area was nearly empty or completely unoccupied despite it being unnecessary for the comfort of the space and knowing it had already been identified as an issue. In fact it was too hot to sit close to the fireplace. One time when I voiced my concerns the staff said they would avoid restoking the fire that morning. ||The breakfast was just okay and not well monitored or stocked. It was out of jam two of the 3 days I had breakfast there. ||On the good side - Nice little hotel that is in a good location if you want to explore Kensington or the beautiful trails along the river. I like the decor or the rooms and most housekeeping did a good job. Some of the staff were very pleasant.

Fantastic boutique hotel. Located within a short walk to awesome restaurants and other amenities. Cool cafes, BBQ, Italian food, Tex/Mex and more right around the corner. Warm and welcoming atmosphere, and the room was squeaky-clean. Great spot, truly! My new Calgary fav.

Great location on the Bow River with walkable dining, shops and sites to see. Delicious breakfast and lovely accommodations! We thoroughly enjoyed our stay! Almost a bnb vibe. Very responsive and helpful staff! Never made it, but there was a happy hour and restaurant open certain days/times.

Great experience overall. Little hidden gem of a hotel. Will come back Found this place while searching Calgary hotels and very happy with my choice

Absolute 5 stars all the way. After having a couple of dodgy Airbnb experiences in the immediately neighborhood someone recommended HAK. We've most definitely found our home away from home when we're in town to visit our daughter in the future. We spent 7 nights in the Suite, and what a great room it was complete with a lovely fireplace and a great shower and tub where you can really relax. We honestly slept better than we have in awhile. The bed is that comfy and the room is totally quiet in spite of overlooking a fairly busy street. The addition of the balcony was a real plus. Breakfast in the morning was a welcome and included a few healthy options we cherished. The front desk staff is friendly, engaging if you want to chat, and just bent over backwards to make our stay the best. Very highly recommended. As someone that travels a lot, I can tell you this is a rare gem, priced affordably for this kind of quality, and the location is a terrific jumping off spot for anything downtown or the hip Kensington scene. We'll definitely return.

I rarely write reviews, but I will never stay at this hotel again. My husband and I stayed there for two nights and chose this particular hotel because of the location and how great it looked online. I called the hotel to book and asked about secure parking and was told that it is available on site. I specifically told the guest service member that I required parking and was told not to worry. We arrived around 8:30 at night and the guest service member said that parking was full and she said that we could just park anywhere outside. We tried to find parking outside as she had suggested and there were no parking spots available within a reasonable distance of the hotel. When I returned to the front desk I told her that I was returning the keys because we couldn't find parking and it was unacceptable when you specifically inform the hotel at booking that you need parking that there isn't parking available. Because she could tell that I was angry, she informed the manager, who came out and said that she could magically find us a spot if we drove back to the parking garage and waited for someone who was leaving in 5 mins. The young man who drove out of the parking garage clearly looked like a hotel staff member and not a guest - I'm assuming that he had been instructed to move to make room in the parking garage for the upset hotel guest. I understand that the hotel has only 14 parking stalls but at no time during our stay did I see the parking garage full. TWICE when I went to our vehicle when it was parked I saw a hotel staff member go to her vehicle which was parked there. Clearly, this hotel manager is fine with LYING to guests about the availability of parking up to the point where a guest pushes back and insists on parking in the hotel or finding other accommodations. Why isn't there a contingency plan for when they actually have a full parking garage and a guest needs to park? Our room was very standard, the breakfast was pathetic (other reviews point this out so I wasn't expecting much), there was no microwave in the room, there wasn't a mini fridge (even though there was a clear spot for it with a plug in), and there wasn't even an ice machine that guests can use (you have to ask hotel staff to bring you some ice from the kitchen). I'm fine with paying the inflated price only because of the location but this hotel should NOT be claiming to be a luxury hotel for so many reasons. We didn't eat at the restaurant so I cannot comment on that. Note: the Room Operations Manager did contact me to apologize AFTER I had given an unfavorable review. He said that we would be given "free upgrades" should we decide to stay with them again. We've been lied to once, we won't be putting ourselves in that situation ever again.

Such a charming, lovely Hotel! Everything about it was deluxe and wonderful. Small and intimate great location highly recommend staying there when in Calgary

Pretty nifty hotel. Very small.and boutique. My favorite part about This hotel is how its Not in downtown, yet Close to it as well as Cozy Walking distance to Tons of coffee houses n restaurants.

I can't believe I'm saying this, but this is hands down THE BEST HOTEL I have ever stayed in. And I travel quite a bit for work and leisure, so my sample size is pretty big. Here are all the reasons this place was amazing: (1) clean clean clean (2) free wifi, which is hard to come around for luxury hotels (3) morning coffee/tea brought to your room--they place it outside your room in a thermos which keeps it warm, along with the morning paper (4) breakfast credit of $20 at the Chef's Table, which has been voted one of the best restaurants in the Northwest. Get the lemon ricotta pancakes (5) friendly staff--can't even count the ways how nice they were (6) Aveda toiletries--SCORE!! (7) excellent location along the river away from downtown but still close enough if you wanted to walk or take the train 5 minutes away If I'm ever in Calgary again, I'm definitely staying here.

Always trying to "mix it up" when visiting YYC, I stayed at Kensington Riverside Inn this time around. Boy, was it fabulous! First off, it's all about the cute neighborhood feel at this small boutique hotel. Walking distance from shops, restaurants, all the cool things that Kensington has to offer. If you drive, there's even underground parking for guests. Second, the staff is beyond nice. I can't remember the last time someone walked me to my room upon check in. They showed me how the key worked, complimentary water and advised on turndown service. This didn't seem like an attempt at an extra tip, it's just how they do things at the Kensington Riverside Inn. Oh, and they bring you complimentary coffee/tea/juice along with a newspaper in the early morning. Left at your front door when you're ready. Accommodations were perfect. Rarely do I say this, but I *wish* I could've stayed an extra day just to enjoy the comfy bed and cable TV. Nice sized room, clean bathroom, plenty of channels to watch before falling asleep. I did notice some street noise in the evening, after I turned off the TV, but nothing that kept me awake for long. The adjacent hotel restaurant is at your disposal and a good option for breakfast, especially on a rainy day when you don't want to leave this cozy abode. So glad that I came across this cute spot and assuming it's within budget for travel in the future, this will be my go-to accommodations in Calgary.

Loved this hotel! It's charming and at a great location that provides a stunning view of the Calgary skyline. One of the girls met us in the parkade and took us directly to our room. In the elevator she even offered me a coffee. It was very clean with a extremely comfortable bed. They leave you bottled water, chocolates and breakfast vouchers for the restaurant downstairs. They bring fresh coffee or tea to your door in the morning and leave it there waiting for you to drink. We drank it in bed together but there is also a balcony! In the bathroom It had a huge tub, large shower head and Aveda products instead of cheap toiletries. It was a great, romantic experience for us! Cons: -No air conditioning - Small parkade that you have to pay $15/Day regardless of paying $200+ a day for the room. It was a VERY tight fit for our truck. Prefect if you drive a smart car, motorcycle, or smaller car.

A stunning hotel located near the heart of downtown Calgary with the warmest employees, exceptional amenities and wonderful breakfast. I have stayed at the Kensington Riverside Inn for business three or four times and I have always had a pleasant experience. You feel at home from the time you enter. They note down your coffee or tea preference from previous stays and it is waiting for you outside your door in the morning. The little touches really make this hotel a pleasure to stay. Because there are only a handful of rooms, you don't get people running through the hallways, loud music or noise. The staff and guests are very respectful. Stay at the Kensington Riverside Inn, you will not be disappointed.

My sister was staying here for business and I tagged along for a vacation. One of the local folks in the office booked this hotel for her - I'm pretty sure they want to impress her because I am definitely impressed with this hotel. This boutique hotel is small, charming and has a lot of great ambiance. Let me list the things I noticed: (1) The room feels luxurious - the bed is comfy and there are two armchairs, a fireplace and a desk area for work. I do not feel crowded in the room which is great! (2) I love the bathroom. It's a spacious bathroom with a heat lamp/fan and while the products are no longer Aveda (as in an earlier review), I do like the new brand, skoah, and the fact that the product is in an eco-friendly dispenser system. (3) There is a bed turn down service which is lovely. (4) There are bottles of water in the room for you. (I don't think there is a charge as there is no sign indicating that.) (5) You get a restaurant credit daily. The restaurant and bar are phenomenal. (6) There is underground parking - entrance in the back alley with intercom system to the front desk. (7) You get a thermos of coffee or tea in the morning delivered to your door with the newspaper. AWESOME! Because I don't ever use those coffee makers in the room - who knows how long that water has been sitting in the reservoir or what's growing in that water tank. The coffee was great! (8) Location seems to be great. I haven't yet explored, but will update my review after I do that. (9) Free wifi Best of all, the folks here are great!

First time stay and started off well. The point of staying is to get a good nights sleep. Room was very noisy. Drums playing and garage cans banging late into the night. Location is great and staff were great but the rest was average at best. They do offer complementary tea or coffee leave outside the door before 7, by 7:15 when I retrieved mine it was barley warm water left inside the thermos. Place needs some TLC. Door knob is loose and dead bolt took some work to engage. It's not the worst place but it's starting to fade in style and function. Location would be the only reason I might consider returning. Best to bring ear plugs if you decide to stay!

Pretty sure this hotel is haunted. The staff seem like they are zombies and the food is ok at best but not worth the price and having to put up with the weird environment. The location as was ok for 10 minutes but there are way cooler places to stay in Calgary. Had the worse sleep ever and actually hated this hotel.

I just stayed here with my mom and sister and we loved it! The room was beautiful with lots of light and windows, very spacious, and tastefully decorated in soothing colors and with stylish, comfortable furniture. The shower and bathtub were luxurious and the shampoo and other products were really nice. The location is great-- walkable to cute shops and restaurants. On top of everything else, we were greeted by Nathan who was incredibly helpful and friendly, and upon discovering I had left my favorite jacket in the taxi that had dropped us off at the hotel, Nathan went to work for me to track down the jacket and arrange for it to be sent to my home (and I just received it!) He really went above and beyond to help us. We also had dinner at the hotel's restaurant, Oxbow, and were so impressed with the food, the service and the décor. What a great way to end the day: to relax over a great meal and then just walk up the stairs to your lovely room! I highly recommend this hotel!

Have stayed here a few times. The first time was over a year ago, and the service was impeccable. Subsequent visits were very nice, though not quite as perfect. The rooms are all very nice with the standard TV, phone, radio, etc. They give you a mint at night, and the restaurant in the hotel is superb. The Kensington area is a really walkable area, which is nice for someone who is new in town. They give you breakfast in the AM and coffee or tea in the AM. Also, it's very close to downtown - just a walk across Memorial. Definitely a nice place to stay just outside of downtown but giving you the option to go there.

Food is good, however service is painfully slow. 40 minutes to get breakfast and only one server. It appears that cannot cook for more then one table at a time.

What a wonderful hotel! Very friendly and helpful staff, great rooms and great food. The location is also great. My only regret is that our stay was not longer. Would definitely return.