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
Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre - 6 min walk - 0.6 km
Ragged Ass Rd - 13 min walk - 1.1 km
Getting around
Yellowknife, NT (YZF) - 5 min drive
Free airport shuttle
Restaurants
Bluebell Eatery - 5 min walk
Boston Pizza - 6 min walk
Javaroma - 7 min walk
Mike Marks - 6 min walk
Quarry Restaurant - 5 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
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 6:00 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.
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.
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 6:00 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 3 minutes' walk from Northern Frontier Visitors Center.
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The Explorer Hotel Yellowknife Reviews
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.More informationOpens in a new window
8.6/10
Cleanliness
8.6/10
Staff & service
8.0/10
Amenities
8.2/10
Property conditions & facilities
8.4/10
Eco-friendliness
Popular mentions
Room
Service staff
Food
Restaurant
Bed
View
Location
Lounge
Room service
Downtown
What guests liked
The property offers a convenient and free airport shuttle service. (6 reviews)
The on-site restaurants and bar served good food with friendly staff. (4 reviews)
Breakfast options were great and the service was excellent. (3 reviews)
From real guest reviews summarized by AI.
Reviews
8/10 Very good
Aug 8, 2025
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!
Amanda
Amanda, 3-night trip
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
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
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
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
10/10 Exceptional
Feb 3, 2025
Best hotel in town. Good restaurant, tasty bison.
Glen
Glen, 1-night trip
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
10/10 Exceptional
May 26, 2025
Easy check in. Clean room.
Brent
Brent, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Dec 20, 2024
Excellent service and facilities.
Deborah
Deborah, 5-night trip
8/10 Very good
Mar 30, 2024
We liked the hotel
Jose
Jose, 3-night trip
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.
Anuroop
Anuroop, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
May 27, 2024
Restaurant on site has Lovely view. Food is great.
Caroline
Caroline, 3-night trip
8/10 Very good
Jan 9, 2025
It was clean and comfertable.
cyrus
cyrus, 2-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Jan 6, 2024
Everything is good, best hotel in yellowknife
.
Donghuan
Donghuan, 5-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Jan 17, 2023
Comfy bed and room service was excellent!
Shannon
8/10 Very good
May 21, 2025
Expedia had failed to reserve 2 rooms, but at the check in we were above to book another room at about $400 less for the 3 nights than Expedia would have charged.
Robert
Robert, 3-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Aug 3, 2024
Comfy beds, great employees and clean room
Ian
Ian, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Jan 13, 2023
Great food
richard
richard, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Sep 19, 2022
The room was wonderful, comfortable bed, great view. Enjoyed my stay
NANCY
NANCY, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
May 22, 2024
Very clean and very friendly
Brenda
Brenda, 1-night trip
8/10 Very good
Apr 1, 2025
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
Lisa
Lisa, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Jan 4, 2024
We had a nice Christmas vacation
Donna
Donna, 3-night trip
8/10 Very good
May 27, 2024
The property is close to all amenities downtown
Annette
Annette, 2-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Apr 15, 2023
My favorite place to stay in Yellowknife. The beds a very very comfortable. Staff very friendly. Food very good.