If you are visiting Kingston, Ontario this summer, a stay at Delta Hotels by Marriott Kingston Waterfront offers more than just accommodation. From summer festivals and historic walking tours to scenic boat cruises and local dining, everything is within easy reach of the hotel. Its prime location makes it an ideal base for exploring the city without the need for long drives or complicated planning. Whether you are visiting Kingston for relaxation, culture, or adventure, this waterfront hotel provides one of the best ways to experience the city and everything it has to offer.

Stay at Delta Hotels by Marriott Kingston Waterfront

Having stayed at Delta Hotels Kingston Waterfront several times, it is easy to see how much it has evolved since its major transformation in 2013, when the former Delta Kingston Waterfront Hotel underwent a significant multi-million-dollar renovation that redefined it as a modern boutique-style destination along Confederation Harbour. Since then, ongoing updates and refinements have continued to keep the hotel feeling fresh, polished, and aligned with today’s travel expectations.

One of the standout features of Delta Hotels Kingston Waterfront remains its unbeatable location. Guests are within easy walking distance of the K-Rock Centre, scenic waterfront trails, and Kingston’s vibrant downtown core. Whether visiting for a concert, weekend getaway, or sightseeing trip, everything feels conveniently close and accessible.

Inside, the hotel offers a strong balance of comfort and practicality. Indoor parking makes arrivals seamless, while the indoor pool and hot tub provide a relaxing retreat after a day exploring the city. A well-equipped fitness centre supports longer stays, and the on-site dining adds convenience without needing to leave the property.

Overall, the combination of waterfront location, thoughtful modernization, and reliable amenities makes this hotel a consistently comfortable choice for repeat stays in Kingston. It blends updated design with a relaxed waterfront atmosphere, creating a stay that feels both contemporary and well connected to everything the city has to offer.

On a personal note, Delta Hotels Kingston Waterfront holds a special memory for our family, as my youngest daughter took her very first steps here. It delivers a complete Kingston experience, combining comfort, convenience, and unbeatable waterfront views in one central location.

Dining at AquaTerra by Clark

A highlight of the hotel is AquaTerra by Clark, a waterfront restaurant known for its locally inspired cuisine and extensive wine selection. Guests can enjoy fine dining with stunning harbour views or order in-room service for added convenience.

Convenience and Amenities

The hotel offers self-parking with in-and-out privileges, a 24-hour fitness centre, indoor pool, and business services. Families are welcomed with kid-friendly amenities, while business travellers benefit from functional workspaces and meeting facilities.

Summer Events and Festivals in Kingston

Summer is peak season in Kingston, bringing a vibrant mix of energy, culture, and entertainment throughout the city. The Kingston Buskers Rendezvous in July and the Limestone City Blues Festival in August are two of the most well-known annual events that draw visitors from across Ontario and beyond.

During the summer months, Princess Street often becomes a lively, pedestrian-friendly hub filled with live music, street performers, outdoor dining, and local vendors. Depending on the season’s programming, visitors may also find family-friendly attractions and interactive entertainment that add to the festive downtown atmosphere.

Explore Kingston by Trolley

One of the best ways to experience Kingston’s history is aboard the Kingston trolley tour sightseeing experience. This guided Kingston sightseeing tour offers a relaxed and convenient way to explore some of the city’s most notable attractions, including Fort Henry, the Penitentiary Museum, and Queen’s University.

With multiple stops throughout the city, this Kingston tour experience provides an easy way to see the highlights of Kingston without the stress of driving or parking, making it ideal for first-time visitors, weekend travellers, and anyone looking for a guided way to explore things to do in Kingston Ontario.

Crave Coffee House & Bakery – A Perfect Start to the Evening

Before heading out for our 1000 Islands Dinner Cruise, my daughter and I stopped at Crave Coffee House & Bakery in Kingston, and it turned out to be a highlight of the evening in its own right. This locally owned café immediately impressed us with its welcoming atmosphere, even though it was quite busy at the time of our visit.

What stood out right away was the spacious layout. Unlike many tight downtown coffee shops, Crave offers a generous amount of seating, making it a comfortable place to relax, work, or simply enjoy a quiet moment. It has an easygoing, vibrant feel that makes it just as suitable for a quick stop as it is for a longer stay with a laptop or conversation.

The coffee itself was excellent rich, smooth, and clearly well prepared. Alongside the drinks, the bakery selection and sandwich options were equally appealing, offering a wide variety of fresh and satisfying choices. Whether you are looking for a light snack or something more substantial, there is something for every appetite.

Overall, Crave Coffee House & Bakery is a standout Kingston café that combines quality, comfort, and local charm. It made for the perfect pre-cruise stop and added a warm start to what became a memorable evening on the water.

1000 Islands Boat Cruises

Kingston 1000 Islands Boat Cruises offers a variety of 1000 Islands sightseeing cruises several times daily boarding at the city wharf at 1 Brock St within walking distance of Delta Hotel. Leave your car parked at the hotel and enjoy a 3-hour cruise through the heart of the 1000 islands.  (1000islandscruises.ca)

My daughter and I took the 1000 Islands Dinner Cruise on August 2nd, looking forward to a special evening out on the water. While the natural beauty of the region absolutely delivered, several aspects of the experience particularly the dinner and onboard execution left us quite disappointed.

The highlight of the evening was without question the breathtaking scenery of the 1000 Islands. We spent most of our time on the top deck, where the views, fresh air, and peaceful ambiance created a truly memorable setting. Watching the sun go down over the water was easily the best part of the experience. Interestingly, the captain also sang a few songs later in the evening, and we actually found his informal performance more enjoyable and audible than the scheduled onboard entertainer.

Unfortunately, the dining and entertainment experience inside did not meet expectations. The onboard performer was barely audible from our seating area, making it difficult to engage with or enjoy the entertainment. The indoor dining space also felt quite loud and echoey, which made conversation challenging and further diminished the experience.

The dinner itself was the biggest letdown of the evening. My chicken arrived cold and had to be sent back, and the vegetables were significantly undercooked, to the point of being hard and difficult to eat. Overall, the quality of the meal did not reflect what we expected for a premium dinner cruise experience.

Another factor that affected the comfort of the evening was the strong air conditioning inside the vessel. Despite it being August, the dining area was uncomfortably cold, and we both wished we had brought a sweater or warmer layer.

In summary, while the natural beauty of the 1000 Islands provides an unforgettable backdrop and the top deck experience was enjoyable, the overall execution of the dinner and entertainment fell short. For future guests, I would recommend focusing on the upper deck experience and dressing warmly, while keeping expectations moderate for the dining portion of the cruise. The scenery is spectacular, but the onboard dining experience could benefit from significant improvement.

Outdoor Movies and Evening Entertainment

Every other week, kids big and small can flock to Market Square at dusk to enjoy an outdoor cinematic experience complete with various goodies from the concession stand. Check out the full schedule for what will be screening throughout the remainder of the summer at downtownkingston.ca.

Ghost Tours and Historic Experiences

The Haunted Walk is one of Kingston’s most popular guided ghost tours and walking experiences, offering visitors a unique way to explore the city’s darker history. Guests can choose between the Original Haunted Walk of Kingston, which winds through the historic limestone streets of downtown, or Ghosts of the Fort, a chilling tour that explores the eerie history and reported hauntings of Old Fort Henry.

For schedules, bookings, and more information, visit hauntedwalk.com.

Dining in Kingston

Kingston boasts a diverse range of dining options, from upscale waterfront restaurants to casual family-friendly spots. Whether you are looking for fine dining or local favourites, there is something for every taste and budget.

To explore the best local food spots, you can check out this guide to Kingston Ontario restaurants: Where to Dine for more recommendations and ideas.

Popular options include lively restaurants like Lone Star, which is often busy even with reservations, as well as Apsara Angkor Cuisine, known for its Thai and Cambodian dishes loved by both locals and visitors.

Final Thoughts

A stay at Delta Hotels by Marriott Kingston Waterfront offers more than just accommodation. It delivers a complete Kingston experience, combining comfort, convenience, and unbeatable waterfront views in one central location.

From summer festivals and historic walking tours to scenic boat cruises and local dining, everything is within easy reach of the hotel. Its prime location makes it an ideal base for exploring the city without the need for long drives or complicated planning.

Whether you are visiting Kingston for relaxation, culture, or adventure, this waterfront hotel provides one of the best ways to experience the city and everything it has to offer.