Where to Stay in Canada

The good news is that Canada has a wide range of accommodations to suit all budgets. In the printed versions of the guidebooks featured on this website you will find recommendations for all types of accommodations in all price ranges. This page broadly describes various accommodation types, along with some hints to save money along the way.

HOTELS

Hotels and motels of some sort exist in just about every town through Canada. Check your favorite chain—most are represented, as well as locals such as upscale Delta Hotels and Fairmont Hotels and Resorts and the mid-priced Sandman Hotels.

Ubiquitous park-at-your-door, single-story road motels are located in all towns and on the outskirts of all major cities. In most cases, rooms are fine, but check before paying, just to make sure. Most motels have a few rooms with kitchenettes, but these fill fast. In the smaller towns, expect to pay $40-70 s, $50-80 d.

Most major towns and all cities have larger hotels, each of which typically has a restaurant, café, lounge, and pool. At these establishments, expect to pay from $60 s, $70 d for a basic room. Downtown hotels in Vancouver, Victoria, Calgary, and Edmonton begin at $100 s or d. A good deal can be suites or executive suites, with kitchenettes and one or two bedrooms for little more money than a regular room.

Finding inexpensive lodging in resort areas is difficult in summer. By late afternoon the only rooms left are in the more expensive categories, and by nightfall all of these rooms are booked, too. Hotel rooms in Whistler and Banff begin around $150.

BED AND BREAKFASTS

Bed-and-breakfast accommodations are found throughout Canada. Staying at this type of accommodation is great way to meet the locals. They are usually private residences, with up to four guest rooms, and as the name suggests breakfast is included. Rates fluctuate enormously. In Vancouver and Banff, for example, they start at $80 s, $90 d and go up and over $200. Guests can expect hearty home cooking, a peaceful atmosphere, personal service, knowledgeable hosts, and conversation with fellow travelers. On the downside, facilities and the amount of privacy afforded can vary greatly. This uncertainty as to what to expect upon arrival can be off-putting for many people, especially sharing a bathroom with other guests--which is both a common and accepted practice in European bed and breakfasts. If having a bathroom to yourself is important to you, clarify with the bed and breakfast operator when reserving. Here is one interpretation of terms:

En suite: Refers to a bathroom that is private, inside, and attached to the sleeping unit (literally "in suite").

Private: A bathroom that is for the sole use of a sleeping unit but may be outside of the room.

Shared or Semi-Private: Bathrooms that are used in common by more than one room. No more than two guest rooms should share a single bathroom.

These descriptions are courtesy of the Western Canadian Bed and Breakfast Innkeepers Association (604/255-9199 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              604/255-9199      end_of_the_skype_highlighting) which represents more than 140 bed and breakfasts. The association produces an informative brochure with simple descriptions and a color photo of each property, but it doesn't take bookings.

HOSTELS

Budget travelers are enjoying more and more options in Canada, ranging from a treehouse on Salt Spring Island (Vancouver Island) to a luxurious log lodge at Lake Louise (Banff National Park). Hostelling International (formerly the Youth Hostel Association) has undergone a radical change in direction and now appeals to all ages, with a limited number of privately run "hostels" providing other options. Either way, staying in what have universally become known as "backpackers" hostels is an enjoyable and inexpensive way to travel. Generally, you need to provide your own sleeping bag or linen, but most hostels supply extra bedding (if needed) at no charge. Accommodations are in bunk beds (2-10 in each room) or double rooms that share bathrooms. Each also offers a communal kitchen, lounge area, and laundry facilities, while most have Internet access, bike rentals, and organized tours.

Hostelling International-Canada (613/237-7884) operates 18 hostels in British Columbia and 17 in Alberta (none in the NWT or Yukon). For a dorm bed, members of Hostelling International pay $13-28 per night, nonmembers pay $17-32; single and double rooms are more expensive. Whenever you can, make reservations in advance, especially in summer. The easiest way to do this is through Hostelling International's International Booking Network or by contacting the individual hostel.

If you plan to travel extensively using hostels, join Hostelling International before you leave home (otherwise it’s $4 extra per night). In Canada, an annual membership for Hostelling International-Canada is $35.

In the United States, membership of HI-USA (301/495-1240) is US$28. Other contact addresses include: YHA England and Wales (0870/770-8868), YHA Australia (02/9261-1111), and YHA New Zealand (03/379-9970 or 0800/278-299). For other countries, click through the links provided at www.iyhf.org.

CAMPING AND RV PARKS

Almost every town in Canada has at least one campground—picnic tables, cook shelters, showers, and powered hookups are standard amenities. Often those campgrounds in smaller towns are a bargain--it's not uncommon to pay less than $10 for a site with hookups and hot showers. In resort towns, camping isn’t such a bargain, with most sites in the $25-35 range and a few places charging over $40 per night. If you're planning a summer trip, you should try to book in advance.

Camping facilities in national parks are excellent; most parks have at least one campground with hot showers and hookups. National park campgrounds have always operated on a first-come, first-served basis but in 2005 Parks Canada (www.pccamping.ca) began taking campsite bookings ($12 per reservation) for a limited number of sites in the most popular campgrounds. Most provincial and territorial parks have a campground; prices are $12-32 depending on facilities available. Some have powered hookups, showers, and boat rentals.