Words cannot express how happy this stay made me. We had been travelling on the road for two weeks…read morestraight for work, sleeping in the back of the truck, eating cold beans out of cans, and grabbing showers at anytime Fitness gyms along the way, and we were in severe need of a place to rest our bones for the night. We had traveled from Seattle through bad weather and didn't want to push on with our trailer on into jasper.
Upon calling for a reservation, we were delighted to hear that there was a king sized room available on the first floor. At first I was a little disappointed that it was on the first floor, seeing as how this hotel has the only wooden luggage slide in Canada (it's really quite cool). The man got us squared away and actually sounded excited about our arrival. I looked on Trip Advisor at some of the reviews and was sort of torn, but then again, who really trusts online reviews anyways? I thought it was awesome that the manager took time to reply to each and every comment, working to make everything right by the customer.
Pulling up to the hotel, it had a fun feel to it, with an old GmC truck parked in front. The lobby was immaculate with a very inviting fireplace and big fluffy places to sit. A coffee bar was fully furnished with beverages and there was even some oatmeal packets set out for travelers who arrive late that wanted a snack. The front desk young man was incredibly sweet and accommodating. I could have been more please with the overall attitude of the staff.
The room... Oh. My. Goodness. We were put in the room directly next door to the breakfast room, which I thought was going to be noisy but not so. I wouldn't have even known the breakfast room was next door had I not seen the sign. The room itself was huge, tons of room to bounce around, have pillow fights, sumo wrestle, or even just walk on. The carpet was very clean and smelled fresh, as if it were just washed. The TV was big, which it almost had to be in order to see it from across that big old room from the big huge bed.
Room perks included a keurig with regular and decaf pods, a microwave that was spotless, a mini fridge, plenty of stationary and a pen, extra pillows, an extra blanket, hangers, and a really awesome complimentary bar soap (our was broken, but it cleaned the same).
The bed, whoa. That bed is about the most comfortable bed I've slept in. I used to be a hard core Marriott bed girl, but this one gave them a run for their money. The pillows were nicer than any I've had at other bargain hotels and even nicer ones. The linens were crisp and the bedding was a perfect combination of warmth and lightness (I hate it when I feel like I'm getting squished by my covers). It was a King, but it felt more like a California king. You could have hosted a party on it.
The bathroom was nice, the typical sink in the main room, closet type toilet and bath tub room, which was important (we had eaten Tim Hortons chili...) The tub itself was so spotless it invited me enough to take a bath. The water was so hot and abundant I was ecstatic. The towels were way better than most, very fluffy and fresh. Don't expect to get more towels than you need though, you'll get two of each towel, which I think is plenty. Those towels were so nice, I wanted to take one with me - but of course I did not. Sleeping was easy, silence fell on room 107 and we were sleeping like babies in no time.
Morning crept upon us and we took the hike to breakfast (okay, by hike I mean we walked out of our room and into the next). The dining area was very lodge-like with a beautiful dining area overlooking the parking lot. We sat at the little bar by the window and watched the rain fall into the puddles outside, it was so peaceful and serene. The food provided was excellent, noting over the top with assortments like cereals, yogurt, bagels, breads, various spreads and apples. If you wanted something a little different, there were prepeeled hard boiled eggs, waffles that you can toast (not freezer waffles for sure), and the muffins that I am convinced we're homemade (my partner says otherwise). Just remember to bring your own coffee from your room, there was no coffee offered over breakfast.
I really didn't want to leave, but we had to. I'd go back there time and time again. Actually, I'd love to go back when there is more time to adventure around the area to check out the area and get closer to nature. I didn't get to check out the hot tub, but I've heard it's awesome as well. Actually, ask them about the drinking guy in the hot tub, it's a funny story.
I want this place to be where I have my honeymoon - oh wait, I need to find someone to marry me first :-)
