Halifax Hotels and Accommodation

(Halifax, Nova Scotia - NS, Canada)

Finding hotels and accommodation in the Halifax area does not usually present a problem, although the best hotels often quickly become fully booked. Bed and breakfast accommodation is extremely popular in Halifax and this style of traditional lodging can be in short supply during the peak season.

The Halifax International Visitors Center is always extremely helpful when looking for last-minute accommodation and can suggest many different alternatives, usually suiting all tastes and budgets. These range from luxury hotels in the downtown district, to dormitory rooms at youth hostels, suiting the budget-conscious traveler visiting the city.

Where to Stay

Many visitors to Halifax find that staying in the downtown district offers the most conveniently placed accommodation, with central hotels being within walking distance of top shopping districts, restaurants and attractions, such as the National Historic Park, the Dalhousie University and the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. Downtown Halifax is home to a diverse mixture of accommodation, which includes modern high-rise hotels, more historic, Art Deco lodging and converted town houses.

One of the oldest and most notable hotels in downtown Halifax is the Lord Nelson, which dates back to the 1920s and features impressive architecture and spacious rooms. Also nearby, the outstanding Sheraton Hotel is the epitome of luxury and style, and stands along Upper Water Street, on the eastern side of the downtown district.

Although central Halifax provides a selection of chain accommodation, many of the main motels are located on the city's outskirts. Standing around 6 miles / 10 km to the northwest of the downtown district, motels here are particularly clustered along the Bedford Highway (Highway 2), alongside the Bedford Basin bay. Although these motels are situated away from the center of Halifax, they do offer some of the best value for money and the downtown district can be easily reached by car or public transport, with this journey usually lasting around 15 minutes.

Bed and breakfasts in Halifax tend to lie on the peripheries of the city and are usually family run. Offering inexpensive rooms and extensive breakfasts, these B&Bs are becoming an increasingly popular and more intimate alternative to mainstream, chain hotels.

Located around 3 miles / 5 km from Halifax, the neighboring town of Dartmouth contains a reasonable selection of additional accommodation. With a population approaching 70,000 people, Dartmouth features a number of impressive hotels, bed and breakfasts, a well-placed camping site and several cheap inns.

Halifax is home to a surprisingly large airport, which stands around 24 miles / 39 km to the northeast of the city and near to the Shubenacadie Grand Lake, also being within easy reach of Dartmouth. The Halifax International Airport is around a 30-minute drive from the downtown district and comes with a large on-site hotel, which is always extremely popular with business travelers. This airport also provides good ground transportation, which includes regular buses that travel to and from the city itself.

An array of budget accommodation options are available in the Halifax area, including youth hostels and seasonal university residences. Available during the summer months, the centrally located Dalhousie University features an enormous amount of inexpensive accommodation and is always popular with backpackers visiting Halifax. University lodging can be booked in advance and available rooms are located at Fenwick Place, the Howe Hall, the O'Brien Hall and also at the university's Shireff Hall. Hostels provide exceptional value for money and are a good alternative to more pricey mainsteam hotels, with the best including the Heritage House Hostel on Barrington Street, the Halifax Backpackers Hostel along Gottingen Street, and the YMCA Hostel on South Park Street.