The Sternwheeler Hotel and Conference Centre, at 201 Wood Street, is a Wyndham Trademark Collection hotel and one of the biggest in Whitehorse, with 181 rooms one block from the Yukon River. It was long known as the Westmark Whitehorse and still has the layout of a full-service hotel, with a conference centre, ballroom, bar, gym and laundry facilities. Rooms come in several categories, from standard king and queen rooms to studio suites with sofa beds and a one-bedroom suite with a kitchenette, all with air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, a refrigerator, a microwave and a flat-screen television. A free round-trip airport shuttle runs at scheduled times from early morning to midnight, free self parking is available and a full breakfast can be added for a surcharge. Tony's Pasta is the on-site restaurant. The hotel is pet friendly with a nightly fee and holds Green Key sustainability certification. It is a dependable mid-range choice for families, groups and travellers who value space and services.
Location and logistics
The hotel is about three minutes on foot from the MacBride Museum, six minutes from the Kwanlin Dun Cultural Centre and the Visitor Information Centre, and close to the waterfront, with the airport an eight-minute drive away. The lobby is the pickup point for several winter day tours, including the late-night aurora tour and the half-day wildlife outings, so you can step from your room to the vehicle without a cab. Shopping at nearby malls and restaurants is within walking distance, though in deep winter you may prefer a short taxi ride.
The rooms
Expect practical, comfortable rooms of roughly 225 to 285 square feet in the standard categories, with larger studio suites of 540 to 640 square feet and a one-bedroom suite of more than 700 square feet. The studio suites with sofa beds are the best value for families or longer stays.
Free cribs are provided, and there is a mobility-accessible room with a roll-in shower. Reviewers report that parking can be limited, so arrive early or ask about street parking, and one reviewer noted that a free three-day parking pass is available from the Visitor Centre.
Who it suits
Families, groups, conference attendees and travellers on package tours who want a large hotel with services and a central position. It is less intimate than the Edgewater and less modern than Hyatt Place, but it offers more space and flexibility, particularly for those travelling with children or pets. Breakfast is an extra charge, so compare it with nearby cafes. For aurora trips, ask about a late check-out and a packed breakfast, and note that the free shuttle runs until midnight, which may not match a late-arriving flight.
Why stay here
- ✓181 rooms and studio suites
- ✓Free round-trip airport shuttle
- ✓Tony’s Pasta on-site restaurant
- ✓Free Wi-Fi
- ✓Free self parking
- ✓Gym and laundry facilities
- ✓Pet friendly
- ✓Winter tour pickup point
Good questions
Does the hotel have an airport shuttle?+
Yes. A free round-trip airport shuttle runs at scheduled times from early morning to midnight, so check the schedule against your flight.
Is breakfast included?+
A full breakfast is available for a surcharge, so compare the cost with nearby cafes and ask whether your rate includes it.
Is it a pickup point for tours?+
Yes. Several winter tours, including aurora and wildlife outings, collect guests from the hotel lobby.
