New hotels in St. John's

We track two new hotels in downtown St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, both open: JAG Hotel, a rock-and-roll-themed property whose new Blues tower added 85 rooms to bring its total to 169, and Hilton Garden Inn St. John's Newfoundland, a 154-room new build that opened in January 2020 near the St. John's Convention Centre. Both sit within a few minutes' walk of George Street's entertainment strip and the harbourfront: anyone visiting downtown St. John's has a short list, but a genuinely central one.

What to do

A weekend in St. John's

Spend an evening on George Street, two blocks of bars, pubs and live music (jazz, rock, traditional and everything between) that runs from noon into the early hours, and has hosted everyone from Great Big Sea to Blue Rodeo. During the day, walk Water Street's shops and restaurants, keeping an eye out for the brightly painted "Jellybean Row" houses nearby, then climb Signal Hill for sweeping views over the harbour and the Atlantic; Cabot Tower at the top marks the spot where Guglielmo Marconi received the first transatlantic wireless signal in 1901. A food tour starting on George Street is a good way to sample Newfoundland pub fare and seafood in one outing.

A full week

With more time, walk the trails at Queen's Battery Barracks below Signal Hill, spend a morning at The Rooms (the province's museum, art gallery and archive) and take a stroll around Quidi Vidi Village, the small fishing cove a few minutes from downtown with its own brewery. Boat tours out of St. John's run for icebergs and whales depending on season, typically peaking from spring into early summer as Iceberg Alley carries drifting ice down from the Arctic and Greenland, and a half-day at Cape Spear, the easternmost point in North America, is an easy add-on a short drive from downtown. A stretch of the East Coast Trail runs from the edge of the city for anyone who wants a longer coastal hike beyond Signal Hill. Downtown St. John's itself is easily walkable, though prepare for hills, both hotels on this list sit within a few blocks of George Street and the harbour.

Where to stay

George Street / downtown core

JAG Hotel added its Blues tower (85 rooms connected to the original Rhythm wing by a pedway) bringing the property's total to 169 rooms at 115 George Street West, inside the entertainment district itself. The rock-and-roll theme runs through four music-themed dining and drinking venues and a wellness floor, Revival, giving guests a reason to stay in even on George Street's busiest nights.

Near the convention centre

Hilton Garden Inn St. John's Newfoundland opened in January 2020 at 150 New Gower Street, a 154-room new build developed and operated by Manga Hotels: the brand's first hotel in downtown St. John's, with a heated indoor pool, 24-hour fitness centre and flexible meeting space, steps from the St. John's Convention Centre and Mary Brown's Centre, and minutes from George Street and the harbourfront.

Which hotel for your trip

Travelers who want to be inside the entertainment district

JAG Hotel's George Street West address puts guests directly inside downtown's bar-and-live-music strip, with four in-house music-themed venues if you'd rather not leave the building.

Conference and event travelers

Hilton Garden Inn St. John's Newfoundland's location steps from the St. John's Convention Centre and Mary Brown's Centre, plus its meeting space, suit a conference trip better than a George Street address built around nightlife.

Travelers who want a hotel pool

Hilton Garden Inn St. John's Newfoundland is the one to book if a heated indoor pool matters, neither of the JAG Hotel's two towers has one.

Travelers who want a quieter downtown base

Hilton Garden Inn St. John's Newfoundland's New Gower Street location keeps a few blocks of distance from George Street's noise while staying within an easy walk of downtown and the harbour.

Frequently asked questions

What is the newest hotel to open in St. John's?

JAG Hotel's Blues tower is the most recently added: 85 new rooms connected to the hotel's original Rhythm wing, bringing its total to 169.

How many new hotels does this guide track in St. John's?

Two: JAG Hotel and Hilton Garden Inn St. John's Newfoundland, both open and both in the downtown core.

Is JAG Hotel within walking distance of George Street?

Yes: JAG Hotel sits at 115 George Street West, inside the entertainment district itself.

Which St. John's hotel has an indoor pool?

Hilton Garden Inn St. John's Newfoundland, at 150 New Gower Street, has a heated indoor pool along with a 24-hour fitness centre.

Which St. John's hotel is closest to the convention centre?

Hilton Garden Inn St. John's Newfoundland, a few minutes' walk from the St. John's Convention Centre and Mary Brown's Centre.

Is downtown St. John's walkable?

Yes, though hilly: George Street, Water Street, the harbourfront and Signal Hill are all within a compact downtown core, with both hotels on this list a few blocks from each other.

When is the best time to see icebergs near St. John's?

Iceberg season typically runs from spring into early summer, when drifting ice carried down what's known as Iceberg Alley passes closest to the Newfoundland coast: boat tours out of St. John's run during this window depending on conditions.