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The Muir Hotel in the new Queen’s Marque District on the Halifax waterfront
The Muir Hotel opened in late 2021 on the waterfront in Halifax, Nova Scotia’s scenic capital. While this Atlantic Canadian city has plenty of comfortable, downtown business-class hotels, including the Prince George Hotel and the Cambridge Suites, Halifax hasn’t had a true luxury lodging — until now.
Here’s the scoop:
Part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, the Muir is anchoring the still developing Queen’s Marque District on the downtown Halifax harborfront, which includes restaurants, cafes, offices, condos, and shops.
The hotel’s design channels the region’s seafaring heritage throughout, starting from its metal-clad exterior etched with nautical quotes and images. The building itself is angled toward the water like a ship’s prow, and the surrounding walkways are constructed from local Nova Scotia paving stones.
Guestrooms at the Muir Hotel have custom-made throws on the beds.
Guest Rooms and Amenities
The Muir’s 109 rooms and suites are located on floors 2-5. While the design of all the rooms is similar, with white and beige soft goods accented with dark wood furnishings, they do vary significantly in size, views, and amenities. The prime units face the waterfront, while others look toward the city.
A circular bar in a Muir suite
All have bar facilities, and a few have balconies. The baths are modern, with rain showers and (in some rooms) deep soaker tubs.
In the palatial presidential suite, you can lounge in a massive bathtub while gazing out over the water through the wraparound windows.
Waterfront views from one of the Thrumcap Suites
While the standard guest rooms, especially those with water views, are lovely, it’s in the suites where Muir really shines. Some corner units look both along the waterfront and toward the sea from spacious living areas furnished with contemporary sofas and large work desks.
Bar Sofia serves drinks and Latin American-influenced tapas.
Dining and Drinking Options
The Muir caters largely to business travelers, especially midweek and in the colder months. But the property’s restaurants and bars give it a resort-like feel, particularly in summer on the outdoor patios. They’re drawing Halifax residents and leisure travelers as well as the expense-account crowd.
Drift, the Muir’s flagship restaurant
The hotel’s flagship restaurant, Drift, serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and drinks from its stylish cream-colored banquettes and bar stool perches.
The kitchen highlights local seafood, like fresh oysters, mussels, clams, cod, and lobster, and interprets traditional maritime dishes in inventive ways.
“Mushy peas” at Drift Restaurant
An appetizer of “mushy peas,” for example, isn’t mushy at all. Similar to falafel but made instead with green peas, the crisp-fried bites are both delicious and beautiful to look at, with a brilliant green interior.
Seafood “Hodgepodge” at Drift Restaurant
Hodgepodge, a traditional Nova Scotia vegetable stew, is served here as a creamy seafood dish, with a substantial slab of haddock, layered over shellfish, potatoes, carrots, and green beans, with brown bread to mop up the sauce.
Next door to Drift, Bar Sofia has a totally different vibe — a lively Latin feel, serving creative cocktails along with Latin American-influenced tapas.
Hidden behind a dark wood door on the property’s second floor is the Muir Hotel’s “secret” speakeasy-style bar, BKS. This guests-only lounge offers drinks and small plates and has a beautiful terrace overlooking the waterfront.
Art and Wellness
Not only is there lots of artwork throughout the hotel, the property has its own art gallery. With rotating pieces from regional artists, the True Colours Art Gallery is currently open only for hotel guests or to book as a contemporary event or meeting space.
The Windward Wellness Centre includes a large fitness room on the second floor, where you can work out on your own or take classes that might include yoga, Pilates, and spinning.
The indoor pool is small, but the facility offers hours for families or adults only, making it a little easier to find space for either a workout or simply splashing around. The wellness area also includes a eucalyptus steam room, a halotherapy salt room, and an infrared sauna.
On board the Muir Hotel’s sailboat
The Hotel’s Private Boats
If you really want to take advantage of the Muir’s waterfront location, book an excursion on the hotel’s 36-foot sailboat, Little Wing. A skipper will pilot you and your friends or significant other on a guided tour around the harbor. These two- or four-hour sails can include an onboard picnic as well.
Another option is to arrange a harbor tour on the hotel’s high-speed 24-foot motorboat, Reach.
At the Muir Hotel, you can enjoy the nautical ambiance throughout this luxurious waterfront property. But a scenic harbor sail or cruise is an even dreamier way to experience Nova Scotia maritime life.
Rates
Double room rates at the Muir Hotel start at CAD$409 per night. You can also compare and book at Booking.com or Travelocity.
Hotel feature by Vancouver-based travel, food, and feature writer Carolyn B. Heller. Photos © Carolyn B. Heller. The Muir Hotel hosted my Halifax stay but did not review or provide direct input into this story.
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