Editor's Top 3 Picks

Editor's Picks
Book from ~C$113 
Well-liked downtown Windsor hotel with well-equipped rooms, indoor pool and on-site dining
This hotel is a popular choice for downtown Windsor. Rooms are clean and come with HDTVs, mini-fridges, microwaves and very good Wi-Fi. Beds are comfy and have modern bedding. Guests have recently been very pleased with the customer service and very much liked the location for being an easy walk to restaurants. This hotel has a well-liked restaurant too which offers three meals a day, a cocktail lounge and a seasonal patio. Kids under 12 eat for free and room service is available for enjoying a quiet meal in your room. The hotel has a large and well cared for indoor pool on site and some rooms offer beautiful views of the river. 
Pros
  • Free amenities: Wi-Fi, local calls, newspapers
  • Guests found the rooms comfortable, clean and well equipped
  • Location convenient to restaurant, pubs, attractions and Detroit Tunnel
  • Wi-Fi rated as very good by guests overall
  • Guests spoke well of the restaurant and breakfast on site
  • Staff were well liked, friendly and helpful
  • Some thought the hotel provided good value
Cons
  • Parking is $12.95 per day
  • Parking was sometimes limited, and parking ramps were tight for trucks and larger vehicles
  • Some thought the hotel could use a refresh
Editor's Picks
Book from ~C$95 
Well-liked downtown Windsor hotel with great river views, indoor pool & free hot breakfast
This is a newly renovated and comfortable hotel with excellent ratings. Some rooms feature a stunning night time view of the Detroit skyline and river and all rooms include a varied free breakfast buffet, free working Wi-Fi and free local calls. The hotel offers an indoor pool, a nice sauna and even the fitness centre has views of the river! Guests liked the comfy beds and convenient location of this hotel, an easy walk to restaurants and the Riverfront Trail. 
Pros
  • Free amenities: Wi-Fi, wired Internet, local calls and a hot breakfast buffet
  • Rooms were renovated, clean and had comfy beds
  • Location convenient to downtown attractions, restaurants, shopping, and the river trail
  • Breakfast was well stocked with good selection
  • Guests liked the indoor pool and fitness area
  • Guests really enjoyed splendid views of the river and Detroit skyline
  • Guests often felt the hotel was good value
  • Wi-Fi was rated very good
Cons
  • Parking is $12 per night
  • A few guests complained of older bathrooms
  • Some complained of noise disturbances from other guests
Editor's Picks
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Good value and friendly downtown Windsor hotel with free parking and free hot breakfast
This hotel is a good choice for value and is quite well liked by guests overall for its good free Wi-Fi, its popular free hot breakfast (try the apple cinnamon waffles) and its convenient free parking. Although the rooms are tired, guests are usually quite impressed with their cleanliness, enjoy a good sleep on comfortable beds and a hot shower with plenty of water. They are well equipped too with all rooms providing a Keurig coffeemaker, a mini-fridge and a microwave plus windows that open for that all-important fresh air! The location is very central with almost everything in walking distance and the staff members are able to transform this very basic hotel into a memorable and great experience.
Pros
  • Free amenities: Wi-Fi, hot breakfast, parking, local calls, newspapers
  • Many found the rooms clean and comfortable
  • The staff were some of the best according to several guests
  • Many were pleased with the free breakfast
  • Lots of guests felt the hotel provided good value
  • Location handy to downtown attractions and entertainment
  • Wi-Fi was rated as very good overall by online surveys
Cons
  • Some guests said the area seemed a bit sketchy
  • Some guests said the rooms were dated

3 Other Frequently Booked Hotels in Downtown Windsor

Editor's Picks
Book from ~C$135 
Downtown Windsor casino hotel with indoor pool, restaurants and free valet parking
Pros
  • Free Wi-Fi and free valet parking
  • Many guests described their rooms as clean and spacious
  • Many reviewers praised the views of the Detroit skyline from their rooms
  • The staff were frequently complimented for their professional service
  • Several guests praised the food at the on-site restaurants
  • Several reviewers appreciated the free valet parking
Cons
  • Several guests thought that their rooms were located far from the reception desk
  • A few reviewers had difficulty locating the main entrance to the hotel
Editor's Picks
Book from ~C$125 
Updated downtown Windsor hotel offers modern rooms with kitchenettes and free hot breakfast 
Pros
  • Free amenities: Wi-Fi, hot breakfast, lobby coffee station, local calls, newspapers
  • All rooms have a kitchenette and sofabed
  • Location is convenient to the US border, restaurants, the University of Windsor and city attractions
Cons
  • Parking is $15 (surface lot) and $22 (parkade), per night
Editor's Picks
Book from ~C$152 
Downtown Windsor budget hotel with indoor pool and pet-friendly rooms but mixed reviews
Pros
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Many guests were pleased with the hotel's proximity to Detroit and restaurants
  • Several reviewers were pleased with the hotel's reasonable rates
  • The hotel's staff were praised for their friendly and accommodating service
Cons
  • Parking is $10 per night
  • Some guests reported worn decor and furniture in their rooms
  • Some reviewers felt parking should have been included, and reported a cramped parking lot

Tips For Staying In Downtown Windsor

Bordered on the north by the Detroit River, the city of Windsor has the distinction of lying on the Canada-US border. As with any border town, Windsor not only has its own colourful history but also enjoys easy access to its nearby US neighbours. Downtown Windsor hotels offer a convenient starting point for those who wish to explore these two worlds.

A Tale of Two Cities
Windsor and Detroit have long shared a colourful history. During the War of 1812, Windsor was a major entry point for slaves escaping from the United States via the Underground Railroad, and it was also a major supplier of liquor during American Prohibition. One of the two main routes connecting the two cities is the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel, located in downtown Windsor. Travellers pay approximately $4.25 to use the tunnel.

No matter where you stay in downtown, you'll have easy access to the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel, as all of the downtown hotels are within a 3-minute drive. However, Holiday Inn Windsor Downtown is a mere 1-minute drive from the tunnel entrance and earned its CHG Editor's Pick status for best value. It offers free Wi-Fi, easy access to downtown attractions, comfortable beds, an indoor pool and an on-site restaurant. However, it will cost an extra $6.50 per weekday and $15 per weekend day to park your car at the hotel.

The Ambassador Bridge is North America's busiest border crossing in terms of trade. Located within a 7-minute drive of all downtown Windsor Hotels, this suspension bridge offers another way for visitors to travel between the two cities. The Waterfront Hotel Downtown Windsor (formerly Hilton Windsor) is about a 6-minute drive from the bridge, and offers nice views of the Detroit River. This Editor's Pick offers free Wi-Fi, spacious rooms and easy access to Windsor's Riverfront Trail. It, too, charges for parking, with a $12 daily fee that comes with in-and-out privileges. 

Cross-Border Shopping

One thing I love about staying in a border town is cross-border shopping, because you get to take advantage of deals on both sides of the border! Sommerset Collection Mall and Twelve Oaks Mall (both located in Michigan) offer outlet shopping within a 30-minute drive of all downtown Windsor hotels. On the Canadian side, Windsor Crossing Plaza offers outlet shopping, while Devonshire Mall serves up the most variety, as it is Windsor's largest shopping centre. Both of the Canadian malls are within a 15-minute drive of all downtown Windsor hotels.

Homegrown Entertainment
Of course we mustn't forget all that Windsor has to offer on its very own. Did you know Windsor is known as the City of Roses? Dieppe Gardens, displaying a large array of flowers and several historical monuments, is conveniently located next to The Waterfront Hotel Downtown Windsor and features picnic tables, a waterfall and direct access to Windsor's Riverfront Trail. 

Jackson Park, located just south of downtown Windsor, is within a 6-minute drive of all downtown Windsor hotels and houses Windsor Stadium, as well as baseball, soccer and rugby fields. 

Highly rated by guests for its river views and on-site entertainment, Caesar's Windsor has the added benefit of being both a hotel and a source of fun. It offers a casino, nightly entertainment, several restaurants and free valet parking (a real money saver). Caesar's Windsor is also conveniently located near Windsor's Riverfront Trail.

However, it's also the most expensive hotel in the area, so if the on-site recreation is less important to you, you might consider staying nearby and visiting the casino instead. The Waterfront Hotel Downtown Windsor is also situated along the water, is much more affordable, and is less than a 10-minute walk from the casino!
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