Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
The Prince Arthur Waterfront Hotel offers the best location in the city overlooking Lake Superior and the vibrant Waterfront District. With fantastic views over the bay to Sleeping Giant Provincial Park, this large and charming hotel abounds with true northern hospitality. Built in 1911, the hotel is an iconic property steeped in history. From the stunning sweeping staircase and classic period ballroom, to superior lakeview suites and the gourmet Portside restaurant, the Prince Arthur Waterfront Hotel offers irresistibly classic experiences. Prince Arthur’s Landing & Marina Park with its children’s splash park, playgrounds, sailing tours, lakeshore promenades, festivals and restaurants are minutes away by foot. The eclectic downtown Waterfront District is also steps away. Here you’ll find independent boutiques selling clothing, antiques and jewellery, as well as world-class restaurants, cafés and bars. Choose the Prince Arthur Waterfront Hotel for its history, quality and location
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Classic
Harbour View
Languages Spoken
English
Location
17 Cumberland St N, Thunder Bay, Ontario P7A 4K8 Canada
The Prince Arthur Waterfront Hotel
3 reviews
Getting there
Good for walkers
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
It was a long drive to Thunder Bay and when we arrived many hotels were booked or too pricey. I should have booked ahead, regardless, it was a blessing to get a room at The Prince Arthur Waterfront Hotel. I agree with the other reviewers that the area around the hotel is sketchy. There's a big parking lot available for guests and it's right near the waterfront and other attractions so the location of the hotel is really good but I would avoid walking around the area at night. As for the hotel, it has old world charm being that the hotel first opened in 1911 and that makes it quite unique. Amenities include a swimming pool, jacuzzi, a restaurant on site, and waterfront rooms. The small elevator is classic and it's amazing how that small elevator transports so many guests. We stayed on the fifth floor and had a pleasant room overlooking Lake Superior. Everything was fine in the room except the towels could be better. The front desk is outstanding. They're friendly, helpful, and shining stars. Everyone I encountered at the front desk was exceptional. Although the hotel is a bit pricey, my boyfriend and I are glad we stayed at The Prince Arthur Waterfront Hotel. We were impressed with the location on Lake Superior, the nostalgic setting, views of the waterfront, and a relaxing room. Thank You to The Prince Arthur Waterfront Hotel.
Read more
Date of stay: August 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
These reviews are machine translated from their original language. Show machine translations?
The hotel is centrally located in Downtown Toronto overlooking Lake Superior. The hotel is tired and has a great need for upgrading and cleaning curtains and wall surfaces. Moisture stains in the roof. Unable to open the window. The only possibility of ventilation is through a noisy air conditioner where the filter has probably not been cleaned for the last 10 years. Generally worn, both room and common area. The hotel could be good if upgrade happened. Friendly staff who do their best. The hotel attracts guests who do not draw the impression. A lot of noise and unfortunate events that make that there is always security present.
Read more
Automatically translated
Date of stay: September 2024Trip type: Travelled on business
Room Tip:Finn annet hotell
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Centrally located with reasonable room rates, this property has probably seen better days, and it needs some TLC and some badly needed refresh of furnishings and finishes, but it’s also of significant historic interest, as this was probably the grandest hotel in this town at some point in the distant past. Guests can walk to the waterfront or CBD, and half the rooms have views of the lake toward the majestic Sleeping Giant. Think of the possibilities and the potential here! All things considered, the hotel delivers on most of the basics: cleanliness, adequate room temperature control, noise levels under control, reasonably comfortable bed, good toilet pressure and water temperature controls in the bathroom, decent lighting options in the room, enough electrical outlets to charge your piles of modern junk, workable wi-fi, and fairly competent housekeeping. If you need to save some money for your trip to Thunder Bay, this is a viable option.
Read more
Date of stay: June 2022
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
If I could give 0 stars I would. I had my sister in law give us a “free jacuzzi suite / breakfast for 2 “ that she won at one of the local events, she would never use it, so she gave it to my husband and I. We planned a whole night get away from the kid and dog. Read the good and the bad reviews but still decided to give it a chance as it was free. We got there and were immediately greeted with a dirty smell, musty carpets /stale cigarettes / body door. The lady at the front desk was very nice and we got our keys right away, can’t get your keys without signing a contract to ensure there is no smoking in your rooms/ regular hotel stuff. We started to go to our room which was on the 5th floor and noticed a strong scent of booze in the elevator, it kind of smelt yeasty, very off putting. Once we got up to our floor we were wonderfully greeted with some characters high on something ( don’t bring your kids here) we got to our room and it actually was kept clean, no bed bugs but very outdated. Loud pipes when you flush/use the shower. The jacuzzi was the BEST feature of this room, well enjoyed. The room was very hot and you have no control over the heat, ours was turned off and it was still going on/off all night. The windows open but are so small NO BREEZE came in (we were facing the giant so I expected a breeze from the lake). On top of everything else someone in the rooms below/ beside us were up all night screaming, slamming doors, chain smoking pot/ cigarettes out their windows (which then came directly into our windows). Please note I am 34 weeks pregnant so my senses are extremely heightened, but I smelt a “poopy” scent all night I was terrified to look under the bed just in case I touched something that was harmful. I am very glad we payed nothing for this stay and I will not be returning as well as telling people to spend their 200$ on a hotel that’s NOT here. P.s you’re in an area with high homeless traffic so expect to get asked for money if you want to go to any of the great restaurants around that area. P.p.s we did not stay for breakfast as the restaurant had a B rating and who could have an appetite with the smell of old booze/ armpits?
Read more
Date of stay: March 2024
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Go to a different hotel :)
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Liked · The room was clean and the shower was hot; although the water temp fluctuated with someone using the bathroom taps! Great location if you wanted to go to the marina or be right downtown.
Disliked · For the price of the room it was over priced. I understand this is a historical building BUT the room was dated, an older window shaker a/c unit for cooling, holes in the curtains, dated bathroom and the bed was super uncomfortable; it was like sleeping on a sheet of plywood. Breakfast was to be included. We went to the dining area and no staff to be seen or an area set up for a breakfast bar or buffet so we left. Very disappointing considering the rave reviews on trip advisor.
Read more
Date of stay: July 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Place was dirty . Very sketchy entrance from parking lot. Reception area was disgusting and Receptionist was not very pleasant. Elevator was very old and slow then when it arrives everyone squashes in. Honestly I have no idea how we stayed in the room. The room they gave us was priced at $300 omg I was afraid to take my shoes off . The noise outside our room late at night and early in the morning was terrible. It said there was a restaurant we never saw one although I don't think we would have eat it. We Honestly thought this was some homeless shelter. I would never ever recommend this hotel to anyone.
Read more
Date of stay: December 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Avoid this hotel unless of course you have no expectations
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Loved this building, it's so nostalgic as it's an old Victorian style CN hotel. We had a private hour in the pool/hot tub room and they sanitize/clean between visits with a 30 minute window between each group/family in the pool. The room had a great view of Thunder Bay harbour with the Sleeping Giant very visible beyond the port. Comfortable beds and friendly staff. No breakfast included however there is a McDonalds within walking distance.
Read more
Date of stay: November 2020
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Rooms facing the port/horbour have the best view and less street noise.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I booked this hotel based on historical significance and the waterfront view. It was clean in my room. However, it is in need of updates. The wooden furniture in my room was badly scratched all over and detracted from what what you want a room to feel like. The couch was too worn, sagging cushions and uncomfortable. The curtains were so old and once again took away from the aesthetic. I paid 274 a night but it was not worth that amount. The halls and elevator were so hot. The elevator was probably from the 60's and incredibly slow. The parking lot was full of what appeared to be homeless people who smoked so much , we had to go through the smoke to enter. That parking lot just looked uninviting and therefore, I was unsure my car was safe. There were no issues with safety in the end but I think the hotel could create a smoking spot away from the entry and keep security out there to get the homeless away from that area. One guy was ranting and throwing his arms up and either on a drug high and/or had a mental illness. He needed help but letting him stay in the outside entry area made me feel unsafe. I recommend the hotel owners visit the hotel and grounds and make a good assessment of that property. Bringing it back to its glory may be worth the investment. It has a wonderful location.
Read more
Date of stay: July 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I thought the old name, the location etc. would make this hotel appealing. I was passing through Thunder Bay and needed a bed for one night. I ended up on the waterfront and booked a room on the 10th of April and paid $199.00 with no breakfast and a parking at the back where a dangerous crowd was hanging. I felt uneasy all night for my car as my room was opposite to the waterfront. But the hotel was pretentious only in the price. They charge a lot and they give you a room that is dated back to 1908 when it was built. the heat comes when you ask the counter to put it up and still takes another half hour to warm up. I made a mistake not studying the matter before, but now you can stay away from this decrepit hotel which sucks money from people who didn't do they homework. The picture you see of this hotel where the ones of 50 years ago. How do dare to charge $199 for one night!!
Read more
Date of stay: April 2022
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Stay somewhere else
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The hotel has an old-world charm including the older tape reel elevator telling you what floor it is on. It even has a sign that says it works, just slow. The rooms are retro fit to have electricity and plug-ins, but you can tell this place was around even before then. The bed was comfortable, the view towards the water was perfect for sunrise/sunset views and the shower was perfect.
Read more
Date of stay: September 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your enquiry. Our renovation is a multi-year project due to the size and scope of the work to be done. Our target completion date is 2020. We will have certain floors completed this year with renovation work currently underway on the 2nd Floor. All carpets, bathrooms and furnishing are being replaced. We look forward to welcoming you.
There are more places to choose from in the Thunder Bay area.
PRICE RANGE
C$161 - C$234 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
prince arthur waterfront hotel thunder bay, prince arthur waterfront hotel and suites, prince arthur thunder bay, prince arthur hotel
LOCATION
CanadaOntarioThunder Bay DistrictThunder Bay
NUMBER OF ROOMS
123
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
Is This Your Tripadvisor Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
