$50–100

Rusty’s Best Canadian Motor Inn (385 Gregoire Dr., 780/791-4646, www.bestcdn.com, $84 s, $94 d) is one of a bunch of properties four kilometers (2.5 miles) south of downtown near the visitors center. All rooms have a fridge and some have kitchens, or you can dine in the hotel restaurant or lounge.

$150–200

An excellent alternative to the hotel options is
Chez Dube (10102 Fraser Ave., 780/790-2367 or 800/565-0757, www.chezdube.com, $175 s, $190 d), a turreted 14-room bed-and-breakfast surrounded by a well-tended garden that includes colorful flowerpots hanging from the verandah. The rooms each have a pastel color scheme, comfortable beds, en suite bathroom, Wi-Fi Internet, and television. Rates include a full breakfast and use of a games room. It backs onto the riverfront park and is only a few blocks from the main street.

Over $200

Fort McMurray’s largest accommodation, with 190 rooms, is the Sawridge Inn and Conference Centre (530 Mackenzie Blvd., 780/791-7900 or 800/661-6567, www.sawridge.com, $219–249 s or d), which underwent a major revamp in 2003. Rooms have all the standard amenities business travelers demand, including wireless Internet. The city’s best breakfast (included in the rate) is served each morning in the downstairs restaurant and a lounge is spread around an indoor pool complex.

Clearwater Suite Hotel (4 Haineault St., 780/799-7676 or 877/799-7676, www.clearwaterfortmcmurray.com, $259–299 s or d) is aimed at long term stays, but is the nicest choice right downtown. Guest rooms are modern and come with 32-inch TVs, free Internet access, a washer/dryer combo, a kitchen, and free breakfast. It’s well worth the few extra dollars for a King Suite.

Camping

Rotary Park Campground (Hwy. 69, 780/790-1581, $20) offers showers, cooking facilities, and powered sites, and is open year-round. The park is signposted but easy to miss; turn east along Highway 69 and look for the entrance to the left.

Further from town is the forested campground at Gregoire Lake Provincial Park (19 km/12 mi south on Hwy. 63 then 10 km/6.2 mi east on Hwy. 881, 780/334-2111, unserviced sites $20, powered sites $23), which has 140 fairly private sites, 60 with power hookups. Amenities include showers, firewood, and watercraft rentals.

© Andrew Hempstead, from Moon Western Canada, 3rd Edition