Aurora Deluxe Vacation Guest House is a guesthouse-style stay in the Old Town area of Yellowknife, listed near Bush Pilot's Monument and Ragged Ass Road. That puts it in the oldest and most characterful part of the city, among the log cabins, floatplane docks and houseboats that make the district so photogenic. It suits travellers who want a home-like base rather than a large hotel, and it is one of the few places in town where you can walk to the lakeshore and the main Old Town sights. The rooms are described as a Luxury House and a Presidential Room, each with two queen beds, a living room, a 65-inch LED television and heated floors. Heated floors are a real comfort after a night on a frozen lake. Communal kitchens are equipped with a microwave, a coffee and tea maker and an electric kettle, so you can make a hot drink on returning from an aurora tour or prepare simple meals. There is a balcony or deck and a terrace, free in-room Wi-Fi, laundry facilities and free self parking. Bike rentals and help with tours and tickets are also shown.
How it works
This is not a conventional hotel. The booking page states there is no front desk, and the host handles key retrieval, so arrange your arrival time in advance, especially if your flight lands late. Check-in is from 3:00 PM with express check-in, and check-out is before 11:00 AM with express check-out. Guests must be at least 18 to check in, children are welcome but cribs are not available, and pets are not allowed. The premises are smoke-free.
Location and getting around
Old Town is walkable, with the lake, Pilot's Monument and the small cafes and galleries close by, although winter walks are short and cold. The Northern Heritage Centre and the Legislative Assembly are a short taxi ride. Aurora tour operators often collect from downtown hotels, so ask your operator whether this address is on its pickup list. Having free parking is helpful if you are renting a vehicle, but winter driving needs care, and many visitors prefer to rely on tours and taxis.
Who it suits
Couples, friends travelling together and visitors who prefer a quieter, self-catering style of stay. Communal kitchens suit those who want to cook some of their own meals, which is useful in a remote city where eating out is expensive. It is less suited to travellers who want a staffed lobby, a restaurant on site or a front-desk concierge, in which case The Explorer or Chateau Nova are better fits. Because the property is small, availability can be limited in the busiest aurora months of late February and March, so book early.
What to confirm before booking
How to receive the key and who to contact on arrival, whether pickups from the airport can be arranged, which kitchen facilities are shared, and what the policy is for late arrivals after an aurora night. Ask about heating and what to do with wet winter gear, since clothes drying space matters in the cold. If your trip includes an early-morning departure for a tour, check the noise levels of the shared spaces.
Why stay here
- ✓Heated floors
- ✓Communal kitchens
- ✓Free self parking
- ✓Free in-room Wi-Fi
- ✓Balcony and terrace
- ✓Laundry facilities
- ✓Bike rentals
- ✓Smoke-free
Good questions
Is there a front desk?+
No. The booking page states that there is no front desk and the host handles key retrieval, so arrange your arrival time in advance.
Are there kitchen facilities?+
Yes, communal kitchens with a microwave, coffee and tea maker and electric kettle are shown.
Are pets allowed?+
No, pets are not allowed. Children are welcome, but cribs are not available.
