Where To Stay in Newfoundland and Labrador

Newfoundland and Labrador offers diverse accommodation options ranging from luxury hotels and heritage inns to cozy bed and breakfasts and remote wilderness lodges. Your choice of accommodation can significantly enhance your travel experience, whether you prefer modern amenities in urban settings, historic charm in restored buildings, or intimate hospitality in family-run properties. This guide helps you find the perfect place to stay while exploring Canada's easternmost province.

St. John's Accommodations

The capital city provides the province's most extensive accommodation options across all price ranges and styles. Downtown boutique hotels occupy restored historic buildings, combining Victorian-era architecture with contemporary comfort. Many properties feature harbor views, proximity to restaurants and attractions, and distinctive character reflecting St. John's colorful personality.

Full-service hotels offer modern amenities including fitness centers, restaurants, business facilities, and parking. Several establishments occupy prominent downtown locations within walking distance of Water Street shopping, George Street entertainment district, and the harbor front. These properties cater to both business travelers and tourists seeking convenient urban bases.

Bed and breakfasts throughout St. John's neighborhoods provide intimate, personalized experiences. Many occupy beautifully restored row houses in areas like Battery, Quidi Vidi, and Churchill Square. Hosts often share local knowledge, travel tips, and authentic Newfoundland hospitality. Home-cooked breakfasts featuring local ingredients start each day.

Gros Morne Area Lodging

Communities surrounding Gros Morne National Park offer diverse accommodations emphasizing natural settings and outdoor adventure access. Rocky Harbour, the park's primary service community, features hotels, motels, inns, and bed and breakfasts within minutes of hiking trails, boat tours, and visitor centers. Properties range from basic budget motels to comfortable lodges with mountain or ocean views.

Norris Point, Woody Point, and Trout River provide alternative bases for park exploration. These smaller communities feature intimate inns, cottage rentals, and bed and breakfasts with distinct local character. Woody Point's heritage buildings and artisan community create a cultural atmosphere alongside natural attractions.

Cabin and cottage rentals allow self-catering flexibility, popular with families and groups. Many properties provide full kitchens, multiple bedrooms, and proximity to park trails and attractions. Private settings offer peaceful retreats after days of hiking and exploration.

Heritage Inns and Historic Properties

Newfoundland's historic communities feature beautifully restored heritage accommodations that transport guests to earlier eras while providing modern comfort. Trinity's heritage inns occupy 19th-century merchants' homes and sea captains' residences, with period furnishings, antiques, and traditional architecture. These properties offer authentic experiences in one of Newfoundland's most picturesque settings.

Twillingate features heritage properties with ocean views, ideal for iceberg season visitors. Battle Harbour in Labrador offers overnight stays in restored fishing station buildings, providing unique immersion in coastal history. According to Historic Hotels of America, staying in heritage properties creates connections to place and history impossible in modern accommodations.

These properties typically offer limited rooms, requiring advance reservations. The trade-off of smaller size, stairs in multi-story buildings, and period character versus modern hotel convenience appeals to travelers seeking authentic, memorable experiences.

Coastal Bed and Breakfasts

Family-run bed and breakfasts dot Newfoundland's coastline, providing warm hospitality and local insights. These accommodations range from modern purpose-built properties to historic homes, saltbox houses, and converted fishing premises. Hosts often share fishing traditions, local history, and recommendations for hidden attractions.

Coastal B&Bs typically offer spectacular ocean views, proximity to beaches and trails, and peaceful settings away from urban activity. Breakfast menus feature fresh, local ingredients including seafood, baked goods, preserves, and traditional Newfoundland fare. Many hosts accommodate dietary restrictions with advance notice.

These properties suit travelers seeking personal connections, local knowledge, and intimate atmospheres. Most offer limited rooms (2-5), creating home-like environments where guests often socialize with hosts and each other. WiFi and other modern amenities vary by property.

Wilderness Lodges and Remote Accommodations

Labrador and remote Newfoundland areas feature wilderness lodges catering to anglers, hunters, and adventure travelers. These fly-in or boat-access properties provide all-inclusive packages including accommodations, meals, guided activities, and equipment. Lodges range from basic fishing camps to upscale retreats with comfortable cabins and fine dining.

Remote lodges emphasize pristine natural settings, exceptional fishing, wildlife viewing, and escape from civilization. Most operate seasonally during summer months, though some winter operations cater to ice fishing, snowmobiling, and aurora viewing. These experiences require planning well in advance and flexibility for weather-related schedule changes.

Torngat Mountains Base Camp and Research Station in northern Labrador offers guided experiences in one of North America's most remote national parks. This unique facility combines comfortable accommodations with Inuit cultural programs, wildlife viewing, and Arctic wilderness adventures.

Budget-Friendly Options

Budget-conscious travelers find affordable accommodations throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. Standard motels along major highways provide clean, comfortable rooms at reasonable rates, particularly outside peak summer season. These properties suit road-trippers seeking convenient overnight stops between destinations.

Hostels in St. John's offer dorm-style and private rooms at budget prices, attracting young travelers and backpackers. These social environments facilitate meeting fellow travelers and sharing experiences. Kitchen facilities allow meal preparation, reducing dining costs.

Campgrounds provide the most economical accommodation option for those equipped with tents, RVs, or camper vans. Provincial parks, national parks, and private campgrounds operate across the province during summer months. Facilities range from basic tent sites to full-service RV sites with hookups and amenities.

Unique Accommodations

Newfoundland offers several distinctive accommodation experiences beyond standard hotels. Fogo Island Inn, an architectural icon on remote Fogo Island, combines cutting-edge design with traditional building methods and local culture. This luxury property has gained international acclaim while supporting the island community.

Converted lighthouses offer dramatic coastal settings with historical character. These unique properties provide intimate experiences in isolated, scenic locations. Limited availability and high demand require booking far in advance.

Some fishing villages offer stays in traditional stages (fishing premises) converted to guest accommodations. These waterfront structures provide authentic connections to Newfoundland's fishing heritage alongside modern comfort.

Camping Options

Campgrounds throughout Newfoundland and Labrador cater to tent campers, RV travelers, and van-lifers. Gros Morne National Park operates several campgrounds with varying services from basic tent sites to facilities with showers and electrical hookups. Parks Canada campgrounds provide access to hiking trails, beaches, and park interpretation programs.

Provincial parks scattered across the province offer camping in diverse settings from coastal to inland forest locations. Private campgrounds typically provide more services including WiFi, laundry, playgrounds, and organized activities. Many private facilities accommodate larger RVs with full hookups.

Backcountry camping opportunities exist in parks and on Crown lands for adventurous travelers with proper equipment and skills. Remote camping requires self-sufficiency, Leave No Trace practices, and preparation for challenging conditions.

Booking Considerations

Summer season (June-September) requires advance reservations for accommodations throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, particularly in popular areas like Gros Morne, Twillingate during iceberg season, St. John's during major events, and limited-capacity heritage properties. Booking 3-6 months ahead ensures preferred choices and dates.

Shoulder season and winter offer more flexibility with immediate availability at most properties, though options decrease as seasonal operations close. Some communities have very limited winter accommodations, requiring careful planning for off-season travel.

Direct booking with properties often provides best rates and allows direct communication about specific needs, room preferences, and questions. Many family-run establishments appreciate phone calls for personal service and detailed information sharing.