9 of the Most Unusual Places to Stay in Canada are in Alberta

A woman stands against the glass walls of her cabin, looking out at the Canadian Rockies at Skyridge Glamping in Alberta.

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Want to stay somewhere unique in Canada? Travellers can rest their heads in a grain silo, medieval tent, clear-walled geodome and more at these welcoming and original retreats in Alberta.

Watch Canada’s northern lights from the comfort of your private geodome.
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise guests get exclusive access to its luxe new spa.
Sleep in a reimagined grain silo at the base of the Southern Rockies.

Canada’s diverse landscapes call for equally original places to stay. Across Alberta, creative hosts have created unforgettable accommodations that rival any attraction. Whether you’d like to try a girls' weekend of glamping in Alberta or a romantic off-grid forested retreat, these one-of-a-kind accommodations will become part of the story you'll tell for years to come.

Stay in converted grain silo cabins

Twin Butte Silos

One of the more unique places to stay in Alberta, Twin Butte Silos has transformed authentic grain silos into Instagram-worthy getaways in the rolling foothills of the Canadian Rockies.

Each loft-style silo is kitted out with a living room, kitchen, loft bedroom and bathroom, letting visitors curious about the tiny home movement experience it first-hand. Guests can stargaze under expansive Alberta skies or swap stories with friendly locals at the nearby Twin Butte Country General Store. With Waterton Lakes National Park a short drive away, the silos create an unforgettable hub for hiking, spotting wildlife and exploring one of Alberta’s most captivating corners.

A woman sits on a cozy bed in a loft room with curved sides, inside a converted grain bin hotel room at Twin Butte Silos. — There’s nothing about the inside of these beautifully appointed rooms that will make you think about cereal grains.

Saddle Hill Ranch Cabins

Imagine a grain silo, then imagine sleeping in one. That’s the delightful surprise awaiting you at Saddle Hill Ranch Cabins.

Each cabin features a full kitchen, king-sized bed and pull-out sofa. Winter guests love the in-floor heating and electric fireplace, plus early-morning access to Castle Mountain Resort for fresh tracks before most skiers arrive.

Come summer, private river access for fishing, swimming and paddling provides a refreshing escape from summer's warmth.

Come winter, snuggle into a horse-drawn sleigh ride and connect with the rugged beauty of southwest Alberta. Keep your eyes peeled for alpenglow, that pinkish glow that settles on the Southern Rockies at sunrise and sunset, especially in winter, as scattered light reflects off the snow.

Step back in time into lavish medieval glamping and a Tolkien-inspired cottage

Good Knights Medieval Encampment

For a stay that feels delightfully out of the ordinary, look to Good Knights Medieval Encampment. It’s just 124 km (77 mi) from Calgary, but it’s a journey that will plunge you playfully back in time.

Guests can choose to overnight in medieval-themed tents, wanderer's caravans or burrow into the hillside. The Burrow at Good Knights is a wheelchair-accessible cottage that comes with a private yard and hot tub. With a full kitchen and room for five, it may be inspired by Hobbits, but it's ideal for human-size families.

Meanwhile, at The Caravan Campsite, guests bed down in a custom-built covered wagon. Wagons are heated, insulated and can easily lodge a family of four. A private outdoor kitchen with a fireplace adds to the fun.

Medieval costumes are provided for guests' use, perfect for participating in activities from days long gone by, such as lessons in chivalry, sword fighting and archery. Weekend visits include a medieval feast. After a few days here, expect to return home wondering exactly which century you just visited.

Romantic places to stay in Alberta

River Retreat Kananaskis

Set along a quiet stretch of the Highwood River, adults-only River Retreat Kananaskis lures visitors looking to immerse themselves in nature without sacrificing comfort.

The boutique lodge sports a private cabin and elegant guest rooms in the main lodge, featuring plush bedding and luxe amenities. There’s an on-site restaurant and lounge to satisfy every craving from fondue to craft cocktails.

Outdoor lovers can wander riverside trails, paddle along the Highwood River or settle in by the communal fire pit. In winter, borrow snowshoes to venture out into the Foothills. Bring your runners for the gym, a bathing suit for the infrared sauna and a sense of adventure for a reflexology appointment.

Two people soak in an infinity pool looking toward the nearby Canadian Rockies at BASIN Glacial Waters in Lake Louise. — When you’re seeking luxury in the Canadian Rockies, the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is your answer. Their new spa is a complete hydrotherapy experience inspired by the proximity of Victoria Glacier.

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

Front-row access to one of the world's most iconic alpine landscapes awaits at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. The only hotel set on the shores of turquoise Lake Louise, this AAA four-diamond resort delivers exceptional views.

One of the best places to stay in Alberta for lovers of luxury, elegantly appointed guest rooms overlook either snowcapped peaks or the famous lake and Victoria Glacier. Guests can also enjoy exclusive access to the property's new Nordic spa, BASIN Glacial Waters, where heated pools and saunas rejuvenate body and mind.

In winter, there's an outdoor ice bar and skate rentals and in summer, rent a canoe and paddle it across the iconic lake. There’s no shortage of ways to immerse yourself in this stunning Rocky Mountain setting.

A couple sits on the deck at Skyridge Glamping in Kananaskis, looking at the mountains and pine forest surrounding them. — The SkyGlass cabins at Skyridge Glamping truly put the glam in glamping. A sweeping mountain view out your walls gives the impression you’re perched at the edge of a forest.

Where to go glamping in Alberta

Glamping in Alberta is a year-round adventure, with options that span breathtaking landscapes from across the Rockies to the boreal forest and beyond. Choose a luxurious stay where you’ll roll out of your comfy bed to see mountains through your floor-to-ceiling window. Or embrace a more rugged experience where building your own fire is part of the fun. No matter your style, Alberta’s wild beauty makes every glamping getaway unforgettable.

Skyridge Glamping

This serene, adults-only retreat in Kananaskis Country blurs the line between indoors and out.

Luxury SkyBox Cabins at Skyridge Glamping come with an equipped kitchen, spa-inspired ensuite and floor-to-ceiling windows.

Then there’s the SkyGlass Cabins, with walls of mirrored glass that maintain your privacy while giving the impression you’re sleeping right in the wild. Both options allow guests to wake up to sweeping mountain views before wandering the forested trails from their doorstep.

Borrow snowshoes for a quiet ramble or head to nearby Boundary Ranch for horse-drawn sleigh rides in winter. In summer, opt for guided trail rides or world-class hiking. Unwind at night under star-streaked skies around a private fire pit before melting into an award-winning mattress and luxury linens.

Sundance by Basecamp

Now open year-round, Sundance by Basecamp is an inviting base for exploring Kananaskis County. Their Deluxe Glamping Tents are ideal for those who want to get back to nature without having to rough it. Both the deluxe and family tent sport two queen beds, luxe bedding, a dining room table and solar lighting. Wood-burning stoves and a personal fire pit ensure guests maintain cozy vibes whether they’re indoors or out.

Kananaskis Country is a protected Rocky Mountain reserve offering endless trails for hiking and biking, teal-toned lakes for paddling and skating, plus unlimited opportunities for wildlife viewing. Can’t choose which trail to check out first? The friendly staff onsite can give you a local’s view.

Elk Island Retreat

The accommodation options at Elk Island Retreat seem endless. Guests can choose from geodomes, yurts, cabins or RV sites, all with comfortable beds, heating and the option to order charcuterie boards and picnics. It’s just a 55-km (34 mi) drive from Edmonton, but it will show you a much different side of Alberta.

On-site amenities include a wood-fired mirrored sauna (the first in Canada), nature trails, plus games like volleyball, badminton or horseshoes.

Just a short drive away, Elk Island National Park invites walking, paddling and wildlife watching, with bison, elk and moose roaming free. In winter, book a snowshoe tour with Talking Rock Tours and learn about Indigenous history. For a cultural detour, the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village is less than a 20-minute drive away.

An aerial view of a small A-frame cabin surrounded by boreal forest with two people sitting on a deck at a fire pit. — Once you settle in and unplug at Glamp Good, you might find it hard to leave.

Glamp Good

Set on 160 peaceful private acres hugging Twin Lake, Glamp Good is a fully off-grid retreat tucked into Alberta’s boreal forest. Find your way there by driving 122 km (75 mi) southwest of Edmonton.

Here, visitors settle into stylish A-frame cabins, each with a fireplace and three queen beds. Private decks with fire tables are purposefully designed for slow mornings and long stargazing nights. Or, choose a glamping dome with 360-degree views outside to the forest and a skylight for nighttime stargazing and northern lights-spotting. Make sure you practice building a fire and pack some firewood, because you’ll want to take advantage of the wood-burning sauna.

Glampers can also browse the on-site bookshop, unwind in Alberta’s only floating sauna (pre-booking required), then plunge straight into the lake for a refreshing cool down. In winter, two-hour private Nordic snowshoe and sauna sessions add a dose of adventure to the experience.