Richardson Memorial Stadium sits on the western edge of Queen's University's main campus in Kingston, Ontario, making it the focal point for Vanier Cup contenders, CIS football fans, and university visitors who need accommodation within a manageable distance of the field. Whether you're attending a Gaels home game or visiting the campus for convocation, knowing which hotels actually put you in a convenient position - without overpaying for proximity - is what this guide delivers.
What It's Like Staying Near Richardson Memorial Stadium
The area surrounding Richardson Memorial Stadium blends university campus energy with Kingston's mid-city residential zones. The stadium sits within Queen's University's grounds on West Campus, meaning the immediate surroundings are academic in character - not a high-density hotel corridor. Most hotels cluster along Princess Street and Bath Road, which run as the main arteries connecting campus to Kingston's commercial zones. Walking to the stadium from those corridors takes around 15 minutes on foot, which is realistic for game-day arrivals but less practical with luggage.
The area quiets down significantly outside of event days, making it a calm base for university-related visits. Crowd patterns spike sharply during fall football season and convocation weekends, when accommodation within a 5 km radius fills fast.
Pros:
- Direct access to Queen's University campus and surrounding academic facilities without relying on a vehicle
- Princess Street corridor offers grocery stores, restaurants, and transit stops within short walking distance of most hotels
- Kingston is a compact city - even hotels positioned 6 to 8 km away can reach the stadium via a short drive
Cons:
- No hotels sit immediately adjacent to the stadium, so all options involve either a walk or a short drive on event days
- Parking near the stadium on game days is limited and can fill before kickoff
- Hotel supply near campus is modest, meaning availability drops quickly during Gaels home games and university events
Why Choose Budget Hotels Near Richardson Memorial Stadium
Budget and mid-range hotels dominate Kingston's accommodation landscape near Richardson Memorial Stadium, with most options sitting in the 2-star category along the Princess Street and Bath Road corridors. Rates at these properties typically run well below downtown Kingston's boutique pricing, making them a practical choice for fans, visiting families, and event attendees who prioritize value over amenities. Room sizes at these hotels are functional rather than spacious - expect standard queen or double configurations without the extras found at full-service properties.
The trade-off is that most of these hotels are highway-adjacent or positioned in commercial strips, meaning the surroundings lack the character of Kingston's historic waterfront. However, for stadium access and campus proximity, the Bath Road and Princess Street zones deliver around 5 km positioning that is hard to match at this price point.
Pros:
- Free parking is standard at most properties in this category, removing event-day parking stress entirely
- Several hotels include complimentary breakfast, reducing daily costs for multi-night stays during tournaments or convocation week
- Free WiFi is universally available, useful for visiting families coordinating schedules around game times
Cons:
- Limited on-site dining options mean guests rely on nearby fast food or driving to Princess Street for sit-down meals
- Rooms at 2-star properties are compact and not suited for extended stays requiring workspace or kitchen facilities
- Service levels vary - 24-hour front desk coverage is available at some but not all properties in this tier
Practical Booking & Area Strategy
For stadium access, hotels along Princess Street West provide the most direct route to Richardson Memorial Stadium - this corridor connects directly to the university's western edge without requiring highway access. Bath Road properties sit slightly further southwest but benefit from cleaner parking situations and easier highway connections via ON-401. The International Hockey Hall of Fame Museum, K-Rock Centre (now Slush Puppie Place), and Fort Henry are all reachable within a short drive from the same hotel cluster, making this zone practical for visitors combining a Gaels game with broader Kingston sightseeing.
Book at least 6 weeks in advance for fall Gaels home games, particularly when Queen's hosts rivalry matchups or playoff qualifiers - these weekends see hotels within the Bath Road and Princess Street zones sell out fully. Outside of football season and convocation weekends, last-minute bookings are feasible at most properties. Kingston's downtown waterfront area, about 5 km east of the stadium, offers dining and historic attractions along Ontario Street that are worth factoring into a multi-night itinerary.
Best Value Stays
These properties deliver the strongest cost-to-proximity ratio for visitors attending events at Richardson Memorial Stadium, with practical amenities and reliable highway access.
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1. Howard Johnson Inn By Wyndham Kingston
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Just a few rooms left at the best rate!
fromUS$ 74
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2. Knights Inn Kingston
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Just a few rooms left at the best rate!
fromUS$ 53
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3. Motel 6-Kingston, On
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Just a few rooms left at the best rate!
fromUS$ 77
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4. Comfort Inn & Suites
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Hurry – almost gone at this price!
fromUS$ 144
Best Mid-Range Picks
These hotels offer enhanced amenities - including indoor pools, upgraded breakfast, and more complete room configurations - while remaining within a practical distance of Richardson Memorial Stadium.
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5. Comfort Suites Kingston Central
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Hurry – almost gone at this price!
fromUS$ 115
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6. The Smith Hotel
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Rooms filling fast – secure the best rate!
fromUS$ 251
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7. Holiday Inn Express Kingston Central By Ihg
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Rooms filling fast – secure the best rate!
fromUS$ 91
Smart Travel & Timing Advice for Richardson Memorial Stadium
The sharpest demand spikes around Richardson Memorial Stadium occur during the Queen's Gaels fall football season, which runs from late August through November, and during Queen's University convocation ceremonies in May and October. Game weekends in October push availability to near zero at properties within the Princess Street and Bath Road corridors - booking at least 6 weeks ahead is essential for those periods. Outside of those windows, Kingston remains a moderate-demand city and last-minute rates are generally available, often at a discount compared to advance pricing.
A two-night stay is the most logical format for a stadium visit - arriving the evening before allows flexibility with check-in, and checking out the morning after avoids post-game traffic on ON-401. Winter months see the lowest rates across all properties in this guide, but the stadium hosts no major events during that period. Spring visitors targeting campus tours or early convocation ceremonies will find March and April offer the best balance of availability and pricing before the May graduation rush begins.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which hotel is closest to Richardson Memorial Stadium?
- Howard Johnson Inn By Wyndham Kingston is the closest option, sitting approximately 1.5 km from Queen's University campus - which places it within the shortest driving distance of Richardson Memorial Stadium. It's walkable on non-event days and a very short drive on game day.
- How far in advance should I book for a Queen's Gaels game?
- Book at least 6 weeks before any home game, particularly for October matchups and playoff qualifiers. Hotels along Princess Street and Bath Road fill completely on those weekends, and last-minute options may require staying further west toward the ON-401 corridor.
- Which hotel offers the best value for families attending a stadium event?
- Knights Inn Kingston offers free parking and family rooms at the lowest price point among the options listed. Comfort Suites Kingston Central is a step up with an indoor pool and rated breakfast, making it a better fit for families with children on multi-night stays.
- Is it worth paying more for The Smith Hotel or Holiday Inn Express over the budget motels?
- If you're staying more than one night or travelling with a group that values space and breakfast, yes. The Smith Hotel's in-room kitchen equipment and central location near K-Rock Centre justify the premium for leisure visitors. Holiday Inn Express adds an indoor pool and the most complete breakfast in the group, which offset its slightly greater distance from the stadium.
- Do any hotels near Richardson Memorial Stadium include breakfast?
- Yes - Comfort Inn & Suites, Comfort Suites Kingston Central, and Holiday Inn Express Kingston Central all include breakfast. Holiday Inn Express offers the most substantial morning meal, with hot items like eggs, pancakes, and bacon included daily.
- Are there hotels near Richardson Memorial Stadium with parking?
- Most properties in this guide offer free parking - including Knights Inn Kingston, Motel 6, Comfort Inn & Suites, The Smith Hotel, and Holiday Inn Express Kingston Central. This is particularly useful given that stadium parking near Queen's West Campus is limited on event days.
- When are hotel rates lowest near Richardson Memorial Stadium?
- January through March sees the lowest rates across all properties, with minimal events drawing demand to the area. If your visit is flexible, targeting mid-week dates in late winter can reduce costs significantly compared to fall football season rates.
- Which hotel is best for visitors flying into Kingston Airport?
- Motel 6-Kingston is positioned approximately 9.7 km from Kingston Airport, making it the most airport-convenient option in this guide. It's a practical choice for visitors flying in for a single game who want to minimize transit time from the airport to the stadium area.
