This summer in Calgary has had some obnoxiously hot days, which I’ve been loving every moment of, but sometimes I feel like I just need to escape from the heat. The glacial, river water of the Bow just wasn’t quite cutting it for me. As I was scrolling through my Instagram feed, I stumbled across PoolsideYYC and instantly felt that my prayers had been answered.
This urban, poolside oasis is nestled in the centre of Hotel Arts, a trendy hotel in the downtown core. As a hotel guest, you have early morning and evening access to the pool, alongside all-day menu options. Being that I wasn’t staying at the hotel, I was happy to know that I too, could enjoy the food and drinks with a mere $20 usage fee, and a 2.5 hour time limit.
Eagerly, my friend and I arrived at 11:30am ready to spend our afternoon enjoying the beautiful, sunny weather. We were greeted in a friendly manner, and were seated in comfy, cushioned patio chairs where we quickly ordered a mimosa and a flatbread. The mimosa was refreshing, and the flatbread delicious.
Although our time expired, they weren’t especially busy on this weekday, and we were lucky enough to stay later, just having to pay an additional $20 usage fee. We tried several other cocktails: the espresso martini, the luxury spritz, and the red sangria. The espresso martini was a tad strong for my early afternoon taste buds, but none of them disappointed. They were fresh, cool, and perfect for a sunny day.
The pool itself sparkled as the sun shone, and was a great way to cool off from the heat. It was hard to leave! If an oasis can be defined as something that provides refuge, I would argue that this is exactly what this poolside does. It’s a great way to escape the chaos of the city, yet remain at the centre of it.
Out With Erin 