With Yellow Knife as our destination, I left with a group of Harley riders in early August, 2012, for another great adventure. After logging nearly 3,000 miles of beautiful riding through northern United States, western Alberta, eastern British Columbia and southern Northwest Territory, we arrived at the beautiful city of Yellow Knife. The entire trip was blessed with beautiful weather, scenery that can't be described and people who went out of their way to be friendly and helpful.
When checking in at the Explorer Hotel, we asked permission to park our bikes close to the front entry where there would be security cameras and good lighting. The request was denied and we were told to park on the hill at the far end of the hotel. I asked a staff member if it would be safe to leave some camping gear on the bike and was told immediately to remove anything of value. The parking area was covered with large loose gravel and not fit for motorcycle parking.
The dream trip turned into a nightmare about two hours after checking in. All five Harleys were lying on their sides. Hotel management apologized but would not accept any responsibility or give any discount on the expensive rooms. They didn't even offer a free cup of coffee or a beer.
In the past 13 years I have logged over 160,000 km (100,000 mi) on my motorcycle across Canada and the US and have been a guest in over 150 hotels, motels and campgrounds. Of these, the lack of responsibility and the marginal service given at the Explorer Hotel puts it at the top of my "Do Not Return or Recommend" list. If you are riding a motorcycle or even own one, don't waste time checking out the Explorer Hotel.
They should be ashamed of themselves!
Submitted by Larry Anderson; Nebraska, USA

I stayed here with my husband while he was competing in the WSCC mine rescue competition and liked the stay. We were on the 7th floor, pretty quiet since it seemed like only his teammates were on the floor with us. Trapper's Grill was a great restaurant, the seafood chowder was awesome! The lounge was excellent as well, the female bartender actually learned how to make my drink (a silver cloud, it must be a Saskatchewan only drink).

I will say this hotel is the nicest town (esthetically) in town. For a new hotel, tv's are still old tube style which is unusual-was surprised. Check-in was slow. For my tastes, the bed was not comfortable--"springy"-not common to feel springs in beds nowadays. The room was exceptionally hot--the windows do not open, there is no ac, heat was off and there was nobody on staff to fix it....I asked for a fan to make it tolerable-they didn't have any.....overall experience ok...