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Planning a trip to Churchill,
Manitoba? This Churchill hotels guide will make it easier than
it's ever been to locate and evaluate Churchill hotels from anywhere
in the world. We've got the full run-down on all Churchill hotels so
you can easily find the one that best suits your needs.
What to Expect
from Churchill Hotels
Bear in mind (pun
intended), that Churchill, Manitoba is a very remote little town -
about as remote as it gets. Accessible only by train or plane, the
nearest metropolitan center (Winnipeg, Manitoba), is two days away by
train, or 2 hours by plane. This remoteness is part of what gives
Churchill its appeal. Just 900 residents and a whole lot of polar
bears literally co-existing together in rustic isolation. In a place
this remote, supplies can only be brought in by train or ship. Don't
expect the Radisson, Holiday Inn or Hilton among Churchill Hotels.
Not even the Super 8. There are no hotel franchises or chains in the
rusticness of polar bear county - people go to Churchill for
adventure, not luxury. But what you will find are a decent number of
warm, welcoming, clean, comfortable and cozy little hotels in
Churchill, the staff of which are typically extremely hospitable,
friendly and eager to ensure your stay is a pleasant one. Each of the
Churchill hotels tends to offer something a little different in the
visitor experience, so we've broken that down here for your ease and
convenience. Enjoy your trip to Churchill.
Top of the Line
Churchill Hotels
The Aurora
Inn and the Seaport Hotel are top of the line in Churchill as far as
accommodations go. They are your best bets if what you want is
something as close as possible to a Super 8 Motel.
THE AURORA INN
 The
Aurora Inn is
a full suite hotel; each suite features 2 levels, vaulted ceilings
and comes with a fully equipped kitchen, dinette, living room,
2nd-level loft style bedroom and full bath, as well as 2
televisions (plasma in the living room, smaller tv in the bedroom)
and VCRs, and cable TV with movie station.. Complimentary coffee and
tea are included in each suite, and complimentary laundry service is
available. With each suite featuring a fully equipped kitchen, there
is no restaraunt (or cocktail lounge) on the premises, and no
continental breakfast included, but this should pose no problem as
the hotel is located within steps of Churchill's restaraunts and
lounges (incuding those offered at some of the other hotels).
With its spacious, fully equipped
suites, the Aurora is the ideal place to stay if you enjoy having
some room to spread yourself out in, if you are planning an extended
stay in Churchill, or if you are travelling as a family or with
children. The suites will comfortably accommodate four to six people.
 Like
most Churchill Hotels, the Aurora Inn is located within a couple
minute's walk of the train station, which is convenient if you will
be flying into Winnipeg, and then enjoying the 2-day train trip from
Winnipeg to Churchill as part of your experience. Shopping and
recreation are all within a couple minute's walk.
Those arriving by train will be
pleased to know that the Aurora will allow you to check in early
upon your arrival in Churchill at no additional cost, provided your
room is not occupied. They offer complimentary luggage storage after
checkout time if needed. In the low season on check out day you may
keep the room until your plane or train departs for $50, assuming it
is not booked for other guests. This is terrific for those waiting to
board the 10 PM train.
 The
Aurora offers a 10% senior's discount.
The cost of a double room is
$149/night (Seniors Rate is $134) throughout most of the year as of
this writing, however, as with all Churchill Hotels, the rate in
prime polar bear season is higher.
The Seaport Hotel
The
Seaport Hotel
The Seaport Hotel in the heart of
Churchill is a newer facility among Churchill hotels. It offers 21
modern and comfortable rooms, all equipped with cable television,
fridge, microwave and coffee maker. This full-service hotel also
features an on-site dining room, coffee shop, lounge, and bar for
your comfort, convenience and pleasure. The 71-seat Reef Dining Room
offers a well rounded menu featuring everything from club house
sandwiches to flame broiled steaks, Arctic Char, as well as European
cuisine. Guests from the other Churchill hotels often head over to
the Seaport's dining room to enjoy a meal, and menu prices are not unreasonable.
The Seaport will allow you to
check in early upon your arrival in Churchill at no additional cost,
provided your room is not occupied. They offer complimentary luggage
storage after checkout time if needed. In the low season on check out
day you may keep the room until your plane or train departs for $65,
assuming it is not booked for other guests. This is terrific for
those waiting to board the 10 PM train.
Free shuttle to airport or train
station is offered (4 minute walk to train station).
The Seaport offers a senior's discount.
No continental breakfast.
The cost of a double room is
$115/night (Senior's rate is $105) throughout most of the year as of
this writing, however, as with all Churchill Hotels, the rate in
prime polar bear season is higher.
Other Churchill Hotels
Tundra Inn
The Tundra Inn is cozy, clean,
comfortable and friendly, but the rooms are not to the same asthetic
finish as the two previously listed Churchill hotels ( the Seaport
and Aurora).However, the hotel offers 31 relatively spacious rooms,
each with good amenities which include: double or queen size beds;
private bath and shower; cable television; phones; internet
connection; coffee maker, and hair dryers. In house laundry
facilities and a common kitchenette are available for guest's use.
A continental breakfast is
available December-September.
A licenced dining room and
cocktail lounge adjacent to the hotel is open June through November
and provide true northern hospitality.
The owner's of the Tundra Inn
also operate Churchill's Aurora Domes, a warm and comortable facility
used for observing the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) in the
comfort of your shirt sleeves. The domes were constructed for this
express purpose and were used by scientists when the Churchill
Research Range was operational. The Aurora Domes are located 3 miles
past the Churchill Airport and away from the lights of the town of
Churchill, situated on the Tundra, adjacent to the Taiga. Viewing is
usually over a 4 or 5 hour period, beginning around 7:30 or 8:00 P.M.
and ending around 12:00 to 1:00 A.M., depending on the amount of
Aurora. While awaiting the Aurora to appear, books and a light snack
and beverages are available. Best viewing times are in January,
February and March. Guests of other Churchilll hotels are welcome to
visit the Aurora Domes, you do not have to be a guest of the Tundra
Inn to have access.
The Iceberg Inn
The Iceberg Inn is one of the
smaller Churchill hotels. Hospitable, friendly, and clean - but very basic.
Offering eight guest rooms, each
with 2 twin beds, it has the look and feel of a B and B, more so than
a hotel. However, each room has a full bathroom, table, 2 chairs,
small fridge and cable television.
Also available for guest's use
are a common area with a microwave, complimentary coffee, tea and hot
chocolate, cable television, VCR, telephone, internet access, plus
free laundry facilities.
One wheelchair accessible room.
All of the rooms are non-smoking.
Close to train station.
Dick Hunter, owner, operator and
long term resident is a great source for local information, helping
to make your Churchill visit enjoyable and memorable.
If a quaint and cosy feel is up
your alley for your Churchill experience, the Iceberg Inn may offer appeal.
The Iceberg Inn will allow you to
check in early upon your arrival in Churchill at no additional cost,
provided your room is not occupied. They offer complimentary luggage
storage after checkout time if needed.
No continental breakfast.
The cost of a double room is
$85/night throughout most of the year as of this writing, however, as
with all Churchill Hotels, the rate in prime polar bear season is higher.
The Iceberg Inn is a member of
Canada Select with a 2 1/2 star rating. |
