Landmark Hotel in the Heart of Downtown Halifax

In 1928, when The Lord Nelson Hotel & Suites was built in downtown Halifax, Nova Scotia, it was the first modern hotel in the city—and the grandest. The lobby features a gold-leaf ceiling, and crystal chandeliers sparkled above the original ballroom. Throughout the years, The Lord Nelson has remained one of the best hotels in town. Its logbooks are filled with famous names such as Paul McCartney, Jerry Seinfeld, and members of the Rolling Stones.

The petite and classic guest rooms are decorated with gold-tone walls, white linens, and cherry-wood furnishings. Views extend from downtown Halifax to the upscale shops of South Park Street and the nearby Halifax Public Gardens. Downstairs, the chefs at Victory Arms Restaurant put an inventive twist on English and Canadian pub fare with dishes such as madras-curry poutine and cedar-planked Atlantic salmon.

Halifax, Nova Scotia: a Capital “City” with Sea-Faring History

The city of Halifax does not actually officially exist. Although it was once the capital city of Nova Scotia, the government dissolved Halifax in 1996, choosing instead to govern Nova Scotia as a whole. For being located in a province that officially has no cities, however, Halifax continues to thrive; Frommer’s calls it the “commercial and financial hub of the Maritimes.” Halifax is steeped in history and filled with notable landmarks, but thanks to its large student population, the community feels youthful and progressive.

At the heart of Halifax is its natural harbor, the second largest in the world after Sydney, Australia’s. For up-close views, head to the Halifax Waterfront Boardwalk. The wooden footpath runs about a mile along the downtown waterfront, which is lined with pubs, fish ‘n’ chips shops, and boutiques. At the boardwalk’s center is the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, Canada’s oldest and largest maritime museum. Here, you can peruse exhibits detailing local shipwrecks, the infamous Halifax explosion of 1917, and the city’s golden era of shipbuilding.

Halifax also encompasses hundreds of acres of public parks, including the Victorian-era Halifax Public Gardens. Step through the 19th-century wrought-iron gates that herald the park’s entrance to explore the meticulously landscaped gardens accented by bridges, fountains, and a pond that serves as the summer anchorage for a miniature model of the Titanic. Just around the corner is the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site of Canada, perched upon a hill overlooking the harbor. The citadel harks back to Halifax’s colonial days as a former British fort and outpost.

Read the Fine Print for important info on travel dates and other restrictions.