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| - yeah, an average place. they give you the basics (the real most basics), like coffee maker w/one mug and some plastic cups, couple of towels, shampoo and soap, etc. the room has hardwood floor, which i found ok but some might prefer carpet. there is a work desk and a tv that "didn't have great channels" (my bf's words). ac was working but it kept making these chugging noise every now and then. there was a huge built-in radiator by the wall, but we also found an individual, portable radiator in the closet--don't know what is the implication of that comes winter time. curtains, when closed, would cover the AC completely (no vents), so we had to pull them half way up and tie a knot. and then they were leaking lights in. and people could probably see us from the university buildings around us. other than that, the room was clean (if small) and quiet, and the neighborhood doesn't seem too sketchy being right by UQAM, although we came across at least 1 bum or drunk everyday, who may or may not panhandle as you walk by.
now, when we were reading the specs and reviews of the hotel, we were under the impression that each room is equipped with a mini fridge. so we were surprised to find no fridge in our room. went to front desk to inquire, and were told that we had to make advanced arrangement for it since there are only 4 floating around, mostly stationed in the "suites". but we could request for one in the next morning, which we did, and we got one rolled into our room shortly. yes now we can keep our drinks cold and all, but this little monster rattles when you don't set it in the right place. whether it just vibrated against the floor or the door was loose, it just kept buzzing unless you rolled it around a bit or put some heavy thing on top. minor issues.
plus side, they do provide free wi-fi internet. but instead of being automatically detected, you'll have to sign in on their webpage using their given IDs and passwords, which makes intermittent connection cumbersome coz you have to start that page and re-connect every time. but, again, minor issues. at least while i was connected i hardly ever got dropped, which is much more important.
upon check-out, i realized i have only made reservations through expedia.com, not having paid for it in full. that's fine; i generally don't care who i make the payments to as long as the rate is honored. and i understand there MAY be taxes added on top of the advertised rate, i did not get that when i booked the hotel in toronto and had it prepaid via hotels.com. now i'm "stuck" w/the 13% sales tax and some lodging fees??? that's like extra $65 for 4 nights of stay. and i already paid MORE than what i got in toronto, where the hotel was nicer and cheaper and also came w/free parking. this place, extra $15+tx a day for a separate garage parking! fine, considering how precious parking spaces are in here.
the garage is just around the corner (the hotel has 1-2 15-min parking spots blocked off right outside its door for check-in/out). the side street leading to/from it can be deemed a little sketchy at night w/its dim lighting and having an alley filled w/toss-aways right next to it. the parking lot inside was well-lit, clean, and without wanderers. they seem to have a gate that can completely close and shut off the garage from the outside, but i had not seen it down once, not even at 1am on a saturday night. however, they have a couple surveillance cameras there. overall, it does seem safe (personal and property-wise) while inside. parking spots are spacious too, unlike many reviews i've read about other hotels.
i know i can't compare apples and oranges. but just by the hotel itself, it's an "ok". not too hot if i'm getting charged some CAD$100+tx a day AND another CAD$15+tx a day for parking, and stayed in a 2.5-star establishment w/minimum amenities. staff was friendly and patient, though; very laid-back if you asked me. entrance and elevators are small, but at least they are there.
plus side, the cafe downstairs (kilo) is RIGHT THERE and you can get food till late w/o even having to walk out of the street. there are also a few other pubs, restaurants, and sandwich/sushi take-out places right at the corner of ste-catherine w/in a couple blocks by the turn. and the berri-UQAM train station is only a block away.
great for single travelers who are working/visiting in the area; not for those looking for actions at night as the bars and clubs all gather on ste-catherine O past rue peel and on maisonneuve (unless you care to pay extra for cabs). however, my bf went out w/his friends in the aforementioned happening area, and didn't have anything happen to him walking 20 blocks back to the hotel at 3am. so while there may be homeless people roaming around, the streets didn't seem so bad at night. that or maybe he was just lucky....? lol.
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