When it comes to luxury hotels in Halifax, Muir is the only option. It’s the only 5-star hotel in the city, which is great because Muir is one of those hotels that adds to your travel experience. From its exceptional, thoughtful design and world-class amenities to its prime location and exquisite dining, staying at Muir is an experience in and of itself.
We had been wanting to stay at Muir since we first took a tour of the hotel during a travel conference a couple of years ago. Located right on the waterfront in the Queen’s Marque District, you won’t find a better location to stay in the city.
Welcoming guests to a refined, distinctly Nova Scotian hospitality experience, Muir has put so much thought into its design, which is something we wish other hotels would follow. Pulling from the strong Scottish heritage of the province as well as its Maritime history, the hotel’s interior resembles that of a beautiful ship. Although you won’t find the hotel moving along the rugged coast like the ships that inspired it, you will find unprecedented waterfront views and ocean access.
Prime Location in Halifax
Located in the Queen’s Marque District, which is a newly-regenerated waterfront neighbourhood in the heart of the city, you really won’t find a better location. The hotel is within walking distance of many of the city’s top attractions, including historical sites, shops, and vibrant nightlife. The Maritime Museum, for example, is right next door.
When people ask us about things to do in Halifax, our #1 recommendation is to walk the beautiful waterfront, which is right where the hotel is located. Whether you walk it slowly to admire the views, tantalize your tastebuds at one of the many restaurants, or admire the art, it really is the heart and soul of the city.
Muir’s Design
When it comes to luxury hotels, design is crucial. Thankfully, Muir has exceptional design, not just in the actual aesthetic of it all, but because of its influence. The Muir (Gaelic for “the sea”) and the hotel’s architecture and interior design blend modern elegance with the region’s Scottish and maritime heritage. Even the hallways that lead to the rooms make you feel like you’re on a cruise ship. Every detail, from the furnishings to the artwork, reflects the rich culture and history of Nova Scotia. This is great because it gives guests the chance to connect with the local culture artistically. Everything is designed and made in Canada.
Accommodation at Muir
Decorated in a calming, muted colour palette and arranged over five floors, each of the 109 rooms at Muir offers comfort, serenity, and beautiful made-in-Canada furniture and original Nova Scotia art.
We were travelling with my mother-in-law and our two babies, so we opted for a two-queen room, which was great. Muir even helped by adding a crib and an additional mobile playpen so that the twins had more places to sleep. They even left some little plush animals for them to take home, which was a really welcoming touch.
While the room will depend on the option you choose, each is incredibly spacious and thoughtful in its design. Some have balconies with ocean views and all of them have a beautiful bar area where you’ll find a variety of spirits in addition to a Nespresso machine, fridge, a cutting board, and more.
Each guest room and suite has a commissioned different Nova Scotia landscape painting and tartan blankets, designed especially for the hotel, another nod to the province’s Scottish history. The bathrooms include rain showers and Aesop amenities while some also have marble tubs.
Amenities at Muir
Something that impressed us while staying at Muir was its fitness centre, which is easily the best we’ve seen at any hotel we’ve stayed at across the world. It even rivals some actual gyms we’ve experienced at home. If you’re keen on a good workout while travelling, you’d be hard-pressed to find something better than this. The gym is 24/7 and has high-end Technogym equipment, free weights, a variety of cardio machines, and so much more. Rather be outdoors? They also offer complimentary kayaks and bicycles, plus access to the Muir motorboat and yacht. There’s also a vitality spa pool, halotherapy salt room, cold plunge, and an infrared sauna.
In addition, Muir has one of the best restaurants in Halifax, a rooftop terrace, private dining options for special occasions, a private art gallery and much more.
The Harbour and Queen’s Marque District
Designed in the shape of a ship’s bow, the Muir juts out over Halifax Harbour, providing a beautiful focal piece for the waterfront area. Nova Scotian architect Brian MacKay-Lyons, of MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects, did an outstanding job in not only designing the hotel but in designing the entire Queen’s Marque District. The $200 million development turned an otherwise shabby area of the Halifax Waterfront into one of the most attractive places in the city, which features several restaurants and bars, a wide boardwalk for running or strolling, places to relax, art by local artists and a striking 60-foot tidal clock,
Food and Drink at Muir
Another crucial aspect of a 5-star hotel is a great restaurant and Muir does not disappoint. Drift, the on-site restaurant, is one of the best in Halifax, offering truly delicious breakfast, lunch, and supper in a relaxed yet elegant atmosphere.
The menu offers a culinary journey that showcases the finest local ingredients and seafood, crafted to celebrate Atlantic flavours and a memorable dining experience.
We enjoyed three breakfasts and one dinner during our stay. The breakfast was so good and we looked forward to waking up each day to try something new. Some of the breakfast dishes we enjoyed were The Hipster (two poached eggs, avocado, tomato, wilted greens, tahini, smashed chickpeas, and multigrain toast), Eggs Benedict (poached eggs, peameal bacon, hollandaise, English muffin, and griddled potatoes), and the Salt Code Cakes & Beans (two poached eggs, salt cod, p.e.i. potatoes, onion, baked beans, and chow chow). For dinner, we enjoyed the Maritime Oysters and the Atlantic Salmon Tartare for appetizers before indulging in the Pork Belly & Scallops (slow-cooked nova scotia pork belly, Digby scallops, smoked carrot purée, and piccalilli) as well as the Nova Scotia Seafood Hodge Podge (butter-braised halibut cheek, mussels, Matane shrimp, nova scotia scallops, littleneck clams, salt cod brandade croquette, green beans, new potatoes, carrots, buttered leeks, and dill cream.) Everything was delicious with our favourite being the Hodge Podge, simply because it’s a traditional East Coast dish chalked full of flavour and a heaping amount of seafood.
Whether you’re staying at the hotel or not, we can definitely recommend Drift for both breakfast and dinner.
BKS Speakeasy
Available only to hotel guests and private members, Muir also features a speakeasy named BKG. Located on the third floor, the stylish bar is accessed by a discreet elevator and a secret door. Inside, guests will enjoy a wide range of cocktails while enjoying a waterfront terrace and harbour views. During our stay, one of our planned experiences was cancelled due to weather so Muir went ahead and booked us in for a special cocktail-making class at the BKS, an experience we can recommend if that’s something you’re into.
Muir’s Excursions and Special Experiences
What would one of the best luxury hotels in Halifax be if they didn’t offer special experiences for their guests?
The Muir is very committed to offering exceptional service, which includes creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere, in addition to helping the guests experience special excursions.
Some of the excursions include a helicopter ride to the remote Sable Island National Park, which is home to the world’s largest breeding colony of grey seals and over 500 wild horses, as well as a helicopter trip to Brier Island, a remote gem home to humpback whales. We were actually booked in for the whale-watching experience, which includes a 3-hour round-trip flight over the Bay of Fundy, but unfortunately, the weather interrupted those plans. Instead, Muir booked us in for a cocktail-making class and an experience at the Halifax Citadel. Both experiences were great and it goes to show you that Muir will go out of their way to ensure you have a great time regardless of the weather and other potential obstacles.
Sustainability
Focused on sustainability, the hotel works with regional partners and suppliers to provide local products and ingredients, reducing its carbon footprint and keeping money within the local economy. Muir is also one of the most energy-efficient buildings in the region, using renewable energy from the sea thanks to its seawater loop, a 50-foot pipe on the bottom of the harbour that draws in water to naturally heat and cool the building.
In addition, the hotel and Queen’s Marque District used reclaimed materials, including cobblestone and granite, some of which were reused from the original Halifax seawall built more than 200 years ago. They also Muntz copper metal as part of the construction (commonly used in Nova Scotia shipbuilding to endure harsh seawater conditions), locally quarried sandstone, green roofing materials, and thermally efficient windows. This is what makes Muir one of the best luxury hotels in Halifax.
Luxury Hotels in Halifax
From our experience, we can highly recommend the Muir to those looking for a luxury hotel in Halifax. The design is truly remarkable and we love that they used inspiration from their local surroundings and history. Everyone is very kind and welcoming, the food is delightful, and the fitness and spa area is one-of-a-kind.
Plus, as a traveller, the location is important and you really can’t beat staying on the waterfront. There’s just so much we love about this hotel and Halifax in general. For more things to do across Nova Scotia, check out our guides below:
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