Fantasyland Hotel & Resort

A coveted location at the huge West Edmonton Mall coupled with the promise of lavishly themed rooms makes the Fantasyland Hotel extremely popular, especially during holidays and weekends. The result, not surprisingly, is that crowds can clog the reception desk in the spacious lobby and spill into the hallways on the guest floors above, some of which are themed themselves -- think totem poles and butterflies adorning the Polynesian floor or marbled murals and Ionic columns decorating the Roman one. Nevertheless, most of the folks who stay here don’t seem to mind because this is an exuberant spot, geared to family vacationers, young-at-heart couples, and wedding attendees seeking fun, not quietude.  

This hotel's biggest pro is its location right inside West Edmonton Mall -- the largest mall in North America. The mall has 1,000-odd shops and restaurants, plus popular attractions like indoor amusement and water parks, an ice rink, casino, and aquarium, which collectively pull in about 32 million visitors per year. Guests that do feel inclined to leave can reach other key tourist destinations by car in half an hour or less. Traffic depending, it takes about the same amount of time to hit the airport.

• 14-minute drive to Fort Edmonton Park
• 16-minute drive to the Edmonton Valley Zoo
• 17-minute drive to Telus World of Science
• 21-minute drive to Old Strathcona
• 22-minute drive to the Edmonton Train Station (Via Rail)
• 25-minute drive to Rogers Place (hockey arena)
• 27-minute drive to Churchill Square
• 28-minute drive to Commonwealth Stadium
• 30-minute drive to the Muttart Conservatory
• 33-minute drive to Elk Island National Park
• 34-minute drive to Edmonton International Airport 

Many of the 355 total rooms make up the 15 types of elaborately decorated themed rooms. They run the gamut from kid-friendly truck and space-themed to more adult-centric Hollywood- and Roman-inspired. These get booked quickly, though, and it's worth mentioning that some have open-plan bathrooms that limit privacy -- even in those with bunk beds. Subtler, chain-like units are also available, with neutral tones, patterned carpet, and dark-wood furniture. All come with the same standard features, including air-conditioning, tea- and coffee-making facilities, mini-fridges, ironing equipment, desks, digital safes, 42-inch flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi. Straightforward bathrooms have showers in lower categories, plus hairdryers and toiletries. Executive and Theme Rooms add hot tubs, while Suites add separate living areas; Luxury Theme Rooms contain both. Note that because this is a family-friendly hotel, bunk beds are an option for most room categories, and cribs are free, subject to availability.

Although the mall itself has a wide range of franchised dining and drinking destinations, there are also choices within the hotel. L1 Lounge offers light bites, Cafe Levi has a menu of sandwiches and salads, and L2 Grill is for more sophisticated meals served either buffet-style or a la carte. Room service is also available, but food as a whole receives mixed reviews. Additional amenities include a convenience store, a small business center, and laundry services, plus freebies like parking and Wi-Fi, but the internet reception can be spotty. There are no pool or gym here, but guests get free 24-hour access to a nearby Crunch Fitness facility. The Beverly Hills Ballroom, combined with the hotel’s 10 meeting rooms, creates more than 25,000 square feet of conference and banquet space. Dedicated event planners, in-house caterers, and audiovisual support personnel are available as well. Pets are allowed for a fee.