St. John’s is one of my favourite cities in Canada, so much so that I visit every few years. I’ve gone whale watching and spotted icebergs on the Atlantic, hiked Signal Hill, run a 50k section of the East Coast Trail on two occasions, and become an honourary Newfoundlander after being Screeched-In.
The locals that call St. John’s home are some of the nicest you’ll ever meet, and they make you feel right at home. Everything feels so close, so try to make a conscious effort to stay right downtown when you visit. There are two main streets in downtown St. John’s – Duckworth St. and Water St. – and they run parallel. Stay near one of these streets, and you’re guaranteed a good time.
In this entry of Budget Travel Plans, we’ll take a look at the best hostels in downtown St. John’s – from the budget-friendly hostels and hotels to the more upscale accommodations. Ready to visit? Let’s find you a place to stay!
Budget-Friendly Hotels in Downtown St. John’s
To begin, we’ll look at budget-friendly accommodations in downtown St. John’s. These hotels and hostels start at less than $99/night.
The Duckworth Inn
| Address: | 331 Duckworth St, St. John’s, NL A1C 1G9 |
| Phone: | (709) 738-1802 |
| Hotel rating: | 3-star hotel |
| Location score: | 9.1 |
| Booking.com rating: | 7.6 |
| Google rating: | 4.2 |
| Room starting price: | $79/night |
The Duckworth Inn is my go-to when visiting St. John’s. Why? It’s in the middle of downtown St. John’s, it’s affordable, and the remote check-in process is AirBnB-like. The Duckworth also has an on-site restaurant and terrace, and each room comes with a mini fridge which is handy for leftovers.
Local’s Insider Tip
Try the fish and chips at the Duke of Duckworth right beside the Duckworth Inn. Or, seeing as you’ve saved some coin on this accommodation – head over to Chinched. They serve an upscale meal in a laid-back setting.
City Hostel
| Address: | 8 Gower St, St. John’s, NL A1C 1N1 |
| Phone: | (709) 754-4789 |
| Hotel rating: | 2-star hotel |
| Location score: | 9.6 |
| Hostel World rating: | 8.9 |
| Google rating: | 4.4 |
| Dorm starting price: | $40/night |
City Hostel is arguably the most budget-friendly accommodation in St. John’s. It’s a great option for those comfortable with dorm-style rooms and who want to be in the centre of it all. Hostels are one of the best ways solo travellers can meet people.
Local’s Insider Tip
Stroll down to Duckworth St to hit one of the best breweries in the area – Bannerman’s Brewery.
Mid-Tier Hotels in Downtown St. John’s
Next up, we’re taking a look at hotels that range from a starting price of around $100-$199/night.
Alt Hotel St. John’s
| Address: | 125 Water St, St. John’s, NL A1C 5X4 |
| Phone: | (709) 383-2125 |
| Hotel rating: | 3-star hotel |
| Location score: | 9.6 |
| Booking.com rating: | 9.0 |
| Google rating: | 4.7 |
| Room starting price: | $159/night |
The Alt Hotel ticks all the boxes for a hotel in downtown St. John’s. It’s centrally located on Water St., is a newer build with modern amenities, and has incredible harbour views. It has the best combination of location scores and ratings across Booking.com and Google.
Local’s Insider Tip
Looking for some fine dining? Hit up Portage or Terre. If cocktails are what you seek, check out the recently opened Papillon Cocktail Bar. Affordable vegetarian? Try the Peaceful Loft. All within just a one-minute walk from Alt Hotel.
Blue on Water
| Address: | 319 Water St, St. John’s, NL A1C 1B9 |
| Phone: | (709) 754-2583 |
| Hotel rating: | 4-star hotel |
| Location score: | 9.4 |
| Booking.com rating: | 9.1 |
| Google rating: | 4.4 |
| Room starting price: | $134/night |
Blue on Water is another hotel on Water St, bringing a beautiful aesthetic to their rooms with exposed brick. It’s important to note there are only 11 rooms, so it’s often booked up. Blue on Water also has an on-site restaurant and bar.
Local’s Insider Tip
Head across the street for shareable dishes, tacos, and oysters at the Adelaide Oyster House. Or stay out late on George St, just a two-minute walk from Blue on Water.
Murray Premises Hotel
| Address: | 5 Becks Cove, St. John’s, NL A1C 6H1 |
| Phone: | (709) 738-7773 |
| Hotel rating: | 3-star hotel |
| Location score: | 9.6 |
| Booking.com rating: | 8.6 |
| Google rating: | 4.5 |
| Room starting price: | $136/night |
Tucked behind Blue on Water, we find the Murray Premises Hotel. It’s in an incredible location in a historic building. Rooms include a full bath, and the view overlooking St. John’s Harbour and the Narrows is a nice bonus.
Local’s Insider Tip
Similar to our tips for Blue on Water, I’d recommend heading to Adelaide Oyster House. Or, try Christian’s Bar on George St. It’s a great spot to get Screeched-In!
JAG Boutique Hotel
| Address: | 115 George St W, St. John’s, NL A1C 0B7 |
| Phone: | (709) 738-1524 |
| Hotel rating: | 4-star hotel |
| Location score: | 8.7 |
| Booking.com rating: | 9.2 |
| Google rating: | 4.5 |
| Room starting price: | $149/night |
JAG Boutique Hotel is on George St. That said, it’s not on the party section of the street and is a 5-minute walk to the infamous George St bar scene. Although it has one of the lower location scores on this list, it’s still an 8.7. It’s close enough to the action but quiet enough to get a good night’s rest without hearing the bars until 3:00 am.
Local’s Insider Tip
Head to the Newfoundland Embassy Pub and Eatery for live music and beers on tap.
Delta Hotels by Marriott St. John’s Conference Centre
| Address: | 120 New Gower St, St. John’s, NL A1C 6K4 |
| Phone: | (709) 739-6404 |
| Hotel rating: | 4-star hotel |
| Location score: | 9.2 |
| Booking.com rating: | 8.5 |
| Google rating: | 4.3 |
| Room starting price: | $179/night |
Delta Hotels by Marriott boasts some of the better amenities on this list, including an indoor pool, fitness centre, squash courts, and hot tub and sauna.
Local’s Insider Tip
Catch a Newfoundland Growlers game over at Mary Brown’s Centre. The Newfoundland Growlers are the ECHL affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Hilton Garden Inn St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada
| Address: | 150 New Gower St, St. John’s, NL A1C 0C1 |
| Phone: | (709) 383-1310 |
| Hotel rating: | 3-star hotel |
| Location score: | 8.9 |
| Booking.com rating: | 8.1 |
| Google rating: | 4.0 |
| Room starting price: | $130/night |
Hilton Garden Inn is in a similar pocket of St. John’s as the Delta and JAG. It’s a good option if you’re in town for business at the St. John’s Convention Centre. They’re an on-site indoor pool, fitness centre, and restaurant.
Local’s Insider Tip
Head to Leo’s Restaurant for some classic fish and chips. It’s one of Rick Mercer’s favourite spots in St. John’s.
DoubleTree by Hilton St. John’s Harbourview
| Address: | 2 Hill O’ Chips, St. John’s, NL A1C 6B1 |
| Phone: | (709) 383-1475 |
| Hotel rating: | 3-star hotel |
| Location score: | 9.2 |
| Booking.com rating: | 8.4 |
| Google rating: | 4.1 |
| Room starting price: | $138/night |
Double Tree by Hilton features a fitness centre, restaurant, bar, and lovely harbour view. It’s also one of the closer accommodations to Signal Hill.
Local’s Insider Tip
Head to the Terry Fox memorial on Water Street to find Mile 0 of the Marathon of Hope.
Monastery Hotel
| Address: | 63 Patrick St, St. John’s, NL A1E 2S5 |
| Phone: | (709) 754-5800 |
| Hotel rating: | 4-star hotel |
| Location score: | 8.6 |
| Booking.com rating: | 8.2 |
| Google rating: | 3.2 |
| Room starting price: | $187/night |
Monastery Hotel is a two-story hotel on the southwest end of St. John’s Harbour. It’s home to Monastery Spa & Medispa, and the hotel rooms have the option of an in-suite jacuzzi.
Local’s Insider Tip
Head to the Rooms – a renowned museum and art gallery.
Sheraton Hotel Newfoundland
| Address: | 115 Cavendish Square, St. John’s, NL A1C 3K2 |
| Phone: | (709) 726-4980 |
| Hotel rating: | 4-star hotel |
| Location score: | 9.1 |
| Booking.com rating: | 8.1 |
| Google rating: | 4.2 |
| Room starting price: | $170/night |
The Sheraton Hotel features an indoor pool, fitness studio, and on-site restaurant and bar. They also have one of the nicer indoor terraces with real trees.
Local’s Insider Tip
Head to Bannerman’s Brewing Co. or Brewdock for some of the best craft beers in the city.
Courtyard by Marriott St. John’s Newfoundland
| Address: | 131 Duckworth St, St. John’s, NL A1C 1E9 |
| Phone: | (709) 722-6636 |
| Hotel rating: | 3-star hotel |
| Location score: | 9.3 |
| Booking.com rating: | 8.3 |
| Google rating: | 4.4 |
| Room starting price: | $134/night |
Courtyard by Marriott is located on Duckworth St at the harbour’s north end.
Local’s Insider Tip
Head to Mat Catter Cafe for a unique experience – coffee with cats! Or, hop in a taxi or take a short drive to Quidi Vidi for beers with Linda at Inne of Old Pub or Quidi Vidi Brewery.
Luxury Hotels in Downtown St. John’s
Lastly, let’s check out the luxury options for stays in downtown St. John’s. Accommodations in this section start at over $200/night.
Ryan Mansion
| Address: | 21 Rennies Mill Rd, St. John’s, NL A1C 3P9 |
| Phone: | (709) 771-4841 |
| Hotel rating: | 5-star hotel |
| Location score: | 9.6 |
| Booking.com rating: | 9.3 |
| Google rating: | 4.0 |
| Room starting price: | $250/night |
Ryan’s Mansion is one of the two 5-star hotels in St. John’s, Bannerman Suites being the other. King Charles and queen consort Camilla stayed at Ryan’s Mansion during their 2009 Royal Visit.
Fun fact – Ryan Mansion’s Grand Staircase was built in the same style and by the same artisan who made Titanic’s Grand Staircase.
Local’s Insider Tip
Head to Portage or Terre for upscale food to match your experience at Ryan’s Mansion.
Further Reading
Looking for more accommodations in Canada? Read our articles below:
- 18 Best Hotels in Downtown Calgary
- 6 Best Hostels in and around Whistler
- 3 Best Hostels in Jasper National Park
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