Four Points by Sheraton St. Catharines Niagara S

The location was handy, with McDonald’s and local favourite Tim Hortons just around the corner. With a car, it’s about a 30-minute drive to the outlet malls, and Niagara Falls is close too. The welcome from the staff made check-in easy, and the lobby felt cozy and inviting. We had a spacious, comfortable suite on Level 4, with a separate bedroom and living room. There’s an ice machine on the floor. The bed was especially comfortable after long days out. There was no bathtub, but the room was clean and well maintained. The microwave was a useful touch. In winter, during strong winds and snow, the bedroom heater was a lifesaver. The living room heater, though, blew cold air even when set to heat, so that area got chilly. There’s a small snack shop by reception, a small gym on the first floor that’s fine for a decent workout, and a small indoor pool. The laundry room has one washer and one dryer. Each costs about CAD 4 and takes roughly 40 minutes. It’s a quiet, comfortable place to stay around Niagara, and I’d still recommend it, especially for a winter visit by car.

The room’s condition and the front desk service were both far below what I expected from a Marriott property. On the return drive from Ottawa to Florida, I stayed at Marriott-affiliated hotels for about ten stays. As a Marriott Bonvoy Gold member, I chose them expecting consistent cleanliness, professionalism, and hospitality. Four Points by Sheraton St. Catharines Niagara was the weakest stop and a clear departure from those expectations. The front desk attendant greeted us with rudeness and visible irritation, as if guests were an inconvenience. I usually don’t judge a hotel by one bad interaction, but this was so unprofessional that it reflected poorly on the management and service culture. The property also seemed poorly maintained and dirty in public areas, with a persistent unpleasant odor. In our room, the floors were sticky, and a disinfectant cloth picked up visible brown residue. There was mold in the bathroom, peeling wallpaper, and debris under the furniture. This felt like a housekeeping and maintenance problem beyond one room turnover. We were exhausted and didn’t ask to move, though the conditions would have justified it. At checkout, we politely explained what had happened. Instead of acknowledging the concerns, the staff member asked why we hadn’t requested another room if we were unhappy. That response showed little accountability or guest focus. The rates didn’t match the condition, and for a hotel using the Marriott name, this was a serious failure of value. I can’t recommend it to travelers who count on Marriott for cleanliness, reliability, and professional service.

I’m here now, and while it’s a nice hotel, the price doesn’t match what you get. It’s much too expensive for the limited service and amenities. There’s no room service, and the phones don’t work for calling the front desk or other departments. The paid buffet has to be eaten in the restaurant, and the in-room coffee is very weak. It seems set up for hockey teams, but kids were running through the halls after 1:30 a.m. They were having fun, and luckily we didn’t need to get up early, though gymnasts had competitions first thing that morning. I won’t stay here again unless it’s with my kids’ hockey teams. This is no four-star hotel.

The room was passable, and the beds were really comfortable. Breakfast was the reason I gave it four stars: the two eggs, sausage, and multigrain toast were outstanding. I’ve never had sausages that good. The other breakfast dishes were good too, and restaurant service was very good.