Sault Ste. Marie Canada Lodgings

Especially for kids who haven't become blasé, visiting a foreign country and picking out all the little differences can be fun. For experiencing more Canadian atmosphere, stay near the waterfront downtown or in a homestay B&B. Fall is the premium season because of Agawa Canyon color tour.

Algoma's Water Tower Inn
(705) 949-8111
This very popular family-owned inn touts itself as "a resort for the price of a room." And for good reason. The sprawling facility provides guests with an "aqua spa" with indoor and outdoor whirlpools, heated wading and swimming pools, poolside bar, sauna. Dine at the grill or pub with 12 beers on tap, wood-oven pizza, live music. Outdoors there are fountains, waterfalls, waterways, and ponds. A highly recommended destination.

Brockwell Chambers
(705) 949-1076

The elegant dining room of the Brockwell Chambers.

One of the most extraordinary B&B values anywhere is this immaculate, elegant 1905 urban manor built as the residence for the manager of the Bank of Montreal. The beautiful dining room alone is a great treat. In near-regal dress, owner Maria Sutton serves hearty breakfasts at a long table covered with linen tablecloth and sterling silver tableware. Her husband Sardar provides interesting background about the region. Each of the elegantly furnished four rooms has a high ceiling and TV, telephone, work desk, wi-fi, access to verandah. Good downtown restaurants are nearby.

DELTA WATERFRONT HOTEL
705-949-0611, 888-713-8482
Every room here has at least a limited view of the dramatic waterfront vista out over Michigan—either up (toward the locks) or downstream. The 8-story, 195-room hotel is downtown right on the river and the Boardwalk, next to the Roberta Bondar Park (scene of concerts, farm markets, and more). Station Mall is across the street. There are river views from the indoor swimming pool and whirlpool, the outdoor patio, and the restaurant and lounge. $139 ($119 Fridays) for 2 queens, limited view of River. $179 for 1-queen, great view of river. Rooms have heated bathroom floors, in-room fridges, stand-up showers, high speed internet, turn down service, terry-cloth robes, spacious desk (5'x2'), iPod docking clock radio &8 32" flat screen TV.

BEST WESTERN GREAT NORTHERN
(705) 942-2500; U.S. (800) 563-7262
For families this place is a great bet, especially in winter. It combines a 211-room hotel in a 7-story tower with what amounts to a vast indoor resort. There's a 5-story waterslide (free for guests), a 9-hole “wilderness” miniature golf course, pools indoors and out, a fitness center with sauna and whirlpool, a game room, restaurant, lounges, and a tunnel to a 24-lane computerized bowling alley. Summer noncorporate rate for 2 about $96 American, includes with a free game of bowling and minigolf. Ask for packages. 3 whirlpool rooms. Reserve at least a month ahead for fall, otherwise a week ahead is usually OK.

AMBASSADOR MOTEL
(705) 759-6199; (888) 274-2183 reservations.
This very pleasant, 16-room family-run motel has an unusual setting. It's at the north edge of Sault Ste. Marie's busy commercial strip, close to many restaurants. It's also closer to the Goulais River Valley or Searchmont. There's a small indoor pool, sauna, and hot tub. The large back yard has room for an outdoor tub and, in winter, a skating rink and in summer basketball and horseshoes. Rooms are large, with a walk-out patio door. All have coffee, a mini-fridge, and phone with free local calls. There's a free morning paper, too. Non-smoking available. 2006 rates were $99 Canadian in summer (about $84 U.S.), $74 in winter ($63 U.S.). On snowmobile trail. Booking ahead two weeks is usually enough.

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