The Best Hotels in St. John’s, Newfoundland: From Antique to Avant-Garde

Live like a rock star at the JAG hotel in Downtown St. John’s. Giant photographs of Mick Jagger and Bowie line the hallways of this George Street West spot and the rooms are filled with the owner’s rock and roll memorabilia.

The modern guest rooms of this boutique hotel are only a few years old — the 84-room property opened in 2014 — and are moody but bright with white leather headboards, grey hues and big windows overlooking the harbour. Fluffy bathrobes, king-sized beds and Keurig machines with Starbucks coffee are the norm at this hotel and locally-made Ossetra bath products complete the JAG Swag in the bathrooms.

On-site Exile Restaurant has become a must-visit spot for locals, with dishes like Winter Tabbouleh Salad with roasted beets or local moose goulash with egg noodles. Valet parking (one of the only spots in the city with this service) is complimentary, as is the on-site gym.

Alt Hotel St. John’s is one of the newest hotels in town. This Germain Hotels property opened in 2017 and is as downtown as you can get — the floor-to-ceiling windows provide jaw-dropping unobstructed views of St. John’s harbour and Signal Hill.

The vibe is playful with modern furniture and pops of bright colours, reminiscent of Jelly Bean Row just a few minutes away. There are also high-tech amenities, such as the control panel above the nightstand that lets you turn on the do not disturb sign directly from the bed (a feature that comes in handy since you get to choose your check out time like at all Alt Hotels).

Though there’s no on-site restaurant (yet), it doesn’t really matter when world-renowned Raymond’s Restaurant is right next door. Local Rocket Bakery provides the continental breakfast in the lobby, complete with huge pains-au-chocolat, juices and fresh fruit. 

Set in a historic Victorian mansion just outside the downtown core alongside the Waterford River, Leaside Manor is an institution when it comes to honeymoons in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Suites at this romantic bed and breakfast, like The Parker (named for the fish merchant family who built the place in 1921), offer four-poster beds, two-person Jacuzzi tubs and electric fireplaces. Every suite is uniquely decorated and some have full kitchens, private entrances or decks overlooking the lush garden.

Breakfast is served every morning and in addition to the expected continental, you can take your pick of Eggs Benedict, pancakes, sausages, cereals — all of which can be served in bed. Tea and coffee are available 24 hours a day in the kitchen.

The downtown Delta Hotel by Marriott St. John’s recently underwent multi-million dollar renovations from top to bottom. The Delta property is home to a series of large conference rooms and is connected by pedway to the St. John’s Convention Centre and Mile One Centre, making it easy for guests to see a basketball game or concert.

The floor-to-ceiling windows in every room promise either harbour views or sights of the colourful rows of houses of downtown St. John’s. Plus, like all Delta properties, Club Level rooms provide access to the exclusive lounge with free breakfast.

This Delta is one of only two hotels in Downtown St. John’s with an indoor swimming pool and there is also a gym. The new restaurant, Pinnacle, is colourful and modern, offering breakfast, lunch and dinner options, while the Bridge Lounge is a calmer space to enjoy a cup of coffee after a day of sightseeing. 

Located along the St. John’s’ waterfront, the Murray Premises is set inside a refashioned series of old merchant buildings built in 1846, complete with wooden beams, rock walls and exposed bricks. This boutique hotel is one of the few buildings to survive the 1892 great fire that destroyed most of St. John’s.

Many of the 69 rooms  have electric fireplaces, air massage tubs, heated bathroom floors and king-sized beds.

Free continental breakfast is served every day and several restaurants are housed within the winding hallways of this heritage building. EVOO serves up Italian classics, while the GypsyTea Room offers a high-end experience with a globally inspired menu. Both restaurants offer outside dining in a private courtyard of the hotel that makes you feel like you’ve been whisked away to a small European town.

A short (but very steep) walk from downtown brings you to Bannerman Park Suites. Overlooking the park by the same name, the lush grounds and playgrounds have been a centrepiece of the city for over 100 years; there’s even an ice rink to skate on in the winter time.

Opened in 2014 inside a Victorian manor home, the historic character is everywhere while simultaneously including all the modern luxuries one expects at a boutique property.

Mahogany antique furniture fills the bright, luxurious rooms, along with kitchenettes and spa bathrooms with soaker tubs and heated marble floors. While this small boutique hotel only has eight suites, it offers king- or queen-sized beds and decorative fireplaces in all the rooms.

The landmark Sheraton Hotel Newfoundland is set on the grounds of Fort William, overlooking St. John’s harbour in a heritage neighbourhood just steps from Downtown. Some rooms have additional circular windows overlooking the city, but all have floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the harbour or Bannerman Park and historic manor homes in the area.

The indoor pool is found just off the large and lush garden atrium, but if you’re looking for an on-land workout, there’s also a 24-hour gym. Rosewood Spa is located inside the hotel with a full range of treatments, including makeup application and a hair salon.

In addition to the dozens of restaurants just outside the hotel’s front entrance, there are two options on-site: the fine dining at Oppidan is on deck for breakfast, lunch and dinner, while cocktails and snacks at bivver are available late in the day.

Blue on Water, located on bustling Water Street in Downtown St. John’s, is a series of calm oases with exposed red brick juxtaposed by the pops of colour inside the suites.

With only 11 rooms, attention to detail is paramount inside the 150-year-old building that features large wooden beams and custom artwork, as well as large windows overlooking the street. The bathrooms all have custom marble tiling and soaker tubs — one of the rooms used to be a grain silo.

This contemporary boutique hotel sits above the popular restaurant and bar by the same name. It serves up elevated local favourites, like seafood chowder and salt fish cakes tossed with a side of modern fare like roasted cauliflower with garam masala or smoked date puree and pistachios. 

The Luxus screams luxury — think Hollywood glam meets Signal Hill. This boutique hotel sits across the street from Raymond’s with only six rooms, each boasting huge windows, 12-foot ceilings and polished walnut walls. You can watch the 70-inch TV from the giant soaker tub while enjoying the luxe BVLGARI toiletries. If that weren’t enough, there are also walk-in closets in every room.

Complimentary snacks in the hallway are available 24 hours a day, but so is the coffee that isn’t in your room. The free off-street parking comes at a premium in Downtown St. John’s, where it’s tough to find a spot even on the quietest of days.

A new cafe serving up espresso drinks, tea lattes and an array of soups and sandwiches now accompanies the popular and well-established cocktail bar. 

The Sandman Signature is the first Sandman hotel in Atlantic Canada and is one of the newest hotels along Kenmont Road. It is sidled up with some excellent shopping at The Avalon Mall just down the street.

Two large restaurants are found within the hotel complex. Denny’s is open 24 hours a day, while Moxie’s Bar and Grill is open for lunch, dinner and cocktails.

Grey tones and sleek furnishings outfit the 201-room hotel – some with bathtubs, but all with rain showers. Suites have separate living areas and kitchenettes. Parking is complimentary in the large lot and a relaxing indoor swimming pool and whirlpool are adjacent the gym.