Sometimes even a house is not a home. But downtown Calgary's Hawthorn Hotel & Suites more than fills the bill, whether you're checking in for a brief visit or an extended stay.

Ideally situated 20 minutes from the airport in the heart of the downtown business district, Hawthorn Hotel & Suites might be described as a hotel with a split personality.

Many of its guests check in for one, two or three-day stints, availing themselves of the Hawthorn's full range of modern amenities (including indoor parking) and friendly customer service. Business travellers, international tourists and tour groups frequently take advantage of the Hawthorn's unique and personalized service on just such a short-term basis.

And they generally make it a point to come back for more. Still more guests take advantage of an irresistible and absolutely unique service package that the Hawthorn Hotel & Suites offers travellers with a different set of priorities.

John Flegg, General Manager of the Hawthorn Hotel & Suites, and his staff work hard to provide a welcoming atmosphere for guests.

"We have made a specialty of catering to visitors seeking an extended stay," explained General Manager John Flegg.

"We really offer some pluses to the extended-stay market that most of our competitors can't match." Hotel guests have included Royal Canadian Mounted Police providing security for the G8 Summit, the entire Cirque du Soleil troop on both Calgary visits, and Ikea's new store opening team.

Flegg has a particular sort of business traveller in mind, the type of visitor who lands in the city to fulfil a contract requiring his or her presence in town for a month, or two, or six, for example.

"Where we set ourselves apart from your basic furnished apartment, for example, is our hotel infrastructure," Flegg continued. "We offer our extended-stay visitors all the amenities available in any modern, full-service hotel. Maybe you'd like to order room service. Maybe you'd like to come and relax in our lounge and watch the game on an LCD big-screen TV." Naturally, such long-term guests particularly appreciate the Hawthorn's five-day-a-week cleaning service and nonpareil dining facilities. Of course, the Hawthorn offers full-on kitchens in all its one- and two-bedroom suites (kitchenettes are included in studio suites). This gives guests the freedom to enjoy a home-cooked meal any time they desire.



Who are the typical extended-stay travellers who sign the register at the Hawthorn Hotel & Suites?

They're recent business transfers who've come from out of town to embark on a new career. They're travellers who've arrived in advance of their families to check out Calgary area real estate, to get a feel for the local scene or to see how the newly constructed house is coming along.

"A lot come out to Calgary on exploratory trips, whether they're a newcomer moving west with Imperial Oil or whether they're in town for a job interview or a contract negotiation. Our hope is that we can attract them back, on their return," explained Flegg.

The Hawthorn Hotel & Suites is a modern, classically styled, fully upgraded hotel of 300 rooms that radiates a much smaller feel. That's because the staff works hard at being the type of people you'd like to spend a lot of time with, from senior management on down the line.

"We're not officious or standoffish. We're real people," shrugs Flegg with a decidedly non-officious grin.

But of course, every conceivable amenity is right there for the asking, from conference rooms to the sixth-floor fitness, sauna and steam facility. In summer, the outdoor pool and sundeck are particularly popular spots. And how many other downtown hotels invite you to bring your own steak from your room and barbecue it, just the way you like it, on a broad sundeck?

For sheer quality and convenience, Hawthorn's wonderful buffet breakfast takes a back seat to no other in the city, by the way. Same goes for the Fifth Avenue Grill, restaurant and lounge. They're terrific places to sit by the window, sip a glass of wine and watch the world go by.

Hawthorn Hotel & Suites offers extremely competitive pricing packages, established with the extended-stay guest in mind. Most suites can be reserved for as low as $1,900 a month.

Upon arrival, it doesn't take long for new guests to discover they've arrived at someplace special.

It starts with the introductory gift package.

"We don't fool around with those little toy soaps and shampoos," Flegg flashed another grin.

"We give you a unique startup package: a full-sized bottle of name-brand shampoo, full bars of soap, plus your startoff package of laundry detergent and fabric softener." Use the latter, at your leisure, in the on-site coin-op laundry. Or simply buzz the front desk for same-day dry-cleaning service.

For more information about a hospitable haven that pledges to make you feel at home, please visit the Hawthorn website: www.hawthorncalgary.com.Then call this toll-free number to make your reservation: 1.800.661.1592 (or 403.263.0520).