The Prince Hotel Prince George isn't just a building; it is a survivor. If you’ve spent any time in downtown Prince George, you know the spot on 3rd Avenue. It’s been through the ringer. From its heyday as a bustling hub for travelers and locals to more recent headlines involving social issues and structural debates, this place has a story that mirrors the city itself. Gritty. Resilient. Complicated.
Honestly, it’s easy to look at the facade and make assumptions. But there is a lot more under the hood than just a budget stay or a local landmark.
Why the Prince Hotel Prince George matters to the city's pulse
You can't talk about the downtown core without addressing the Prince Hotel. It’s situated right in the thick of things. For some, it represents the "Old Prince George," a time when 3rd Avenue was the primary shopping and social artery of the North. For others, it’s a symbol of the modern challenges facing urban centers in British Columbia, specifically regarding housing and safety.
Location is everything. Being just a short walk from the Wood Innovation and Design Centre and the Prince George Public Library, the hotel occupies prime real estate. This proximity creates a weird tension. You have high-end architectural marvels on one side and a legacy hotel trying to find its footing on the other. It’s this intersection that makes the Prince Hotel Prince George a focal point for city planners and developers.
What most people get wrong is the idea that the hotel is stagnant. It isn't. The ownership and management have had to pivot constantly. Whether it's adjusting to the changing demographics of the neighborhood or dealing with the fallout of a global pandemic that gutted the hospitality industry, the hotel has been forced to adapt or die.
The shift from tourism to long-term residency
Look, the reality of the Prince Hotel Prince George has shifted. It’s no longer just a place where a salesperson grabs a room for a night before driving to Quesnel. It has increasingly become a site for long-term residential stays. This is a trend we see across Canada in older downtown hotels. When the market for mid-range tourism dries up, these buildings often fill the gap in the housing market.
Some folks call it "low-income housing," but that's a bit of a simplification. It’s a mix. You’ve got people who have lived there for years, forming a tight-knit, if somewhat invisible, community. Then you have the transient workers. It’s a ecosystem.
This shift hasn't been without friction. Local news outlets, like the Prince George Citizen, have frequently reported on police calls and safety concerns in the immediate vicinity. It’s a tough conversation. How do you maintain a historic business while managing the complex social realities of a downtown core? There aren't easy answers. But dismissing the hotel as "just a problem" ignores the fact that it provides a roof for people who might otherwise have nowhere else to go.
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Navigating the Prince Hotel Prince George experience today
If you’re thinking about booking a room, you need to know what you’re getting into. This isn't the Coast Prince George Hotel by APA (the big one with the pool and the higher price tag). People often mix them up because of the name. Don't do that. You’ll be disappointed if you show up at the Prince Hotel on 3rd Avenue expecting a bellhop and a luxury spa.
Basically, it’s no-frills. It’s "budget" in the truest sense of the word.
- Price point: It remains one of the cheapest options in the city. If you’re a traveler on a shoestring budget or a worker looking for a place to crash without the corporate markup, this is it.
- Room Quality: It’s an old building. Expect quirks. Thin walls, older fixtures, and a decor style that feels like a time capsule from the late 90s.
- Vibe: It’s active. There is a lot of foot traffic around the entrance. If you aren't comfortable with the grit of a downtown environment, you might find it intimidating.
The Prince Hotel Prince George serves a specific niche. It’s for the person who needs a bed, a TV, and a door that locks, and who doesn't want to pay $200 a night for the privilege. It’s functional. It’s honest about what it is.
Acknowledging the "Grit" factor
Let's be real. The area around 3rd and George St has a reputation. There is no point in sugarcoating it. You will see social issues firsthand. Homelessness and addiction are visible in the downtown core, and the Prince Hotel is at the center of that map.
I’ve talked to people who stay there regularly for work. They say the same thing: "Mind your business, and it's fine." The staff are often cited as being surprisingly hardy and helpful, given the environment they work in. They’ve seen it all. They know the regulars. There is a level of street-level expertise there that you won't find at a franchise hotel on the bypass.
The architectural legacy we often overlook
Beneath the weathered signs and the urban wear-and-tear, the Prince Hotel Prince George is part of the city’s bones. Prince George grew up fast. The post-war boom turned a sleepy mill town into the "Northern Capital." The hotels of that era were built to last.
While it might not have the soaring glass of modern builds, there is a structural integrity to these older hotels. They were designed for the climate. Thick walls to keep out the -30°C winters. Layouts that prioritized utility. There is a certain charm in the symmetry of the windows and the way the building anchors the corner of the block.
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There is often talk in the community about "revitalization." Usually, that’s code for "tear it down and build condos." But there is a growing movement in urban planning that suggests the best way to save a downtown is to preserve its history while upgrading the interior. Could the Prince Hotel Prince George eventually become a boutique spot? Maybe. But that requires capital that usually follows a shift in the neighborhood's overall economic health.
Comparing your options in Prince George
If you’re looking at the Prince Hotel, you’re likely weighing it against a few other spots.
Most people looking for a "Prince" hotel are actually looking for the Coast Prince George Hotel by APA. That one is a few blocks away. It’s got the steakhouse (Winston’s), the indoor pool, and the high-speed elevators. It’s the corporate standard.
Then you have the Ramada by Wyndham, which sits on the edge of the downtown core. It’s a middle-ground option. Solid, predictable, slightly more expensive than the Prince Hotel but cheaper than the Coast.
Then there’s the Prince Hotel. It’s the underdog. It’s the choice for the traveler who wants to save every cent or the person who needs a long-term arrangement without a lease. It’s the "rough around the edges" cousin of the local hospitality family.
Practical tips for staying downtown
If you find yourself staying at the Prince Hotel Prince George or even just visiting the area, a little bit of local knowledge goes a long way.
- Parking: It can be tricky. Don't leave valuables in your car. This is standard advice for any city center, but it applies doubly here. Use the hotel’s designated parking if available and keep it empty.
- Dining: You are actually close to some great food. The Nancy O's restaurant is nearby and offers some of the best gastropub food in the North. If you want something quick, there are local diners that have been there as long as the hotel.
- Walking: During the day, the downtown is a busy hub. At night, it’s quieter, and the social issues become more visible. If you aren't used to an urban environment, stick to the main well-lit streets.
The future of the Prince Hotel Prince George
What happens next? That’s the big question. Prince George is currently experiencing a bit of a shift. With the expansion of the university (UNBC) and the continued development of the healthcare sector, there is pressure on the downtown to "clean up."
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However, we have to look at the "Housing First" models being discussed by the provincial government. Locations like the Prince Hotel Prince George are prime candidates for integrated housing projects. There is a scenario where the building is bought out by a non-profit or the government to be fully converted into managed social housing. This has happened to several hotels in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside and in parts of Victoria.
Until then, the hotel remains a private business. It operates in the gap. It provides a service that the city clearly needs, even if that service isn't always pretty or prestigious.
Actionable insights for travelers and locals
If you are a traveler:
Confirm your booking location twice. Ensure you are booking the "Prince Hotel" on 3rd Avenue and not the "Coast Prince George Hotel" unless that is your intention. The price difference is usually a dead giveaway, but modern booking sites can be confusing.
If you are a local:
Keep an eye on city council minutes. The fate of the 3rd Avenue corridor is a frequent topic of debate. The Prince Hotel is often a "canary in the coal mine" for how the city intends to handle downtown development versus social services.
If you are a history buff:
Take a walk past the building and look at the upper brickwork. Ignore the street-level signage for a moment. You can see the original intent of the architecture—a sturdy, welcoming gateway to the North.
The Prince Hotel Prince George isn't going to win any "Hotel of the Year" awards. It’s probably not going to be on a postcard anytime soon. But it is a vital, albeit messy, part of the Prince George story. It’s a place that houses people, facilitates commerce, and stands as a reminder that cities are living, breathing, and sometimes struggling things.
Next time you’re downtown, don’t just look past it. It’s been there for the city's highs and its lows. And for now, it’s not going anywhere.
Next Steps for Your Visit to Prince George
- Verify your accommodation: If you have already booked, check your confirmation email for the specific address on 3rd Avenue to ensure it aligns with your travel expectations.
- Research local dining: Map out nearby restaurants like Nancy O's or Betulla Burning to ensure you have high-quality meal options within walking distance.
- Plan for safety: If arriving late at night, arrange for a taxi or ride-share to drop you directly at the entrance rather than walking from distant parking lots.