Saskatoon hotels

One of the few truly boutique hotels in Saskatoon, the sleek Alt Hotel Saskatoon sits on the curving banks of the South Saskatchewan River at River Landing. Not only are the views from here lovely, the award-winning Remai Modern Museum and Meewasin Valley Trail are right on your doorstep, making the Alt one of the best hotels in Saskatoon for local activities.

Within the Alt’s soaring charcoal-black facade are 156 slick guestrooms, spread over 13 floors, offering fine views of Saskatoon’s iconic Broadway and Traffic bridges. Eating is easy here too, with the hotel’s Asian-infused Bokeh restaurant offering interesting takes on Korean spicy pork and pulled beef chuck.

But my favourite part of the Alt – if you’re so inclined – is to rise early and soak up the sunrise on the Meewasin Valley Trail. Saskatoon’s huge prairie skies bring some magical colours and your phone’s photo gallery will thank me later.

Nowhere else in Saskatoon looks like the Delta Bessborough. Completed in 1935, its grandiose architecture resembles a French château and staying here feels like stepping back in time. That evocative period was when the Delta was Saskatoon’s tallest building, and it’s still one of the most unique hotels in Saskatoon.

Rising 10 floors high, its 225 guestrooms and suites are delightfully spacious – though it’s worth noting not all have views of the river. Downstairs the breezy Garden Court Café offers riverside vistas as you tuck into breakfast, while Stovin’s Lounge is a great spot for cocktails, though I’d seek out one of Saskatoon’s downtown restaurants for dinner.

And though I generally don’t recommend visiting Saskatoon in winter, the Delta is one of Saskatchewan’s prettiest sights when snow falls and the luxurious Damara Spa becomes a majestic escape.

Life’s all about cosiness at The James. Though it can’t compete with the nearby Delta Bessborough for exterior beauty, inside you’ll see why it’s consistently one of the top rated hotels in Saskatoon. Sleek wooden lines and Scandi-style design bring warmth to its 59 guestrooms.

Blend that toasty welcome with the award-winning James Lobby Bar, which offers fine wines and vintage cocktails, and you have one of the best hotels in Saskatoon for a nightcap. When winter rolls around, I love ordering their heated cocktails – my top pick is the Flaming Spanish Coffee.

Speaking of winter, the marble bathrooms with deep soaking tubs are another way to unwind at this wonderfully comfortable Saskatoon hotel.

​​​Located just down the street from the Delta Bessborough, this Marriott is Saskatoon’s tallest hotel at 203ft high, bringing spectacular views from the top rooms. But while it’s predominantly a business hotel, there’s plenty for families too.

The 290 guestrooms are spacious and 2020’s multi-million-dollar renovation turned idle common spaces into a cool coffee bar and a slick fitness centre. The Marriott Saskatoon Downtown’s indoor waterpark features two heated pools, a whirlpool and a swirling multicoloured waterslide, making it one of the best hotels in Saskatoon for families.

Airy on-site restaurant Aroma draws younger crowds for its locally driven cuisine, alongside enticing offers like Pizza Wednesdays and Old-Fashioned Fridays. I recommend keeping an eye out for their occasional live music announcements on social media, and don’t miss happy hour between 4 pm and 6 pm from Monday to Friday.

The Sheraton Cavalier has been a staple of life in downtown Saskatoon for over 60 years. It’s also one of the few dog-friendly properties in the city. And with its location near the picturesque Meewasin Valley Trail, it’s in a perfect dog-walking location too.

Classic comfort food like burgers and fish and chips are served at casual restaurant Scarlets, while Carvers Steakhouse presents plates of tender New York strip and filet mignon. It’s a bit of a walk down 20th Street, but I love heading out to POP Wine Bar for their sublime natural wine, charcuterie and oysters.

And like the Marriott Saskatoon Downtown, there’s also a waterpark with a slide (sadly off limits for your dog!).

Not everything in Saskatoon revolves around downtown, and the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Saskatoon East - University is a comfortable offering on the city’s east side. With easy access to lively Broadway Avenue and the university’s free Museum of Antiquities, this is one of the best hotels in Saskatoon outside of downtown.

There are 123 guestrooms with queen beds and plenty of space. The room design isn’t anything special, but you’ll find everything you need, like free Wi-Fi and coffee machines. Other perks include free breakfast and a heated indoor pool and whirlpool.

For a truly local experience, I love staying here during fall, as it’s just a short walk from boisterous Griffiths Stadium – home of the Saskatchewan Huskies football team. Trust me when I say there are few better Canadian provinces to take in a game.

Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport (YXE) welcomes travellers from the USA and beyond. And if your flight departs early, then Courtyard by Marriott Saskatoon Airport is one of the best hotels in Saskatoon.

There’s a range of cosy rooms to choose from and the hearty food at the Bistro is always satisfying. Meanwhile, the hotel’s heated indoor saltwater pool is the ideal way to relax before a morning flight (and as someone who’s taken a 6 am flight from Saskatoon International before, this sort of touch is invaluable).

The hotel also offers a complimentary shuttle service to the airport, so you don’t need to worry about the hassle of ordering taxis. Just get your sleep and let the hotel do the rest.

​​Rising high above Saskatoon’s southern suburbs, this is one of the best hotels in Saskatoon for visiting one of the city’s most significant museums – the nearby Western Development Museum.

For dinner, the Sandman Signature Saskatoon South Hotel’s own Chop Steakhouse and Bar is a fine spot for digging into some Canadian sirloins and rib eyes. Though if you’re dining as a couple, I prefer their bone-in rib eye for two – at 32oz, you get way more bang for your buck.

At the centrally located Sandman Signature Saskatoon South Hotel, the muted cool of their guestrooms’ grey colour palette is pleasing on the eye, and the heated pool is the ideal spot if you want to unwind after a busy day in the city.

The quiet plains of southern Saskatoon provide some of Canada’s most accessible golf courses, and TownePlace Suites by Marriott Saskatoon is the city’s finest stay if you’re bringing your clubs. With Saskatoon Golf & Country Club and The Willows Club both within a 10-minute drive, this is one of the best hotels in Saskatoon for a golfing vacation.

The hotel’s exterior features a striking jet-black facade, while the rooms inside are well furnished and downstairs there’s an indoor saltwater pool alongside a fitness room.

My favourite thing about this location, though, is being able to take an evening stroll down to the Canadian Brewhouse. This lively sports bar is a five-minute walk away and it’s a great spot to kick back with a few local beers – it’s particularly buzzy when there’s a Saskatchewan Roughriders game on TV.

South Saskatoon hides some unique attractions, making the Hampton Inn Saskatoon South one of the best hotels in Saskatoon for second-time visitors to the city. Within 20 minutes of the hotel you’ll find proudly Saskatchewan cidery the Crossmount Cider Company, while further along Highway 219 is the beautiful Beaver Creek Conservation Area.

Back at the hotel, there are 100 easy-going guestrooms and plenty of neighbourhood spots to enjoy. Fine sushi from New Island Sushi is just a five-minute walk north, while a more laidback dining experience can be found at Browns Socialhouse Stonebridge.

And though I like the free hot breakfast available here, I love heading across the street to TOT. Their coffee is sublime, the food is wonderfully presented and they even have live music on Friday evenings.