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Grey Eagle Resort & Casino in Calgary, Alberta
Grey Eagle Resort & Casino, located in Calgary, is one of a growing number of tourism business across present-day Canada that are run by Indigenous nations. In Alberta, you can go horseback riding or learn about archery at Painted Warriors Ranch, take a medicine walk in Banff National Park with Mahikan Trails, make an art piece from fish scales or study traditional beadcraft at Moonstone Creation, or get face-to-face with a rare white bison at Métis Crossing, among many other experiences. And you can stay at Indigenous-owned hotels, like Grey Eagle Resort.
Here’s the scoop:
Grey Eagle Resort & Casino
Located on Tsuut’ina Nation territory south of downtown Calgary, Grey Eagle Resort & Casino is comprised of several businesses, including a 178-room hotel, which opened in 2014, several restaurants, and a casino. Throughout the property, photographs, artwork, stories, and artifacts from the Tsuut’ina Nation illustrate Indigenous heritage and culture.
The Grey Eagle Resort lobby features Indigenous art.
A framed painted robe in the lobby celebrates Tsuut’ina Chief Bull Head, while a vibrantly colored painting by Tsuut’ina artist Nathan Patrick Meguinis mounted above the elevators is another homage to this Indigenous leader. Historic photos from the community line the hallways and walls of the hotel’s Little Chief Restaurant, and still more photographs hang in each guest room.
Little Chief Restaurant
Little Chief Restaurant
In the hotel’s flagship restaurant, up-and-coming chef Willow Eaglespeaker has recently taken over the kitchen, and he’s steadily incorporating elements of his Blackfoot and Cree heritage into his menus.
Breakfast runs to more classic eggs-and-bacon dishes, though you can pair them with bannock, or opt for braised bison or smoked salmon.
Rabbit pâté at Little Chief Restaurant
Alberta is known for its beef, so in the evening, you might find flat-iron steak with sage chimichurri or a beef dip sandwich with Saskatoon horseradish aioli, as well as pan-roasted Kuterra salmon served with wild rice and a sumac butter sauce. For dessert, there’s wild berry bannock pudding as well as campfire-inspired s’mores with whipped marshmallow and chocolate cream.
The afternoon sun shines on the Grey Eagle pool.
Facilities and Services
The hotel has an indoor lap pool with greenhouse-like windows that let in the prairie sun on bright afternoons. There’s a window-lined fitness room, as well as an outdoor hot tub.
The casino is not only a gambling venue but has a concert hall and event space, where traveling musicians and other performers, some quite well-known, take to the stage. There are two additional casual eateries and a lounge in the casino, which is a short walk from the hotel building.
A Grey Eagle guest room
Guest Rooms and Amenities
The Grey Eagle guest rooms are spacious and simply appointed with light wood furnishings and white, grey, and beige soft goods. Some rooms face west, where on clear days you can see the Canadian Rockies in the distance. Others look east toward the city.
Room types include two queen beds, standard kings, and premium kings, which are slightly larger than the standard units. All have modern baths, mini-fridges, one-cup coffee makers, and tea kettles.
The one-bedroom suites have a separate living area, while the two presidential suites add a dining area and kitchen.
Seating area in a Grey Eagle suite
Wi-Fi is available throughout the property and works well. Parking is complimentary.
Grey Eagle Resort & Casino is a 15- to 30-minute drive from downtown Calgary and about 30 to 45 minutes from Calgary International Airport, depending on traffic. Although the resort’s location makes having a car more convenient, you can also get between the city center and the hotel on Calgary Transit buses.
Rates
Standard double room rates at Grey Eagle Resort & Casino start at about CAD$154/night, although rates of CAD$320 per night are more common in the summer and fall months. You can compare the rates at Booking.com and book there if you find a better deal. But whenever you visit this urban resort, know that your stay is providing economic benefits to members of the Tsuut’ina Nation.
For more information about Indigenous experiences in Alberta, see Indigenous Tourism Alberta. If you’re interested in more details about experiences across Canada, check out Destination Indigenous, from the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC).
Hotel feature by Vancouver-based travel, food, and feature writer Carolyn B. Heller. Photos © Carolyn B. Heller. Indigenous Tourism Alberta, in conjunction with Grey Eagle Resort, arranged my stay for review purposes.
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