Tulip Inn

There were tiny ants all over the bathroom even though it was winter, so I can only imagine what it's like in summer. Our room's door knob was loose and the lock stuck every time we tried to lock or unlock it (#18). The toilet would randomly stop flushing even with only #1 in it, not because it was clogged or full, but because the lever wouldn't work. The electric fireplace was just for show and gave off no heat, so we had to turn up the thermostat right away because the room was cold. The cleaning was really poor. Sheets and towels had stains all over them, not just a bit of makeup here and there. The towels looked covered in rust, and the sheets had yellow, brown and grey patches. The duvet looked moldy. The couch smelled and was torn up, and when we moved it from the wall there was garbage behind it. I understand now why it was such a good deal, but even at $70 a night it's a rip-off.

The hotel is in lovely surroundings, with woods and three trails nearby: the beach, the lagoon and the Lookout Trail. The trails are within walking distance of the property, and the scenery was breathtaking. Sadly, the rest of our stay was disheartening. Our room key was difficult to use, and even though we'd confirmed our arrival time, the room wasn't ready. The fridge was off and stank, and neither the lights nor table lamps worked. There weren't enough outlets to charge our phones, so we had to ask for extension cords. The TV had no remote and most channels didn't work because they were subscribed for residents, not guests, so there was little point in having it. The light outside our Queen room wasn't working either, making it difficult at night. The WiFi was much slower than claimed, so we usually used phone data instead. The bathroom had no proper exhaust fan, only windows we had to open for air. The toilet flush was disappointing and the shower tap was poorly maintained and worked improperly. The built-in AC controls were on the back, so you had to stand on the bed to adjust them. We also found a few insects in the room.

For a late arrival and early departure, I'd stay again for the comfortable new bed in suite 22. The room at the end was dated and needed repairs, though they're working on it. Some rough permanent tenants made the motel parking lot feel more like Billy Bob's back yard.

The staff were kind and friendly, and there was plenty of parking. The room was spacious and had a large electric fireplace that kept it warm. The sheets looked clean but had dark stains, two light bulbs were out, and the coffee machine came without coffee, powdered milk or sugar. The in-room phone and WiFi didn't work. The rooms need updating, but if your expectations aren't high, it may be fine. It's close to Arrowhead Provincial Park, which was nice, though despite how it looks on the map, you can't walk there from Tulip Inn. A Tim Hortans and Walmart were seven minutes away, which was convenient. You get what you pay for. If you need lots of amenities, this isn't the place; for a quick overnight stay, it's convenient.