I have never given a bad review before, but I'm afraid I must. Where to start?
1) This is the only Frank Lloyd Wright architecture in Canada. It has not been well maintained. Though the original millwork is mostly in place, it's pretty tatty. The owners didn't know about the landmark status of their motel. They didn't seem to know or care who Frank Lloyd Wright even was. Plus the plumbing could use an update.
2) Did you know Elvis spent a night at the Mariner? SERIOUSLY HE DID!! THE KING!!! No? You didn't? Well, that's okay. Neither did the owners; they didn't even seem to know who he was, and didn't seem to care either.
3) The place smelled dank. To be fair it was pretty hot and the room-air conditioners might have been contributing to it. And the carpets, which might need updating.
4) The "Continental Breakfast," consisted of a table with some Loblaws pastries in their store container, a bag of raisin toast, a couple hard boiled eggs, and a few pieces of fruit. Plus a waffle maker, the only (surprisingly) nice touch. Coffee/tea and juice as well. Plastic cutlery. No lights, or music to make us feel at home. And a loud-talking owner on her cellphone in the kitchen area talking to another country over a bad connection, as we were trying to enjoy a quiet breakfast. Unsuccessfully, as it turned out.
We were there in the summer. There is a great big sandstone fireplace in the dining room that I'd love to see filled with a nice warm fire. I hope they do that in the winter.
Thing is, all this stuff is very easily fixable. The owners were pleasant, and the place was clean and tidy. Fix up the breakfast; maybe add a dinner option. Update the plumbing and mechanical so the place is warm (or cool) and dry, with a neutral smell in the air; put some polish on the place; get to know your local and cultural history so you can play it up. Like I said; the owners were nice. It's a family. But they need to put some more effort into the place. If this stuff was done, I'd go back in a heartbeat.
On the plus side--it's a nice walk to downtown. And close to everything. read more