The Lord Nelson Hotel & Suites

We loved the Deluxe One Bedroom Suite on the 7th floor. It was cozy and beautiful, with a Nespresso machine, complimentary water, and a very comfortable king bed. The staff were all welcoming and friendly. During the parade, they offered hot chocolate and candy canes, and the chocolates at the front desk were a lovely touch. The trouble was the noise. Someone on our floor played loud music for hours late at night. I called the front desk around midnight and was told security would be sent, but the noise went on for a long time. I could barely sleep and needed a nap once I got home. We stayed here two years ago without this problem, so it was disappointing. They apologized at checkout, though my note about that is unfinished. Apart from that, we enjoyed the stay and still appreciate the hotel's charm and staff. Parking tip: a full day at the mall level was $20, compared with their $28.

My mom is in a nearby hospital, so I came to The Lord Nelson for difficult reasons. After an overnight flight, with one of my dogs and no sleep, I arrived exhausted. The three staff members who hurried over to help were charming and professional, and the early check-in made my day. They also helped with my many bags. I wish I'd gotten their names. They gave me a cute bag with a dog toy, food, and cleanup bags for outdoor bathroom trips. I had brought those things myself, but it was a thoughtful touch. The pet fee is fair and isn't charged nightly. Parking was very easy in the heated underground garage. The location is great, the room was very clean, and the bed and pillows were extremely comfortable. I liked the Nespresso machine and the washroom products. There's a 24-hour gym, laundry service, YMCA access, and 20% off the spa. The restaurant menu looks delicious, and I'm relieved they offer room service. I think I'll need it.

The staff were consistently nice, but the hotel's condition and a checkout mix-up left me dismayed. We had arranged and paid for a 4 pm late checkout for one room, then at noon were told we had to leave by 3 pm. I'm glad we were there to adjust our plans. I can't see how the hotel could have been busy enough to cause this, and I don't understand what happened. Before I arrived, there had also been little attention to my request for a credit card authorization form. I grew up in Halifax and have fond memories of The Lord Nelson, which made the state of it sad to see. I can only assume the owners are letting it deteriorate so they can get permission to demolish it or turn it into condos. The three rooms I saw on floor 9 were more than tired, they were breaking down. The bathroom fan in my first room sounded like a propeller aircraft, so I asked to move. Later, looking behind the bed for a bedside outlet, I found grime, and the baseboard and heater were filthy too. The sheets and towels were fine, and I appreciated the Nespresso machine. There were cracked walls, a very worn bathroom, and many small things that could be fixed with a bit of attention but were being left to get worse. This hotel deserves care, and I'm sad to see how the current management company is treating it. I visit Halifax often, but I won't stay again unless there's a major refit.

We chose the Lord Nelson for our event after visiting several hotels in the Halifax area, and were happy with the choice. The renovated hotel has very good event space and excellent service. Hotel food is often a 5 out of 10, but our international attendees rated the Lord Nelson's food 10 out of 10. The meals were healthy, delicious, and beautifully presented. Jahnia, the event manager, was exceptionally helpful. She kept the setup and event running smoothly and handled our requests promptly. Amir from catering stayed on top of everything and helped with all our needs. The staff on the ground made the experience and are the reason we'd come back.