Canada is, of course, the place to be if you’re a hockey fan but not every fan of the sport gets to live there, some have to settle for visiting.
If you’re part of the latter and are making a trip to one of the country’s seven NHL cities, you’ll want to make the most of it. Staying in the right places will increase your chances of bumping into NHL stars.
Canada has plenty of hotels but not all of them offer the possibility of meeting NHL players. If you’re keen on coming into contact with such folk, then this guide is for you. Also, if you love to bet, BetMGM Ontario is giving promo codes for online betting.
The guide recommends hotels based on the teams that play in the cities.
Ottawa Senators
If you’re in Senators city, we reckon you’d be pretty pleased to jump on a bus filled with Ottawa fans as they cheer from Scotiabank Palace to the downtown pubs. Where hotels are concerned, there’s the Brookstreet Hotel in Kanata that is said to house many visiting teams.
The Rideau Inn is a good choice for fans on a budget and it’s pretty close to some of the best restaurants downtown Ottawa has to offer, as well as boutiques and farmers markets. Rideau is a 1916 Edwardian house with great rates and great culture.
Toronto Maple Leafs
A Maple Leafs fan? We’ve got you covered too. Your best bet would be to find a hotel near the Air Canada Center, which would be a double treat as the Hockey Hall of Fame is also right there.
Most visiting teams used to bunk at the Royal York and some of them are known to still do so – it’s walking distance from the Hall of Fame.
The Royal York is the place fans crashed the party after the New York Rangers beat the Leafs at home to win the Stanley Cup in 1940. The invaders were allowed to remain with the freshly-minted champions and left them to foot a $3,700 bill.
Doesn’t sound like a lot until you learn the sum is equivalent to over $65,000 right now.
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadians play their home games at the Bell Centre, which makes the Marriott Chateau the best place to book a room. It’s adjacent to the stadium and it’s said that most visiting teams stay there.
Apart from the chance to run into NHL stars, this resort also offers great views of the Rocky Mountains.
For fans who are on a budget, the Novotel Montreal Center is also a great option. It’s only a few blocks away from the Bell Center but there’s little chance of seeing visiting players there.
If you catch a game at said stadium and want to enjoy beers and entertainment afterward, the nearby Brutopia brewpub is your plug.
Calgary Flames
Most teams stay at the Westin Calgary but it’s understood that the Senators prefer staying at the Sheraton Suites Calgary Eau Claire. Both of these hotels are located downtown.
A cheaper option is the Hotel Arts, which is closer to the Flames’ Saddledome home arena, just a 15-minute walk away. Another top attraction in the area, the Rooftop Bar at Simmons overlooks a highly-rated Calgary restaurant in Charbar. It also presents guests with panoramic views of the Bow River and has one of the best menus around.
Winnipeg Jets
The Fairmont Winnipeg is your best bet for a hotel near the team’s Bell MTS Place. Visiting teams usually stay there.
The resort is actually attached to the arena by means of an underground passage.
Visitors on a budget will appreciate that the Alt Hotel Winnipeg is even closer to the arena than the aforementioned Fairmont Winnipeg. Fans can also enjoy the Shark Club Sports Bar and Grill nearby.
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks conduct home affairs at the Rogers Arena and teams that come to play there typically stay at the Pan Pacific Hotel. The resort overlooks Vancouver Harbor and isn’t far from Canada Place, a famous Canadian landmark.
Another option, Skwachays Lodge, is a great combination of boutique hotel units, budget apartments, various businesses, and art. The rooftop sweat lodge and smudge room, used for spiritual activities, are popular visits too.
Edmonton Oilers
The relatively new Rogers Place has been home to the Edmonton Oilers since 2016. Visitors keen on a hotel nearby would do well to check out the Westin Edmonton, which is home to the award-winning Share Restaurant.
The budget Union Bank Inn is also highly rated and is a top option. Having opened as a bank in 1910, the resort has been renovated and is now one of the most attractive places to stay in Edmonton.
