The Vic, an Ascend Collection Hotel

A small design issue in the bathroom was the only real drawback for us. There’s a gap between the sliding door and the wall, so someone in the shower or toilet may be visible from the room. It could bother guests who want more privacy, though it seemed like a design choice, not a cleanliness or upkeep problem. The rest of the stay was very comfortable. The hotel was modern, clean and well maintained, with a nice lobby, places to sit and relax, a workspace and a pool table. The restaurant was good, and diners get 10% off. Our room was clean and well designed, with a fancy modern bathroom. When we called for an extra blanket, staff brought it to our room within seconds. Everyone was welcoming and helpful, and Fatemeh at morning checkout was especially polite and friendly, making the process easy. We’d happily stay again and recommend it.

The rooms were decent, maybe a 7/10, but the people here really stood out. Sushant at the front desk helped with cab bookings, suggested restaurants and gave honest advice about the area. He went well beyond what I expected. As someone from Alberta, I don’t often meet someone who seems to care that much. My wife and I travel the coast a lot, and this hotel made an impression. It used to be a Ramada and has been beautifully renovated. It’s budget-friendly and good value. You may not get luxury, but you do get solid service and genuinely good people. We can’t wait to return. I rarely write reviews, but this place deserved one.

That guest lounge was a great extra, with a huge TV, table tennis, football, board games and books. We enjoyed our stay overall. The room was comfortable and seemed recently renovated, though the photos make the property look a little nicer at first glance. There was a privacy problem in the washroom of Room 220. The sliding door didn’t fit well or close properly, so I’m taking off a star and hope management fixes it. Fatemeh at the morning front desk was pleasant and polite, and the night staff member was helpful and professional.

The suites were fine and the beds comfortable, and at checkout Fatemeh kindly made a customized invoice for me. Still, I wouldn’t choose this as a work stay. On our second night, a group of men directly across the hall were yelling and swearing during some kind of disagreement. I was traveling with my dog, so moving rooms wasn’t really an option. Staff did speak to the guests and their employer, since they were there for work, and things eventually settled down. The incident was extreme and unsettling, left me feeling unsafe, and ruined the stay. I know it wasn’t the hotel’s fault, but some acknowledgment or compensation would have been appreciated. There was also noise from people coming and going in the hall late at night, and construction during the day. The side entrances didn’t need a key card, so anyone could enter the building. With lots of transient guests and visitors, that added to my unease. At check-in I saw police in the parking lot and asked whether it was secured. The desk said it wasn’t, and that they “can’t control what happens on site as it’s a free world.” That response made it hard to feel at ease from the start. I’m a Choice Rewards member and wasn’t acknowledged at check-in or checkout. If you’re away most of the day and just need somewhere to sleep, it may be acceptable for the price.