TownePlace Suites by Marriott Toronto Northeast/Markham

The staff made check-in pleasant, and everyone I dealt with was courteous, friendly, and polite. The location is right at 404@steeles, between the 401 and 407. Rooms are well equipped, with a useful little kitchenette for making dinner and saving money. The bed was firm, the barn door style bathroom worked well with its zero-radius layout, and there was a good-sized nightstand for CPAP machines. Parking was ample, the restaurant was great, and the pool was a healthy size. Highly recommend staying here.

We booked mainly for the pool, and it was heated and well kept, with towels available and clean restrooms. The kids were friendly, and mine found playmates. Breakfast was standard plus, with a decent range for a free meal. It was crowded, but staff kept the food stocked and helped people find tables. Our family of four, including two small kids, had a clean, spacious room. The kitchenette came in handy, the bathroom was roomy, and the heating was fantastic during the cold Christmas week. Check-in was seamless, and the staff were welcoming and helpful. We’d seen reviews mentioning mold and service problems, though similar comments came up for other hotels in the area too. Our own stay was a positive one. Parking had enough room for my truck, and while there wasn’t much within walking distance, the hotel was central to major highway entrances, which made getting to sights and family easy. Our last night coincided with youth hockey players staying there. The hallways got a bit rowdy, with kids running around the hotel and pool, and that made things uncomfortable. That was the one caveat, and it was out of the hotel’s control. Otherwise, it was a great stay, and we’d happily come back.

I found a surprisingly good price for a hotel in the GTA during my stay on January 25. The front desk staff were excellent, friendly, knowledgeable, and professional at both check-in and check-out. The room gave me what I needed: a clean, comfortable place to sleep and eat the dinner I’d brought. The fridge was larger than usual, and there was even a dishwasher. I slept well in the comfortable bed. The TV had a clear picture and a decent number of stations, plus access to YouTube and Netflix. Basic wifi was available. The shower was hot, though the pressure could have been better. The free breakfast suited me, and the small setup on the top floor had a nice view. I don’t recall seeing bacon or sausage, but there were eggs, cooked and hard boiled, cereals, oatmeal, breads, wrapped muffins, and a waffle maker. My only real complaint was the man working at the buffet. He was friendly, but his body odour and body spray were both very strong and unpleasant, so I had to keep my distance. It wasn’t a personal attack, but that’s not a pleasant smell while you’re trying to eat. I’d definitely stay here again.

I stayed here for my birthday this year, just before Christmas. Reception and breakfast service are still great, but cleanliness seems to be slipping. The Dishrack was stained, and the bottle opener was dirty. It looked alarming, and I had to wipe the drawer clean too. It wasn’t like this last year. I hope things improve before my next stay.