Charlottetown is small, and most visitors choose between three bases: the historic district around Great George Street, the waterfront, and the suburban strip in West Royalty. The right choice depends on whether you will walk, drive or take tours, and on which season you travel. The island is spread out, so you will leave town for Cavendish, the national park and the lighthouses wherever you stay, and a rental car or a day tour is usually part of the plan.
Historic district
If you want to walk to everything, stay here. The Great George is a cluster of restored heritage buildings at 58 Great George Street, with classic and deluxe rooms, one-bedroom suites, townhouses and a fireplace lobby, and it is the splurge pick for couples and special occasions. The Hotel on Pownal, at 146 Pownal Street, is a modern, mid-range alternative from the same small group, with fresh guestrooms and suites a few blocks from the waterfront. Rodd Charlottetown, at 75 Kent Street, is a historic railway hotel with an indoor pool, sauna and rooftop patio, and it suits families who want old-world character and facilities.
Waterfront
Delta Hotels Prince Edward, at 18 Queen Street, is the harbourfront option, with an indoor pool, three dining outlets and a boardwalk at the door. It is a good choice for first-time visitors and families, and the walking tour and harbour tours start within a short stroll. Parking is charged by the hour or day, so it suits guests who plan to leave the car for city days.
West Royalty
Comfort Inn Charlottetown, at 112 Capital Drive, is the budget base, with a free hot breakfast and pet-friendly rooms. It is a drive from downtown, so it works best for visitors with a car who use Charlottetown as a hub for day trips. If you want to walk to the sights on a budget, look for a downtown option instead and ask about the rate on your dates.
Beyond downtown
Two more West Royalty options suit drivers and families. Holiday Inn Express and Suites Charlottetown, at 200 Capital Drive, has a free breakfast buffet, an indoor heated pool and free parking, and Rodd Royalty, at 14 Capital Drive, has an indoor pool with a waterslide, free continental breakfast, family suites and free parking. Out on the coast, Dalvay by the Sea is an 1895 heritage hotel inside Prince Edward Island National Park, steps from the beaches, but it is seasonal and closes for the winter from late October, so confirm its dates. In the east, Rodd Brudenell River is a golf and riverside resort in Georgetown Royalty with indoor and outdoor pools and cottages, a good base for the Points East Coastal Drive but a long way from the capital.
Cars and parking
If you will rent a car for Cavendish and the coast, ask each hotel about parking before you book. The Delta charges for parking by the hour or the day, The Great George lists parking as complimentary in several packages, and the other properties should be asked directly. A small-group tour with pick-up is another way to avoid parking.
Seasons and rates
July and August are the busy months, and the best rooms go first, so book early. Spring and late autumn are quieter and often cheaper, but summer-only sights such as Green Gables, the national park facilities and many lighthouse interiors are closed, so match your dates to what you most want to do. Winter suits a city stay built around the gallery, restaurants and the hotel pool.
How to choose
For a splurge with heritage character, choose The Great George. For a harbourfront pool and views, choose Delta Hotels Prince Edward. For modern rooms in the middle of town, choose The Hotel on Pownal. For a historic hotel with a pool and a rooftop patio, choose Rodd Charlottetown. For the lowest price and free breakfast, choose Comfort Inn. For a pool and parking on the western edge of town, choose Holiday Inn Express or Rodd Royalty. For beaches and a heritage stay in the national park in summer, choose Dalvay by the Sea. For golf and the east shore, choose Rodd Brudenell River. In every case, confirm parking and breakfast when you book.
