Looking for GREAT Winnipeg hotels? There's so much to choose from...

Where will you choose to stay when you visit Winnipeg?

Among Winnipeg hotels are an upscale boutique hotel downtown, family-pleasing hotels with pools and water-slides, a grand riverside manor that’s now an acclaimed Bed & Breakfast, a century-old railroad chateau (with a resident ghost), motels with themed rooms to delight your kids or campgrounds near beaches or amusement parks or ones that ones that create a home away from home for extended stays … and the list doesn’t stop there!

Locals reveal their favourites!

Here are the hotels in Winnipeg we especially like and friends (and their out-of-town guests) always rave about.

They’re the ones I want to tell you about because they’re all inviting, clean, quiet, friendly and deliver consistently efficient service.

In other words, you get real value for your travel dollars with Winnipeg hotels, whether you want a budget place to pitch your tent or park your camper, a suite downtown with all the trimmings, or something in between.

Beyond that, each recommendation has something to make it particularly memorable.

These are the kinds of places we look for ourselves, when we venture away from home.

What you won’t find here

Off the list -- diva hotels with big city attitude (and prices to match).

There’s no gold-plate formality and also no snotty-trendy. That just wouldn’t be Winnipeg.

There are also no five-star hotels.

If nothing but the VERY best will do, a suite at any one of the city’s three finest hotels, or one of those in the very good mid-range Winnipeg hotels ($$) category will accommodate you in VIP style.

Looking for comfort and convenience at a modest price? Budget hotels are here.

The three finest Winnipeg hotels are...

The Fort Garry Hotel -- one of Canada’s magnificent heritage railroad hotels and just steps away from fine dining, the Train Station and The Forks, or five minutes from the theatres. (It's the one with the ghost!)

The Fairmont Winnipeg -- in the beautiful and historic Exchange District (where the Queen stays, when she occasionally drops by), has stunning views of Portage & Main. The Fairmont is the white building in the centre of the photo above.

Inn at the Forks -- a chic new boutique hotel at The Forks and the only one of these three with views both of the river and the ballpark. It also offers the city’s most pricey accommodation, a room for two that goes for $799 per night.

What we do have in abundance amoug Winnipeg hotels is...

Comfort combined with prairie-style value, which may be a pleasant surprise if you are more accustomed to visiting, say, Los Angeles, New York, Vancouver or Montreal (or just about any other cultural centre you might name).

As in other North American cities, you will find many of the familiar national and international chain hotels and motels. Generally, I haven’t included them (with a few exceptions) because you already know what to expect at these popular chains.

As a business, trade and finance hub…

Winnipeg attracts plenty of business travelers and conventions . So you will find many hotels (and not just the ones downtown or near the airport) offer business people home-away-from-home amenities such as business centres, high-speed internet connections, room service and fitness equipment.

Here's what you should know about Winnipeg hotels

All Manitoba hotels and restaurants are smoke-free indoors (but not on patios). At hotels and elsewhere, cash, debit and credit cards are accepted. The most-widely accepted cards are VISA and MasterCard.

There are currency exchanges on Portage Avenue downtown and at the airport, or you can exchange currency at any bank. ATMs are plentiful, particularly Downtown.

All city hotels are required to be accessible to people with mobility issues or who use wheelchairs, but the reality is that accessibility may be relatively straight-forward at some places; less so at others. If accessibility matters, ask for specifics when you make your reservation.

Winnipeg hotels -- How much do they cost?

For two adults sharing a room you can expect to pay (before tax):

But this is approximate. Prices are generally higher May to September.

Prices can also be lower, with special offers and packages, often advertised in travel sections of newspapers and online. Be sure to ask when you make your reservations.

Family-friendly options offer pools, waterslides, and other proven kid-pleasers!