48 HOURS IN CALGARY
A walk on the wellness side.
Upon arrival I was asked what one word I thought summarized my initial impression of Calgary: I chose welcoming. As the second day came to an end, a new word came to mind: change. These two words combined best describe the dramatic revitalization of the city’s 55 neighborhoods. Passionate business owners are ready to prove that there are more reasons to visit Calgary besides the Stampede, and a percentage of the city’s construction budget is allocated to local art in the city. Notoriously known as a meat-centric city, I was thrilled to experience the sprouting movement of wellness and wilderness through innovative boutique hotels, restaurants, niche bars and captivating city tours. From staying, eating, shopping and playing – Calgary, which also happens to be Canada’s sunniest city with 2,405 hours of sunshine per year, has everything to offer with a spectacular backdrop of the Rocky Mountains. Only 90 minutes from Calgary is Banff National Park, offering some of the world’s best skiing, hiking and outdoor adventuring in the world. The close proximity means you can stay in the city and play in the mountains. It truly is the best of all worlds.
Although I recommend staying much longer and getting the full Calgary experience, if you only have a few days, here are my top picks for 48 hours in (and around) Calgary. STAY Focusing on aesthetic, timeless design and catering to the needs of each unique guest: Canada’s first boutique hotel, Le Germain continues to strive amongst its competition.
Creating an authentic and stylish alternative to larger chain hotels, Le Germain Hotel Calgary is situated in a prime location, right beside the iconic Calgary tower. Rich in color and personality, the family owned hotel incorporates natural stone, glass and modern details reflecting the city it resides in. Following the sustainability movement, I was excited to learn that Le Germain’s cutting-edge structure was engineered and constructed with energy efficient technologies and their spa offers entirely eco-friendly products.
It was easy to set my intention for the day with Le Germain’s Nama- Stay yoga program. Unwind after a day of adventuring at the RNR Wellness Spa – I recommend nourishing your skin and senses with their Apricot Body Treatment.