Travelling across Canada on the Trans-Canada Highway? There’s a good chance you’ll need to figure out where to stay in Winnipeg.
Lesser-visited Winnipeg is the capital of the Central Canadian province of Manitoba. It sits among Canada’s biggest cities and is one of the most important in the nation’s history.
For travellers, planning a visit to Winnipeg is simple. Many of the best hotels in Winnipeg are located in the downtown area. Conveniently, you’ll also find many of the top tourist attractions & points of interest in Winnipeg around here.
Ready to get your Winnipeg accommodations search started? Plan your trip with this complete guide to the best places to stay in Winnipeg, Manitoba. In the guide, we include all the city’s top areas, neighbourhoods & hotels for first-time visitors.
Looking for more ideas for your trip? Check out our other hotel & accommodations guides and our Canada Travel Guide for recommendations on when to visit, where to go & what to do!
Best places to stay in Winnipeg
Although three-quarters of a million people call Winnipeg home, choosing where to base yourself for a trip to Winnipeg isn’t such a challenge.
For first-time travellers, the best area to stay in Winnipeg is Downtown Winnipeg. The downtown area includes several interesting neighbourhoods for visitors. Areas here include the historic Exchange District and The Forks, one of the coolest places to visit in Winnipeg.
South of the Assiniboine River and west of the Red River from The Forks, you’ll stumble into Fort Garry. The district is named after Upper Fort Garry. This city centre historical fortification dates back to 1822 before the official founding of the city of Winnipeg. The area is an excellent choice to escape the bustle of downtown. In Fort Garry, you’ll find good value accommodations with a more local feel.
Interested in the French Canadian culture and Canadian history? The neighbourhood of St. Boniface is another great choice. Saint Boniface was the home of Louis Riel. This legendary Métis political leader paved the way to Manitoba becoming the fifth province in the Confederation of Canada.
The best areas to stay in Winnipeg include:
Downtown Winnipeg
✓ Best area to stay in Winnipeg for first-time travellers
If you’re looking for a simple answer for where to stay in Winnipeg, choose Downtown Winnipeg. Centred upon the intersection of Portage and Main, Downtown is home to most of the best Winnipeg hotels. You’ll also find many of Winnipeg’s top attractions in & around downtown.
History lovers will have a field-day exploring the city centre area. Head over to the eastern banks of the Red River to the Canadian Human Rights Museum. The museum’s building showcases Winnipeg’s most distinctive modern architecture. It was the first national museum in Canada built outside of National Capital Region.
For a taste of all that Winnipeg offers, drop down to The Forks at the confluence of the Assiniboine & Red Rivers. A meeting place for over six millennia, The Forks is designated as a National Historic Site of Canada. The area hosts great parks, shops, restaurants, and The Forks Market, Winnipeg’s most famous indoor marketplace.
Nearby, walk through Canadian history at Upper Fort Garry Heritage Provincial Park. Enjoy some laughter with the kids at the Children’s Museum. Or check out European paintings and the world’s largest Inuit art collection at the Winnipeg Art Museum.
For your lodgings search, you’ll find just about everything in downtown Winnipeg. From budget hotels to the top luxury hotels in Winnipeg, it’s all here.
Budget
- Humphry Inn & Suites is the perfect place to stay to get front-and-centre in Winnipeg while saving some money. The rooms & suites here are spacious and clean. While the price often falls into the mid-range, you can often book ahead to secure a better deal.
- Holiday Inn & Suites Downtown Winnipeg is located five minutes from the Winnipeg Art Gallery. This hotel is a great destination for culture lovers and families alike. There’s a handful of excellent amenities here. Enjoy a pool, fitness centre, free WiFi, and two on-site eating & drinking venues.venues.
Mid-Range
- Alt Hotel Winnipeg is a fantastic hotel from the boutique brand of home-grown Canadian hotelier Le Germain. Alt Hotel is one of the coolest Winnipeg hotels for travellers. Want to add colour & pizazz to your stay in the capital of Manitoba beyond the usual chain hotel rooms? This is your chance. Besides the funky decor, the hotel is across the street from MTS Place. It’s also a short 5-minute drive from the Canadian Museum of Human Rights.
- Delta Hotels by Marriott Downtown Winnipeg is connected to the Winnipeg Convention Centre via the Skywalk. This mid-range luxury hotel is a fantastic option for business travellers, couples, and families alike. Amenities include an indoor pool, outdoor pool, fitness centre, and two on-site restaurants.
Luxury
- Fort Garry Hotel is a legendary former grand railway hotel. It occupies a 1910-era heritage building and is the top-rated luxury hotel in Winnipeg. The lodgings at the Fort Garry Hotel are chock-loaded with amenities. They range from a full-service spa & indoor pool to a gym & an on-site restaurant.
- Inn at the Forks is a popular Winnipeg hotel located near the popular Forks Market. It offers elegant modern rooms fitted with comfortable beds & contemporary furnishings. Book yourself a soothing message at the spa & wellness centre to add a dash of relaxation to your stay.
The Exchange District
✓ Best area to stay in Winnipeg for historical sightseeing, nightlife & food
Located one block north of Portage and Main is The Exchange District. The district is a National Historic Site of Canada and one of the best places to stay in Winnipeg.
The Exchange District stretches out over 20 city blocks. The area is home to about 150 heritage buildings. The buildings date back to the late-19th and early-20th centuries. At the time, Winnipeg was one of the fastest-growing cities in North America.
After decline & stagnation for much of the 1900s, The Exchange District has once again found its wings. Today, it’s one of the most important cultural areas in Winnipeg. Its heritage buildings now hide theatres, art galleries, restaurants, and nightclubs. You’ll also find offices for up-and-coming tech companies.
There’s more to do here than roaming the streets to uncover its historical architecture. The Exchange District also hosts several popular events throughout the year.
Visiting Winnipeg in summer? Carve out some time to listen to smooth tunes at Jazz Winnipeg Festival in June. In July, you can enjoy some laughs at the Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival.
There’s a limited selection of hotels in The Exchange District. Most fall into mid-range and luxury prices. Be sure to book your accommodation well ahead to ensure availability.
Budget
- Radisson Hotel Winnipeg Downtown is a budget-friendly hotel located on Portage. It’s a mere block away from The Exchange District. Staying here, the best of the city is within a quick walk or drive—all without breaking the bank. For hockey fans, the hotel is connected to MTS Place via the Skywalk.
Mid-Range
- Mere Hotel is a boutique hotel with a fantastic location and trendy good looks. It’s the perfect place to stay for adding a dash of style to your visit to Manitoba’s capital. Mere Hotel is one of the coolest hotels in its price range in the city.
Luxury
- Mariaggi’s Theme Hotel & Spa is a theme hotel featuring unique globe-trotting decor. Its accommodations whisk you from the Canadian Prairies to lands far away. Rooms include spa baths to add some relaxation to your journey.
- The Fairmont Winnipeg isn’t as famous as its sister properties elsewhere in Canada. Nonetheless, this popular 4-star hotel sits among the best in a limited selection of luxury hotels in Winnipeg. You’ll love everything here from the rooms to the amenities. Luxurious extras include an indoor pool, fitness centre, and restaurant.
Fort Garry
✓ Best neighbourhood to stay in Winnipeg for great local vibe & excellent restaurants
For escaping the buzz of central Winnipeg, consider staying in Fort Garry. Located south of the downtown core, Fort Garry is a mixed residential neighbourhood. It offers a quieter alternative for your Winnipeg trip.
Although it feels far more local than the city centre, Fort Garry is still a fantastic place to stay. It’s among the most diverse areas in Winnipeg.
Staying here you’ll encounter an impressive array of international restaurants. Most are centred along Pembina Highway. The selection include a blast of Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese options. There’s also a wide array of excellent Greek and Italian restaurants here. Most run along Corydon Avenue, the main thoroughfare of Winnipeg’s Little Italy neighbourhood.
In far west end of Fort Garry, you can relax in the sprawling Assiniboine Park. The park is home to the the Assiniboine Zoo and other family-friendly attractions. Or head south to gawk at the collection of dinosaur skeletons at the Ed Leith Cretaceous Menagerie on the University of Manitoba campus.
Most of the accommodation options in Fort Garry fall into the budget and mid-range for Winnipeg. For the small handful luxury hotels in Winnipeg, you’ll need to move further up north in the city centre.
Budget
- Queen Bee Hotel is a great option if saving money is more important than location. This no-frills hotel in Fort Garry offers simple but effective lodgings. Both the University of Manitoba and Trans-Canada Highway are close by.
- Holiday Inn Winnipeg South is located in the heart of the Fort Garry neighbourhood. This hotel delivers clean & comfortable accommodations and offers some of the best value in the area. Staying here you’ll also enjoy a handful of extras like an indoor pool, hot tub, and fitness centre.
- Four Points by Sheraton Winnipeg South dwells on Pembina Highway just minutes from the Trans-Canada. This excellent budget/mid-range hotel fulfills its brand’s promise. It offers guests clean modern rooms and an exacting set of amenities. Extras include an indoor pool, hot tub, and fitness centre.
Mid-Range
- Best Western Plus Pembina Inn & Suites is a top-rated Winnipeg hotel that’ll get you a tad closer to downtown than other hotels in Fort Garry. Book yourself into a spacious suite. You’ll enjoy more space & comfort than you’d find in the city centre at the price point. Extra amenities include a hot tub, pool, fitness centre. If you’re arriving or leaving by air, the hotel also offers a free airport shuttle service.
- Hilton Garden Inn Winnipeg South is an excellent mid-range hotel offering spacious rooms and a breadth of amenities. For shopping, there’s a handful of outlet stores in the hotel’s vicinity. CF Polo Park, one of the best places to shop in Winnipeg, is less than 15 minutes north by car.
- Hyatt House Winnipeg South Outlet Collection is a brand-new hotel in the west of Winnipeg South. It doesn’t get much better for mid-range travellers than this. For urban relaxation for adults and kids alike, Assiniboine Park and Assiniboine Park Zoo are less than a 10-minute drive away.
St. Boniface
✓ Best place to stay in Winnipeg for exploring Manitoba’s French Canadian culture & history
Once a separate city from Winnipeg, St. Boniface is east of downtown across the Red River. The neighbourhood is the epicentre of French culture in Manitoba. Saint Boniface is also home to one of the largest French Canadian communities west of Quebec.
St. Boniface centres upon Provencher Boulevard. As you roam around the area, you’ll stumble upon relaxing cafés & trendy restaurants showing off its French heritage. Around St. Boniface, you’re just as likely to encounter classic French dishes like beef bourguignon as Canadian ones.
History lovers will likewise love their stay in St. Boniface. The district is the birthplace of the legendary Métis leader Louis Riel. Riel led the Red River Rebellion and set the stage for the province of Manitoba to join the confederation.
A great place to start exploring the area’s heritage is at the Le Musée de Saint-Boniface Museum. This museum, designated a National Historic Site of Canada, occupies Winnipeg’s oldest building. Its exhibits weave the story of the Franco-Manitoban community. The permanent Louis Riel exhibition will be of particular interest to Canadian history buffs.
Unfortunately, there’s a limited selection of accommodations in St. Boniface. Most of the options outside of central Saint Boniface are chain hotels. There’s also handful of homestays, which at the time of publishing (fall 2020), show limited availability.
Budget
- Norwood Hotel is the most central of the small handful of hotels in Saint Boniface. The accommodations here are pleasant and comfortable, even if a little no-frills.
- Super 8 by Wyndham Winnipeg East is a bright, cheery & budget-friendly hotel located southeast of central St. Boniface. It’s a superb choice if you’re entering Winnipeg from the east and don’t mind staying on the outskirts of town rather than in the city centre.
Mid-Range
- Best Western Premier Winnipeg East is about a 15-minute ride to the heart of St. Boniface. The hotel is the best choice in Winnipeg’s east end thanks to its bright modern rooms. It also offers a range of family-friendly amenities including an indoor pool with a waterslide, hot tub, and lounge with fire tables.
- Travelodge by Wyndham Winnipeg East is a budget-friendly mid-range hotel just off of the Trans-Canada Highway. It’s located in the quiet Alpine Place neighbourhood. Bookings include extras like an indoor pool, hot tub, and sauna. The centre of St. Boniface is 10 minutes away by car.
