OverviewThe Howard Johnson Hotel Edmonton is located on the north side of Stony Plain Road and to the east of 156th Street in Edmonton, Alberta.
Facilities at the non-pet friendly hotel are somewhat limited as the property has neither a pool, a fitness room, a hot tub, nor a functioning elevator (the agent we spoke to said she didn't expect the elevator would be available for use again). There is a Chinese restaurant on site (which also sells Western food) and guests receive a $10 food coupon to use during their stay (open daily from 8am to 9:30pm). Parking at the hotel is outdoors and it's free including for buses and tour coaches.
The hotel is four storeys high and it features 59 non-smoking guest rooms. Bed configurations are either two queens, one king, or one queen bed. Guest room amenities include coffee makers, hair dryers, televisions, free local calls and free wireless or wired Internet. Some rooms have balconies and other rooms have fridges.
Some of the information on the hotel's website is not currently updated as confirmed by the Front Desk agent; there is no longer an Albert's Restaurant on-site. Also some information appears misleading such as Elk Island National Park is cited as being "minutes" away. Google Maps shows it being approximately 60km away which would make it closer to an hour away by car.
The following attractions are within a half hour's drive from the hotel: West Edmonton Mall, Edmonton Space and Science Centre, Fort Edmonton Park, and Muttart Conservatory.(Google Maps: estimated driving times)
Check in time at this hotel is at 3pm while check out time is at 11am.
Verified with a Front Desk Agent May 14, 2012: restaurant hours, hotel has four storeys, free wireless Internet in lobby and guest rooms, 100% non-smoking, guests receive a $10 food voucher, check in and check out times and there is no elevator.
The GoodGuests that stayed at this hotel were not very happy with this property overall. However there were some that chose this hotel based upon price alone.
Most notably many guests commented approvingly on the prices they paid to stay at this hotel. These guests thought that the hotel was affordable or "cheap" and one guest who seemed familiar with this part of Edmonton said it was "the cheapest hotel in the area". A couple guests seemed to think that the property had shortcomings but they took a "you get what you pay for" attitude toward the hotel.
The location of the property received some mixed reviews and there were a number of guests who felt as though the property was conveniently located. Many guests said that they were close to amenities like stores and shopping and bus station while some guests felt that they were near to West Edmonton Mall.
Lastly, some guests appreciated that they received a $10 food coupon that could be used at the hotel's restaurant.
The Bad
Most guests were not impressed with this hotel and their complaints covered multiple facets of the property.
Numerous guests felt that the property was poorly managed. One reviewer explained that the elevator has not been repaired in 3 years, and the pool in the building is not open for use, but closed off. Another reviewer had concerns over security at the hotel and mentioned that four vehicles including his had been broken into while he was there. Others mentioned that the vending machines are not being filled and one has to venture out of the hotel for a cold drink.
Several guests complained about the condition of the hotel. These guests thought that the hotel was "old" or "run down" and in need of "renovating". Several guests also felt as though the property was dirty or even "filthy" and complaints described both the common areas and the private rooms.
Multiple guests complained about noise disturbances. A few guests said that they were not able to lock their balcony doors, and many guests felt that the location was "seedy" with "vagrants hanging around the entrance". There was mention of the area having "adult stores" within a couple of blocks which may concern families with young children.
Some noted that the wireless Internet "doesn't work in all rooms". There were complaints about the food and service in the restaurant. Some said the food was "horrible", the "service was terrible" and that there was "no proper staff in the restaurant".
The staff received mixed reviews, but most were complaints about incompetence, unfriendliness and "terrible service".
TripAdvisor.com ranked the hotel 78th of 84 hotels in Edmonton and the site had 59 reviews.
Priceline.com guest ratings averaged to 5.1 points out of 10 and the site had 16 reviews.
Booking.com guest reviews averaged to 6.9 points out of 10 and the site had 37 reviews.
Front Desk Agent on May 14, 2012: restaurant hours, hotel has 4 storeys, free wireless Internet throughout, hotel is 100% non-smoking, no elevator, $10 food voucher for on-site restaurant, check in and check out times.
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Analyzed by Shane L.
With ample personal travel experience and years of professional hotel work experience, Shane is prepared and determined to help travelers find what they want when booking Canadian hotels.
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