Varscona Hotel on Whyte is a charming lifestyle hotel providing a warm and comfortable hospitality experience to those looking for a home away from home when they travel. Situated in the heart of Edmonton's historic Old Strathcona, and nestled amongst numerous restaurants, boutiques and theatres blending bohemian panache with contemporary chic.
This central location provides easy access to the University of Alberta, downtown and south Edmonton business and government districts. The Edmonton river valley is a few blocks away and offers miles of cycling and walking paths, parks and off leash areas. Varscona combines old-world comfort with modern amenities.
This central location provides easy access to the University of Alberta, downtown and south Edmonton business and government districts. The Edmonton river valley is a few blocks away and offers miles of cycling and walking paths, parks and off leash areas. Varscona combines old-world comfort with modern amenities.
Services
In regions affected by government-issued travel restrictions, we will continue to waive change fees or offer full cancellation with refunds. We have increased our staffing of public area attendants to support increased frequency of cleaning surfaces, with EPA approved cleaning agents.
We have modified the placement of furniture to support our Social Distancing protocol and we ask all guests to leave a minimum of 6 feet of distance between one another for their protection and the protection of others.Hand Sanitizer stations are available throughout the property. We have increased the frequency of cleaning of all public areas (including the lobby, elevators, door handles, public bathrooms, etc.).
We have modified the placement of furniture to support our Social Distancing protocol and we ask all guests to leave a minimum of 6 feet of distance between one another for their protection and the protection of others.Hand Sanitizer stations are available throughout the property. We have increased the frequency of cleaning of all public areas (including the lobby, elevators, door handles, public bathrooms, etc.).
We believe all travelers deserve exceptional value, service and comfort in their hotel experience. Our Guest Services team endeavors to seek new and innovative ways to delight our guests, and is available twenty four hours a day to assist you. Our team is just one aspect that makes us one of the best hotels in Edmonton.
A stylish palette of silver, pewter and platinum hues is the backdrop for rich wood, sleek black granite, and textural art in every guest room. Comfortable pillow top mattresses are enveloped in fine, crisp white bed linens for a restful night's sleep or perhaps a rejuvenating cat nap. Sparkling, white bathrooms feature custom chrome and granite vanities, luxurious towels and spa quality bathrobes.
We respect individuality and offer several specials and packages designed to appeal to a myriad of tastes. If nothing here inspires you, select from our Enhancements menu when you book online and create an experience at our Edmonton hotel that is exclusive to you. Whether you're in Edmonton on a project, looking for an extended stay-style package, or needing to self-isolate, we are happy to assist.
When it comes to nearby restaurants, downtown Edmonton offers countless options for best-in-class dining, sipping and savouring. Visit the world-class Starbucks and our Loft106. Our staff will also be happy to recommend local favorites and assist with reservations and transportation if required. O'Byrne's Irish Pub is a true Irish Pub positioned in the heart of Whyte Avenue and boasts one of the City's best patios.
Reviews (28)
Olufeyikemi Abatan
Jan 24, 2022
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Roxanne Richards
Jan 24, 2022
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Cute little hotel on a busy shopping district street. Service was commendable and everyone was very professional and polite. Room was nice, nothing notable about it. The continental breakfast is really good here. If vaccinated, you can eat at the restaurant and if not they give you a to go box for your room I think. $15 a day parking is right beside hotel and you can access it via the hotel. The layout of the hotel is a bit different than usual ones. We had trouble finding the stairs that we would've needed for theoretical emergency evacuations despite it being such a small hotel. Also super random
Nikhil Bedi
Dec 16, 2021
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Let me start with this. The staff of the hotel, the cleanliness and the location is fantastic.
However the major turnoff for me was the lack of soundproofing. Everytime another guest closed their door across the corridor, it would feel like someone was banging on my door. I kept waking up every hour all night and I'm a younger guy who otherwise sleeps like a rock.
The other thing was, the night I stayed at the hotel, it had snowed in Edmonton. So at 6 in the morning the road (Whyte Ave) was being mowed. My room was not exactly facing the road but it felt like the mowing was happening 20 feet
However the major turnoff for me was the lack of soundproofing. Everytime another guest closed their door across the corridor, it would feel like someone was banging on my door. I kept waking up every hour all night and I'm a younger guy who otherwise sleeps like a rock.
The other thing was, the night I stayed at the hotel, it had snowed in Edmonton. So at 6 in the morning the road (Whyte Ave) was being mowed. My room was not exactly facing the road but it felt like the mowing was happening 20 feet
Fred Zinkhofer
Dec 14, 2021
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The place itself is great and deserves 5 stars.
They only get 4 stars because their booking system is very bad. I have stayed there 3 or 4 times in the last year visiting family and thought I'd try to save them a commission by not using Booking.com. I tried their 'official' website which flips to some third party booking & promo site which insists I set up an account, passwords blada blah. No.
I then phoned the hotel direct and got flipped to, you guessed it, a commercial booking phone center. In Florida no less. I decided to finish the booking by phone. It took 15 minutes as opposed to the 3
They only get 4 stars because their booking system is very bad. I have stayed there 3 or 4 times in the last year visiting family and thought I'd try to save them a commission by not using Booking.com. I tried their 'official' website which flips to some third party booking & promo site which insists I set up an account, passwords blada blah. No.
I then phoned the hotel direct and got flipped to, you guessed it, a commercial booking phone center. In Florida no less. I decided to finish the booking by phone. It took 15 minutes as opposed to the 3
Brian
Dec 11, 2021
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Randi Amato
Nov 21, 2021
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K. Kealey
Oct 15, 2021
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M. Hambone
Oct 11, 2021
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This used to be our go-to hotel for visiting Edmonton but not any longer. The noise from Whyte Ave. was unbearable, we ended up asking for a different room away from the street. They couldn’t accommodate us because they didn’t have an available double room. After this we realized it was loud because one the room windows was broken open and couldn’t be closed. We asked for maintenance for our room and eventually a staff member showed. They brought no tools with them and proceeded to do everything we did already to try to get it to close. The man concluded that the window was broken and he
Arash G.
Sep 18, 2021
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We stayed at this hotel for two nights. The hotel is very clean and the location is great. It is surrounded by bars, restaurants and cafés. Breakfast was included and it was great. I wanted to give it 4 stars because of the noisy AC system, but we had such a great time overall so, it gets 5 stars from me.
Vishal Ajwani
Aug 01, 2021
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As a hotel, it's quite clean and has spacious rooms (if we select a king suite). Amenities include laundry bags, ironing, microwave, small refrigerator, coffee maker, wine and beer glasses, cutlery, various kits upon request, etc. Gymnasium available from 5am - 11pm. Rooms are clean and everything is comfy inside. Doors and the elevators have card access which are logged for good security.
Friendly offers from the Ampersand 27 are posted in the elevators, which are quite helpful.
Staff are pretty helpful and accomodating for all requests, except the one lady (can't name) being rude and unfriendly
Friendly offers from the Ampersand 27 are posted in the elevators, which are quite helpful.
Staff are pretty helpful and accomodating for all requests, except the one lady (can't name) being rude and unfriendly
Andre Lussier
Nov 22, 2020
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Megan Votour
Jul 26, 2020
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Renee Linssen
Jan 30, 2019
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Dawn Matieschyn
Oct 02, 2018
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Would NOT recommend at all...please don’t waste your money!!! Where do I start... 🙄 staff was very unfriendly upon arriving, it felt intimidating. We are from Calgary and had to go to Edmonton for our 11 month old baby girl to have her 3rd heart surgery. I booked a room and was told we were getting their compassionate rate. It turns out that… Expedia has the same room for $10 less than we were charged and when we asked them why they couldn’t at least match the online pricing, they were very rude and simply said NO, tried to say things that sounded smart, but it was obvious
Shaunna Pierro
Feb 03, 2018
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Stayed here last night! Comfy beds! Fast wifi! Nice and quiet! Heater worked, tv was great, blankets were warm! What is there to complain about? Not a thing! 😊 loves that they had a open office for the customers to use, cause I had some work that I had to send off! Loved it. I will definitely come back and recommend it to anyone xoxo 😘 thanks Varscona for the comfy sleep 😊
Carson S.
Jun 02, 2017
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I've stayed here a few times now and this is a nice clean hotel on Whyte. They have a free wine and cheese tasting, a pretty decent breakfast, a small gym and a nice lobby area to hang out while waiting for co-workers to come down. Great this is they have a Second Cup coffee attached to the lobby and also you can sneak into O'Bryne's pub through a back entry.
Great hotel and definitely recommend staying here if you visit Edmonton!
Great hotel and definitely recommend staying here if you visit Edmonton!
Braden Adekat
May 02, 2017
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-2 STARS!! -★★ Not customer based and found any reason to not allow me to get checked in. So I'm in town for medical and I gave them the papers to prove I was here for medical (highly doubt they need to see anything!) because something went wrong with the company visa (shocker I know!) so I'm waiting for 1 1/2 hrs for everything to get sorted out.… The only solution was that I pay a damage deposit and a security deposit which was over $550 dollars. If I could afford that I wouldn't be using the company. They need to change or adjust policy to keep regulars. Used to enjoy my stays
Trisha S.
Feb 14, 2017
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Captain K.
Sep 25, 2016
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Nice location in Old Strathcona near Garneau. University of Alberta in walking distance. Plenty if restaurants and nightlife close by. Safeway three blocks away. Rooms are spacious and tidy. Fridge, iron and coffeemaker available. Free WiFi. Don't expect any views. Just go outside and walk down to the river valley. Come back and enjouy daily free wine and cheese at 6:00 PM.
Whitney F.
May 31, 2015
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Varscona has old times charm. You can tell the building is old and the rooms could be updated.
Otherwise the little time I spent here was great. Clean room, a bit of an awkward set up in the bathroom but not horrible. If the door was open you couldn't get out of the shower because you'd end up hitting the door or the toilet. Also the shower curtain is thin and I ended up getting water everywhere. (Oops)
We were on the sixth floor so we had no noise trouble from whyte ave, even on a Saturday.
It really is all about location considering how close it is to everything awesome on whyte
Otherwise the little time I spent here was great. Clean room, a bit of an awkward set up in the bathroom but not horrible. If the door was open you couldn't get out of the shower because you'd end up hitting the door or the toilet. Also the shower curtain is thin and I ended up getting water everywhere. (Oops)
We were on the sixth floor so we had no noise trouble from whyte ave, even on a Saturday.
It really is all about location considering how close it is to everything awesome on whyte
Ryan C.
Dec 02, 2014
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I loved my stay at Varscona during a recent trip to Edmonton. Not only is it super cozy with a fire waiting for you when you arrive, the staff is top notch and friendly.... but I think everyone is friendly in Canada!
As soon as you walk into the lobby, it has a cabin feel to it. There are a bunch of couches and chairs there if you're looking to meet up with some friends or just cozy up by the flames to enjoy a cup of coffee from the shop attached to the hotel. For guests wifi is complimentary and I actually saw a lot of people doing business and shopping in the common areas as well. It&apos
As soon as you walk into the lobby, it has a cabin feel to it. There are a bunch of couches and chairs there if you're looking to meet up with some friends or just cozy up by the flames to enjoy a cup of coffee from the shop attached to the hotel. For guests wifi is complimentary and I actually saw a lot of people doing business and shopping in the common areas as well. It&apos
Mary F.
May 13, 2014
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Comfortable room right on whyte. Close proximity to shops and restaurants and bars. The night life here on the weekends are intense, tons of ppl going to the bars. But I never felt unsafe at any point. We walked over to an Asian restaurant at 11pm, and everything went fine. The staff is very friendly and the breakfast buffet was really good. More breakfast options than your regular holiday inn express. The only con was that the parking structure (free parking for hotel guests) was about one building down and we had to park there and walk down with our suitcases to the hotel, kinda inconvenient
Tiffany N.
Jun 10, 2013
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This is a tough one to review because I actually think the 3 1/2 stars is spot on, but as you know we can't give half stars.
The pros:
- Location, location, location. I'm pretty sure you are in the middle of everything hip.
- Free (working) Wi-Fi
- A coffee shop in the lobby
- Super friendly staff. I mean, super!
- Nice shower products
- The rooms and hotel are clean.
However, it looks like Varscona was bought from an older hotel chain and while the lobby area is fine the rooms are pretty bare and maybe haven't been remodeled recently. I don't spend a ton of time in my room
The pros:
- Location, location, location. I'm pretty sure you are in the middle of everything hip.
- Free (working) Wi-Fi
- A coffee shop in the lobby
- Super friendly staff. I mean, super!
- Nice shower products
- The rooms and hotel are clean.
However, it looks like Varscona was bought from an older hotel chain and while the lobby area is fine the rooms are pretty bare and maybe haven't been remodeled recently. I don't spend a ton of time in my room
Violet P.
Apr 05, 2013
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I can't comment on the stay at this hotel but I did attend an event there in one of the conference rooms. The layout of the room was long and wide and with the tables and chairs, it wasn't ideal. It wasn't poor, but it didn't allow for more space between the front and walking towards the back where the refreshments were. I did like the coat rack in the room as that was convenient. The washrooms required a key and it was clean.
Compared to other hotels and conference facilities, this one was ok. I did like the location so I could make quick stops at a few stores before
Compared to other hotels and conference facilities, this one was ok. I did like the location so I could make quick stops at a few stores before
Christopher H.
Dec 31, 2012
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To make this short and sweet:
Great location. You're right in the middle of everything.
Free wifi and it's relatively quick.
Free valet parking.
Free cold breakfast or a $7 credit towards a hot one.
The bad?
Terrible exercise room.
Place hasn't been updated since the 80s.
A rock solid place to stay while in Edmonton.
Great location. You're right in the middle of everything.
Free wifi and it's relatively quick.
Free valet parking.
Free cold breakfast or a $7 credit towards a hot one.
The bad?
Terrible exercise room.
Place hasn't been updated since the 80s.
A rock solid place to stay while in Edmonton.
Paula K.
Dec 24, 2012
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A great place to stay on Whyte Avenue - convenient location, a great front desk, and clean, spacious rooms. They are good here for making reservations for the same day (if something is available) and there is a Second Cup and Murrieta's restaurant on the main floor. Staying here is not cheap, but you also get coupons for a free drink and breakfast at Murrieta's.
Doug G.
May 12, 2011
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Nice hotel in the middle of the action.
The Varscona on Whyte is one of my favorites in Edmonton. Clean, comfortable rooms and great service. Varscona has two sister hotels, the Mettera (just a couple of blocks up Whyte from the Varscona), and the Matrix, just off Jasper Avenue. The Varscona is the oldest of the three, and is probably due for a renovation, but it's still A-OK in my books. If you want to be impressed, try Mettera or Matrix instead, they are newer and a definitely nicer.
The Varscona on Whyte is one of my favorites in Edmonton. Clean, comfortable rooms and great service. Varscona has two sister hotels, the Mettera (just a couple of blocks up Whyte from the Varscona), and the Matrix, just off Jasper Avenue. The Varscona is the oldest of the three, and is probably due for a renovation, but it's still A-OK in my books. If you want to be impressed, try Mettera or Matrix instead, they are newer and a definitely nicer.
K. B.
Jan 08, 2010
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Note: it's a slightly older hotel (and the furniture has not been upgraded recently), so if 'new' is important to you you should probably downgrade this review to a 3.
Otherwise, I found them to be a professional and accommodating hotel. I was generally pleased by the service and amenities, yet they do not nickel-and-dime you like more upscale hotels tend to do. I found the area outside a little bit noisy (i.e. lots of people yelling outside), but I was there near the start of the school year so it was likely just a bad time.
Otherwise, I found them to be a professional and accommodating hotel. I was generally pleased by the service and amenities, yet they do not nickel-and-dime you like more upscale hotels tend to do. I found the area outside a little bit noisy (i.e. lots of people yelling outside), but I was there near the start of the school year so it was likely just a bad time.
