Edmonton hotels

Matrix Hotel’s location is hard to beat, right in the heart of the city. One of the best hotels in Edmonton, the guestrooms here are spacious and well-appointed, with red curtains and wood finishes.

The on-site restaurant, Loft, serves a hearty breakfast each morning, and come nightfall it transforms into Loft106, a sophisticated spot for dinner and cocktails. If you’re in town for business, it’s worth noting that the Matrix also has meeting rooms and an event space.

Thanks to the hotel’s prime location, you’ll find terrific restaurants and bars all around it. My favourite is a speakeasy behind a vending machine called Fu’s Repair Shop. Once you enter behind the secret door, you’ll find dozens of red lanterns hanging overhead, as well as tasty snacks on the menu. Other great nearby sites include the Royal Alberta Museum and the Art Gallery of Alberta.

South of the central core across the North Saskatchewan River, the Metterra Hotel on Whyte is hands down one of the best hotels in Edmonton. Dotted around the property, you’ll find well-curated pieces of art, while the stylish guestrooms and suites are supremely comfortable.

I particularly like the granite counters in the bathrooms, which are a nice touch. Another bonus is that hot breakfast is included with every booking. Nearby, don’t miss the Old Strathcona Farmer’s Market. It has stalls overflowing with fresh fruit and veggies – be sure to try local produce like Saskatoon berries if they’re in season.

If you want to mingle with the locals, head across the street to The Buckingham Pub, which serves delicious vegan food and a wide range of local beers. If it’s in stock, order my favourite Edmonton brew: Prairie Fairy Blackberry Wheat Ale from Sea Change.

At Canterra Suites, you’ll have the opportunity to stay in your very own apartment. Each suite comes with a full kitchen and some have as many as three rooms, making them ideal for those travelling with family. Even furry friends can come along, as the hotel is pet-friendly.

This is also one of the best hotels in Edmonton for location, as it’s set directly on bustling Jasper Avenue. If you walk a few blocks east, you’ll find my favourite restaurant in town, Bernadette’s.

It’s the only Indigenous small plates restaurant in Edmonton and the vibes can’t be beaten. Not only are dishes like scallops with charred dandelion and spam-stuffed olives delicious, they’re also culturally significant, as the food pays homage to what chef Scott Iserhoff ate growing up on the reserve in Attawapiskat, Ontario.

In North Edmonton, this hotel and conference centre is just off Trans Canada Highway 16, so it’s an easy stop on a cross-country road trip or if you’re travelling west to the Icefields Parkway. It’s also close to several golf courses, including Twin Willows and Glendale Golf & Country Club.

Chateau Nova Yellowhead is one of the best hotels in Edmonton if you have kids, since it’s so close to the fascinating Telus World of Science Museum. Inside, you’ll learn about astronauts and dinosaurs, and see outfits of familiar superheroes like Spiderman and the Incredible Hulk.

The hotel also has an on-site restaurant, gym and a stylish low-lit lounge. What’s more, for those who collect them, you can earn Aeroplan points (useful for Air Canada and other Star Alliance members) with every stay.

If you’re looking for a solid option in the west of town, this is one of the best hotels in Edmonton to book. It has everything you’d expect from a Hilton property, with clean, comfortable rooms complete with flat-screen TVs, a gym, a business centre and a big indoor pool. I particularly appreciated the barbecue area, which is a fun place to spend an evening with family and friends.

Aside from being a convenient stop just off Trans Canada Highway 16, many stay in this area to visit the West Edmonton Mall. This giant shopping centre has 800 stores and restaurants as well as 12 amazing attractions, including a giant water park, aquarium, bowling and even a skating rink. Trust me when I say your kids will be beside themselves with joy if given the chance to visit.

The height of luxury, the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald dates back to 1915, when it was an exciting railway stop. The hotel is part of the illustrious Fairmont chain, which includes the Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City (allegedly the most-photographed hotel in the world), Chateau Lake Louise and Banff Springs.

One of the best hotels in Edmonton for those who like the finer things in life, you’ll notice the property’s opulent ambiance as soon as you arrive, with grand furniture and chandeliers overhead. Due to its stunning décor, it’s probably the best hotel in Edmonton for a plush wedding or social event, as it has breath-taking event spaces.

Take in the Fairmont’s splendour from the Confederation Lounge or The Harvest Room & Terrace, two wonderful on-site dining options. Or wander around its beautifully manicured gardens and take in the scenic Saskatchewan River Valley.

I was in Edmonton during the Oilers’ appearance in the 2024 Stanley Cup Finals and the city’s ICE District, a 10-year project that opened in 2019, felt electric. I could feel the energy in the air as the crowds in Rogers Place, outside at the fan parks and in bars across the city hooted and hollered for their home team.

With a stay at JW Marriott Edmonton ICE District, you have an opportunity to feel that same passion for the city’s hockey team. This luxury hotel sits right above Rogers Place, so it’s the ideal place to stay on game day.

It’s also one of the best hotels in Edmonton for amenities. There’s a spa, steam rooms, an indoor pool and a wide selection of food and drink spots, including Braven Restaurant, where fine dining meets Alberta Steakhouse, the more casual Kindred Food + Drink, and the upscale Alchemy Bar.

Take it easy before or after your flight with a stay at this high-quality Marriott property. Located right near the airport, the hotel has everything you need for a comfortable stay, with a pool, free breakfast, a fitness centre, meeting rooms and a snack shop.

There’s also a free shuttle between the hotel and terminal 10 of the airport – it only takes a couple of minutes, so you won’t have to worry about getting stuck in traffic when catching a flight.

The guestrooms are sleek and comfortable, making them the ideal place to rest between flights, and you’ll also find a work desk in each one, in case you need to catch up on emails. Fairfield is also just an 11-minute walk from Century Mile Racetrack and Casino, which is one of just two "A-level" horse racing venues in the province of Alberta.

This property in the southern part of the city is one of the best hotels in Edmonton for families. Kids will love splashing around in the indoor heated pool, while parents will appreciate the fact they don’t have to pay extra for little ones (as long as they stay in their parents’ room).

There are also a couple of fun spots for kids right on the hotel’s doorstep. The first is Escape Emporium, which has elaborate escape rooms, while Allstars Indoor Playland is a giant playground with tunnels, foam pits and slides.

This Holiday Inn is also one of the best hotels in Edmonton for groups, as it has 1,858 square metres of meeting and banquet space divided into seven halls. The largest hall can fit as many as 800 people.

This is one of the best hotels in Edmonton if you’re looking for a more unique stay in the city. Located in in the northwest of Edmonton and run and operated as a family business, it makes a welcome change from some of the blander chains you’ll find elsewhere.

I love the hotel’s palatial façade, which is reminiscent of some of the architecture you find in Europe. The elegance continues inside, from the grand lobby to the sultry piano lounge – there’s nothing better than sitting at the bar there with a martini.

Chateau Louis Hotel & Conference Centre is also an ideal spot for weddings, as it has a picturesque gazebo set up in the outdoor courtyard. I highly recommend visiting the Alberta Aviation Museum, which is right across from the hotel and showcases more than 40 vintage planes.