BEST WESTERN Plus Nor'Wester Hotel & Conference Centre

Modern rooms, data ports, mini-fridges, restaurant & bar, 45' indoor pool, hot tub

Pros

Free Wi-Fi, free parking, free airport shuttle
Many guests enjoyed their spacious, clean, well-appointed and comfortable rooms
The staff received many compliments for being friendly and courteous
Many guests were very pleased with the quality of food and service supplied by the hotel
A few guests said their beds were comfortable
Many guests enjoyed the quiet and beautiful location in the mountains
Many guests thought the hotel provided good value
Some rooms have microwaves, living areas, spa showers, jetted tubs and fireplaces.
Large fitness facility, private steam rooms, sauna

Cons

No elevator on site
A few guests thought the hotel was a little far from town

Freebies

Free Wi-Fi

Free Shuttle

Free Parking

Editor's Review

Updated Jul 13, 2014

Overview

Located in the Nor'Wester Mountain area, on the southern limits of Thunder Bay (about a 15-minute drive to downtown Thunder Bay), this hotel is popular with guests who seek resort-style accommodation in a natural setting, or are in need of accommodation with conference/event facilities on site.

All of the 91 rooms at this hotel are smoke-free and have free Wi-Fi, cable satellite TV, a coffeemaker, a mini-fridge, a hair dryer and an iron with ironing board. Guests can choose between standard rooms (king, queen or double beds), or business class (which have a microwave). Suites are available with an additional spa shower, jetted tub or fireplace. Pets are permitted for a cost of $20/night.

On-site amenities include free parking, free airport shuttle, a 45' indoor pool, a hot tub, a sauna, a fitness centre, a business centre and private steam rooms (extra fees apply). Guests should note that there is no elevator on site.

Guests can dine daily on site at the Cliffhanger Restaurant and Bar, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Also the Neebing Roadhouse (restaurant and bar) is right across the street and offers dining Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 5pm to 9pm and its bar opens at 11am on weekdays serving lunch and on weekends at noon. Another dining option in the area is Beau Daddy's Grill about a 3-minute drive from the hotel available from 5am to midnight.

The Loch Lomond Ski Area is a 5-minute drive and cross country skiing is available throughout most of the winter till 10pm at night at Kamview Nordic Centre, only a 4-minute drive away. The Fort William Country Club offers golf 7 minutes from the hotel. The Fort William Historical Park (a re-creation of the days of the North West Company and the Canadian fur trader) is 12 minutes away. For air travellers, Thunder Bay International Airport (YQT) is about a 9-minute drive from the hotel. (All travel time estimates: Google Maps)

Confirmed with a front desk agent: the hotel provides free Wi-Fi, parking and airport shuttle (call date: March 21, 2014).

The Good

Among the reviews used for this analysis, guests praised this hotel, and were particularly enthusiastic about its general appearance, the service of the staff and the quality of the food at the on-site restaurant.

A number of guests really enjoyed the on-site restaurant, and a few guests commented on specific menu items and dishes. Guests remarked on how accommodating the kitchen was around specific dining requests. Good servers were mentioned by name.

Guests commented favourably on the appearance of the hotel, saying that the building, grounds, common areas and rooms were all well maintained. Rooms were clean and comfortable, and a number of guests liked the decor and furnishings of their rooms.

Several guests liked the neighbourhood in which this hotel was situated. They said it was quiet, peaceful and that they enjoyed the scenic mountain views.

There were several reports of friendly, warm, personalized service being delivered consistently at various points throughout the hotel. Front desk, housekeeping and maintenance staff were all mentioned specifically. Staff here went out of their way to make sure guests felt at home and were satisfied.

There were some additional comments from guests who enjoyed the pool, sauna and personal steam rooms.

The Bad

There were some guest complaints that surfaced in online reviews sourced for this editorial.

A few guests thought the hotel was a little far from town, shopping and restaurants.

Although many guests found the staff very friendly and courteous, a few guests complained about certain members of the staff describing them as curt and even rude.

Show Sources

Sources

TripAdvisor.com guest reviewers ranked this hotel #2 out of 30 Thunder Bay hotels, based on 86 reviews.

Hotels.com guest reviewers rated this hotel 4.3 out of 5, or "excellent", based on 16 reviews.

Expedia.ca guest reviewers rated this hotel 4.0 out of 5, based on 8 reviews. 88% of guests would recommend this hotel.

Confirmed with a front desk agent: Wi-Fi, wired Internet, parking and shuttle are free (call date: March 21, 2014).

Analyzed by Heather W.

Driven by the sense that every person, place or thing has a story to tell and a skill for being in the wrong place at the right time, Heather is a well-traveled writer.

This hotel is an Editor's Pick for...

Thunder Bay

Guest Reviews

Rated by Guests

8.9 / out of 10

"Very Good"

Ranked by Guests

1 / out of 12

hotels in Thunder Bay

The average guest rating for BEST WESTERN Plus Nor'Wester Hotel & Conference Centre is 8.9 out of 10 based on 1289 reviews from past guests. This average guest rating ranks BEST WESTERN Plus Nor'Wester Hotel & Conference Centre at #1 out of 12 hotels in Thunder Bay.

Location

BEST WESTERN Plus Nor'Wester Hotel & Conference Centre
2080 Highway #61 , Thunder Bay, ON

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BEST WESTERN Plus Nor'Wester Hotel & Conference Centre

2080 Highway #61 , Thunder Bay, ON