Historic Places to Stay in Kingston, Ontario

Frontenac Club is housed in a historic building in Kingston, an appealing setting for families who enjoy character over chain-hotel uniformity. Rooms have fireplaces, refrigerators and kitchenware, so snacks and simple meals are easy to manage, and bathrobes and slippers add comfort. A terrace, outdoor seating and a lounge give space outside the room, a varied breakfast is available each morning, and pets are accepted too.

All Suites Whitney Manor gives families a whole suite in a 200-year-old limestone mansion, about five minutes by car from Kingston city centre. Each suite has a full kitchen, a sitting area with a fireplace and a marble bathroom, and private laundry is available, which matters on a longer trip with children. Some units add a balcony or patio. With no restaurant on site, it is a self-catered stay, rated 9.5 from 267 reviews.

Rosemount Inn occupies a historic building in Kingston, about 1 km from Queen's University, and suits families with older children who appreciate character more than a pool. Rooms are air-conditioned with walk-in showers and tea and coffee makers, and some have a kitchenette or a balcony, worth requesting for more space. A continental buffet breakfast is served daily, and the garden and terrace give a calm spot outdoors. A guest score of 9.0 from 788 reviews is excellent.

Spacious air-conditioned rooms with kitchenettes let a family handle breakfast and snacks alone, and an indoor swimming pool gives children an evening activity at Candlewood Suites Kingston West. A fitness centre is on site and pets are welcome. One caution: parking is paid and off site, so check the arrangement before arriving by car. Suites are built for longer stays.

Hampton Inn Kingston keeps family stays simple: a buffet breakfast is served every day, so mornings start without a search for a café. The indoor swimming pool gives children a reliable activity in any season, and parents can use the fitness centre. Rooms are air-conditioned with free WiFi, work desks and flat-screen TVs. Free on-site parking and an EV charging station suit families exploring Kingston and the Thousand Islands by car.

One-bedroom apartments with air-conditioning, a refrigerator and a TV make Queen's University Residence a practical Kingston base for a small family. Bellevue House National Historic Site is less than 1 km away, an easy outing with children, and Queen's University is a six-minute walk. The garden offers a little outdoor space, there is a lift for strollers and luggage, WiFi is free, and the front desk is open 24 hours. Guests rate it 8.4 across 1,197 reviews.

For a family road trip through Kingston, I would pick this Holiday Inn Express for its practical details. The deluxe breakfast is included, parking is free, and every room has a refrigerator, a microwave and a Keurig coffee station, which simplifies meals with children. The indoor pool and the outdoor patio give everyone room to relax after a day out. The historic downtown is about 5 km away, so a car makes visits to the waterfront and Fort Henry much easier.

Delta Hotels Kingston Waterfront sits directly on Confederation Harbour, and every room looks over the harbour or Lake Ontario, which children tend to love. The indoor rooftop pool and whirlpool give a family something to do on a grey afternoon, and the on-site restaurant keeps dinner simple. It is listed as family-friendly and pet-friendly, and Slush Puppie Place is a short walk for a hockey game. Rated 8.3 across 744 reviews, I would choose it for a downtown Kingston family weekend.

Super 8 by Wyndham Kingston is 5.6 km from historic downtown Kingston, a short drive for families visiting the city. The outdoor pool is the treat for children, and the grab-and-go breakfast suits early starts. Every room has a microwave and refrigerator for simple meals, plus cable TV with a Blu-ray DVD player for quiet evenings. On-site laundry helps on longer trips, and pets are accepted. A score of 8.1 from 994 reviews shows dependable comfort.

Families get practical rooms here rather than resort extras: each guestroom has a microwave, a small bar fridge and a Keurig coffee maker, enough for easy breakfasts and snacks between outings. Downtown Kingston is about 2.5 miles away, so a car or a taxi helps. Fort Henry National Historic Site is within reach for an afternoon of military history, and the hotel accepts pets, which is handy if the family dog travels too.

I like this Holiday Inn for families who want to explore Kingston on foot. The waterfront, Slush Puppie Place and the 1000 Island Cruises departures are all about a five-minute walk away, so a harbour stroll or a boat trip needs no car. Back at the hotel, the indoor pool works in any season, and rooms with a small fridge and microwave make simple breakfasts and snacks easy. In summer, the restaurant patio looks out over Lake Ontario.

Days Inn by Wyndham Kingston is a three-star hotel in Kingston, Ontario, with an indoor pool and a pet-friendly policy, so I would recommend it to families who travel with a dog all year. Rooms have free WiFi, a microwave, a refrigerator and coffee facilities, which helps with children. An on-site lounge is available. Queen's University is 4.5 km away, so I would use it as a car-based stay.

This is a large residence-style property with more than 600 beds, so families should expect simple rooms rather than hotel extras. Each room has a refrigerator and air conditioning, which helps with snacks and summer heat, and the 24-hour front desk and security are reassuring with children. It works as an affordable base for exploring Kingston's historic downtown, the waterfront and Fort Henry. There is no pool or restaurant listed, so meals and activities happen out in the city.