The Magic of the Lights
Aurora Bayside Inn offers an inexplicable gateway in the sky
The Aurora Bayside Inn has a history of welcoming guests looking for a unique view.
The inn was established in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories in June 2021 by its current owner, John St. Louis.
But its history stretches back a lot further. Before becoming the Aurora Bayside Inn it was The Bayside Bed and Breakfast. Prior to that it was Mary and Friend’s Tea Room – a unique restaurant with a bed and breakfast.
Situated on the shore of Yellowknife Bay, Great Slave Lake the inn is in the heart of ‘Old Town’, Yellowknife’s eclectic lakefront neighbourhood, and the oldest part of the city.
It’s not to hard to guess where the inn got its name from.
“The Inn’s namesake being the fabulous views of the Aurora Borealis, which are visible on clear nights at the inn,” shares St. Louis. “An inexplicable gateway in the sky positions the Aurora with regularity over the bay, right in front of the inn.”
As it is located a safe distance away from the lights of downtown Yellowknife it enhances the Aurora’s visibility and colour array.
“The inn is ideally situated for Aurora viewing. The lights dancing in the sky over the inn and reflecting off the water is a magical sight!”
Aurora Bayside Inn is 5,600 square feet. The backyard property bordering the lake is large enough to host weddings and parties with a liquor license for 300 guests. The back courtyard area is roughly 3,200 square feet.
Standing three stories tall the main building has had two major additions to it. In 2011, Guy Architects designed a tall atrium entranceway and lobby at the front of the building with a keyhole window design. The building blends in well with its environment and is a classic wooden structure affixed by pilings to the Canadian Shield rock beneath. There is a wraparound second floor balcony on the lake side of the building.
There are five rooms in the inn, three of which comprise the new Executive Suite. Another suite is on the ground floor along with the Executive Suite and are both located in the main building, The Cabin is located in the backyard close to the main building. All units have a lake view and a private porch or balcony overlooking the courtyard and lake. The inn holds 12 guests at capacity.
The Executive Suite includes a guest lounge and kitchenette situated along large bay windows with an extensive view over the upper deck and a view of the bay. All rooms have ensuite bathrooms and breakfast nooks, equipped with a fridge, coffee maker, microwave, cutlery and dishes.
The rooms are fresh and modern. They have newly installed flooring, fresh paint and local art decorates the rooms, hallways, lobby and restaurant space.
While the Northern Lights may be the main attraction at the inn there are other features for the guests to enjoy.
“The Inn features a large dock that is accessed from the courtyard garden. It is furnished with Muskoka chairs and a swim ladder making it the perfect place for guests to tie up their rental canoe. It is also a favourite viewing platform for aurora-hunting visitors who find themselves drawn to the darkest spot of the property in the late nights of August and September.”
In addition to aurora viewing at the Inn, local outdoor adventure companies provide pick up and drop off for guests interested in experiencing dogsledding, snowmobiling, float plane rides or heading out on a guided hike. In the summer, fishing charters provide pickup of guests right at the Inn’s dock.
The restaurant at the inn is also popular with guests and locals alike. It faces the lakeside with views of the courtyard and garden with the lake in the background. Float planes take off and land not far from the inn’s dock and take eager anglers and adventurers into the wilderness which extends into the horizon. A large outdoor patio expands the restaurant seating area in summer months (June through August).
The lakefront location is what is most unique about Aurora Bayside Inn.
“It is the only overnight accommodation in Yellowknife which borders the waterfront. Located close to downtown its location is ideal in that it is close to the city’s amenities, shops and attractions. Yet it is comfortably situated in a more natural setting with a view of the North’s wilderness from the backyard,” explains St. Louis.
“Guests can sample the best of both world’s – the vibrancy and soul of the city and remoteness and beauty of the land. The waterfront environment offers both tranquility and activity. In the summertime, the lake can be busy with float planes, boats, paddlers, anglers and swimmers. In the winter, errant foxes, snowmobilers and ski planes provide a continuous cast of motion.”
All of these attractions help draw the guests in. Their demographic is a combination of international travellers seeking views of the Northern Lights and southern Canadians seeking the same or using the inn as a stopover on their way to a more remote fishing lodge or wilderness river canoe trip.
Lately there have been more visitors from Australia, New Zealand, the US, Mexico, Columbia and Venezuela. Beginning in late August – coinciding with the end of 24 hour daylight mostly Asian aurora tourists comprise the bulk of reservations all winter long into April.
In April 2023, renowned explorer Will Steger (led the first dog-sled trek across Antarctica) used the inn as his base before flying north on his epic solo expedition.
Looking to the future St. Louis plans to continue to provide affordable, comfortable accommodations for travellers in Yellowknife.
- Western Hotelier Magazine