It's cheap. I'm cutting you off right now--it's cheap. I know you're going to think, "yeah, but you have to expect some measure of"--nope--cheap. In fact, year to year, whenever I travel to Vancouver and look for places to stay on Travelocity or Expedia, it's always near the top of the list of most inexpensive. That must account for something. And I'll go out on the limb and say that if you're looking for a cheap place to stay that doesn't share a bathroom with strangers, doesn't force you clean up the room when you leave, or doesn't require a tetanus shot if you scrape your limbs on any number of jutting, sharp things, Happy Day is not a bad choice. It's not located at the bottom of the Sarlac Pit--it's less than a ten-minute drive from Metrotown. Admittedly, it's still not the easiest place to enter--what you think is the entrance is not, with a sign clearly asking you not to use it as such...though you'll probably do that anyway. But it has underground parking! Umm...I guess the view is okay. And...umm...the beds...are...long...sigh...
Yes, it's crap.
I know it's crap.
You know it's crap.
If you're on a business trip and your company puts you here, quit. Frankly, I'm surprised their rates aren't listed by the hour. It's a colossal pain to get to your room, as you usually have to walk up a narrow flight of stairs. The TV is a CRT, I kid you not, obviously purchased bulk from Costco fifteen years ago. We couldn't figure out how it even worked given it's improvised wiring. The air-conditioning really only has two settings--off and "Krakatoa". I believe the roar of this machine actually circled the Earth--we were hearing its current noise as well as yesterday's. Nearly impossible to sleep in, turn it on, leave, and return in the evening and shut it off. Our room actually had a kitchenette, meaning two electric coils which were certainly fire hazards, and a bar fridge. The whole place carries a vibe that it's been fermenting from the 70's, a style I believes it should stick with. There's even a hidden exercise room with maybe three machines. And I do mean hidden; I bet most people who stay here don't even know it exists. Nearly every view is of a parking lot. It offers a continental breakfast, which is a laughable collection of pastries you'll miss as you desperately try to escape the hotel before the cleaning staff barge in. I seriously don't know why I come back repeatedly...
...and yet I do come back repeatedly. Because the chances are slim your car will be vandalized. It's not hard to find even without satellite navigation. And I've slept in places that've been much much worse for more money. The bed wasn't chipped from bedrock. Your card can scan you into after hours, so there's no curfew. And. It's. Cheap. What's ironic is that despite offering it obvious criticism, and admitting it's not a good place to stay, I probably will when returning to Vancouver. I'm just glad when on business trips, my company has more sense, and instead wedges me into a nice hotel fifty feet from the Vancouver Airport, without a car guaranteeing I won't have any fun. In the end, I'll recommend Happy Day Inn with the huge provision that I do so only because some people are on a budget. Don't expect Fantasyland, folks. read more