Hotel Review Archives

In Hotel Review

Black Rock Oceanfront Resort in Ucluelet: Review

May 25, 2016

Black Rock Oceanfront Resort is located in Ucluelet between the Wild Pacific Trail and Big Beach. My friends and I came here for the long weekend to relax and unwind. The Pacific Rim Whale Festival was happening at the same time in March, so there was plenty of things to do in the area.

The resort is 40km away from Tofino, which is around a 35-40 minute drive. It’s not too bad as it is a really nice drive and tons of hikes and viewpoints along the way. Just make sure you get an park pass for Pacific Rim National Park so you can park and enjoy the sights.

Checking in

Photo Credit: Black Rock Oceanfront Resort

We checked into the lobby at 4pm and got our keys to our room. The staff were very friendly and knowledgable. If you had questions on where to go or dine nearby, just go ask them.

Dining

Photo Credit: Black Rock Oceanfront Resort

Black Rock has 2 dining areas you can check out – Fetch and Float Lounge.

Fetch is a 90 seat oceanfront restaurant that over looks the Pacific Ocean. Every seat has a spectacular view of the surrounding view.

Float Lounge is their more casual dining atmosphere. You still get a nice view if you sit right by the windows. They do not take reservations, so its first come first serve. It is cheaper than Fetch and has a good amount of West Coast dishes that will tickle your taste buds like the seaside bowl, Surf n’ Turf Steak Sandwich, and the Smoked Seafood Chowder.

Spa and Amenities

Photo Credit: Black Rock Oceanfront Resort

Drift Spa is an award-winning spa and won Top 20 Spa in North America from Spas of America in 2015. They have an extensive menu of rejuvenating and restorative body and skin treatments including, massage, facials, manicures, pedicures, hydrotherapy, body scrubs, wraps, soaks, and hot stone treatments.

I looked into RMT services but since they don’t have a dedicated RMT team, they contract it out, so book in advance to make sure you have a spot.

Amenities

All guests get access to public outdoor hot tubs, plunge pool and fitness centre.

Adjoining Trail Suites

My friends and I stayed in the Two Bedroom Adjoining Trail Suites which combines their One Bedroom Trail Suite and Studio Trail Suite to create a larger space, suitable for up to 6 people.

Studio Trail Suite

The one side of the suite is a Studio Trail Suite which features a king size bed and kitchenette. This is suitable for 2 – 4 people as it has a king size bed plus a seating area with a double pullout couch.

The kitchenettes in this suite are fully equipped for four people with dishwasher, 2-burner stovetop, combination microwave/convection oven and small refrigerator.

My friends stayed on this side and they did like it. The only critique was the window separating the washroom and the studio. Since it is a sliding window, you can easily play pranks on each other…not that we did that or anything.

The bathrooms have heated slate flooring, soaker tub, and a shower with a rain shower head. Everything was clean and we had no issues.

One Bedroom Trail Suite

On the other side of the suite is a separate living room with a pull out double couch bed, flat screen tv, gas fireplace and a dining table. This also fits 4 people as well. You can also step outside to the balcony to look at the views outside. We didn’t get much of a view as it was covered up with large trees. We could see a little bit of the Big Beach and smaller trails.

There is cable and wireless access, but some of the channels were limited. Wifi was a bit slow.

Since I have my data plan on my phone with Rogers, there was no LTE or 3G. Most of the time it didn’t work. My other friends that were on the TELUS network had no problems at all. I really relied on the Wifi at the resort.

The separate bedroom has a king size bed, a small flat screen TV and a closet. You can step outside on the balcony from the bedroom too.

The flat screen TV was pretty tiny, but most of the time we were out in the living room watching movies or shows.

The bedroom also has a window connecting to the bathroom. You can hear everything that goes on in the washroom.

The bathroom is very spacious and a lot larger than the studio suite. There are 2 sinks and the shower might have been bit larger.

Most of the time was spent in the living room/kitchen. We brought with us some snack and drinks for the evenings when we play board games.

The dining table has 4 chairs, so it have have a group of 8, you will need to find other ways for them to sit.

A nice relaxing time with a group of great friends.

Wild Pacific Trail

Wild Pacific Trail is on the right side of the Resort. You will want to take a stroll around the area to catch some gorgeous views. It’s definitely worth it.

You’ll need to walk through the parking lot past some stairs and you will see a path.

Walk towards to ocean and the scenic views will be there.

There are a few benches where you can just sit and take in all the beauty.

How could you not love this stunning view? We had a great time staying at the resort and there is definitely a good amount of things to do around here. We loved the area so much that we are going to plan another visit to Ucluelet/Tofino next year!

Address:
596 Marine Drive
Ucluelet, BC

Website:
http://www.blackrockresort.com/

In Hotel Review

Spirit Ridge Vineyard Resort: Accommodations in Osoyoos

December 11, 2015

Spirit Ridge Vineyard Resort is located in an area known as the Napa of the North in the fertile South Okanagan wine country of British Columbia, overlooking Osoyoos Lake. The resort is conveniently located just five minutes from the Canada/US border. You are surrounded by the rolling vineyards and sun-drenched landscapes of wine country.

The parking is up at the top of the hill by Nk’Mip Cellars. Just check in at the building on the right. There’s a lot of free parking.

We stayed in the One Bedroom Villa, which faces East to see the beautiful vineyards and Okanagan Lake. Its base occupancy is 2 people but can have a maximum of 6 people inside.

It was a pretty nice day when we were staying here, so it was nice to be so close to the vineyards.

I found it interesting how the blocks of the villas were named after the types of wines.

There was even a fountain outside our door.

Once you walk inside, you will get a homey vibe from the decor. It felt like a home away from home.

There’s a dining table, couch with sofa bed, TV, fireplace and desk.

The space is great for families or people who are staying for a few days. Since it was just M and I, we didn’t really need the extra space.

In the kitchen, there are the usual appliances like fridge, sink, stove, oven, microwave, dishwasher and a coffee maker. There’s also a washer and dryer in the villa.

The first bathroom was a sink, shower, and toilet.

The bedroom has its own tv, king size bed, and separate bathroom.

The bedroom has a tub and toilet in a separate room, but the sink it outside in the bedroom. I thought it was a little bit odd.

Outside on the patio is a soaker tub and some furniture so you can sit and enjoy the view. There’s also a BBQ Grill you can use too.

You can walk around the vineyards through a open gate by this huge map.

It’s a pretty nice stroll and you get to see their different types of grapes growing on the vines.

Try to get a room that faces the lake instead of the mountains.

They have many amenities that guest can enjoy, but a visit to their outdoor pools, hot tubs, and fitness centres seem to be popular. There are dining options at the resort too such as Talon’s Restaurant and Sonora Dune’s Grill.

Overall, it was a nice stay, but because it’s situated in a dessert, we did find many little critters hanging around in our villa. I ended up killing a few spiders in the bedroom and bathroom. Other than that, no other issues that we noticed.

Address:
1200 Rancher Creek Rd, Osoyoos, BC

Website:
http://www.spiritridge.ca/

In Hotel Review

Best Western Plus Nelson: Baker Street Inn

November 22, 2015

Making our way back to Vancouver, we made a stop at Best Western Plus at Baker Street Inn. We saw this on Trip Advisor and it was one of the top hotels in the town.

It’s conveniently located right off the highway leading into town. There is free parking across the street for guests. You just need to register your vehicle with the front desk. Most guests j-walk to get to their car and it seemed quite normal. Try not to get hit by cars.

The building has a bit of age, but it was ok since we only spent a night here. Didn’t bother us.

We stayed in their standard room with 1 Queen Bed, refrigerator, microwave and view of the mountains. The view wasn’t very impressive as it was obstructed by electric poles and wires.

The room was a tad small, but that was ok since we really didn’t need any extra space. It had all that I needed for the stay. If you were staying multiple nights and need the space, they you’re better off getting a larger room.

The TV had Food Network, so I was super happy. Wifi had a strong signal and was fast so I could go on my computer. There’s a Keurig machine with a few K cups if you wanted coffee or tea.

The bed was comfortable and clean.

In front of the washroom were recycling, trash can and an ice bucket with cups.

The bathroom seemed like it was renovated not too long ago.

Overall, it was a pleasant stay with no issues. Staff were friendly and the place was clean.

Address:
153 Baker Street, Nelson, BC

Website: http://www.bwbakerstreetinn.com/

In Calgary

Hotel Elan: Boutique Hotel in Calgary

November 19, 2015

M and I were in Calgary for 2 days during our week long road trip driving across BC into Calgary.

We stayed at Hotel Elan, a boutique hotel located just off stylish 17th Ave Retail and Entertainment District. We chose this place as it was the top ranking hotel on Trip Advisor. It’s also a great location since some of the best restaurants in town is within walking distance.

They have gated underground parking on site for $18 per night for guests. Still a lot cheaper and safer than parking on the street. They also have a Car2Go zone in there too.

Hotel Elan is the only boutique hotel in Calgary to offer combined accommodation and private in-suite meeting spaces designed specifically for business travellers.

We were in their Vista King Bed Suite. Walking in you will see like a mini kitchen without the major appliances.

Keurig coffee machines are free to use. There are K cups of coffee and tea.

It’s nothing fancy, but its nice to have the basics like the sink, microwave, mini fridge, cups, plates and utensils.

Each suite includes a bedroom, bathroom and living room with meeting space for four to six, complete with a private outdoor balcony.

It’s nice to just sit out in the balcony and observe people walking by.

In the room, you also get:

Complimentary calling to 75 countries worldwide
Complimentary dedicated Wifi

Free wifi is the norm now. I couldn’t imagine going on a trip and not having access to wifi. The complimentary calling worldwide is pretty awesome, but sadly I had no one to call.

There’s USB chargers built into the wall unit, so you can plug in your cord for your smartphone devices. The beds were comfy and I liked how there were 2 types of pillows – form and soft.

The only issue I found was that the AC/Heater device in the room did make a fair bit of noise in the evening that we ended up unplugging it.

The TV’s have Telus Optic HD TV, but for some reason I couldn’t find Food Network. We ended up watching a lot of Border Security on National Geographic channel. It’s a pretty addictive show.

In the bathroom, there are heated floors, showers with thermostatic temperature control valves, and heated toilet seats. M loved the heated toilet seats! Everything was very clean and we didn’t have any issues.

The shower is very modern looking and probably my favourite shower that we have encountered on our road trip.

I like their choice of L’Occitane bathroom amenities. SO much better than what other hotels have.

Business Centre

They have a mini business centre with iMacs if you need to do any work here.

Complimentary Happy Hour

Every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evening from 5:30pm to 6:30pm, they offer complimentary appetizers and a well deserved refreshment after your busy day.

I grabbed a few bites and a beer. They also have wine too. I really couldn’t say no to free beer.

Complimentary Deluxe Continental Breakfast Buffet

They offer complimentary breakfast on weekday mornings from 7:00am to 10:00am and weekends from 8:00am to 11:00am. A nice touch and it was great to be able grab a quick bite before exploring more of Calgary.

They have juice, cereal, yogurt, and fresh fruits.

Oatmeal, tea and coffee.

I grabbed some fruits, meat and scrambled eggs with a cup of coffee. It’s nothing fancy,

Overall, our stay was good, but you can tell some services are geared toward travelling business men and women. I didn’t mind since I liked the extra table space in our room to go on my computer and do work in the evening. The staff were welcoming, great location and clean. I would come back again.

Address:
1122 16 Ave SW, Calgary, AB

Website:
http://hotelelan.ca/

In Canmore

Grande Rockies: Hotel in Canmore, Alberta

October 31, 2015

After passing the Banff Lake Louise area, we made a stop for the day at Canmore, Alberta before continuing our trip to Calgary. We stayed at the Grande Rockies Resort located right by the Bow Valley of the Canadian Rockies.

We checked-in with the front desk. The desk is hidden behind the waterfall in the lobby. We parked our car in their underground gated parking.

We stayed in a one bedroom condo style suite, which fits 4 people. They have fully functioning kitchens in there too.

When we got into our room, we found chocolate dipped fruits and a bottle of white wine from the resort to celebrate our honeymoon.

The living room has 2 couches, dining table, fireplace and a flatscreen TV. One of the couches has a pull out bed.

The kitchen has a fridge, oven, stove, microwave, coffee maker, and a dishwasher.

The kitchen seemed like it had all the tools. We didn’t use the kitchen at all since we ate out. I can see this suite being useful to people who are staying for more than a few days.

Out on the patio, there is a grill you can use too.

Out on the patio, you can view The Three Sisters, a trio of peaks in Canmore.

The bedroom is further down the hall and it has a king-sized bed.

There is a small TV and a desk. Too bad they didn’t attach a bigger TV on the wall to maximize space. Either way, it was good enough.

There is a washer and dryer with an ironing board and iron. This comes in handy if you’ve travelled for a while and need to wash your clothes.

The washroom has a sink and a shower.

The shower can be a bit complicated to start but once you start pushing the buttons on the control panel, you will figure it out easily.

There is a heated indoor swimming pool, hot tub and kids pool with waterslide that is accessible for all guests. There is also a fitness room as well.

Inside the resort, they have their award winning Habitat Restaurant and Bar. They have won the 2015 diners choice from OpenTable as well as Awards of Excellence from Trip Advisor from 2011 to 2015.

Their breakfast buffet starts daily from 7am to 11am. Sadly when we were here, their restaurant wasn’t open.

They serve casual Canadian cuisine & cocktails. Their dinner menu has a good amount of gluten-free options. A majority of the items sound super good.

Overall, it was a good stay. The only thing that annoyed me was that our keycard didn’t work, so we had to run back and forth several times back to the front desk to get someone to open the door. Apparently this happened to a few other guests too.

Address:
901 Mountain St, Canmore, Alberta

Websites:
http://www.granderockies.com/

In Golden

Kicking Horse Lodging: Glacier Mountaineer Lodge Review

October 14, 2015

Glacier Mountaineer Lodge was where we stayed in Golden, BC. It’s located in the heart of the Kicking Horse Mountain Resort alpine village – at the base of the Golden Eagle Express Gondola. The mountain is around 10 minutes away from the downtown area of Golden, BC.

It’s a good location to stop at if you are enjoying the snow in the winter or heading up the Gondola to hike or sightsee in the Summer.

We pulled up to the front of the building, walked through the lobby to check in. It definitely has a rustic mountain-feel to it.

Since it was low-season and we were checking in past 6pm, they left our envelopes at the front with our keys and other information.

We stayed in their one bedroom suite and it was quite spacious for the two of us. You will find their fully furnished living rooms with satellite TV, gas fireplace, and private balconies. It was clean and reminded us of home away from home.

There is also a fully furnished kitchen with fridge, microwave, oven and coffee maker.

The bedroom had an old CRT TV with cable, views of the mountains and a closet. We spent more time in the living room since it was more comfortable watching TV there with the flatscreen TV.

The tables has 3 chairs and a bench. I quite liked the bench feature. Makes me want to get one for my own place.

There’s lots of sitting space if you were to entertain guests. Very cozy.

The entrance to the balcony/patio gave us a great sight of the slopes. There’s not much to see during the Fall, but it was cool to see the changing colours of the trees and the snowboarding trails. In the Winter, it will be more beautiful.

There’s lots of hooks and space to hang any winter gear you have.

The washroom has a tub, a shower, toilet and sink. Nothing fancy, but it does the job.

They also have a fitness centre, hot tub, and a steam room to enjoy at the lodge.

The view of the other mountain peaks are just amazing even in the Fall. Its so nice to see the snow right on the peaks of those large mountains.

Overall, it was a pleasant stay and I love the surrounding nature. Mountains on all sides with some beautiful Fall foliage. The only bad thing about coming here during low-season is that there’s nothing open up here, so you will need to head to the town to get lunch or dinner. The lodge has vending machines, so you can get pop, water or snacks. When it’s their normal season, it won’t be a problem at all. M and I didn’t mind since we were carry a lot of snacks and drinks with us since we were on our roadtrip.

The best part about going to Kicking Horse Lodging is this crazy bridge you have to drive across. Only one car can pass at a time. I’ve never seen anything like this, so I was super excited.

Address:
549 Kicking Horse Trail, Golden, BC

Website:
http://www.kickinghorselodging.com/glacier-mountaineer-lodge/

In Hotel Review

Manteo Resort: Waterfront Hotel & Villas in Kelowna

October 6, 2015

Manteo Resort is located on the shores of Okanagan Lake in Kelowna. It is minutes from downtown and of course the many wineries in the area. M and stayed here during our road trip across BC for one night. We were looking for a place that had a great view and right on the water.

Manteo Resort offers a “no surprise fee guarantee”, so there are no extra charges for use of amenities, local phone calls, internet, national newspapers and parking. All the parking is outside of the hotel in the rear. When you check-in, they will provide you with a parking pass for your stay.

M and I arrived here 45 minutes early for the check-in at 4pm. They checked us in right away and told us they would give us a call when our room was ready. This wasn’t a problem at all since they had a mini beach that we could relax as we sat on their huge colourful chairs as we waited.

15 minutes later they told us our room was ready.

M and I stayed in the one bedroom premium suite with a lake view. It can fit up to 4 people.

All the rooms have:

Free Wi-Fi
Flat-screen TVs
Duvets, feather beds and feather pillows
Alarm clocks with iPod docking stations
In-room safes
Daily newspaper delivery
Robes
Coffeemakers
Discounted hotel breakfasts at Smack DAB

This particular room also has:

Private bedroom with a King size bed
Living room with double pullout sofa
Fully equipped kitchen and dining area
Private balcony
Business desk
iPod docking station and iPod stereo

At first glance, the decor is a bit dated and all the furniture doesn’t exactly match. I have a feeling the colour of the couch and the blue chair is supposed to mirror their logo as it has blue, red and yellow.

The living room is spacious and great if you have kids.

Their iPod docking stereo is now outdated too. You can only use it on the older generation iPhones. You can also put in a CD if you happen to have one with you.

There’s a kitchen with a stove, microwave, a refrigerator and a Keurig. It’s convenient if you want to cook. For us, it wasn’t really needed since we spent our time eating out at the restaurants in the area. I can see how this would be great if you had kids with you or staying here for more than a night.

They have coffee and tea pods for the Keurig.

They even dropped off some cookies after we got into our room. A nice touch.

The only thing that bothered me about the dining area are the abundance of chairs in the suite. A bit much for the 2 of us, but if we had other people on this trip or kids, I think it would be handy.

From the living room, you can get to the balcony. It has a great view of the Okanagan Lake.

The bedroom has a king sized bed and looks more modern that the living room area.

There’s also a flat screen tv with cable. We spend most of our time watching Food Network.

Pretty basic washroom with one sink in this area.

There is a bath and shower combo.

The products that they have are from h2o+, which is a pretty good brand.

You can section off the bathroom from the toilet room with a sliding door. It’s good for letting others use the toilet when someone is in the shower. This also has its own separate sink.

While you are here, make sure you walk along the dock during the day or night. It takes you pretty far out into the lake, so great for taking photos of the area.

At night, I was able to catch the Super ‘Blood’ Moon at the docks.

Smack Dab is the restaurant inside Manteo Resort and they are open for breakfast buffet, lunch and dinner. They serve up new style classics with bolder flavours. You can grab a drink inside or be sitting outside in the patio. They have a good selection of craft beer with 12 on tap and 20 by the bottle. A good way to celebrate BC and what we make here locally. Don’t worry they also have wine and cocktails too.

They also have a private dining room that seats up to 22 people. Great for large groups if you are here for a family get-together or birthday party.

Not quite sure what else to do here? They have indoor/outdoor pools, hot tubs, kids waterpark, saunas, movie theatre, fitness centre, tennis court, 9 hole putting green, playground, private beach and boat moorage.

Thats a lot of things you can do especially keep the kids entertained or to keep yourself relaxed.

Overall, our stay was great. It was right between downtown and Summer Hill Pyramid Winery. The service was good, beds were comfy, strong wifi signal and it has a fantastic view. The only 2 things that would have been improved would be an update on the living rooms decor, also the cable would cut out a bit in the evenings.

Address:
3762 Lakeshore Road, Kelowna BC

Website:
http://www.manteo.com/

In Hotel Review

Four Points by Sheraton Vancouver Airport

March 13, 2015

Four Points By Sheraton at Vancouver Airport is located on Alexandra Road in Richmond. It isn’t close to the Airport nor is it in Vancouver. The airport isn’t too far away from the hotel, but its nice that they have free shuttle service to and from the airport. It gives you peace of mind when you’re traveling.

If you’re wondering what is around Richmond, it’s a food lovers paradise. It’s a daily dining adventure, promising fresh seafood, the best Chinese restaurants outside of China and unparalleled authentic cuisine from across Asia – especially among the 200+ restaurants. It feels like being in Hong Kong without actually being there.

Across the street from Four Points By Sheraton at Vancouver Airport is Golden Village, a strip a Asian Restaurants. Looking for a late night snack? Just walk across the street.

I stayed in their room with a King Sized Bed on their top floor.

Their rooms have a standard configuration – bed, chair, desk, tv and bathroom.

My room was a bit different and the bathroom was closer to the door. They have a good amount of channels on the TV and free wifi. I spent most of my time watching the Food Network or Home and Garden TV.

In the room, there is a coffee make, water boiler, coffee, tea, an ice bucket, cups, sugar, cream and 2 bottles of water.

All free to consume. There’s also a mini fridge under the desk.

The bathroom is clean and spacious.

They have body wash, shampoo and conditioner.

Also, soap, lotion, mouthwash, and a nail file. If you need anything else, the front desk can help you out. I forgot toothpaste and they were able to get me some.

In the morning, there is complimentary coffee and tea in the lobby. No need to brew it yourself. Ultimate laziness.

Overall, the stay was good and it’s great to have a lot of food options close to the hotel.

Address:
8368 Alexandra Road
Richmond, British Columbia, V6X 4A6

Website: http://www.fourpointsvancouverairport.com/

In Hotel Review

Aria Resort and Casino: Hotel on The Strip

May 1, 2014

When we were in Vegas, we spent 5 days staying at Aria. We got a good package via Allegiant Air and we heard it was a nice family friendly hotel. It’s crazy big and has about 4,000 guest suites, 16 restaurants, 10 bars/nigh clubs and a big gambling space. As a guest, you have access to the pool space and facilities. Currently, they are hosting Zarkana by Cirque du Soleil.

It is located right near the middle of the strip and is super convenient to get around either by taxi or walking.

They have these huge statues out front. It probably has some symbolic meaning.

You check in on the right side of the lobby. It takes a bit of time to check-in if there’s a long line.

Checking Out is much easier! You can check out by texting or emailing. Once done, you can just drop off your electronic keys in the boxes by the exit. It literally takes seconds to check out. I was really impressed how much they would make the process as painless as possible.

Getting to the room was a maze because of the shape of the hotel. It twists and turns but just follow the signs and you will find your way.

Our room was a Deluxe Room with 2 queen-sized beds with an adjacent room connected by a door. Perfect for a family of 5.

The room was all controlled by a tablet beside the bed. It controls the TV, temperature, lights, blinds, etc.

It was a nice space, but do be aware, if you move anything from the mini fridge, you get charged $50. Pretty steep, but I think it’s because they don’t want you to use it to cool your other beverages if you have any.

The washroom is nice, but the frosted glass may be a bit scary for some. No one really wants to kind see you do your business. Just make sure you close the main door to the washroom.

The shower and the tub are in the same glassed area. You can take a bath and a shower at the same time.

The Monte Carlo and New York New York and be seen from the lobby area. Taxi’s come quickly and isn’t a problem at all. But then again, taxi’s are everywhere on the strip.

When you check out, you can leave your luggage at the hotel until it’s time to go. Our flight was in the afternoon, so we wanted to spend some time getting lunch and picking up a few souvenirs.

Overall, I enjoyed our stay and would definitely consider Aria again.

Website: http://www.aria.com/

In Busan

Hotel Commodore in Busan

November 20, 2013

When we took a weekend trip to Busan, we stayed at the Hotel Commodore for one night. It is rated as a five star hotel with 312 rooms. The hotel has been around since 1979 and is 17 storeys high.

The exterior is very gorgeous and has a nice traditional feel. It is centrally located close to Downtown and it is easy to get access to cabs to get anywhere in the city.

The interior of the lobby is quite ornate and you will spend some time just looking at all the walls.

The hotel has 3 restaurants:

Viking Buffet Restaurant (International cuisine)
Admiral Yi Western Restaurant
Hanguk Kwan (Traditional Korean)

We didn’t get a chance to try out these restaurants, but there is definitely more delicious food out in the markets.

The lobby seating area has a very beautiful chandelier. It has the colours of korean on it.

Standard Double Room

If you book through their website, it’s about $200, but if you do through websites like Expedia, you can book if for about $90.

The standard room is very simple with a minibar, coffee/tea maker, mini fridge, Air conditioning, and a desk. They give you complimentary water, tea and coffee packets.

You have to pay for wired internet, but good thing we had a portable wifi box we rented from the airport.

Everything from this room was pretty outdated. The clock is built into the side table. This room did not feel five star at all.

The standard double room was ok and has everything you need to sleep for the night, but is in need of some upgrades. If you want a nicer room, you might want to look into the semi suites but thats a bit more expensive.

The private bathroom has a more modern feel to it compared to the rest of the room. The bathroom has a shower/tub, the usual stuff and they have small things of Aveda shampoo, conditioner and moisturizer.

The view of the room faces the city and you can see all the buildings below.

The location is great and close to tourist areas like Jagalchi.

Address:
743-80, Yeongju-dong, Jung-gu,
Busan, South Korea ‎

Website:
http://www.commodore.co.kr/

[googlemap width=”620″ height=”480″ src=”https://www.google.ca/maps?t=m&cid=0x1bc59958ec95f2fd&z=16&iwloc=A “]

In Gangnam

Tria Hotel in Gangnam, Seoul: Review and Travel Tips

September 2, 2012

My travel agent in Hong Kong did a horrible job at finding me a decent place to stay in Korea. The hotel that they wanted to book me in looked really rundown and was way overpriced for what it looked like. I decided to find my own accommodations and Trip Advisor suggested Tria Hotel for a nice budget hotel in the Gangnam area. It was under 100,000 won per night.

Since I was traveling on my own, I needed to find a nice and safe hotel that was affordable.

If you are wondering, I didn’t see anything related to the Gangnam Style song by PSY. I actually didn’t hear about this song till weeks after I came back home. (It’s a pretty good song FYI)

A lot of people complained about how the streets are filled with “sexy” hotels in the area. They aren’t wrong, there are a few around, but no one really bothers you during the day or night. There are lots of restaurants in the area, so it’s convenient if you want a snack or a meal.

Since I did book very last-minute, there was only a double bed room available.

The bathroom is very weird in my opinion. The wall and doors are frosted so you can kinda see into the bathroom. I was so glad I wasn’t travelling with anyone because this would be awkward seeing someones silhouette in the washroom.

They provide you with a TV and computer, but I didn’t use them since I brought my own laptop. There is wifi access in the room and there is no password to it. Just connect to the network with your room number.

They provide you with complementary combs, hair product, shower caps, hair ties, and mosquito repellant.

They also have toothbrush, toothpaste, a razor, and shaving cream. If you forget anything, they have you covered.

They also have shampoo, conditioner, and body wash.

They have a kettle for you to boil hot water for tea and coffee.

There was also a fridge in the closet. When I opened it, there were 2 bottle of water, a can of orange juice and a can of coffee. It was complementary!

I took all the coffee, juice, tea, and bottle of water. I hid them all in my suitcase so the cleaning ladies would replenish my fridge. It was complementary, so might as well take it all right?

If you need anything else like additional drinks or meals, they have a menu that you can order from their cafe. Do keep in mind, you do get complementary breakfasts every morning in their cafe. Unfortunately, I never went for the breakfasts since I wanted to go out for food.

On the last day, they have breakfast delivered up to the room. They will call you once you are back and they ask you for a time you want the food to be delivered. It was a sandwich and a coffee.

The coffee was drip coffee and you can add your own sugar and cream.

The sandwich is really big and it has a lot of vegetables, egg, chicken, and cheese. It was a decent sandwich. I think it tasted better because it was breakfast in bed. It was a lovely touch!

Travel Tips

Buy a T-Pass from the convenience store once you get out of the arrival gates. Having it will save a lot of time and effort of figuring out how to pay for transit. Just load it up and tap it everytime you get on the buses or subway. I would suggest taking the 6703 KAL Limo Bus from Incheon Airport since it takes over an hour to arrive at the hotel.

It costs 14,000 won and it saves the trouble of overpaying for a taxi or switching subway lines. You can also take a nice long nap! The bus is air conditioned and the seats are confortable.

Get off at Renaissance Hotel and walk a few blocks. It’s not very far.

After getting off the plane, if you need a cell phone. The Incheon Airport has a few companies offering rental cellphones. I chose S-Roaming since it was one of the cheaper option. Plus, you get 50% off when you reserve a day before. You can rent smartphones or regular phones. I chose the smartphone since I wanted data to look at maps and use travel apps. It was a fair price and comes in VERY handy.

Final Thoughts

Tria Hotel was a nice hotel to stay at especially when having a last minute booking. The staff was very helpful and could help me store my luggages since my planes came at strange times. There are other cheaper options around town, but compared to other hotels, this is a good option. It’s nice looking, clean, and has a lot of amenities.

The location is far from most tourist locations, but the subway is very convenient and the green line does go to most tourist places, so not a lot of transferring.

Address:
677-11 Yeoksam 1(il)-dong,
Gangnam-gu, Seoul,
South Korea

Website:
http://www.triahotel.co.kr/html/ENG/AB/w_AB_010.html

Number:
+82 2-553-2471 ‎

View Larger Map