The Explorer hotel: Where Adventures Meet
Badge of Awesome Communities invites you to share your favourite things to see and do in cool destinations around the world. We caught up with the folks from The Explorer Hotel — one of our featured attractions from the Northwest Territories — to learn about what they have to offer.
What makes The Explorer Hotel Awesome?
The Explorer Hotel: We are honoured to be asked to contribute to this edition of Badge of Awesome. We would love to share our Top 5 Awesome Points.
Awesome Point #1 – Our Ambassador
How many times do you check into a hotel only to be greeted by a 9’ tall polar bear? Our iconic ambassador is always here to greet our Hotel guests. In fact, we encourage our guests to take selfies with this big fella. We will be running “name the polar bear” contest later this year. Follow us on Facebook so you don’t miss out on your chance to win! https://www.facebook.com/exploreryellowknife/
Fun Fact: Polar bears have built-in shoes. They have stiff fur on the sole of their feet that keeps the polar bear from slipping and sliding on ice. This additional traction also muffles the sound of the bear’s approach when they are sneaking up on their next meal.
Awesome Point #2 – Bucket List Destination
Several of our guests travel great distances to view our speculator Aurora Borealis. This bucket list “must do” is also know as the Northern Lights. We are proud to share that Yellowknife is the Aurora Capital of North America. The best time to view the Northern Lights is in the autumn and winter. We have several tour partners that can take you for an experience of a lifetime. Learn more on the Aurora and Adventure Pages on our website at www.explorerhotel.ca.
Fun Fact: In the Northwest Territories, the Aurora Borealis can be seen approximately 240 days per year which is the most days of visibility on planet!
Awesome Point #3 – Our Team!
Our service culture is all about treating our valued friends (guests) like they are visiting a good Northern friend. Skye is a great example of this service promise. She has worked in our Trapline Lounge for the last 5 years. Skye is all about a big smile and she takes pride in remembering regular guests and local patron’s favourite drink. Throughout our Hotel you will meet other awesome family members that are all about true Northern hospitality.
Fun Fact: The Explorer Hotel hosted the Legislative Assembly meetings in our conference rooms until they moved to their own building.
Awesome Point #4 – Our Northern Bites that Delight
Our Executive Chef Gregor Zundel is proud to share his awesome concepts with true Northern elements at our Trader’s Grill. The menu includes several Northern locally sourced dishes such as grilled Arctic Char, Herb Roasted Venison Rack, Bison Mixed Grill and Grill Elk Loin Steak. These dishes are a “must try” when you visit. As they say … when in Rome! You will not be disappointed.
Fun Fact: Yellowknife holds the title of the most profitable coffee shop on the planet. Yes, we said planet! The people of Yellowknife love themselves some java.
Awesome Point #5 – Location, Location, Location
We are located atop the rock! This allows us to offer awesome views that you will not soon to forget. You will be able to see Yellowknife in all of her splendor when you look out your window. She is a diverse gal that says city slicker to the North and wilderness to the South. The Explorer Hotel is a 5-minute walk to downtown with easy access to anything and everything in and around Yellowknife.
Fun Fact: Three generations of the British Royal Family have been our guests at our Hotel since we opened our doors in 1976. The Royal visitors include Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip; Prince Charles and Prince William and Duchess Catherine.
We invite you to find your own awesome moments when you visit us at The Explorer Hotel in Yellowknife, NWT. We hope to see you soon!
Visit The Explorer Hotel website to learn more!
