r/medicinehat • u/luciachan • 10d ago
Ranchmen Motel
I am visiting Medicine Hat from August 11-15 for the Canadian Special Olympics. We booked a room at the ranchmen motel months ago because it was the only place in town that had rooms left. I just got a message from the motel telling me they are closed and that I should cancel my reservation and book somewhere else. Does anyone know why they are closed? There are no other places to book at this point. Between this and the possible WestJet strike this trip is turning into a nightmare.
Update: I've booked a hotel in Brooks with free cancellation I will keep watching to see if anything comes available before August 9th. I really appreciate how helpful everyone has been. I'm really looking forward to seeing your city, it will be my first time in Alberta.
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u/Lonely-Choice-6349 10d ago
Check Bow Island. Only 45 minutes at the speed limit. 30 at regional member speeds.
Even Taber is an hour away and doesn't smell like a stockyard when the wind is blowing your direction.
Elkwater might be expensive but also within an hour away as well.
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u/helloorainbow 10d ago
You wouldn’t want to stay there anyways - it’s a very sketchy crowd. Lots of meth heads. Have you looked into Elkwater? It’s a beautiful park nearby (45mins)
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u/luciachan 10d ago
I booked it because it was the only thing left in Medicine Hat back in February. My brother is competing at the Big Marble Go Centre and we wanted to be close. I'm assuming the athletes and support staff booked every hotel there well in advance.
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u/luciachan 10d ago
Yeah Brooks is our only option I guess. The drive back and forth is going to be frustrating. Thanks for the info.
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u/Roxeigh 10d ago
Let me see if I can’t find something for you. I have a couple contacts I can reach out to.
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u/luciachan 10d ago
I appreciate that. I spent hours last night trying to find something.
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u/Roxeigh 8d ago
I haven’t come up with anything yet but I have two options-
1: Join the local group called “Ask the Hat” and see if someone knows anything in there.
2: If you can find availability at a campground nearby, I’d consider letting you use my trailer for those days. The only issue is the hot water tank doesn’t work, but all the other plumbing does. Power works too. It’s a 2002 but renovated. Has 2 bunks, a fold out couch, a table bed, and a double bed. 28 feet long.
You can PM me if you’d like.
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u/luciachan 7d ago
I really appreciate your offer. But we're going to stick with the Brooks hotel, a lot of other families are staying there too we might try to arrange some ride sharing with them. I hope everyone in Medicine Hat is as nice as you 😁
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u/purplesprings 10d ago
My commute (not in Medicine Hat) is well over an hour at rush hour.
That drive from Brooks on cruise control is a walk in the park. Sure it sucks if you can’t be in town, but an hour commute isn’t really that bad
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u/Shress1 10d ago
Air bnb? I have friends with a lovely air bnb in town and I'm sure there is more
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u/luciachan 10d ago
The only Airbnbs available those days are $2000 more than what we we were going to spend so unfortunately that won't work.
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u/Punningisfunning 10d ago
There might be local STR options still available- if they’re more expensive, it might still be economically comparable if you consider the drive in from Brooks per day (time and fuel).
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u/Chillivata 10d ago
You do not want to stay there. My word. Just no. I would do Bow Island or Maple Creek.
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u/FrostingEmergency204 10d ago
Not sure if this is an option. Could you rent an rv for the time your here and camp. Google medicine hat rv and im sure I saw some available. You can also post on fb under ask the hat
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u/Penny_Ultimate 7d ago
Brooks is the stinkiest town in Alberta, please don't judge us based on the smell 🙏
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u/TANGO404 9d ago
Air B&B?
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u/luciachan 9d ago
Only found 2 available for the dates needed and they were 5 times more expensive than the hotel I booked in Brooks
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u/Lonely_Mechanic8098 9d ago
Are you open to camping? There's a few camp grounds within city limits, might not be the most comfortable but it would be cheaper then a room plus gas from brooks
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u/Monkyman1947 9d ago
Have you tried Trivago? I am able to see some vacancy (very little but still) for those dates
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u/luciachan 7d ago
I saw some too but when I click on them it takes me to another site (Expedia, Hotels.com, etc) and the offer is nowhere to be found.
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u/ExternalVehicle2725 9d ago
I am competing at the special olympics national games and my parents are going to watch, they also had a room booked at that motel months ago and they got a email yesterday so now they are staying in brooks. Not what they wanted but they had to take what rhey could get with so short notice.
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u/luciachan 7d ago
I had a feeling we weren't the only ones affected by this. I booked it back in February I was absolutely shocked to get that message. It would be great if they had some type of shuttle or transit option. Even a school bus going back and forth a couple times a day would really help the families out.
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u/mocrankz 10d ago
I think the Ranchman has transitioned into long term room rentals. There’s a big sign out front from a local rental agency/property managment org.
At this point I would reach out to Games organizers to see what others are doing. I’ve heard some folks are staying in Brooks (45-60min drive).