From: olaf@kean.ucs.mun.ca
Subject: Re: st john's nfld hotel?
Organization: Memorial University. St.John's Nfld, Canada
Distribution: rec
Date: Tue, 1 Sep 1992 13:30:53 GMT

In article <199226.841.22378@dosgate>, "stephanie fysh" <stephanie.fysh@canrem.com> writes:
> I'm going to be in St. John's, Newfoundland for a conference in October.
> I'm staying at the conference hotel for the most part, but my roommate
> is leaving a day before me and I'm looking for a decent, *inexpensive*
> hotel or b&b for my last night there.  Any suggestions?
> 
> Also, is there anything I shouldn't miss in St. John's?  I'll have about
> a day and half of holiday there.
> 
> - Stephanie Fysh (Toronto)
> ---
>   SLMR 2.1a  Picard/Riker in '92
> --
> Canada Remote Systems  - Toronto, Ontario/Detroit, MI
> World's Largest PCBOARD System - 416-629-7000/629-7044

Hi! You wanted some information on St. John's, Newfoundland.
First, some general advice. The Newfoundland provincial
government is generous with information; call them at (800)
563-6353. What to beware of in Newfoundland: overpriced motels
(they appear desperate to make 12 months worth of income out of
four months of tourist season), deep-fried foods (if you have
cholesterol problems, you'll go home in a casket: that's the
warning of Patrick O'Flaherty who has just written a caustic but
fun book on Newfoundland called "Come Near at Your Peril"), and
reconstituted milk (tinned milk is still a favourite here).
Compensating for the motels is a growing bed-and-breakfast
industry; some are quite good. In St. John's, I recommend the
Prescott Inn Hotel, a B&B at 17-19 Military Road across from the
old garrison church. It's reasonable for St. John's ($45 single,
$55 double last I stayed there) and clean, and the people are
nice. The furnishings are antique but comfortable. Call (709)
753-6036. The Fort William can also be recommended (similar
prices and decor; call 726-3161 or fax 726-4525). There are
others, but these are the only ones with which I have any
experience. They're quite close to the Newfoundland Hotel. You
mentioned that you would be at a conference but didn't say where
you were staying; most conferences make hotel arrangements either
with the Newfoundland Hotel or the Radisson Plaza. These are at
opposite ends of Duckworth Street, which runs parallel to the
main downtown street, Water Street. Most of the restaurants and
pubs are on this Duckworth-Water Street artery.

You asked about what to see in St. John's, but didn't indicate
what you were most interested in. Nor did you indicate whether
you would have a car. If you rent a car, then some of the nearby
outports (Petty Harbour, Bay Bulls, Ferryland to the south,
Quiddy Viddy, Torbay, Pouch Cove -- pronounced "Pooch" Cove -- to
the north) are worth a visit; look for Marine Drive to the north
of St. John's, especially Red Cliff Road for a spectacular view
of Logy Bay, though be warned that the final 2-3 km road can be
quite rough in places. But the view is worth it. The Flake House
Restaurant in Quiddy Viddy is excellent, though pricey, and
reservations are recommended. Cape Spear is also near by car
(about 15 km); it is the easternmost point of land in what is
technically North America. Closer to St. John's, and walkable if
you are in shape (since it's an uphill climb) is Signal Hill,
with a Visitor Centre halfway up, and a great view of St. John's
at the top, complete with interpretive displays and museum
exhibits.

If you are on foot, you are pretty well limited to St. John's. As
I said before, there are some nice pubs (I like the Ship Inn, in
an alleyway between Duckworth and Water Street for the
traditional atmosphere; Bridgett's is a bit farther, but a great
place for live -- and lively -- entertainment). There are several
restaurants; I like the Blue Door, which is unpretentious and has
an interesting menu (continental with an Atlantic flavour); the
Cellar is pricey but the food is good. The Stone House is pricey,
but usually excellent. Zapata's and Casa Grande offer Mexican.
All are within walking distance of the B&Bs I mentioned earlier.
The Murray Premises near the harbour and the Radisson Hotel were
once a mercantile complex which have been renovated into shops,
restaurants, and a very nice museum facility (don't miss the
upper floor exhibits on Newfoundland's maritime past, including a
section on the Basque whaling site in Labrador).

I'll hold off on further advice unless you indicate that you need
it. Have fun, and I wish you good weather (sweaters and shells,
though it was shirt-sleeve weather the last time I was in St.
John's for an October conference. Still, this has been a cool,
wet summer, so be prepared).

Olaf Janzen
Department of History
Sir Wilfred Grenfell College
Corner Brook, Newfoundland
A2H 2W7

Tel. (709) 637-6282
Fax: (709) 639-8125