The Windsor Hotel by Hoco Hotels Collection

The location and service were very good, and the chair, loveseat, and bed were all comfortable. We stayed in the junior suite, but there was no kitchenette or microwave. The Nespresso coffee maker was fine if you like that type. The soap dispensers and basin faucet were hard to use, the self-closing fire doors slammed loudly in the hallway, and the elevator was out of order. Parking cost $20 plus HST per day.

The best part of my stay at the Windsor was the room Amelia moved me to. It was spotless and very comfortable, with a strong heater, two lovely windows full of natural light, and a view of the lovely City Hall. The spacious bathroom had a window too, and I enjoyed the Roku TV, its many streaming channels, and easy AirPlay from my iPhone. After walking around snowy Stratford, it was a perfect place to settle in. Downtown, including beautiful Upper Queen's Park, was all walkable, and I always enjoyed saying hello and chatting with Amelia in the lobby. I arrived for a few days in Stratford and checked myself in around 11pm using the emailed front door and room codes, since the front desk is staffed only during the day. The first room was a disappointment: the door wouldn’t lock, the toilet kept running, and there was some kind of stain on the mattress under the tucked sheet. I texted the 24-hour emergency number, unsure who would answer so late. Amelia, one of the hotel managers who lived nearby, got back to me shortly after. Even though it was late and inches of snow were expected, she left home to move me. She saw the problems herself, apologized, and said she’d make sure that room was inspected and cleaned more thoroughly for future guests. She’d already turned on the heater in the next room, and also offered complimentary beverages. The powerful heater was just right as the snow fell over the following days, and it was beautiful to watch from my windows. The hotel was renovating while I was there. I didn’t see or hear construction, but the main lobby lounge was closed and the elevator wasn’t working. The building also lost power while I was checking out, though I don’t know what caused it. The hotel still had wonderful historic charm and a cozy feel when I returned from outings, with a beautiful Christmas tree beside the front desk. I hope to stay at the Windsor again and see the lobby after the renovations. My time in snowy Stratford was comfortable, and I’m grateful to Amelia for turning the trip around with her care for guests.

It was convenient to be right in the heart of downtown, with our restaurant and the shops within easy reach. The room was spacious, especially as a corner room, and felt clean. But it was overpriced for what we got. The newly renovated space had white walls and a minimalist look, though the wall and paint finishing left a lot to be desired and I’m not sure the work was done by professionals. Parking costs extra, or you can leave your car at a municipal lot and walk with your bags. There was no shampoo in the shower, and the soap and body wash had a very strong, manly smell that I didn’t like as a woman. The bathroom outlet didn’t work even after I reset it, so I had to dry my hair elsewhere. The coffee was good, but the TV was small and the Wi-Fi too poor to watch anything. At 7am, the sound of someone trying our code lock woke us up.

The room was clean and had a bar fridge, coffee maker, smart TV, and Wi-Fi. Downtown Stratford was easy to get around on foot from there. But the room was VERY small, and the bathroom was so tight I could barely get between the sink and toilet to reach the shower. The shower gel or body wash was missing from the spot marked for it. The room was also very loud: every noise from the halls and the room above carried through the old wooden boards, with very little insulation. There were no keys or cards, only door codes. Parking was $20 a night, a charge that wasn’t shown when we booked, only in the second check-in email after payment. By the time we asked, the lot was full, so we had to use the recommended lot four blocks away. It was inexpensive for the area, especially on a Stratford Festival weekend, but in this case you get what you pay for.