The Sutton Place Hotel Halifax

Harbour Light and Citadel Views from the Nova Centre

Halifax is a low-rise city with a remarkable setting: a deep natural harbour on one side, the star-shaped fortress of Citadel Hill on the other, and a compact downtown in between. The Sutton Place makes the most of that geography. It occupies the upper floors of the Nova Centre on Grafton Street, the modern complex that also houses the Halifax Convention Centre, and its guest rooms, spread between the seventh and nineteenth floors, are built around floor-to-ceiling windows. Depending on your side of the tower, you wake up to the harbour, the downtown rooftops or the Citadel's grassy ramparts.

Why It Works

We chose the Sutton Place because it is a complete luxury hotel, and it holds the credentials to prove it: the AAA Four Diamond award, a place among Condé Nast Traveler readers' favourite hotels in Eastern Canada, and a GreenStep sustainability certification. The rooms are thoughtfully engineered, with automated in-room controls and spa-inspired bathrooms. The outdoor terrace with its hot tub and fire pits turns a cool Atlantic evening into something to look forward to. And the address puts everything in the city within walking distance.

Why This Location

The Nova Centre fills the block between Grafton and Argyle Streets, in the heart of downtown. Argyle Street, with its pubs, patios and live music, is right outside. The Halifax waterfront boardwalk, with the ferry to Dartmouth, the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic and the Seaport Farmers' Market further along, is a gentle walk downhill. Citadel Hill and the Town Clock are a short climb uphill, and Spring Garden Road, with the Public Gardens and the Central Library, is a few blocks to the southwest. Valet and paid overnight parking are available, useful if you are heading out to Peggy's Cove or the South Shore.

Fast Facts

• Price: Luxury (€€€€)

• Vibe: Modern, bright, maritime, polished

• Rooms: Rooms, studios and suites on floors 7 to 19, including Executive and Grand Suites with freestanding soaker tubs and a two-bedroom Royal Suite

• Best For: Couples, conference travellers, first-time visitors to Nova Scotia

• Our Favorite Thing About the Hotel: The outdoor terrace with its hot tub and fire pits, looking out over the city toward the harbour

• Dining: Chop Steakhouse & Bar, steaks and seafood beneath a hand-painted mural of a maritime storm; room service

• Amenities: Outdoor hot tub and fire-pit terrace, fitness centre, accessible rooms with roll-in showers, pet-friendly suites, valet parking, GreenStep Silver certification

• Attractions: Argyle Street, Halifax waterfront boardwalk, Citadel Hill and the Town Clock, Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, Halifax Public Gardens

Suites with a Soaking Tub and a View

The range is wide, with more than a dozen categories. Standard and premium rooms deliver the essentials with generous glazing and spa-style showers. Studios add a sitting area for longer stays. The Executive and Grand Suites are the ones to watch for: the Grand Suites feature freestanding soaker tubs and double vanities, while the two-bedroom, two-bathroom Royal Suite is the hotel's flagship and is booked directly with the hotel team. Ask for a harbour or Citadel view when you reserve; both are memorable.

Chop Steakhouse Beneath a Maritime Storm

Dinner at the hotel means Chop Steakhouse & Bar, which serves steaks and seafood in a room anchored by a large custom mural, hand-painted to capture the awe of a storm at sea. It is a fitting image for a city whose history is written by the Atlantic. For breakfast in bed or a late snack, room service covers the rest, and the dining scene of Argyle Street and the waterfront is only minutes away.

Good to Know Before You Book

A limited number of suites are pet-friendly, so mention four-legged travellers when you book. Accessible rooms and studios with roll-in showers are available. Because the hotel shares the complex with the convention centre, it is popular with delegates during major events, and booking early is wise in summer and during the busy autumn season.