I stayed at this Holiday Inn location for two nights. It is centrally located right off from…read moreMapleview Dr and close to the hwy 401 North exit to access the surrounding areas in Barrie.
**Disclosure, this is an overnight stay during the pandemic and may not represent the same experience post pandemic.**
ACCESSIBILITY
It has automatic front doors and elevator, but access to the elevator was through the main entrance; rear entrance has stairs only. There were no sidewalks at the entrance, the pavement is uneven opening patrons to tripping hazards and the grading really makes it a wet and soggy way into the building on rain days.
FOYER
When you walk into the foyer, you are greeted with a desk, coffee and tea around the corner; but during the pandemic all day coffee not available.
Down the hall, a barricaded breakfast area and elevator. Hand sanitizer is located at the front of the elevator, but there is no restriction on use like single rider during pandemic.
Pool and gym amenity was closed during the pandemic.
THE ROOM
My room 316 was a standard two queen, basically the most economic room, no kitchen. On the entrance I had the clothes hanger followed by a little kitchen with mini fridge and microwave and a keurig maker. On the left the washroom stocked two beds on the left, tv on the right on top of dresser, an office desk, two phones and a view of a car dealership parking lot.
The room was visibly clean, but as you look closer I saw the bathroom had nail clippings on the corner of the counter, some mold under the counter to sink gaps, some hair from the previous patron in the room on the floor near the tub, the counter next to the facial tissue holder had some weird oil residue smudge and the art work had what appeared to be some projectile residue (I'll let you guess what it is).
The bathroom was not accessible, avoid 316 if you are heavyset. The door could not open all the way and got stuck on the toilet. You had to hopscotch over the toilet or you had to squeeze sideways to close the door. The bathroom had some eco friendly shampoo, conditioner and soap dispenser and provided few plastic one time use containers. I thought that was quite nice because there probably is a lot of waste. The hair dryer was on top of the shelving, again accessibility reason it was pretty hard to reach. The bathroom mirror has a cool defog feature so after you shower you could see yourself (naked) in the mirror..cooool.
The mini kitchen (not full kitchen) appeared useable. During the pandemic individual room coffee making is somewhat important because you don't know if you will get coffee made. One problem with the Keurig maker is that it wasnt even cleaned. Brown water was coming out of it when I used it.
There is no luggage rack but there is a bench, office table, coffee table and desk chair to place belongings. Thermostat and room exhaust works.
BREAKFAST
Breakfast serve is probably one of the best. Hot serve of eggs, bacon, sausage with your bread options (english muffin, toast, bagel, with the oatmeal flavoured and unflavored, yogurt, cereal and even premade pancake that could be toasted. They even had a fruit bowl.
Outside the room around the corner of the desk was the coffee and tea and you can ask for more Keurig pods from the desk.
I give this hotel credit, they are probably one of the better breakfast serve with dietary considerations, like offering whole wheat, non pork, dairy and non dairy options and was very suitable for my diabetic travel companion.
FRONT DESK FRIENDLINESS
During the pandemic, I have noticed people talk less with a mask and with the plexiglas barriers. I would say there were some nice desk people and some cold people. The nice ones seems to be on the afternoon and evening shift, but the morning shift person was pretty cold -maybe shes still waking up?
VALUE
The price per room was roughly $105 per night plus the 17% tax using the BMO reward purchase site (there is the standard 13% tax and 4% tourism levy). I did see on their website the rooms started around 120$. I perused reviews and the pricing seemed to be aligned with pre-covid pricing without a number of amenities like gym and pool.
If you like holiday inn beds without the hot breakfast, Comfort Inn is $85+17% tax. If you prefer better beds, the Hamptons was same price as Holiday Inn with grab n go breakfast.
Accessibility, including room bathroom access unable to open door fully-not accessible to all people 2/5
Room cleanliness, found areas not cleaned in room 2/5
Breakfast serve 5/5
Front desk friendliness 3/5
Value 2/5
Pandemic safety, lacks elevator instruction 2/5
Average 2.6 stars = rounded to 3 stars.
I was overall disappointed on the cleanliness of the room, I mean finding nail clipping and hair, mold on the sink.. unclean Keurig coffee maker.
