Howard Johnson by Wyndham Thunder Bay

I called days before checkout to extend my stay and went through the process by phone. On the original checkout day, I got a call saying my belongings were still in the room and needed to be cleared out. I called the number listed on Google to clarify the reservation, then called the number from the voicemail to explain the extension was in the reservation details. The woman said that room was no longer available and I’d have to move. As I tried to sort it out, she got ruder, said the booking was too complicated, and told me they would put my belongings in lost and found. I had to go to the hotel and remove everything myself. The staff were impatient and rude. I’d never book here again. In response to the hotel: I called the number linked to the location on Google, so if it’s inaccurate and doesn’t reach the front desk, that isn’t my error. It’s the hotel’s job to keep its information accurate. I wasn’t told the booking number was a third party channel or that this wasn’t the “right way” to book. I had agreed to change rooms, though I was frustrated by the confusion. When I asked about the third party authorization form, the woman said, “explain to me how I am supposed to do that?” as if I worked there. Nobody offered to move my belongings or asked me to cancel. I was only told they’d go to lost and found. I never requested cancellation. When she said the booking was “becoming too complicated and we will just cancel it,” I asked if that was necessary because the confusion wasn’t my fault. There was no sign of smoking in the room. The Howard Johnson staff were wildly rude and inappropriate, and I stand by that. I won’t change this rating.

The one problem was noise from the next room at night. I could hear doors closing and the shower running. Otherwise, I really enjoyed my stay and would gladly return. The room was comfortable and well maintained, with a soft bed and clean sheets that smelled fresh. The bathroom was spotless, and the shampoo, body wash and conditioner were great. Breakfast was simple but tasty, with waffles, muffins, boiled eggs, several kinds of bread, toast, tea, juice and coffee.

This wasn’t what I expected from a Howard Johnsons, and it felt too expensive for what we got. Our king room was small, the sink was plugged, and there was shower condensation all over the walls and windows. I could smell someone smoking cannabis and cigarettes in the hall.

For $277, this was a complete waste of money and by far my worst hotel stay. My family was driving back to Manitoba from Toronto, and we spent one night here in Room 118, across from Room 119. Around 10 p.m., the people across the hall started having loud sex. The woman’s screams were really inappropriate and inconsiderate, and the poor soundproofing meant I had to listen to it. I called the front desk around 11 p.m. because it still hadn’t stopped. Staff came quickly, but just stood outside the door briefly and left without doing anything that helped. The noise finally ended around 11:30 to midnight. I’ve stayed at lots of hotels, and this was the worst.