Our Home in Calgary Alberta

It is our mandate when welcoming our guests to make everyone feel comfortable, relaxed and special, particularly at breakfast time! We have traveled the world and the world has traveled to our home and we accept and respect the many various cultures of our guests. We welcome diversity, and do not prejudge or have attitude. We accept and appreciate some of the eccentricities (within reason) that some of our independent guests may have.

Our home is not a showcase of frills, lace and flower arrangements, we leave space on the counters and shelves in your room for your personal belongings. Of course, Westways is our home and with one of us being English, you will find that there are ornaments and collectables on display. Displayed in the living room and dining room are photographs and mementoes of Jonathon's past family and relatives. Our two small pet dogs are our official greeters and have their own beds on the Persian rugs.

We are ambassadors for Calgary and are proud of our city and if asked, we gladly advise you on what to do and where to go, here in Calgary. If we don’t have the answers we will try and find them for you.

Your Hosts

Jonathon Lloyd

Born in England in 1949, I have spent most of my working life in the UK, and in the hospitality industry. I spent several years in college, training as a chef then gaining practical experience in some of London's finest hotels – Savoy Hotel, Grosvenor House Hotel, Churchill Hotel and several restaurants including Scotts Restaurant in Mayfair. I returned to my home roots, Chester and Liverpool and was Executive Chef of several establishments there.

While visiting my brother in Calgary in 1988, I was so impressed with the city that I decided to move to Calgary myself. I arrived in 1991 as a landed immigrant and am proud to have obtained my Canadian Citizenship within a few years. In 1993 I bought a house at 216 – 25th Avenue to turn it into a bed and breakfast. I named it Westways after the house I lived in as a child and the last 12 years of my residence in the UK. Now several years later and after investing my life savings, I am proud to say that with my partner Graham, we operate Calgary’s leading Bed and Breakfast.

Graham McKay

Born in 1971 in the city of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Graham moved to Calgary with his family in 1975 and considers himself a Calgarian. One of Graham’s ancestors was James McKay, a Metis who fired the first shot in the Louis Reil rebellion in the late 1800’s.

In the past Graham has worked in several catering establishments and is now a partner in Westways.

Our Welcomers - Miikka and Be-Be

Miikka was adopted from the Calgary dog pound in February 2007 at the age of six. She is a Lassa Appso terrier mix and is now part of our home. Calgary Westways has always been home to two pet dogs and in March 2008 we adopted a six an half year old female shitzu-bichon mix named Be-Be. Though the smaller of the two, Be-Be tends to be territorial of their dog basket and we ask guests not to approach the basket if she is in it. Be-Be was used as a breeding bitch and did not have much contact with people. Though still nervous she is now willing to approach our guests - especially if you have a treat!

Our Home

Is located just outside the Calgary centre, away from the noise of the hustle and bustle of downtown Calgary. Westways Guest House resides in the historical and desirable Mission district close to a wide variety of restaurants, pubs and eateries. Less than five minutes walk is the Elbow River with its riverbank pathways and island parks. 25th Avenue is a commuter street with restrictive parking but at the back of Westways is our free off street parking facing Aberhart Park. This 1912 heritage residence radiates the Arts and Crafts ambiance, retains its heritage character with its original box beam ceilings, magnificent built-in china display cabinets, leaded glass windows and hardwood floors. These are complemented with the most modern amenities, many unique to Westways.

Guests are welcome to relax in the cozy living room that is enhanced by a living flame gas fireplace, or surf the web at the communal office centre on the enclosed heated front porch.

Breakfasts are our specialty, with fine bone china, sterling silver, cut crystal and fresh flowers. Conversations are informal and relaxed. Any dietary requirements are incorporated in the sumptuous breakfasts prepared by our award winning chef/host, energizing you for a head start on your day. Our exceptional smoke free guest lodgings provide comfort, elegance and a warm friendly environment for work or play.

Westways presents private bathrooms in every guest room, central air conditioning, guest computer stations with free high speed internet connection, digital cable TV, multi-media entertainment centres, free broad band internet port and private paved parking with winter plug-ins.

House Amenities

• Free use of the Office Centre with high-speed internet connection, brochures and daily newspapers.
• Living room with gas living flame fireplace.
• Third floor beverage station with coffee and tea facilities, microwave and fridge. Complimentary teas, coffee, pop and mineral water are supplied.
• Free off street paved parking at the rear of the house with winter plug-ins.
• Hardwire smoke detectors, emergency lighting and fire extinguishers on every floor level.
• Summer patio with heat lamp for those chillier evenings.

Guest Room Amenities

• Ensuite bathrooms – either with tub and shower or shower stall.
• Room darkening drapes and blinds, ceiling smoke detector.
• Deep pillow top mattresses for a comfortable sleep, down duvet [non-down duvets are available].
• Built in closets with full length mirrored doors, supplied with iron and an ironing board, slippers, robes, shoe cloth, extra pillows and blanket.
• Hi Def TV including free movie channels and a PVR, complimented with a Blue Ray DVD player and free access to movie library.
• Direct dial telephone with voice mail, free local and long distance calls, wake up call.
• Desk/writing table, bedside lamps, chairs, ceiling fans.
• Free access to wireless high speed internet.
• Radio/Alarm clock with docking to play or charge your Ipod or IPhone.
• Air-conditioning supplemented with fans, and windows that may be opened.

Ensuite Bathroom Amenities

• Toilet, washbasin, shower stall or tub and shower combination. Tiled floor and wall.
• Hairdryer, outlet for electric shavers, mirror and plenty of shelving for your own amenities.
• Supply of towels, complimentary soap, shampoo, skin conditioner, makeup remover, hair cap, shoe polish cloth and sewing kit.

All rooms are heated by forced air central heating except the Scollen and Mission rooms which have their own gas fireplaces. During hot summer days the house and guest rooms are cooled with central air conditioning.

Calgary Westways and the Environment

Over the years we have made several improvements to the structure of this Calgary heritage home: extra insulation in the walls, double glazing all windows, and every year new caulking is applied. This helps to reduce the amount of natural gas and electricity used to heat, cool and light the house and still maintains a comfortable environment for our guests even when it is -30 degrees below Celsius. Other applications are listed below that help to reduce our footprint on our environment.

• We are a partner in the Envest Environmental Stewardship Program supporting renewable energy.
• We recycle both our plastic and guests’ bottles, glass containers, juice containers, paper products and printed materials, and cans.
• We replaced regular light bulbs with low wattage fluorescent light bulbs, as well as Xmas and garden lights with LEDs.
• Electronic equipment, for example televisions, DVD players, cell phones and computers are taken to the Alberta Electronics Recycling Depots.
• Used clothing, and linens are donated to homeless agencies.

These are only some of the actions we have taken; more will follow including composting household wastes, reducing our water consumption and household chemicals.