Calgary, CanadaKensington
Hotel Arts Kensington
Riverside boutique inn
Kensington Calgary, Canada
Opened
1999
Price
$$$
Rated for
Design Luxe LocalOutside the door
The house
Hotel ArtsRiverside boutique inn
Nineteen rooms beside the Bow River give this property the feel of an intimate residential lodge right on the pathway.
“One of the fanciest is the Hotel Arts, on the edge of downtown, which has a cool courtyard pool.”
What it’s good at
Notable
Architect Richard Lindseth gave these riverside interiors ten-foot ceilings and curated art.
Listed
Cruiser bikes for pedaling Bow River pathways into Kensington's indie gallery district.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
Also in Condé Nast Traveler.
Set beside the Bow River in Calgary’s Kensington district, this 19-room boutique hotel makes a clear case for staying smaller.
Right in the middle
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Kensington's independent cafes and galleries sit just behind the hotel, and Bow River pathways run right past the door.
The rooms
Rooms have ten-foot ceilings and deep soaker tubs, and select units open onto balconies over the river.
Restaurant
Oxbow
Seasonal Canadian comfort food comes from an open kitchen, and the lounge bar has a fireplace.
How it began
Karen and Bob Brown built the property in 1999 as a country-style bed and breakfast along the Bow River.
Calgary
More like this
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Le Germain Hotel Calgary
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The app
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.