OverviewLocated a 5-minute drive south of Hwy 401 (Trans-Canada Hwy) and about an 11-minute drive to the downtown area, this hotel is situated among a cluster of hotels, restaurants and stores at the north end of Kingston. This hotel appeals to car travellers seeking accommodation close to the 401.
All of the 88 rooms at this hotel are non-smoking and have free Wi-Fi, a 37" flat-screen TV, a mini-fridge, a microwave, a coffeemaker, a hair dryer and an iron and ironing board. Guests can choose between standard rooms (king or queen beds) or more spacious suites (some of which have a jacuzzi and/or a kitchenette with a stove). Pets are not permitted at this hotel.
While there is no on-site restaurant, guests are offered a complimentary hot breakfast buffet daily. There are a bevy of restaurants around the hotel, less than a 5-minute walk away. On-site amenities include free parking, an indoor pool, a hot tub and a gym.
With the exception of King's Crossing Outlet Shopping Centre (4-minute walk away), guests will need access to a vehicle to get to many of Kingston's points of interest. Queen's University is about a 14-minute drive away. Bellevue House (former home of Sir John A. MacDonald) and Fort Henry (originally built during the war of 1812) are both just over a 15-minute drive away. Air travellers should expect about a 25-minute drive to Norman Rogers Airport (YGK). The VIA Rail station is closer, about an 11-minute drive away. (All distances and travel time estimates: Google Maps)
Confirmed with a front desk agent: Wi-Fi, breakfast and parking (call date: September 14, 2012).
The GoodAmong the reviews used for this analysis, guests generally praised this hotel and commented frequently on the cleanliness and appearance of the rooms and on the convenience of the location.
Guests really liked this hotel's proximity to Hwy 401 and said that it was easy to find. A number of guests were pleasantly surprised that the hotel was quiet, as they had expected street noise, given the hotel's location in relation to the 401. Guests also found it convenient that the hotel was so close (less than a 5-minute walk) to so many restaurants and shops.
Rooms were clean, spacious and well laid out, according to a number of guests. Several guests commented that the hotel felt new and that they liked the modern decor as well.
Guests were very pleased with the service they received from staff, and were particularly impressed with front desk staff, who were helpful and professional.
Several guests enjoyed the quality and selection of food offered at the complimentary breakfast. A number of guests liked having hot foods to choose from (they said that options changed daily) and said that the buffet was kept well stocked.
There were some additional comments from guests who appreciated the convenience of having a mini-fridge and a microwave in their room.
The Bad
Most of the reviews used for this analysis were positive, but guests did commonly complain about a few items, including the air conditioning units and dim lighting.
Some guests found that the air conditioning units were noisy. A number of guests had trouble regulating temperature in their rooms. A couple of guests felt that the air conditioning units were too close to the beds.
A few guests felt that the lighting in the rooms was dim, and mentioned lighting in the bathrooms particularly.
There were a few comments from guests who were disturbed by noisy neighbours in adjacent rooms and from noisy guests in the hallways.
There were some peripheral comments about weak water pressure in the showers and from a few guests who felt that the room rate was expensive.
TripAdvisor.com guest reviewers ranked this hotel #3 out of 36 Kingston hotels, based on 165 reviews.
Hotels.com guest reviewers rated this hotel 4.6 out of 5, or "outstanding", based on 114 reviews.
Booking.com guest reviewers rated this hotel 8.9 out of 10, or "fabulous", based on 82 reviews.
Confirmed with a front desk agent: Wi-Fi, breakfast and parking (call date: September 14, 2012).
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Analyzed by Heather W.
Driven by the sense that every person, place or thing has a story to tell and a skill for being in the wrong place at the right time, Heather is a well-traveled writer.
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