Stays in Halifax

A 150-foot waterslide on an indoor pool is the reason families pick this hotel, and because it is indoors it works in January as well as July. The suites help too, with a full kitchen and a living area that separates children's bedtime from adults' evening. Breakfast is included, Shubie Park offers trails and a lake within walking distance, and Dartmouth Crossing has supermarkets and restaurants. What families give up is the city itself: the Halifax waterfront, the Citadel and the Discovery Centre need a car or the harbour ferry from downtown Dartmouth, not a stroll.

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Halifax Dartmouth is one of the more child-friendly bases in the area thanks to its indoor waterpark next to the indoor pool. The free American buffet breakfast includes vegetarian and child-friendly options, and rooms are air-conditioned with private bathrooms. Parking is free but off-site, so allow a little extra time with luggage. With an 8.8 score from 530 reviews, I would put it high on a family shortlist.

Delta Hotels Dartmouth has the kind of pool area children ask about: a 108-foot water slide, a splashpad, a hot tub and a sauna inside the fitness and wellness centre. Rooms and suites are modern, with Netflix on the in-room entertainment system for a quiet evening. The hotel sits at the entrance of the Burnside Business Park, so it is practical rather than scenic. Rated 8.8 across 422 reviews, I would book it for a Halifax-area family stay where the pool matters most.

Sandman Signature Dartmouth suits families who arrive by car: on-site parking is free, and the indoor pool and hot tub give children a reliable activity whatever the weather in Nova Scotia. Family rooms are air-conditioned with private bathrooms and free WiFi, and the family-friendly restaurant keeps dinners easy. Downtown Halifax is about 10 km away, and pets are accepted, so the family dog can come along on the trip.

Best Western Plus Dartmouth Hotel & Suites gives families a practical base on the Dartmouth side of Halifax Harbour. The indoor swimming pool is the easy win for children, and the free hot breakfast gets everyone fed before a day out. On-site dining helps on tired evenings, and shopping centres nearby cover any forgotten essentials. Downtown Halifax and its waterfront are a short distance away. A guest score of 8.4 from 1,065 reviews is reassuring.

Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Dartmouth - Halifax is steps from the Dartmouth Crossing shopping complex, which makes errands and casual meals easy for families. The indoor pool with a waterslide is the clear favourite for children, and parents can use the fitness centre. Rooms have free high-speed internet and flat-screen TVs, and pets are welcome. Downtown Halifax and the waterfront are a short drive away. A guest score of 8.3 from 601 reviews is reassuring.

The saltwater indoor pool is what I would book the Courtyard by Marriott Halifax Dartmouth for with children, since it works in any weather on the Atlantic coast. Rooms are modern and air-conditioned with streaming services, handy for a quiet evening, and the on-site restaurant serves American cuisine at lunch and dinner. A terrace adds outdoor space in good weather. Halifax Stanfield International Airport is 23 km away, so allow for the drive.

An indoor swimming pool is the family draw at Staybridge Suites Halifax, with a fitness centre for parents and a terrace with an outdoor fireplace for evenings. Rooms are air-conditioned with free Wi-Fi, and a restaurant and bar are on site. Downtown Halifax and the airport are a short drive away. Only 14 guest reviews exist so far, so the 7.7 score is a small sample.