Drumheller is small, and none of its hotels is far from the others, but where you stay still shapes the trip. The town is strung out along the river valley, with the museum northwest, the Hoodoos southeast and the canyon to the west. All five hotels in this guide are within a short drive of the main sights, and the differences come down to pools, breakfast, pets and atmosphere. You will want a car whichever you choose.
2nd Street Southeast: pools and breakfast for families
Two hotels sit side by side on this street. Ramada by Wyndham Drumheller Hotel and Suites at 680 2nd Street Southeast has an indoor pool with a waterslide and a hot tub, a hot breakfast and a fitness centre, and rooms with a mini-refrigerator and microwave. SureStay Plus by Best Western Drumheller, at 800-680 2nd Street Southeast, has a heated indoor pool with a waterslide and hot tub open year-round, a complimentary full breakfast served from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., and free parking with a cold-weather hookup. The two are close in quality, so compare rates, breakfast terms and pool hours on the day you travel.
Highway 9: a dinosaur theme and a welcome for pets
Canalta Jurassic Drumheller is at 1103 Highway 9 South, on the approach to town from the Calgary side. It has king and two-queen rooms, kitchenette suites, free parking including oversized spaces and pet-friendly rooms for a fee. It does not describe a pool, so it suits road-trippers, dog owners and anyone arriving with a trailer or a big truck. It is also well placed if you want to stop at Horseshoe Canyon on the way in.
Near the river: a small inn for couples
Heartwood Inn, at 320 North Railway Avenue East, is a small guesthouse with Deluxe, Superior and Honeymoon rooms, a garden and terrace, and a ten-minute walk to the Badlands Historical Centre and the river pathways. It sleeps only two per room, does not take pets and charges extra for breakfast, but its guest scores are very high and it is the best choice for a quiet, romantic stay.
6th Avenue Southeast: the budget base
Quality Hotel Drumheller at 100 6th Avenue Southeast offers a free hot breakfast, rooms that sleep up to six, kids aged 18 and under staying free and pets in standard queen and two-queen rooms for a nightly fee. It is the best value for a family or a group, and the rate range is the lowest of the five.
How to choose
For a couple who want a quiet night, choose Heartwood Inn. For a family wanting a pool and breakfast, choose SureStay Plus or the Ramada. For a dog or a trailer, choose Canalta Jurassic. For a large group or a tight budget, choose Quality Hotel. If you plan to see the museum at opening time, the SureStay's early breakfast helps.
Timing and booking
Summer is the busiest season, with the museum open late and rooms selling out ahead, while winter brings lower rates and quieter sights. Check each hotel's site for parking, breakfast and pet rules, ask about winter pool hours and book early for school holidays and long weekends.
