Yellowknife's unique spirit comes alive at The Explorer Hotel Yellowknife, where you can fuel up with a delicious meal at Traders Grill and stay connected with in-room WiFi. Previous guests have praised the hotel's welcoming atmosphere, 24-hour gym and helpful multilingual staff.
Yellowknife Veterans Memorial - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
Northern Frontier Visitors Center - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
Frame Lake Trail - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
Northern Arts and Cultural Centre - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre - 8 min walk - 0.7 km
Getting around
Yellowknife, NT (YZF) - 5 min drive
Free airport shuttle
Restaurants
Bluebell Eatery - 5 min walk
Quarry Restaurant - 5 min walk
Boston Pizza - 6 min walk
Quarry Lounge - 5 min walk
Red Apple - 3 min walk
About this property
The Explorer Hotel Yellowknife
Located just 3.2 mi (5.2 km) from the airport, The Explorer Hotel Yellowknife offers a free shuttle at scheduled times. Guests can visit the 24-hour fitness center for a workout or grab a bite to eat at Traders Grill, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
At a glance
DONE
Hotel size
259 rooms
Arranged over 8 floors
DONE
Arriving/Leaving
Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; Check-in end time: 11:00 AM
Early check-in subject to availability
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 18
Check-out time is 11 AM
Late check-out subject to availability
DONE
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
Guests driving to the property should contact this property in advance (e.g., directions)
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
DONE
Required at check-in
Credit card required for incidental charges
Government-issued photo ID may be required
Minimum check-in age is 18
DONE
Pets
Pets allowed (2 total)*
Service animals welcome
Specific rooms only*
WIFI
Internet
Free WiFi in public areas
Free WiFi in rooms
LOCAL_PARKING
Parking
Free onsite self parking
Wheelchair-accessible parking on site
DONE
Transfers
Free airport shuttle from 4:00 AM to 1:00 AM
DONE
Other information
Smoke-free property
Property amenities
Food and drink
Buffet breakfast (surcharge) on weekday mornings 7:00 AM–11:00 AM
Restaurant
Bar/lounge
Coffee/tea in a common area
Room service (limited hours)
Water dispenser
What to do
Hiking/biking trails nearby
Cross-country skiing nearby
Snowboarding nearby
Fishing nearby
Working away
24-hour business center
9 meeting rooms
Computer station
Conference center (7200 square feet of space)
Services
24-hour front desk
Concierge services
Dry cleaning/laundry services
Luggage storage
Wedding services
Multilingual staff
Facilities
Built in 1976
ATM/banking
Safe-deposit box at front desk
Communal living room
24-hour fitness center
Banquet hall
Reception hall
Accessibility
Elevator
Wheelchair accessible
Wheelchair-accessible path of travel
Wheelchair-accessible parking
Room amenities
Be entertained
46-inch flat-screen TV
Premium cable channels
Home comfort
Air conditioning and heating
Coffee/tea maker
Electric kettle
Slippers
Iron/ironing board
Sleep well
Blackout drapes/curtains
Premium bedding
Pillowtop mattress
Freshen up
Private bathroom
Shower/tub combination
Free toiletries
Hair dryer
Towels
Toilet paper
Stay connected
Desk
Free WiFi
Food and drink
Refrigerator
Microwave
More
Daily housekeeping
In-room safe
Connecting/adjoining rooms available
Guidebooks/recommendations
Local maps
Special features
Dining
Traders Grill - This restaurant serves breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner.
Trapline Lounge - This bar serves light fare only. Open daily.
Fees & policies
Optional extras
Buffet breakfast is offered for an extra charge of approximately CAD 18.00 to 32.00 per person
Early check-in can be arranged for an extra charge (subject to availability)
Late check-out can be arranged for an extra charge (subject to availability)
Children & extra beds
Rollaway beds are available for CAD 50.0 per day
Pets
Service animals exempt from fees
Pets are allowed for an extra charge of CAD 20 per pet, per night
Policies
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.
Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms.
Guests can rest easy knowing there's a fire extinguisher and a smoke detector on site.
This property accepts credit cards, debit cards and cash.
Credit cards accepted: Visa, Mastercard, American Express
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
Does The Explorer Hotel Yellowknife offer free cancellation for a full refund?
Yes, The Explorer Hotel Yellowknife does have fully refundable room rates available to book on our site. If you’ve booked a fully refundable room rate, this can be cancelled up to a few days before check-in depending on the property's cancellation policy. Just make sure to check this property's cancellation policy for the exact terms and conditions.
Are pets allowed at The Explorer Hotel Yellowknife?
Yes, pets are welcome, with a limit of 2 total. There's a charge of CAD 20 per pet, per night. Service animals are exempt from fees.
Is parking offered on site at The Explorer Hotel Yellowknife?
Yes, there's free self parking.
Is airport shuttle service offered by The Explorer Hotel Yellowknife?
Yes, a free airport shuttle is available from 4:00 AM to 1:00 AM at scheduled times.
What are the check-in and check-out times at The Explorer Hotel Yellowknife?
Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; Check-in end time: 11:00 AM. There's a charge for early check-in (subject to availability). Check-out time is 11 AM. Late check-out is available for a charge (subject to availability).
What is there to do at The Explorer Hotel Yellowknife and nearby?
During the winter, enjoy nearby recreation like cross-country skiing and snowboarding, and return when the snow melts for fishing and hiking. The Explorer Hotel Yellowknife also has a 24-hour fitness center.
Are there restaurants at or near The Explorer Hotel Yellowknife?
Yes, there's an onsite restaurant, Traders Grill.
What's the area around The Explorer Hotel Yellowknife like?
The Explorer Hotel Yellowknife is a short 2-minute walk from Yellowknife Veterans Memorial and 4 minutes' walk from Frame Lake Trail.
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Reviews
The Explorer Hotel Yellowknife Reviews
8.6
Excellent
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
8.6
Cleanliness
8.6
Location
8.6
Staff & service
8.2
Property conditions & facilities
Guest review summary
What guests liked
The airport shuttle service was convenient and free, making it a valuable amenity for guests. (7 reviews)
The hotel's gym had fairly new equipment and met the needs of guests. (3 reviews)
The breakfast options were great and the food was incredibly delicious. (4 reviews)
From real guest reviews summarized by AI.
Popular mentions
Room
Service staff
Food
Restaurant
Bed
View
Lounge
Location
Airport
Room service
Reviews
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Apr 5, 2026
Always a great rest with comfy beds and great food.
Cindy
Cindy, 1-night trip
Verified
8/10 Very good
Feb 7, 2026
Clean room
Very helpful staff
Marilyn
Marilyn, 3-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Nov 25, 2025
Great service, great food, great rooms.
George
George, 3-night trip
Verified
8/10 Very good
Nov 28, 2025
Good location. Well run hotel. We enjoyed our stay.
Robert
Robert, 3-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Oct 14, 2025
The room was very large and comfortable. We enjoyed the restaurant too.
Janet
Janet, 1-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Nov 11, 2025
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
Edwin Thomas
Edwin Thomas, 1-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Sep 9, 2025
Nice hotel in Yellowknife with easy access to key points of interest.
Traders Grill restaurant serves good food especially the Sunday Brunch!
Geoffrey
Geoffrey, 3-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Sep 27, 2025
best location. so nice stuff.
Daisuke
Daisuke, 1-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Feb 3, 2025
Best hotel in town. Good restaurant, tasty bison.
Glen
Glen, 1-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Jun 1, 2025
The hotel is very good located. The staff is very friendly. The fact of having an airport shuttle is another plus.
Karén
Karén, 1-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Mar 27, 2025
We really enjoyed our stay. Would stay again. Close to everything and great eating options on site. We particularly enjoyed the Trapper Lounge.
Tracy
Tracy, 3-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Jul 29, 2025
Great stay comfy
Darryl
Darryl, 1-night trip
Verified
8/10 Very good
Jun 6, 2025
This is a great hotel to stay at for easy access to Yellowknife downtown. Easy walking to restaurants, shops, and the Prince of Wales Centre. Perfect proximity to Frame Lake and Niven Lake walking trails as well.
Lisa
Lisa, 4-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Dec 20, 2024
Excellent service and facilities.
Deborah
Deborah, 5-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
May 14, 2025
Great spot in Yellowknife. Rooms are clean with good beds. Both the restaurant and bar serve good food and friendly staff.
Gary
Gary, 2-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Aug 1, 2025
Very comfortable
Daniel
Daniel, 1-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Aug 3, 2024
Comfy beds, great employees and clean room
Ian
Ian, 1-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Jul 3, 2025
Good experience. Very good breakfast this morning.
Morris
Morris, 1-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
May 27, 2024
Restaurant on site has Lovely view. Food is great.
Caroline
Caroline, 3-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Jun 29, 2025
The hotel, by Toronto standards, would be just average, but for Yellowknife it's one of the best hotels around. Super friendly staff. Room was clean and bed comfortable.conveniently located within walking distance of anything you might want to see in the city. Frame Lake trail is a short walk from the hotel entrance. Great 5.5 km hike around the lake.
Gregory
Gregory, 2-night trip
Verified
8/10 Very good
Jun 9, 2025
Good location. Rooms are a good size. Need a key in elevator which is good for security
Annette
Annette, 3-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
May 26, 2025
Easy check in. Clean room.
Brent
Brent, 1-night trip
Verified
10/10 Exceptional
Mar 23, 2025
We loved our stay at The Explorer Hotel. We had an early checkout and had activities planned after checkout and the team graciously accepted our request to help us store luggage.
They also offer free to and from airport shuttle which was super helpful considering this was our first time at Yellowknife.