Thunder Bay hotels

Clean, bright, and right by Thunder Bay International Airport, Home2 Suites by Hilton Thunder Bay has way more amenities than you’d expect from an airport hotel. Located a five-minute drive from the terminal, it’s one of the best hotels in Thunder Bay for a cosy and convenient place to stay just off bustling Arthur Street.

The hotel has a funky back patio with a rustic wooden trellis, perfect for soaking up the sun in those short Northwestern Ontario summers. This is definitely my favourite place to hang out when the nights are warm.

An indoor pool means you can take a dip even when the frigid Thunder Bay winters linger—a fitness space and in-room kitchens round out the amenities. The hotel serves a basic (but free) hot breakfast, which is great before an early morning flight, and even offers an airport shuttle.

The area surrounding the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Thunder Bay is dominated by shopping plazas and restaurants, making it one of the best hotels to stay in Thunder Bay. But if you’re in town with a set of wheels, you’re in a great location for a little retail therapy. The Intercity Shopping Centre is one of the best malls in town and is just down the street.

The rooms are basic but spacious, and each comes with a fridge and a microwave. The gym has several workout machines and some free weights, and you’ll also find an indoor pool and hot tub, which are nice touches.

In the mornings, load up on the free hot buffet, which includes all the usual suspects like eggs, pancakes, and sausages. I recommend The Keg Steakhouse and Bar for dinner, which is just a short walk from the hotel.

Another hop, skip, and a jump from Thunder Bay International Airport, the Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Thunder Bay is perfect for those early flights out or late flights in. A free shuttle from the terminal makes it even easier.

The rooms here are my favourite for their renovated and modern aesthetic, with tufted headboards and barn-style bathroom doors. The amenities help to make this one of the best hotels in Thunder Bay, with an indoor pool, business area, spacious fitness room, and free hot breakfast. Pets are welcome too.

If you're planning to make it a longer stay, the hotel is a quick drive from Chapples Golf Course and the International Friendship Gardens. Plus, Confederation College and Lakehead University are less than 10 minutes away.

Just south of the city, past the Fort William Country Club, sits the start of the hundreds of acres of wilderness that surround Thunder Bay. This serene spot is just at the base of the Nor’Wester Mountains, and when it comes to hotels here, you can’t do better than the Best Western Plus NorWester Hotel & Conference Center.

While there aren’t many traditional “resorts” in Thunder Bay, this one comes closest thanks to its family-sized suites, Cliffhanger Restaurant & Bar, and expansive outdoor patio with dramatic views of the mountains. You’ll also find an indoor heated pool, steam room, and fitness centre.

I love this property because it makes a great home base for winter skiers looking to hit the slopes at Loch Lomond Ski Area. You’re also not far from the Kamview Nordic Ski Centre and Fort William Historical Park.

If you’re looking for a touch of history – and one of the finest locations in town, The Courthouse Hotel Ascend Hotel Collection is one of the best hotels in Thunder Bay to book. It’s housed within the bones of the town’s original 100-year-old courthouse and is within walking distance of the recently revamped Marina Park overlooking Lake Superior.

Luxury hotels in Thunder Bay are hard to come by, but with its stately rooms, The Courthouse Hotel is the closest you’ll get—book a Corner Room for views of the lake.

I like to walk down to Marina Park in the summer or autumn to watch the boats zip across the lake. This location also means you're close to the restaurants on Red River Road and Cumberland Street. Top tip: pop into The Prospector for a hearty meal and a side of their buttery rolls.

Set between Lakehead University and the Swingers Driving Range, Days Inn by Wyndham Thunder Bay North is one of the best hotels in Thunder Bay for venturing off into nature. Guestrooms are basic but clean and bright, and the hotel has a small pool and fitness space . Free breakfast is included and rooms have coffee and tea makers.

I like this hotel because it's close to many of the great natural attractions that Thunder Bay has to offer. Mount Baldy Ski Resort isn't far, nor is the shoreline of Lake Superior or the Founders Museum and Pioneer Village. Meanwhile, if you walk out to the front of the hotel and look down the street, you'll see the iconic flat-top of Mt. McKay.

The waterfront location of this Delta Hotels by Marriott is what sets it apart as one of the best hotels in Thunder Bay. While there aren't any true luxury hotels in Thunder Bay, this one comes close. Take note of the wall of glass windows on the ground floor, which offers a perfect view of the boats bobbing in the marina.

Inside, the open floor plan lobby continues the trendy aesthetic, with cosy fireplaces, high-top tables, and wine collections on display. Anchor & Ore Restaurant has a gorgeous Lake Superior view—I love coming here in the evening for a glass of wine and to watch the sunset.

While the hotel doesn’t have a pool, it does have a small fitness centre. Book a Sleeping Giant View room for one of the loveliest vistas over the lake.

I like this boutique Thunder Bay hotel because it has funky decor and is set in a prime location about a block from Marina Park. The lobby pops with colourful murals and blue sofas as light streams in from the massive floor-to-ceiling windows. I was happy to note the guestrooms are equally bright and modern.

I love waking up and getting in a workout at the updated fitness centre before grabbing a coffee and going for a morning stroll around Lake Superior.

The location is what makes this one of the best hotels in Thunder Bay, close to many of downtown’s finest restaurants. Bight Restaurant & Bar is just a few blocks away and has fantastic food with perfect views of the marina.

The airport location of this Best Western is one of its greatest assets. As the name suggests, Thunder Bay is quite literally a crossroads, both across the country and between Canada and the United States.

The guestrooms are clean, comfortable, and modern, while the lobby is cosy with plush armchairs and a fireplace. A small fitness centre is a nice touch, especially for those who like to stick to their workout routines while on the road, as I do.

The hotel is a few minutes from Thunder Bay International Airport and offers a complimentary breakfast of fresh fruit, pastries, and coffee. You'll also find a small business centre and the restaurants of Arthur Street just a few blocks away.

I like the Valhalla Hotel & Conference Centre because it feels like a rustic Scandinavian lodge rather than a traditional airport hotel. What makes this one of the best hotels in Thunder Bay is its lovely lobby, complete with soaring wood-beamed ceilings, cosy seating areas and a fireplace.

Waking up and walking down to Skål Restaurant is a treat, where the woodland vibes continue with more wooden details, artfully stacked logs, and lots of brown leather. This is the place to come for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

I also love the pool and fitness centre, both flooded with natural light, and the sauna—perfect for those cold Thunder Bay winter days. The hotel is close to the airport, making it the ideal place to stay if you have an early flight.