I’ve been to Guelph a bunch of times, mostly as a weekend getaway from the GTA and sometimes just a day trip when I need a change of scenery. It’s one of those places that looks unassuming from the outside but keeps surprising you. Good food, cool neighbourhoods, an actual downtown, and that university town vibe that keeps things lively year-round.

The best hotel stay I have had so far in Guelph was at the Delta Hotels by Marriott Guelph Conference Centre. I loved the rooms, the service was excellent, and it had a great fitness centre. I would stay there again without hesitation. I will share more detail on it below along with all the other good places to stay in Guelph depending on what kind of trip you are planning.

In this post I am sharing the best places to stay in Guelph, covering all accommodation types, based on my own experience and research, whether you are coming for a weekend getaway, a business trip, or visiting someone at the University of Guelph. Check out my things to do in Guelph guide for ideas on how to spend your time while you are there.

A Few Things to Know Before You Book

The city of Guelph is a mid-sized city about an hour west of Toronto, easily accessible via Highway 401. It is home to the University of Guelph, which gives it a younger, creative energy and means the city has good restaurants, live music venues, and an active arts scene. The Guelph Civic Museum is worth a visit if you are interested in the city’s history, and downtown Guelph along the Speed River is one of the nicer downtown cores in Ontario.

Most of the popular hotels in Guelph are not in the heart of downtown. The Western Hotel & Executive Suites is the exception. Most others are clustered around the Stone Road and Gordon Street area near the University of Guelph, or further out near Highway 401. This is worth knowing when you book, especially if being walkable to downtown is important to you.

Getting to Guelph from Toronto is easy by car and takes about an hour via Highway 401. GO Transit also runs trains from Union Station to Guelph Central Station, making it accessible without a car for a day trip or weekend visit.

Best Places to Stay in Guelph

Delta Hotels by Marriott Guelph Conference Centre

This is where I stayed and it was genuinely one of my better hotel stays in that part of Ontario. The Delta Hotels by Marriott Guelph Conference Centre is a 4-star hotel at the corner of Stone Road and Gordon Street, right across from the University of Guelph and close to the University of Guelph Arboretum. I stayed in a suite and loved how spacious it was. It had its own separate sections and a large balcony.

I visited in winter so I did not get to sit out on the balcony for long, but in warmer weather that would be a real highlight. The service throughout my stay was excellent and the fitness center was one of the better hotel gym setups I have used. I would stay here again. I also noticed a lot of families staying there which makes sense given the space and the setup.

The hotel has 148 guest rooms and suites with free Wi-Fi and free wi-fi throughout, flat-screen TVs, kitchenettes, and wet bars. There is an on-site restaurant, Bar Mason, which serves dinner and light meals in the evenings, and Cafe Mason for breakfast. The hotel also has a business center and 13,000 square feet of flexible meeting space which makes it popular with business travelers and conference groups. It offers pet-friendly accommodations and has a 24-hour front desk.

One thing worth knowing: there is no on-site pool if a pool is important to you. Parking is available on-site for $15 per day. Downtown Guelph is about a 7 to 8-minute drive so you cannot really walk there from the hotel. It is worth factoring in if you want to be closer to the downtown restaurants and live music scene.

Western Hotel & Executive Suites

The Western Hotel & Executive Suites is the best option if you want to be in the heart of downtown Guelph. It is a boutique hotel at 72 Macdonell Street, with walking distance to the Guelph Civic Museum, restaurants, and live music venues. It also has an amazing penthouse suite and is definitely one of the best places to stay in Guelph.!

Staybridge Suites Guelph by IHG

Good option for families or longer stays. Each suite has a full kitchen and the hotel has an indoor pool, fitness centre, free parking, and free breakfast. Pet-friendly accommodations with a pet fee. About a 10-minute drive from downtown. You can book here.

Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Guelph

This 3-star inn has numerous amenities including an indoor pool, hot tub, fitness centre, free hot breakfast, free parking, and a free shuttle service. Located in the north end of Guelph, about a 20-minute drive from downtown. Check out the current prices here

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Guelph

Has an indoor pool with a waterslide, fitness centre, free parking, and a complimentary breakfast. Reliable and well reviewed, a short drive from downtown Guelph and close to the University of Guelph.

Norfolk Guest House Inn

One of the best-reviewed places to stay in Guelph. Small bed and breakfast with free parking, free WiFi, and a homemade breakfast. Rated 9.0 across booking platforms. It’s about a 10-minute drive from downtown. An ideal choice if you want something with more character than a standard hotel. You can check it out here

Royal Inn and Suites at Guelph

It’s not one of the ‘best’, but it is a great option if you’re very budget concious and want a location downtown.

Comfort Inn Guelph

Pet-friendly, free parking, free WiFi, complimentary wi-fi throughout, and fitness centre. Clean and reliable. A comfortable stay at an affordable price.

Super 8 by Wyndham Guelph

One of the most affordable options in Guelph. Free breakfast, free parking, and free WiFi. A great choice for a one-night stop at an affordable price.

Wayfare Motel

The Wayfare Motel and Parkview Motel are no-frills budget options. Good if you are looking for cheap hotels in Guelph and just need somewhere to sleep.

Days Inn Guelph

Budget-friendly option close to the University of Guelph. Free WiFi and comfortable rooms.

Nearby Options Worth Knowing About

If you are open to staying just outside Guelph, the Hilton Kitchener, Homewood Suites by Hilton Waterloo – St. Jacobs, and the Cambridge hotel scene more broadly are all about a 20-minute drive away. Good if you are exploring the broader Waterloo Region.

Elora, about 20 minutes north, has the Elora Mill Hotel and Spa. A converted 1832 grist mill on the Grand River with a spa and restaurant. Worth knowing about if you want something special.

Which Hotel Is Right for You?

For a weekend getaway where you want the best overall experience, the Delta Hotels by Marriott Guelph Conference Centre is a great option. The rooms are great, the service is excellent, and the location near the university end of the city gives you easy access to Stone Road Mall and the University of Guelph Arboretum.

If being in the heart of downtown Guelph matters to you, the Western Hotel & Executive Suites is the only real option for upscale accommodation in the city center and it is a good one. The boutique character and the downtown location make it ideal for a couple’s weekend or anyone who wants to walk to restaurants and live music.

For families, the Staybridge Suites Guelph is the popular choice. Full kitchens, an indoor pool, free breakfast, and spacious suites make it one of the best hotels in Guelph for a family stay.

For business travelers, the Delta Hotels by Marriott Guelph Conference Centre has the meeting rooms, business centre, and professional setup you need. The Hampton Inn & Suites is another good option with a free shuttle service.

For budget-conscious travelers, the Comfort Inn Guelph and Super 8 by Wyndham offer the best affordable prices while still covering the basics.

Practical Tips for Staying in Guelph

Free parking: Most hotels outside downtown offer free on-site parking. In downtown, the Western Hotel has street parking nearby. The Delta charges $15 per day.

Getting around: A car makes getting around Guelph much easier. If you are coming from the Waterloo Region, the Holiday Inn Guelph Hotel and the Holiday Inn Express are both worth knowing about for a 3-star hotel room at budget prices. The city is not particularly walkable between areas. GO Transit connects Guelph Central Station to Toronto and is a good option for day trips.

Early check-in / late check-out: Most hotels have a standard check-in from 3pm and check-out by 11am or 12pm. Contact the front desk directly if you need early check-in or late check-out as availability varies.

My Final Thoughts on Places to Stay in Guelph

Guelph is a great city for a weekend visit from the GTA and the hotel options cover every type of trip. My personal pick is the Delta Hotels by Marriott Guelph Conference Centre and I would stay there again. But the Western Hotel & Executive Suites is the one I am most curious to try on a future visit for a proper downtown Guelph experience.

Check out my things to do in Guelph guide for ideas on how to fill your time while you are there.

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