Varscona Hotel on Whyte

The location is fabulous, with everything within walking distance, though parking costs extra. Our stay was poor otherwise. The walls are paper thin, and we could hear whole conversations in the hallway at 4 a.m. There was no hot water on the night we stayed. We were told to run it for 20 minutes, which changed nothing. The next morning it was still cold, and running it for 40 minutes didn’t help. The front desk took no action until our third call, when they finally contacted maintenance.

Mathew at the front desk made us feel at home at the Varscona. He was warm, welcoming, and knew his stuff. The staff were also kind and accommodating with our little guy, and we appreciated the pet policy. The beds were comfortable, the bathrooms roomy with plenty of counter space, and there are great places to eat nearby. One thing that would help guests with injuries or older visitors is a clear note that the parking garage is separate and has no elevator. We were visiting Edmonton from Vancouver, and the hotel was still a very comfortable choice.

Whyte Ave is a great spot, close to restaurants, shops, and pubs, and the price looked reasonable. The room seemed tidy when we first arrived, so we left our bags and went to dinner. Looking more closely when we got back, we found toothpicks on the floor, dusty lampshades, a dirty toilet, and grit all over the sheets, as if someone had walked across a dirty floor and then got into bed. There was body hair in the bed that wasn't mine, and I really don't think the sheets had been washed or changed. We had booked two double beds for my friend and me, but ended up sharing one. When we called to ask for housekeeping or another room, they said they couldn't help. I've stayed in plenty of hotels around the world, and this was especially gross and the staff did nothing to fix it. I wouldn't recommend staying here if cleanliness matters to you.

I stayed at the hotel for three months after six weeks in hospital, following day surgery in October. I have a hard time with names and remember faces better, and everyone here made things easier for me. The door opened right up like I was royalty, and the front desk staff were always kind and ready to help. They kept the walkways clear of snow and ice, and the lobby fireplace was a nice place to warm up. The hotel was very clean, and the cleaning staff were quick to get me plates, cups, or whatever else I needed. The maintenance team even took off the bathroom door to make access easier and brought me a bigger fridge. I can't thank the staff enough for that help. Breakfast had lots to choose from, including fruit, yogurt, bacon, sausage, eggs, toast, muffins, granola, coffee, juice, and tea. Snacks were available 24/7, which became my spot, and the burger at dinner was the best in town.