Coast Hotels - Pitstops for Kids

Coast Medicine Hat Hotel review

July 16, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

If you’re road tripping through Medicine Hat, Alberta, as we did last May, you’ll want to stop for the night at a clean, comfortable, affordable hotel with the perks we all look for in an overnight stop: free wifi, free breakfast, and free parking!

The Coast Medicine Hat Hotel fits the bill, and we always trust the Coast name. Located in the centre of town, the Coast Medicine Hat is in walking distance of dining, and only five minutes from the historic section of the city. It’s utilitarian, and clean.

During the time of our visit, their onsite restaurant, Bourbon Street Restaurant and Lounge, was closed for renovations. Their complimentary continental breakfast featured all the standards you’d expect (cold cereals, muffins and pastry, and juice, coffee, and tea) and service was pleasant. The front desk staff at the Coast Medicine Hat was very cheerful and helpful, and the location was convenient.

Room amenities:

Rooms are a bit on the small side, but comfortable. Our standard room included a small table and two chairs, TV, and coffee service. The bathroom featured a shower and tub (nice for families with small children). Sadly, our room lacked our favorite amenities: a mini fridge and microwave.

There is a small spa onsite, and a hair salon, but I didn’t have opportunity during my visit to venture into either. It is worth noting that this hotel is pet-friendly.

Room rates:

At the time of our visit, our standard room was $119.

Directions:

The Coast Medicine Hat is located at 3216 13 Avenue SE
Medicine Hat.

As I disclose whenever applicable, our stay was complimentary, for the purpose of review.

We stayed in Medicine Hat as part of our Great Coast Road Trip with Coast Hotels. Read more about our road trip through the Wild West of Alberta!

Coast Lethbridge Hotel and Conference Centre

July 9, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

Coast Hotels is a trusted name in Western Canada and the Pacific NW, and for good reason. I know we always feel better when we see that trademark circular emblem. The Coast Lethbridge Hotel is new, completely comfortable, and very spacious. It’s located in the heart of town within walking distance to the Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden and Henderson Lake Park.

When we’re looking for a hotel while en route on a road trip, we want three the following amenities:

free parking
quality dining
a pool
free WiFi
kitchenette for simple meals

Coast Lethbridge offers all of the above, plus kicks it up a notch with a full room service menu and Firestone, their onsite restaurant that is truly above par.

Room amenities:

We stayed in a Premium room, which included two queen beds and a pull-out bed, but all rooms include an extra sink, mini fridge, and microwave. We could have easily made breakfast in our room, and we stored leftovers as well.

All rooms have free WiFi, a bathtub and shower, and large work desk. We also had two wall-mounted flat screen TVs. Some rooms offer fireplaces and in-suite jacuzzis, but neither are on my list of must-haves in a road trip.

Pool and fitness center:

The Coast Lethbridge fitness center is fairly small, but includes the necessities for a basic workout on the road. Ask the front desk staff for running and walking trails as well; there are quite a few nearby.

The pool and hot tub are indoor. When I realized they were housed downstairs on the restaurant level, I worried I’d be stepping into a dark, stuffy basement area, but was pleasantly surprised by how light and airy the room is. The pool is large, given the available space, and very clean.

Dining:

We really enjoyed Firestone for both breakfast and dinner. The hotel does not have a complimentary breakfast, but Firestone is worth your investment. The decor and ambiance in the restaurant pleasantly surprised me as well; you step from the hotel to a trendy bistro instantaneously.

Rates:

During the time of our visit, a standard room went for $134 CAN (premium for $150). A very good value! And if you like Coast Hotels as much as we do, sign up for their loyalty program. It’s always a good idea!

Wondering what to do during your time in Lethbridge? Check out our day at Fort Whoop Up.

Directions:

Coast Lethbridge is located at 526 Mayor Magrath Drive South in the heart of Lethbridge, Alberta.

As I disclose whenever applicable, our stay was hosted by Coast Hotels as part of our participation in the Great Coast Road Trip.

Read more about our road trip through the Wild West of Alberta!

Coast Plaza Hotel and Conference Centre Calgary

July 7, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

There’s so much to do with kids in Calgary, and you’ll need a great home base! The Coast Plaza Hotel in Calgary is located about 15 minutes from downtown (by car or light rail) and a great home base for families exploring the area. Adjacent to the Trans Canada Highway 1, this full-amenity hotel comes with free parking and plenty of space to spread out.

Coast Plaza Calgary review:

The lobby is scheduled for a remodel (as of summer 2014), but my kids didn’t care: they headed straight for the indoor pool and hot tub located downstairs next to the fitness centre. The pool area includes showers, lockers, and a sauna, and is light and airy with large windows. When we arrived in late afternoon, it was in need of a pick-up—used towels were scattered around, and the pool deck was very wet and slippery—but the actual pool and hot tub were very clean.

On the lobby level, the hotel’s restaurant, Horizons Bistro, is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and offers a Sunday brunch well-known in Calgary. We were anxious to head out to explore Calgary, so opted for a buffet breakfast during our stay, which included everything we could ask for, with both hot and cold selections. We got out the door for under $45 each morning, with four people (two adults, two kids). We also enjoyed Horizons for dinner, but room service is also available.

The Coast Plaza houses a busy conference centre, so expect business events or private parties to be occurring around you! We stayed at the Coast Plaza as part of Coast Hotels Great Coast Road Trip, for which the kids and I drove the first leg!

Room amenities:

For our family of five, we opted for adjoining rooms—one double queen room and one king room—and loved having two bathrooms and more space. Each room comes with my favorite amenity: a mini fridge. Also standard: a coffee and tea service with Starbucks products and large flat screen TVs. I appreciated the large desk as a work space.

Complimentary WiFi is offered throughout the hotel and in rooms, and as mentioned, parking is free.

Rates:

At the time of our visit, rates started at $149 for a standard room. It’s worth noting that the hotel also offers Calgary Zoo packages and Calgary Stampede Packages.

Date last visited:

May 2014

Directions:

The hotel is located right of Trans Canada Highway 1 at 1316 33 St NE, Calgary.

As I disclose whenever applicable, we stayed at Coast Plaza as guests of the hotel, as part of Coast Hotels Great Coast Road Trip.