Staying Places: Muir Celebrates The Spirit of Halifax’s Historic Waterfront

My ‘favourite-hotels-around-the-world’ list has a new member. The minute I walked into the intimate, stunningly modern lobby of Muir (Gaelic for sea), and was received with a warm, Nova Scotia welcome, I felt at home.

Halifax’s first five-star hotel opened in December 2021. The 109-room property, part of Queen’s Marque, a $200 million, six-acre multi-use development represents an integral part of the transformation of the city’s historic waterfront. It’s thrilling to see how planners, architects and designers captured the spirit and culture of traditional Nova Scotia with a modern spin on design, art, amenities and even the cuisine.

Muir is affiliated with the Marriot Bonvoy Autograph Collection – 200 hotels around the world, each with its own story to tell. Muir’s story combines an authentic ‘born of this place’ vibe with a nautical motif.

The work of Nova Scotia artists and artisans plays a prominent role, starting in the lobby with a statement, handwoven tapestry by Allison Pincent Baker and continuing throughout the halls and guest rooms. Salt-and-pepper granite, sandstone, Muntz, (the ship-building metal), and the warm wood and muted tones used throughout are traditional and of-the-moment. The long corridors on guest room floors give you the sense that you are on a luxury cruise ship. Guest rooms feature curved nautical white oak walls and plank flooring topped with a delightful surprise – a hand-braided rug.

In addition to the top-notch amenities, you would expect at a five-star hotel, the wall-to-wall draperies open and close with touch pad controls, on the desk is a book from the Muir collection to enjoy, there’s a well-stocked bar, and a soft, Muir tartan blanket.

Drift, the upscale restaurant (pictured above), describes itself as “a culinary ode to Nova Scotia’s land, people and history.” Celebrity chef Anthony Walsh, the Creative Culinary lead, was given the nod to redefine Maritime cuisine. And he did. Take for example, the homey hodgepodge vegetable stew he’s made even more appealing with Digby scallops and haddock.

And not to be overlooked – a 5,000 sq. ft. fitness centre and BKS, the oh-so-secret speakeasy. It’s no wonder this hotel has an important new place on my list of favourites!

Written by Anna Hobbs (Cruise & Travel Lifestyles Winter/Spring 2023)