How south? I stayed at the Days Inn on Uni Ave and Calgary trail when I lived out of town and had to come for work. It is totally a hotel. Nothing fancy, but quick to get around and was close enough to whyte that i could grab some good food.
I stayed at Varscona on whyte a few times as well. It's less convenient for hoping in a car and going elsewhere, but I liked it for getting to shows on whyte. Fancier than the Days Inn but rooms seemed smaller on average.