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The Explorer Hotel Yellowknife

3.5 star property
Hotel in Yellowknife with airport shuttle service and a 24-hour fitness center

Choose dates to view prices

The Explorer Hotel Yellowknife captures the city's unique spirit. Guests enjoy delicious meals at Traders Grill and stay connected with in-room WiFi. The welcoming atmosphere and helpful multilingual staff earn praise from visitors who appreciate the convenient 24-hour gym.

Reviews

8.6 out of 10
Excellent

Popular amenities

  • Gym
  • Bar
  • 24/7 front desk

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 6 of 6 rooms

View all photos for Standard Room, 1 King Bed

Standard Room, 1 King Bed | Premium bedding, pillowtop beds, in-room safe, desk

Standard Room, 1 King Bed

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
(26 reviews)

Highlights

Air conditioning
Heating
Connecting rooms available
Free cribs/infant beds
Refrigerator
Flat-screen TV
Pillowtop bed
Blackout drapes/curtains
  • 39 sq m
  • Lake view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Deluxe Room, 1 King Bed

Deluxe Room, 1 King Bed | Premium bedding, pillowtop beds, in-room safe, desk

Deluxe Room, 1 King Bed

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
(20 reviews)

Highlights

Air conditioning
Heating
Connecting rooms available
Free cribs/infant beds
Refrigerator
Flat-screen TV
Pillowtop bed
Blackout drapes/curtains
  • 30 sq m
  • Lake view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Superior Two Queen Room

Premium bedding, pillowtop beds, in-room safe, desk

Superior Two Queen Room

  • Sleeps 4

View all photos for Superior King Room

Premium bedding, pillowtop beds, in-room safe, desk

Superior King Room

  • Sleeps 2

View all photos for Deluxe Two Queen Room

Premium bedding, pillowtop beds, in-room safe, desk

Deluxe Two Queen Room

  • Sleeps 4

View all photos for Deluxe King Room

Premium bedding, pillowtop beds, in-room safe, desk

Deluxe King Room

  • Sleeps 2

About the neighborhood

Map
4825 49 Avenue, Yellowknife, NT, X1A2R3

What's nearby

  • Yellowknife Veterans Memorial - 2 min walk - 0.1 miles
  • Frame Lake Trail - 3 min walk - 0.2 miles
  • Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre - 6 min walk - 0.4 miles
  • Ragged Ass Rd - 13 min walk - 0.7 miles
  • Bush Pilot's Monument - 3 min drive - 1.2 miles

Getting around

  • Yellowknife, NT (YZF) - 5 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Bluebell Eatery - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪Boston Pizza - ‬6 min walk
  • ‪Black Knight Pub - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪Birchwood Coffee Ko - ‬6 min walk
  • ‪Zehabesha Traditional Ethiopian Food - ‬7 min walk

About this property

The Explorer Hotel Yellowknife

Property highlights
You can look forward to a free roundtrip airport shuttle, dry cleaning/laundry services, and a bar at The Explorer Hotel Yellowknife. The on-site restaurant, Traders Grill, offers breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner. Stay connected with free in-room WiFi, and guests can find other amenities such as a 24-hour gym and a 24-hour business center.
You'll also enjoy the following perks during your stay:
  • Free self parking
  • Buffet breakfast (surcharge), a computer station, and coffee/tea in the lobby
  • ATM/banking services, an elevator, and smoke-free premises
Room features
All 259 rooms offer comforts such as premium bedding and laptop-friendly workspaces, in addition to thoughtful touches like free WiFi and air conditioning.
More amenities include:
  • Bathrooms with shower/tub combinations and free toiletries
  • 46-inch flat-screen TVs with premium channels
  • Wardrobes/closets, refrigerators, and microwaves

Awards and affiliations

Eco-Certified Property
This property participates in Green Key Global, a program that measures the property's impact on one or more of the following: environment, community, cultural-heritage, the local economy.

Similar properties

Interior detail
Chateau Nova Yellowknife
  • Pet friendly
  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi
  • Restaurant
8.6 out of 10, Excellent, 1,124 reviews
Chateau Nova Yellowknife

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Free roundtrip airport shuttle from 6:00 AM to 1:00 AM at scheduled times
  • Free self parking on site
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking available

Food and drink

  • Buffet breakfast available for a fee 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM on weekdays and 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM on weekends; CAD 18 to 32 per person
  • A bar/lounge
  • A restaurant
  • Coffee and tea in common areas

Restaurants on site

  • Traders Grill
  • Trapline Lounge

Things to do

  • 24-hour gym

Family friendly

  • In-room microwave
  • In-room refrigerator

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk
  • ATM
  • Guidebooks
  • Luggage storage
  • Safe at front desk
  • Vending machine
  • Water dispenser

Guest services

  • Concierge services
  • Dry cleaning/laundry service
  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Multilingual staff
  • Wedding services

Business services

  • 24-hour business center
  • 9 meeting rooms
  • Computer station
  • Conference center (7,200 square feet of space)

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Elevator
  • Wheelchair accessibility
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible path of travel

More

  • 8 floors
  • Ballroom
  • Banquet hall
  • Built in 1976
  • Communal living room
  • Reception hall
  • Smoking not allowed

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Blackout drapes
  • Pillowtop mattress
  • Premium bedding

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Shampoo
  • Shower/bathtub combination
  • Slippers
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • 46-inch flat-screen TV with premium cable channels

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Electric kettle
  • Limited room service
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Connecting rooms available
  • Desk
  • Heating
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Laptop workspace
  • Safe

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; Check-in end time: 11:00 AM
Early check-in subject to availability
Early check-in is available for a fee
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11 AM
Late check-out subject to availability
A late check-out fee will be charged

Special check-in instructions

Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions; front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 24 hours before arrival using the information on the booking confirmation
If you are planning to arrive after 9:00 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

Pets allowed for an extra charge of CAD 20 per pet, per night
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
2 total pets
Specific rooms only; pet-friendly rooms can be requested by contacting the property at the number on the booking confirmation

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are available for CAD 50.0 per day

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

  • Fee for buffet breakfast: approximately CAD 18.00 to 32.00 per person
  • Pet fee: CAD 20 per pet, per night
  • Service animals are exempt from fees
  • Early check-in is available for a fee (subject to availability)
  • Late check-out is available for a fee (subject to availability)
  • Rollaway bed fee: CAD 50.0 per day

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards, debit cards, and cash
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a smoke detector

We should mention

Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms
The property has connecting/adjoining rooms, which are subject to availability and can be requested by contacting the property using the number on the booking confirmation

Property is also known as

Explorer Hotel
Explorer Hotel Yellowknife
Explorer Yellowknife
Hotel Explorer
The Explorer Yellowknife
The Explorer Hotel Yellowknife Hotel
The Explorer Hotel Yellowknife Yellowknife
The Explorer Hotel Yellowknife Hotel Yellowknife

Frequently asked questions

Is The Explorer Hotel Yellowknife pet-friendly?

Yes, this hotel allows pets (limit 2 total). There's a fee of CAD 20 per pet, per night. Service animals are exempt from fees.

How much is parking?

Self parking is free at this property.

What time is check-in at The Explorer Hotel Yellowknife?

Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; Check-in end time: 11:00 AM. A fee applies for early check-in (subject to availability). Late check-in is available during limited hours.

What time is check-out at The Explorer Hotel Yellowknife?

Check-out is at 11 AM. Late check-out is available for a fee (subject to availability).

Does The Explorer Hotel Yellowknife provide a shuttle to the airport?

Yes, there's a free airport shuttle that runs 6:00 AM–1:00 AM at scheduled times.

Where is The Explorer Hotel Yellowknife located?

Situated in Yellowknife, this hotel is steps from Yellowknife Veterans Memorial and Northern Frontier Visitors Center. Frame Lake Trail and Northern Arts and Cultural Centre are also within 5 minutes.

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The Explorer Hotel Yellowknife Reviews

Reviews

8.6

Excellent

Rating 10 - Excellent. 294 out of 616 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 221 out of 616 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 55 out of 616 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 28 out of 616 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 18 out of 616 reviews

8.6/10

Cleanliness

8.6/10

Staff & service

8.0/10

Amenities

8.2/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.4/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Edwin Thomas

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Best sleep i have ever had in a hotel. Bed was the most comfortable, and my room was the quietest i have ever had. More than equal to any Hilton anywhere
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lola

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Good property /hotel for a stay in Yellowknife
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

Scott

Liked: Staff & service, amenities
Nice property, wasn’t happy that we couldn’t get into the restaurant!
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

Amanda

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Clean, comfortable, safe

The location was convenient to town while still feeling safe. The room was clean and comfortable, and the hotel staff were friendly and helpful. Glad we picked this hotel over some of the others in town!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Darryl

Liked: Amenities
Great stay comfy
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

2/10 Terrible

Souhail

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
There is a monopoly of hotels in Yellowknife. The properties do not need to maintain high standards of service or be amainable to guests needs. They care very little about providing a positive experience. If you're dissatisfied, oh well...there are plenty of other customers looking for a room. Unfortunate and shameful.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Caroline

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Restaurant on site has Lovely view. Food is great.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

8/10 Good

cyrus

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It was clean and comfertable.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

richard

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great food
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2023

8/10 Good

Lisa

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities

Cheaper rates booking directly with hotel!!

Stay was satisfactory. Restaurant closes at 1:30-5pm daily and Lounge doesn’t open until 4. Bed was older and pillows very small and firm for a kingsize bed. However, will book directly with hotel in the future as they are cheaper than Hotels.com
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Marc-Andre

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great staff (convivial and attentive as well as very professional). Well-equipped gym. Clean and comfortable room. Convenient location. Good restaurant.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

shadreck

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Good place to rest

I had an excellent experience, and all staff members went above and beyond
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023

6/10 Okay

Mark

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Very nice rooms, kind staff, and great location, within walking distance of downtown and Old Town. On one day the shower stopped fully functioning with almost no pressure. The food was also mediocre but very expensive. All in all, a nice hotel to stay, but very pricy for the quality of services.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Karl

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Loved the view outside and atmosphere of the dining area. The food was delicious. Nice lobby area great shuttle service. The lounge was cozy. The beds were very comfortable. The only thing it lacked, was a little store to get toothpaste or other essentials and snacks. Or at least I never saw one.
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2023

8/10 Good

KRISTI

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
The staff are always very friendly and helpful. The rooms need an upgrade and the grout in the bathroom was quite in need of redoing. However those rooms are always so clean and housekeeping does a great job.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2022

6/10 Okay

kevin

Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice place, good food and room service. Tv package is not the greatest, no guide channel
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2022

8/10 Good

Errol

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Excellent property that is within close proximity (10 mins drive) of the airport with a free airport shuttle. The hotel caters to several of the northern lights tour operators. The hotel rooms are spacious which is great for storing all your extra winter gear. The breakfast options are great and so is the staff service throughout the hotel. There is also a gym with fairly new equipment, meeting rooms and conference rooms. The hotel also offers luggage storage, which can be quite convenient depending on your arrival/departure time. Guests can easily walk from the hotel to nearby stores if you need any groceries/pharmacy supplies. Similarly the Northern Heritage Centre (a museum) is within walking distance to the hotel. Our bathroom was a little dated, but comfortable enough for short trips. All in all, this is a good, reliable hotel with excellent service and I would stay here again.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2024

6/10 Okay

Lauren

Disliked: Staff & service
Mediocre at best
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

marlon

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Well maintained and cleanliness is exemplary. Elevator-have to use card inside the elevator and it takes time for the card reader to clear from the previous card before one can swipe his card and the elevator is moving and so it may be a little late to press which floor this guy is going.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2022

8/10 Good

Jeff

Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This is a good property, not a great property. It's by most accounts one of the top-2 properties in YK. So, if you stay at the Explorer you will be happy. The Trader's Grill restaurant just off the lobby is lovely, with huge copper fire place and a panoramic view of some northern boreal woods. The menus is solid, and the food is quite tasty at decent prices. That's the strength. It's an older building, so the rooms are smaller which is fine. But they are in mediocre condition. For example, there were stains on the bench, and carpet that were very large (1 square foot or so), and numerous parts of the room that were in poor repair like a dropping window sill, a bedside lamp that was well off it's base... I don't want to make it sound like a dump. It's not. It's just not up to the condition you might expect. While the Explorer is a fine choice and one you won't be disappointed in, particularly due to the airport shuttle, it is simply worse in almost every conceivable way by a large margin to the Chateau Nova, which is the main competition and priced even slightly lower with all of the same amenities and being legitimately right next door. In no world should you consider the Explorer over Chateau Nova, unless you value the superior dining experience. That said, if you're eating in your hotel and not in Old Town regularly, then you are already doing YK completely wrong. It's a decent place, it's just a distant second in its class, that's all.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Karine

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Super
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Daisuke

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
best location. so nice stuff.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

David

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great hotel.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

Helga

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
The public spaces were lovely and very well maintained but the guest rooms were dated and in need of an upgrade.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Geoffrey

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Nice hotel in Yellowknife with easy access to key points of interest. Traders Grill restaurant serves good food especially the Sunday Brunch!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

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