Winsor Hotel

The private room and location are great for the price. But the service felt stingy, with extra charges for any accommodation, and having to go down the hallway to use the washrooms was a real hassle. Maybe paying $10 more for a fully private setup would be better.

For around $75 in a central part of an expensive city, I thought this was good value. The staff work hard to keep things clean and running at that price, and my room was clean. They also clean the shared bathrooms several times a day. The neighborhood is definitely sketchy. I didn't mind too much, though I stayed in at night. People can look rough, but many are kind. Still, if seeing people openly using drugs outside your hotel would make you uncomfortable, this probably isn't the place for you.

The rooms are incredibly small, and the shower is so tight you can barely turn around. The water was cold, and there's a steady stream of people with drug problems outside the door, begging as soon as you step out. I booked another night while I was already staying there, but at exactly 11 a.m. the manager came to my door and told me to leave until 3 before checking in again. It felt like they just wanted to charge me a $20 early check-in fee. If they could charge you for the air you breathe, they would. Lose your key and you can't get a second one, they'll just keep coming to open the door. They charged me $10 for towels and rags, which were thin and cheap, because I left makeup on one.

The only real upsides were the central location and the low price. The room was very basic, as expected, with clean sheets and a sink, but little storage. There are about two toilets and shower rooms per floor, and the shower was the most cramped I've ever used. The shared kitchen's sink was filthy, and the microwave was the only useful thing there. For a better hotel, I'd spend a little more or even double. This only makes sense if you can't afford anywhere else and just need a bed. While I was out, the steam heater broke and filled my enclosed room with steam until it felt like a sauna. I told the front desk, and someone came about ten minutes later to mop up the water. The hotel is in the middle of the fentanyl epidemic, and I didn't feel safe coming or going. There was yelling and fighting at night that could make it hard to sleep.