Why the Fort Garry Hotel is Perfect for an Urban Escape

Posted: March 26, 2026 | Author: Brenna Holeman | Estimated Read Time: 4 minutes

You don’t have to travel far to feel as though you’re on vacation! Winnipeg’s Fort Garry Hotel is the perfect place for an urban escape, romantic weekend or mini-break. Opened in 1913, this historic hotel is one of the city's most iconic buildings, a stunning example of the chateau style of architecture that was popular across Canada in the early 20th century.

Conveniently located within walking distance of some of Winnipeg’s most famous attractions, the Fort Garry Hotel offers luxurious rooms, live entertainment, a world-class spa and incredible dining options. Combine that with its Old World elegance and modern amenities and it’s easy to see why the hotel is the ideal spot for an urban escape. In fact, you might never want to leave!

Here are just a few things you can experience when you visit the Fort Garry Hotel.

Stay in One of the Spectacular Rooms

It’s rare to find a hotel where history and Old World grandeur coexist so effortlessly with modern amenities and comforts, but that’s what you’ll find at the Fort Garry Hotel. One thing’s for sure: this isn’t like any other hotel in the city.

Every one of the 240 rooms makes you instantly feel at home, blending solace with style, modernity with timelessness. With a variety of rooms and suites to meet your every want and need (and then some), you’ll enjoy premium linens and down-filled duvets, deluxe bath products and - of course - plush robes to make your stay as comfortable as possible.

Each room is uniquely designed, combining modern elegance with the vintage charm the hotel is known for; think rich hardwood floors paired with high ceilings, warm lighting with contemporary decor and many more stylistic surprises that please the eye. Options range from cozy rooms complete with double beds to sophisticated premium suites with king-sized beds.

Coming in April 2026, stay on the Vice Regal Floor, a hotel-within-the-historic-hotel experience. Home to the hotel’s Vice Regal Collection of rooms and suites, guests on this floor have access to the exclusive Vice Regal Lounge and its services, including a complimentary hot breakfast, evening hors-d’oeuvres and an honour bar. The Vice Regal Floor is also where you’ll find the hotel’s largest suite, the Vice Regal.

And if you’re celebrating a momentous occasion or simply want to take advantage of the special perks on offer, there are a few packages you can choose from. The Romance Package includes chocolate-covered strawberries and a bottle of sparkling wine, ideal for anniversaries and romantic getaways.

No matter which room or suite you choose at the Fort Garry Hotel, you’ll enjoy a stay that is as luxurious as it is comfortable and as welcoming as it is memorable.

Savour Some of Winnipeg’s Best Dining

If you’re a foodie, you’re in the right place. With multiple dining options to choose from, the Fort Garry Hotel is home to culinary bliss. Whether you’re after fine dining or more casual fare, you’ll find it here. 

The Oval Room Brasserie is famous in Winnipeg not only for its delicious food but for its showstopping design. Named as one of Canada’s top 50 hotel restaurants by OpenTable / Kayak in 2025, walking into the Oval Room Brasserie feels like stepping back in time; the high ceilings, plush seating and warm ambiance transport you to a time of grandeur and Old World elegance. In fact, it is the hotel’s flagship eatery, opened in 1913.

Featuring classic brasserie and bistro dishes under the creative direction of Chef Kyle Lew, you can dine at the Oval Room Brasserie for breakfast, lunch, dinner and late night snacks. Feast on tasty classics such as pizza, burgers, meatloaf, lamb shank or ribeye, or try Manitoba flavours such as bison carpaccio and pickerel cake. 

For fine dining that blends traditional Italian cuisine with contemporary innovation, head to Vida Cucina Italia. Led by Chef Fabrizio Rossi, every bite at Vida Cucina Italia is infused with refined technique and mouthwatering flavours. The primi dishes include handmade pastas that are among the most authentic in Winnipeg, including cappellacci stuffed with spinach and ricotta, pappardelle noodles tossed in a Manitoba wild boar ragù and linguine with Canadian lobster. Although it’s tempting to fill up on antipasti, primi and secondi, try to leave room for dessert, as the decadent dolci options are out of this world. This is the kind of place where meals turn into memories, where the experience is talked about long after the visit.

In summer, relax on The Sunset Terrace Eat + Drink patio. Voted the best patio in Winnipeg in 2025 by readers of the Winnipeg Sun, it has quickly become the place to go downtown due to its laid-back atmosphere, live music on Thursdays through Saturdays and a curated menu that highlights the best of Manitoban flavours. Relax under the large umbrellas as you sip on one of their specialty cocktails, surrounded by lush greenery… what could be better than that? The FGH Signature Pizza is a must-try, a unique Manitoban-Italian creation made with Italian biga and local Prairie Flour Mills organic flour.

Treat Yourself to a Luxury Spa Experience

Another reason to visit the Fort Garry Hotel? To unwind, of course. The hotel’s Ten Spa - found on the tenth floor, naturally - is frequently named as one of the top spas in the province, and it has become synonymous with relaxation and rejuvenation. Open seven days a week, the spa is home to Winnipeg’s only full-service spa that also features a co-ed Turkish Bath (the hamam). The spa is perfect for whatever you’re craving: a solo escape, a couples’ retreat or a few tranquil hours with friends. 

Choose from one of the many personalized services at Ten Spa, including massages, facials, body treatments, and manicures and pedicures, to name a few. Every spa service is tailored to your preferences and relaxation needs, making it feel as if it were created just for you. At the heart of the spa is the hamam, a sanctuary that aims to renew and revitalize through exfoliation, massage and authentic “hot air bathing”, a time-honoured tradition from the Ottoman Empire. In other words? A little slice of paradise, right in downtown Winnipeg.

Get Active and Feel Energized

If you’re in the mood to get active during your urban escape at the Fort Garry Hotel, you’re in luck: the state-of-the-art gym is available 24 hours a day to all guests aged 16 and up. You’ll find everything you need for a workout in the fitness centre, including Peloton bikes and treadmills, a Jacob’s ladder, free weights and more.

The Hotel Fort Garry has also partnered with Yoga Public, your go-to for infrared hot yoga, guided meditation and numerous classes to choose from. In fact, all guests enjoy one complimentary Yoga Public class per night during your stay at the hotel. With beautiful studios located only a couple of short blocks away, you can partake in a few classes during your city break to help you unwind, recharge and feel your best.

Enjoy Live Entertainment

From comedy to live music, there’s plenty to keep you entertained at the Fort Garry Hotel. Order a few snacks and drinks for the table and enjoy some of Winnipeg’s best live shows.

Presented by Yuk Yuk’s, get ready to laugh on Friday and Saturday evenings with stand-up comedy in The Club Room. Many well-known comedians have passed through these doors, and the venue has become legendary for its side-splitting performances. 

Also in The Club Room, catch live jazz on Sunday evenings. This intimate setting is the ultimate venue to experience a diverse roster of performances, from Canadian legends to up-and-coming stars. Hosted by Jazz Winnipeg, you can enjoy everything from swing to Latin jazz to electric fusion, depending on the evening’s performance.

The Fort Garry Hotel is home to Winnipeg’s premium rooms and suites, combining beauty and history for an experience like no other. Add to that the excellent restaurants, live entertainment and wellness options, and you have the perfect recipe for an urban escape you’ll never forget.

About The Author

I'm Brenna, a travel writer who proudly calls Winnipeg home. After years of living & travelling abroad, I moved back to Manitoba only to fall in love with it even more than before. My favourite things are prairie sunsets, breweries & my son’s laugh.

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