The Best Hostels and Budget Accommodation to Book in Halifax, Nova Scotia

With a view to die for, at budget prices, there’s really not much more you need to know about this hotel overlooking the harbor, other than this: the rooms are spacious, the indoor pool is heated, the on-site restaurant has won awards – you have to try the desserts – and you can spend time at the nearby beer gardens and green spaces, including the grounds of the Halifax Citadel just a couple of blocks away.

Located in the Bayer’s Lake Business Park on the western outskirts of town, this homey hotel is close to great shopping. If outdoor adventure is more your thing, the trails and swimming spots of Long Lake Provincial Park are on the other side of the interchange. Your pup will love this doggie paradise as well as the Chain of Lakes Trail and the nearby off-leash park. And you’ll love a dip the hotel’s indoor pool after a day’s exploring.

Looking for something that’s fancier than a hostel in Halifax but need kitchen access to keep expenses low? These self-catering apartments have everything you need to feel right at home. Walk a block down the hill and you’re at the waterfront with all its eateries and shops – although you’ll find plenty of dining and drinking options by simply going downstairs. If you need to stay for a while, you can bring your furry companion, as pets are welcome upon request.

As you can tell, quite a few Halifax budget hotels are pet-friendly, and this hotel takes it up a notch: the welcome ambassador of the canine persuasion is as much of an attraction as the arcade games or the lake outside. Speaking of the lake: if it’s sunny out, skip the indoor pool and go have an outdoor splash. Otherwise, watch from a dry distance while you have a drink and a bite to eat on the patio.

If Halifax is a stop on your road trip, this hotel makes for a straightforward yet comfortable base. Downtown is about 15 minutes’ drive to the east; Peggy’s Cove is a little over half an hour to the southwest. There are lakes and forest trails within walking distance, too. Then there’s the shopping: you’re in the heart of Bayer’s Lake Business Park, where you can stock up on all the supplies you need.

Need to stay for a while? This hotel is within minutes of some of the best shopping and dining in Halifax and about 15 minutes from downtown. It’s less than 2km (1mi) to the seashore, too. After filling your belly and maxing out your credit card, you can go for a hike in Hemlock Ravine Park a stone’s throw away. On the way back, pick up some groceries next door before a refreshing dip in the pool and a cozy night in.

Budget accommodation in Halifax doesn’t get much more conveniently located than this: just check out those views from the rooftop to remind yourself that you’re not far from Citadel Hill and halfway between Halifax Public Gardens and the waterfront. Have you overdone it in the city’s famed beer gardens? Sweating it out in the hot tub and a snack from the lobby will soon have you right as Halifax rain.