Edmonton, the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta, is a sprawling city of 250 square miles bisected by the North Saskatchewan River. While the downtown core can feel a bit devoid of personality, the historic region of Old Strathcona has charm to spare. In fact, it was named one of the “top ten coolest neighborhoods in Canada.” It’s here, on Whyte Avenue in the center of this shopping, arts, and entertainment district, that you’ll find the Metterra Hotel on Whyte.
Room at the Metterra
The Meterra has all the amenities needed at a business hotel, but it doesn’t feel too stuffy for leisure travelers, and the location – steps away from the great shops and restaurants of Whyte Ave – make it ideal for those who want to see more of the surrounding neighborhood. Upon arrival, I found the flat-screen tv in my room showing a loop of gorgeous scenes from Alberta, a nice touch that immediately connected the hotel to its setting. In addition to the bed and a comfortable sitting chair, there was a small work desk, a dresser, and a mini fridge.
Room at the Meterra
The dimensions of the room were a bit odd, with a long hallway at the entrance and an angled corner near the bed, however the smart layout meant more space, including two closets and a spacious bathroom.
Some rooms also have fireplaces, jetted tubs, separate living areas, or private balconies.
Little touches
I particularly appreciated the little touches, like the abundant outlets that were easiy accessible, as well as the earplugs offered in cute boxes labeled “say no to Whyte noise,” as the main street is popular and my visit coincided with the annual Fringe Festival.
Other perks benefit both business and leisure travelers. There’s complimentary valet and self-parking, free wifi, 24-hour business and fitness centers, complimentary breakfast, and an evening wine tasting and hors d’oeuvres hour.
Throughout the hotel, the decor also reaffirmed the Alberta sense of place; in the lobby, a mix of suede, leather, cowhide, glass, brick, wood, and steel, lent a modern yet rugged feel perfectly suited to the capital of the province best known for its Rock Mountains. With its ideal location, thoughtful touches that appeal to tech-savvy travelers, and extra perks like free breakfast and afternoon wine, the Metterra makes a great base for exploring the coolest neighborhood in Edmonton.
The lobby
Room rates start at around $190-$230 per night. Compare rates on Expedia or Hotels.com
