Winnipeg's BEST Kept Secret? This Hotel Will SHOCK You!
Winnipeg's BEST Kept Secret? Hold Your Horses… This Hotel Might Shock You (In a Good Way!) - A Gut-Level Review
Okay, Winnipeg, let’s get real. I’ve stayed in… well, a lot of hotels. From the budget-friendly “I hope I don’t catch anything” variety to the “ooh la la, champagne on arrival!” experiences. And I’m here to tell you, this place…this hidden gem you keep whispering about… Winnipeg's BEST Kept Secret? This Hotel Will SHOCK You!… well, it almost lived up to the hype. Almost. Buckle up, because this isn't your sanitized, corporate brochure review. This is the raw, unfiltered truth.
First Impressions & The Accessibility Gauntlet (Ugh, the Elevator!)
Let’s start with the basics: Accessibility. Now, I'm not in a wheelchair, but I like to think I'm somewhat observant. The hotel claims to be wheelchair accessible, and they say they have facilities for disabled guests. The elevator? That thing was…well, let’s just say it felt like it was powered by squirrels on a treadmill. Slow. Really, really slow. Which, you know… elevator. It worked, eventually, and I didn’t get stuck, which is already a win in my book. But if you do need accessibility, double, triple-check the elevator situation. Seriously. And the hallways? Mostly wide, which is good.
Internet & Digital Detox (Kind Of)
Internet access – wireless, Wi-Fi [free] – Yes, glory be! FREE Wi-Fi! And not just in the lobby, but in the rooms! Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Bless up. They even tout Internet – Internet [LAN]. I didn't even try the LAN, I'm an old dog, I don't need those tricks. The Internet services seemed… well, functional, but let's be honest, who wants to be productive on vacation? I spent most of the day just trying to figure out how to turn off the endless amount of automatic lights, maybe I should have been checking my email, but, I digress.
Cleanliness & Safety – Is it Really Clean?
Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Rooms sanitized between stays, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Hand sanitizer, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Sterilizing equipment, Staff trained in safety protocol… Okay, they really went for it on the COVID protocol checklist. I mean, I saw hand sanitizer everywhere, more than you’d find in a surgical ward. I even saw a housekeeper meticulously wiping down the light switches. That’s some serious commitment. Did it feel clean? Yeah, it did. Almost sterile at times.
The Room Itself: Comfort & Quirks (and the Occasional Mystery Stain)
My room? Air conditioning, Additional toilet, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary bottled water, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, In-room safe box, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens… They really packed in the amenities! My bed? Heavenly. Actually, too big, probably. I got lost a few times. The blackout curtains are essential for Winnipeg summers. You know, those 20 hours of daylight? The slippers were a nice touch. Now for the imperfections…
Room Decorations, Room Sanitization Opt-Out Available, Okay, here's where we get real. While the room was clean, meticulously so, the decor was…well, let’s call it “eclectic.” There was a framed print of a… I still don’t know what it was. Some kind of abstract blob? A commentary on the human condition? Or just a cheap decoration? The fact that room sanitization opt-out available was offered was weird, there was a note that said "We care for you". I will say, my room, as clean as it was, there were some things that I'm not quite sure I wanna talk about… a little mystery stain here, a questionable mark there… Not a deal-breaker, but it did make you wonder how deeply they cleaned. This wasn't a super-luxury suite; it was a good, solid room. One that felt like a genuinely pleasant place to relax.
The Pool with a View (And a Few Unexpected Visitors)
Swimming pool [outdoor], Pool with view… Now we’re talking. This was the highlight! The swimming pool itself was gorgeous, and the pool with a view was… stunning. Seriously, the view offered a rare perspective of the city. But hold on, I have a story… So there I was, relaxing by the pool, sipping a very overpriced cocktail from the Poolside bar. And then… a small bird, seemingly disoriented, landed right on the edge of the pool. Staring at me, like it wanted to join in, this bird. I kid you not. I did not want to scare the bird, this was so odd, and I started pondering about the whole scene. But the bird just stayed there, and so did I, until someone came to take the bird away. My stream of thought cut short.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Foodie's Adventure (Maybe)
Restaurants, Bar, Coffee shop, Room service [24-hour], Breakfast [buffet], Asian cuisine in restaurant, Western cuisine in restaurant, A la carte in restaurant, Happy hour, Bottle of water, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Desserts in restaurant, Salad in restaurant, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant… The dining options were…varied. Breakfast [buffet] was decent. The Asian cuisine in restaurant was decent. The Western cuisine in restaurant was also decent. Not mind-blowing, but perfectly edible. Happy hour was a bonus. And the fact that room service [24-hour] exists? Always a win. But here's my biggest bugbear: The coffee shop. The coffee shop. The coffee. I'm not going to sugarcoat it: It tasted like burnt dishwater. It was heartbreaking. I am a coffee addict.
Services and Conveniences: The Good, the Bad, and the Complimentary
Concierge, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Safety deposit boxes, Terrace… The concierge was helpful. The doorman was friendly. Dry cleaning was a lifesaver after a sticky Winnipeg summer day. The meeting/banquet facilities looked… well, like meeting/banquet facilities. Standard. The gift/souvenir shop was overpriced. But having a terrace? Awesome. Awesome. I would’ve loved to use it, but as I've said the Winnipeg summer has way too much daylight.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Spa Day Dreams (or Nightmares?)
Spa, Sauna, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Massage, Fitness center, Gym/fitness, Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, Pool with view… They offer a lot of relaxation options! The Spa itself looked promising. The Sauna and Steamroom were clean and well-maintained. I didn't have the time for a full Body scrub or a Body wrap, which I kind of regret now. Massage? Book it. Immediately.
For the Kids, Couples and the Fun Stuff…
Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Couple's room, Proposal spot, Shrine… I didn’t have kids with me, so I can’t comment on the Babysitting service or the Kids facilities. But the fact that they offer a Couple's room and even, get this, a Proposal spot says a lot about the atmosphere. No shrine that I could see, but I could have missed it.
Getting Around: The Airport Shuffle & Beyond
Airport transfer, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Taxi service, Valet parking, Bicycle parking… Car park [free of charge]? Yes, please! Airport transfer? Convenient. I took a taxi because I couldn't wait around for the elevator. I didn't see any bikes.
The Verdict: Winnipeg's BEST Kept Secret? Almost!
So, is this hotel really Winnipeg's BEST Kept Secret? Maybe. It's got a lot going for it: Cleanliness, fantastic pool with a view, a wide array of amenities, friendly staff, and decent food. But the elevator situation, the questionable coffee, and some of the quirky decor detract from the experience.
**My Rating : 4 stars. A solid choice for a fun,
Unbelievable Shenandoah Views! Your Dream Woodstock Getaway Awaits at Comfort Inn!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive HEADFIRST into my Winnipeg adventure. And let me tell you, it’s not gonna be all sunshine and rainbows (though, fingers crossed for some sun). This is gonna be real. Prepare yourselves for a glorious mess.
Hotel: Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Winnipeg, MB, Canada (My home base, may it be blessed with decent coffee and fluffy towels!)
Day 1: Arrival, Awkward Elbow Bumps & the Inevitable Meltdown
1:00 PM: Arrival & Initial Impressions – Landed in Winnipeg. The airport greeted me with that classic Canadian chill. You know the one – not bone-chilling, but a persistent, "I'm here and don't you forget it!" kind of cold. Taxi ride to the hotel was uneventful, which, honestly, is a win. The Country Inn & Suites looked… well, like a Country Inn & Suites. Beige, reliable, promising a pool (essential for combating travel stress, obviously). Check-in was smooth. I even managed an awkward elbow bump with the receptionist instead of a handshake, which is my new pandemic greeting. Nailed it. Or, you know, failed miserably…
2:00 PM: The Room (and First Panic Attack) – My room! Ah, the sacred space of the solo traveler. I’m usually pretty good at keeping it together, but there's always that moment. That first look at the room, the immediate assessment… "Okay, is this enough space to live in for however many days? Are the pillows squishy enough? Can I actually function in this environment?" Thankfully, the pillows passed the test. But then… the internet started being annoyingly slow. And THEN I realised I'd left my phone charger plugged in back home. Cue the inner screaming. Seriously, how does one survive without a phone these days?! (Rant alert: I need my phone, dammit! It's my lifeline, my google map, my social security number of fun!) Managed to borrow a universal charger from reception, which meant not getting into a full-blown freak out. Small victories.
3:00 PM: First Foray & The Burger Disaster – Okay, time to venture out! Find my bearings, see what's what. I decided to keep things simple and get a Burger. sigh. I will not name names, but let's just say it was a burger place. The kind that promised "artisan" and delivered… well, something vaguely resembling food. The patty tasted like old cardboard. The bun was drier than my grandmother's wit. And the fries? Soggy sadness. I tried to maintain a brave face, even ate most of the burger (hungry, remember?), but I swear a tear escaped my eye at the sheer disappointment. I’m a burger lover, dammit. This was a personal affront.
3:30 - 5:00 PM: The Assorted Wanderings and the first "Why am I here?" Moment - I walked around a bit, tried to shake off the burger sadness. Maybe get a feel for the area. I managed to get myself turned around 3 times even with Google maps which is a testament to my skills of direction. Realized I really needed a nap.
6:00 PM: Pool Time & The Unexpected Zen – Okay, this is where things turned around. The pool area! The promise of chlorine and a warm embrace. I slipped into the water, and aaaaah. The gentle, rhythmic splashing of water, the muted conversations around me… it was actually peaceful. I floated there for a good hour, letting all the travel anxieties melt away. Maybe Winnipeg wasn't so bad after all. Maybe I could survive, after all!
7:30 PM: Pizza, Netflix, and the Sweet Embrace of Solitude - Back to the room, ordered a huge pizza because I was still hungry from the burger incident. Ate it in bed, watched some mind-numbingly bad Netflix and felt…okay. Not perfect, but okay. The hotel room felt cozy. Winnipeg, however briefly, felt manageable.
Day 2: Culture, Misunderstandings, and a Goose Chase.
9:00 AM: Breakfast Debacle! – Breakfast was included. I'm inherently suspicious of free hotel breakfasts. This one did NOT disappoint my instincts. Scrambled eggs that looked suspiciously like yellow sponges, stale bagels, and coffee that tasted like dishwater. Decided on toast and jam. Ate it with a grim determination. Told myself this was the perfect start to a perfect day.
10:00 AM: The Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR) - A Spiritual Awakening – Decided to do something “cultural". The CMHR. A truly impressive building, visually stunning. The exhibits? Deep. Thought-provoking. Emotionally draining. I spent hours there, moved and challenged by the stories. So many things. It was an incredibly moving experience. A bit overwhelming, truth be told. (I spent the next hour in the museum's contemplation room, staring at the ceiling, processing everything. It was intense.)
1:00 PM: Lunch, a Linguistic Quandary - Found a little diner, ordered soup and a sandwich. The waitress – bless her heart – had a thick accent. I asked if the soup was tomato. She said it was "tomay-toe". I went, "Oh, you mean tomato?". She looked confused. I looked confused. Turns out, my pronunciation was the problem. Apparently, "tom-ay-toe" is the Winnipeg way. eyeroll Another cultural lesson learned!
2:00 PM: The Goose of Doom – Right, so. I decided to go for a stroll in a park. Winnipeg seems to have lots. I was enjoying the fresh air when… I spotted a goose. And then another. And another. And then, a whole flock of them. They were… intense. I swear, they were judging me. I started to back away slowly, and then I felt it. The urge. The urge to HONK! They were coming! I ran. I ran like my life depended on it. Okay, maybe it didn't, but I have a deep-seated fear of geese. Still don't know why. Found a bench and took a deep breath. Winnipeg, you are testing me.
4:00 PM: Coffee and a Bit of Pretending - I managed to find a coffee shop. Sat there with my journal, pretending to be a cultured traveler, writing deep thoughts about life and the universe. Mostly just writing about geese and the burger, though.
7:00 PM: Dinner and a Quiet Evening - Ate a less burger-y dinner. Maybe next time in Winnipeg I should focus only on food.
Day 3: Departure (and the lingering taste of…something)
9:00 AM: Breakfast - Attempt #2 - Okay, try to have a positive attitude about the included breakfast. Managed to make some decent toast. Small victory.
10:00 AM: Last-Minute Souvenir Hunt & Panic Buy – The dreaded scramble for souvenirs! You know the drill. Went to a shop. Spent way too much money on some "unique" trinkets. Probably won't remember what they are in a year. But the guilt of not bringing anything home for the people I love would be worse.
11:00 AM: Packing and Contemplation – Packing up, surveying my room. The mess of clothes, the half-finished water bottles… It's the epilogue to the whole experience.
12:00 PM: Checkout and The Emotional Hangover – The bittersweet goodbye. I'd had those moments of doubt, of frustration, of pure and utter "What was I thinking?". But I'd also had moments of peace, of wonder, of actually… enjoying myself. Winnipeg, you're a weird place. You're not all that pretty, and you can have your moments of pure, unadulterated coldness, but I get you, or at least I think I get you. So, here's to the next adventure. Thanks, Winnipeg. You’re… memorable.
1:00 PM: Airport & Departure - On the plane, already thinking about the next trip. Winnipeg is in my rearview mirror now. Until next time…
Winnipeg's BEST Kept Secret? ...This Hotel Will SHOCK You! (FAQ, with a bit of me thrown in)
Okay, spill the tea! What hotel are we talking about? And why the DRAMA?
Is it *actually* a secret? Because I've lived here my whole life and…
Okay, I'm intrigued. But Winnipeg hotels can be… underwhelming. What makes this one different? Spill the beans! (And be honest.)
**THE FOOD!** Let me tell you about the breakfast. I am, by nature, a breakfast person. I love a good breakfast. I love a bad breakfast, a mediocre breakfast, I just LOVE breakfast. This "Cozy Haven" had a breakfast bar that was *chef's kiss*. The pastries were flaky, the coffee was strong, and the staff... well, they acted like they actually *liked* their jobs. It was jarring, in the best possible way. It's like they are doing it on purpose: great food, great service, all for the price of a cheap hotel.
So, is it expensive? Because my budget is… well, let's just say ramen is a delicacy.
What are its biggest drawbacks? Nothing is perfect, I'm sure...
Oh! And the decor is… let's say, *eclectic*. Some people might find it a bit *much*. But honestly? Embracing the weirdness is half the fun. Also, let's be honest, it only has *one* elevator. I've stood there, waiting, and waiting, and waiting... it's almost faster to walk.
Is it family-friendly? Or more of a couples/solo traveler type of vibe?
Okay, you've convinced me! How do I find this "Cozy Haven"? Give me a clue, please!
Last question, and this is important: What's the pet policy? Because my cat, Mr. Whiskers, is my emotional support animal.
