Whenever you’re planning a vacation, one of the first things to do is book a place to stay.

In Nunavut, there are no Hiltons or Holiday Inns. But every community has at least one quality hotel or bed and breakfast, where you can rest your head and catch your breath after an unforgettable day of fun-filled experiences and Arctic adventure.

Here’s a quick primer on where to look:

IN SMALLER COMMUNITIES

In nearly every Nunavut community, big or small, you’ll find an Inns North hotel, owned and operated by local co-op organizations. With hotels and affiliates in 19 destinations—from the Grise Fiord Lodge, in the northernmost community in Canada, to the Amaulik Inns North Hotel in Sanikiluaq, south of the 60th parallel in Hudson Bay—you can expect friendly, hospitable staff and a clean, comfortable room with Inns North.

IN IQALUIT

There are quality hotels and bed and breakfasts spread all over the Nunavut capital.

Located in the Astro Hill complex, overlooking the city, the Frobisher Inn is one of the premier hotels in Iqaluit. Without having to leave the building, guests can enjoy pub grub and a drink at the Storehouse, sample Arctic fare like muskox medallions at the Gallery and check out a movie at the local theatre.

On the other side of town, you’ll find the Discovery, home to comfortable suites, as well as luxury dining at the Granite Room, which prominently features Northern cuisine on its menu.

In the heart of downtown, Capital Suites is within walking distance of restaurants, arts and crafts stores, and across the street from the Legion—home to legendary Saturday nights out.

The Asqarniit Hotel and Convention Centre is the newest addition to the Iqaluit skyline. Situated near the airport, the hotel features 94 rooms, a dining lounge and a conference facility.

Also in the city, Northern Accommodations offers guests apartment-style accommodations and is open to longer-term stays.

For the outdoor lover, Apex Bed and Breakfast offers up to six rooms in close proximity to the beach and many hiking trails, in the community situated roughly 5 kilometres from Iqaluit.

Also in Apex, you can stay at the old nursing station with Rannva’s B&B, which features a scenic lookout over Frobisher Bay.

IN THE QIKIQTANI (BAFFIN) REGION

As the name would suggest, the Pangnirtung Fjordview Bed & Breakfast provides breathtaking views of the scenic community’s fiord, with attentive and welcoming staff who will quickly become friends.

Centrally located in the artistic hotbed of Cape Dorset, Dorset Suites offers a range of modern, comfortable suite options, with architecture inspired by traditional Inuit structures.

On the southern tip of Ellesmere Island, the South Camp Inn and Airport Hotel in Resolute take care of meals and shuttle service for guests.

IN RANKIN INLET, BAKER LAKE AND THE KIVALLIQ REGION

Inns North operates two large hotels in Rankin Inlet—the Siniktarvik Hotel & Conference Centre and Turaarvik Inns North Hotel—which feature dining and meeting rooms.

With two locations in Arviat and one in Rankin Inlet, family-owned Katimavik Suites offers a variety of room options to guests, along with truck rentals

The Nunamiut Lodge in Baker Lake features 32 rooms, a conference facility and a dining room, where guests can bask in the sun under a solarium.

Rooms in the Aura Hotel in Baker Lake include queen-sized beds, free wifi and some suites have kitchenettes and fridges for guests who want to do their own cooking.

You’ll feel at home at Leonie’s Place, a bed and breakfast in Coral Harbour that also features a craft shop.

IN CAMBRIDGE BAY

Cambridge Bay is booming right now. As a result, options for accommodations have never been more plentiful.

Arctic Islands Lodge, operated by Inns North, has a dining lounge and conference facilities.

The Illu Inn offers comfortable and stylish accommodations that include kitchen, fridge and in-room laundry. It also provides long-term rentals to visitors who just don’t want to leave!

The Ublu Inn offers five rooms, which are also available for longer-term rentals.

Located in central Cambridge Bay and within walking distance of the local Co-op and Northern store, Green Row offers clean, suite-style rooms with a full kitchen and satellite TV for guests.

Enokhok Inn and Suites offers five rooms, ATV and truck rentals, as well as one fully contained three-bedroom suite in the Kitikmeot hub.

The Qillaq Lodge offers meals made from scratch every day, as well as internet services for guests.
Umingmak Lodge Bed and Breakfast, on the way to the new Canadian High Arctic Research Station, also offers spacious rooms.

IN THE KITIKMEOT REGION

Gjoa Haven Bed and Breakfast gives guests the option to rent out a full, multi-bedroom home for their stay in the famed Northwest Passage community.

In Kugluktuk, the Copper Mine Inn offers home-cooked meals in their spacious dining facility, as well as free laundry and internet services.

Enokhok Inn and Suites, also in Kugluktuk, has 12 rooms available for guests, as well as ATV rental services.