Best Hot Tub and Sauna Stays in Thunder Bay
Thunder Bay, Ontario, is a northern city on Lake Superior, and a hot soak is welcome after a long drive, a flight or a cold day. Four hotels here offer one. The Valhalla Hotel & Conference Centre lists a hot tub and a sauna, with a complimentary airport shuttle. The Best Western Plus NorWester Hotel & Conference Centre has an indoor pool, a hot tub and rooms with fireplaces. The Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham and the TownePlace Suites by Marriott each list an indoor pool and a hot tub. Below, I explain what each offers and which I would choose.
Thunder Bay is a northern Ontario city on Lake Superior, with a strong outdoor tradition, a working port and long winters. For visitors, it offers lakeside scenery and trails, with comfortable hotels where a hot soak ends the day.
Where to Warm Up in Thunder Bay
In a city where winters are long and travellers often arrive by plane or after hours on the road, a hot tub or sauna is more than a nicety. Thunder Bay hotels tend to combine an indoor pool with a hot tub and a fitness area, and two of them add a free airport shuttle. The best choice depends on whether you want a sauna, a fireplace, a kitchenette or a quick transfer from the airport.
The Valhalla Hotel & Conference Centre is the one hotel here that lists a hot tub and sauna together. It offers a complimentary airport shuttle and is a four-minute drive from Thunder Bay International Airport. The hotel is pet-friendly and has two on-site restaurants, a lounge with live entertainment, a modern fitness centre and an indoor pool. With a rating of 8.0 across 860 reviews, I would choose it for a stay that begins or ends with a flight and includes a sauna. The conference centre side suits groups as well, so if you want a quieter evening in the pool and hot tub, ask for a room away from event spaces.
The Best Western Plus NorWester Hotel & Conference Centre offers family rooms with air-conditioning, balconies and fireplaces. Guests benefit from an indoor swimming pool, a hot tub, a fitness centre and a free airport shuttle service. Its rating is 8.7 across 119 reviews, the highest of the four, though with fewer reviews. I would book it for a comfortable stopover or a base for exploring the region, especially for a couple who would enjoy a room with a fireplace after a soak. The balconies add some fresh air between a soak and the fireplace, which is a pleasant way to end a cold evening in northern Ontario.
The Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Thunder Bay has an indoor pool and a hot tub, described as ideal for relaxing after a day of travel or exploration. Rooms have air conditioning, a refrigerator and a coffee machine, and guests get free WiFi, a fitness centre and complimentary parking. Its rating is 7.8 across 252 reviews. I would choose it for a practical stay, whether for a family or a business trip, when the priority is a soak, free parking and a simple room. Free parking is a real advantage if you arrive by car, since you can come and go without paying, and the pool and hot tub are there when you return.
The TownePlace Suites by Marriott Thunder Bay has family rooms with kitchenettes, private bathrooms and free WiFi, which suits extended stays. Guests can use an indoor swimming pool, a hot tub and a fitness centre, with free bicycles available for exploring the area. A buffet breakfast with vegetarian and gluten-free options is served daily. Its rating is 7.9 across 47 reviews, a small sample. I would choose it for a longer stay where a kitchenette and a hot tub share the same address. The free bicycles are useful in warmer months, while in winter the indoor pool and hot tub carry the stay, with breakfast options for different diets.
A traveler's takeI would book the Valhalla Hotel & Conference Centre for a traveller who wants a sauna and a hot tub with a free airport shuttle, and the Best Western Plus NorWester Hotel & Conference Centre for a couple who want a fireplace in the room. Our editorial advice is to choose the TownePlace Suites by Marriott Thunder Bay for a longer stay with a kitchenette. Confirm shuttle times and hot tub hours when you book.
4.4Best Western Plus NorWester Hotel & Conference Centre
Hot Tub & Sauna · 119 reviewsFamily rooms with balconies and fireplaces, plus an indoor pool and airport shuttle
Why guests love itThe NorWester suits families who want space and warmth in Thunder Bay. Family rooms come with balconies and fireplaces, an unusual combination that makes winter evenings feel cosy rather than cramped. Downstairs, the indoor pool and hot tub give children somewhere to burn off energy after a day outdoors, while parents relax in the warm water. A free airport shuttle removes the need for a rental car on arrival, and the on-site restaurant takes care of dinner.
4.0Valhalla Hotel & Conference Centre
Hot Tub & Sauna · 860 reviewsAirport shuttle, pet-friendly stays, and two restaurants near Thunder Bay Airport
Why guests love itThe Valhalla is a practical family stop in Thunder Bay, a 4-minute drive from the international airport with a free airport shuttle. Children get an indoor pool, parents a hot tub and sauna, and two on-site restaurants mean dinner is sorted after a travel day. It is pet-friendly too, which helps on a road trip with the dog. With an 8 rating from 860 reviews, I would choose it for a first or last night around a flight.
4.0TownePlace Suites by Marriott Thunder Bay
Hot Tub & Sauna · 47 reviewsFamily-friendly suites with kitchenettes, an indoor pool, and free bikes
Why guests love itKitchenettes in the family rooms, an indoor swimming pool and a hot tub make TownePlace Suites Thunder Bay easy for a family on a longer stay, and free bicycles give a free way to explore. A buffet breakfast with vegetarian and gluten-free options is served daily, useful for dietary needs. A fitness centre and free Wi-Fi are included, and rooms have a private bathroom.
3.9Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Thunder Bay
Hot Tub & Sauna · 252 reviewsIndoor pool and hot tub for year-round relaxation in Thunder Bay
Why guests love itDays Inn & Suites by Wyndham Thunder Bay has the indoor pool and hot tub that make a family stopover easier, especially after a long day on the road. Rooms are air-conditioned with a refrigerator and a coffee machine, handy for snacks and early starts. Parking and WiFi are free, there is a fitness centre, and the front desk is open 24 hours. The 7.8 score from 252 reviews is fair for a practical base year-round.
Local tips
- 1Choose the Valhalla Hotel & Conference Centre if you want a hot tub and a sauna together, since it is the one that lists both.
- 2Use the complimentary airport shuttle at the Valhalla or the Best Western Plus NorWester, and confirm its times first.
- 3Ask for a room with a fireplace at the Best Western Plus NorWester Hotel & Conference Centre if you like a warm evening.
- 4Pick the TownePlace Suites by Marriott Thunder Bay for a longer stay with a kitchenette and a buffet breakfast.
- 5Check hot tub and pool hours when you reserve, since facilities often have set times.
- 6If you travel with a pet, confirm the policy at the Valhalla, which is described as pet-friendly.