Originally, I looked into getting an Airbnb and renting a car for my stay in Yellowknife. However, once Amanda told me that she’d booked her stay at The Explorer Hotel, I quickly cancelled my Airbnb, car rental and rebooked my three night stay at The Explorer Hotel. I rationed that it was a local place, easy pick up for my tour groups and had a decently designed room that I looked forward to staying in.
Check in
Three days before I was to check into The Explorer Hotel, a drunk driver slammed into the lobby of the hotel and continued until it hit the elevator shaft, trapping people inside. I found this out once I checked in and was told that the elevators were “not working” and that my bags would be brought to my room separately.
I would have appreciated a mass email letting people know that the elevators were out of order and that you would be shit out of luck if you couldn’t climb stairs. And, allowed refunds if the stairs would be problematic. This way, I could have consider making other arrangement and changed my stay to the Quality Inn or something. However, that was not the case.
Checking in, I could see the effects of the Grand Slam. They’d cleaned it up as best they could. But it was still a shit show. I asked if they had rooms on the 2nd floor available, which they did not. She offered the 7th floor or the 8th floor. It’s then that I realized I would have to walk up and down 8 flights of stairs to my room. Repeatedly. Daily. Since there were 8 flights with 8 stairs each, that came out to 64 stairs total. Plus, because there’s a landing between each flight, the 7 landings made it 71 steps.
With all my layered snow gear on. I still shudder remembering it.
Room and Stay
The room was – fine. It was an updated room, facing the city. The way that the hotel was situated, meant that I had a decent view of the surrounding area.
The bathroom was also fine.
The first day, I saw the sun rise and set. The second and third? It was too cloudy. Seriously, being in Yellowknife was outer worldly.
Dining
I mainly drank and dined at the Trapline Lounge at The Explorer Hotel. It was cozy and the bartenders and staff were a delight. Skye and Tiffany were absolutely fantastic.
Overall
The location to food, things to do and the staff themselves made The Explorer Hotel a decent place to stay in Yellowknife. Not doubt, if the elevators had worked, it would have been a fantastic stay. However, I reached out the front desk manager and the general manager for a price adjustment for the stay – as the elevators not working severely altered the enjoyment of the experience.
As such, the rooms should NOT have been sold at the same price as booked.
Needless to say, neither of them responded.
Some places enjoy money more than guest’s personal experiences.
Beyond that, I will say that Yellowknife is a very interesting (read – COLD!) place to stay in December.
The Explorer Hotel
4825 49th AvenueYellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada X1A 2R3
