Category: Accommodation

“We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.”

Anonymous

The Holiday Inn London – Heathrow T5 has 119 guest rooms. I stayed in this hotel for a week in October 2019, as a part of my Business Trip to London.

Even though its projected as an Airport hotel, I wouldn’t really agree to that. It’s around 4 miles (10-15 minutes by car) from Heathrow Airport. The hotel name is slightly misleading (don’t book this hotel considering that it’s in a walkable distance from the airport).

Positives:

1) In case if you want to avoid taking a cab (taxis might charge between 20-25 GBP) from airport, you can look for ‘HotelHoppa’ (runs every 30 minutes) option.

Website: https://www.hotelhoppa.co.uk/

You will find platforms (like 17) outside the airport terminal.

Negatives:

1) Hotel is slightly away from Heathrow Airport (around 4 miles / 10-15 Minutes).

2) There is no pool facility available.

3) Pets are not allowed in this hotel.

4) This is one of the options that many airlines (like British Airways) considers to accomodate their passengers in case if they have a cancelled or delayed flight. In such scenarios, waiting time for the restaurant service will be higher, as the dining space is limited.

Westin Calgary is located in downtown Calgary.

I stayed in this hotel in April 2019, during my business visit to Canada.

Positives:

1) This hotel is around 1Km (10 Minutes) from Calgary tower and 2.6 km from Calgary Zoo.

2) The breakfast was excellent, and I really enjoyed the Omelette.

3) Always there will be a couple of taxi’s waiting outside the hotel. So the transportation will not be a challenge.

4) All the staffs were helpful and friendly.

5) Most of the buildings in Calgary is connected via the elevated walkway. You have a similar walk way from the hotel aswell.

6) Location of the hotel is excellent.

7) There is a Starbucks within the lobby of the hotel.

8) There are some big conference rooms available in this hotel.

9) Seems underground parking is available.

Negatives:

1) Gym is small, considering the number of rooms in the hotel.

2) Swimming Pool is small, considering the number of rooms in the hotel.

3) Number of Channels in the TV was less.

4) No snacks or Mini bar in the room.

Summary:

1) Its around 18 Kms from Calgary International Airport.

2) For full restaurant option, you will have to visit Keg Steak House. Bar is also within Keg.

3) This is more like an Business hotel than a Luxury retreat hotel.

“We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.”

Anonymous

As a part of a Business trip to Canada, I had stayed here in this Hotel in July 2019 for 3 Nights.

This was my first stay in the Fairfield brand of the Marriott hotels.

This hotel is near to the Ottawa International Airport.

Seems this is relatively a new hotel. There are around 232 rooms available in this hotel.

There is a bus stop available in a 100 meters distance from the hotel.

You can get bus (Number 97) to city center (coming from airport) from this bus stop.

Advantages:

1. There is a 24 Hours Airport shuttle available.

6. The en-suite bathroom was also absolutely massive with separate bathtub and shower plus toilet and basin.

7. The rooms had a wonderful view of the Ottawa airport runway (no much noise from the airport nearby).

You can watch planes from your hotel room.

11. The indoor pool was nice and clean.

Disadvantages:

1. Don’t have much negatives with this hotel.

2. Its around 30-40 minutes (in bus) from the city center.

3. They dont provide free water bottles. I think its common in Canadian Hotels.

But they have a mini snack shop within the hotel near the reception from where you can buy the

water bottles.

“The journey not the arrival matters.”

T.S. Eliot

As a part of a Business trip to Canada, I had stayed here in this Hotel in May 2019 for 5 days.

Positives:

Its in a convenient location, just off Highway 104 (near the Trans-Canada highway).

There is an indoor swimming pool with an 80-foot water-slide (children would love this place), a whirlpool and a Fitness Centre.

There is an ATM available inside the hotel (Please note that American express Card was not working in that ATM, not sure why).

There is a gym facility available.

A complimentary basic breakfast is available (Hot and Cool food options).

Decent parking space is available.

The room was spacious (with a Microwave open, Kettle, work table).

Check-in was friendly and helpful.

There are some conference rooms available within the hotel and seems to be booked always.

The Nova Scotia Museum of Industry is 0.7 mile from this hotel.

Negatives:

Hotel doesn’t serve Lunch and Dinner (You can check with reception for getting some Pizza delivery contacts and some restaurant numbers).

No much TV Channels are available.

You will have to pay for the water bottles (but this seems to be common with all canadian hotels)

“I’m in love with cities I’ve never been to and people I’ve never met”

John Green

As a part of a Business trip to Canada, I had stayed here in this Hotel in May 2019 for 5 days.

Positives:

Halifax hotel is conveniently located near the Robert Stanfield International Airport (5 km).

There is also a free shuttle service which runs throughout the day (in a gap of 20-30 min).The driver was very nice and helpful.

There are multiple meeting rooms available within the hotel.

Lot of parking is available.

There is an ATM available inside the hotel.

The breakfast buffet items were fresh. The front lobby cookies plus a fruit bowl in the dining area were very much appreciated.

The room was spacious.

There is a gym facility available.

There is an indoor swimming pool.

Check-in was friendly and helpful.

Have heard that they have a ‘Park and Fly’ option.

Negatives:

Hotel doesn’t serve Lunch and Dinner (you can check with reception for getting some Pizza delivery contacts). Also, there are no much restaurants nearby (seems there is one inside the Hilton Hotel which is in the same compound).

No shops nearby.

No much TV Channels are available.

The Halifax city centre is around 1-hour (30+ Kms) journey in bus from the hotel. The bus (320) operates every 1 Hour only. You can check with the Hotel reception for the bus timing. Fortunately, there is a bus stop in front of the hotel.

You will have to pay for the water bottles.

“We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.” – Anonymous

Pros:

They have a 24 Hours (with a duration of 15-30 Minutes) free airport shuttle available from the Pearson Airport. Sometimes the waiting time for shuttle is more.

The shuttle driver was very helpful and nice person.

They have a proper restaurant with a good variety in the menu.

There are also some restaurants available outside like Keg Steakhouse & Bar (1.8 km), Sushi-Ya Japanese (0.2 km), and Chop Steakhouse & Bar (1.1 km).

There is a Tim Hortons just in front of this hotel.

There is ample parking space available. Not sure if there is a fee for the parking.

The rooms are very spacious.

There is a small Bar available.

The hotel is just 15+ minutes away from the airport (in Hotel shuttle), but sometimes the waiting time for shuttle is more.

There is a 24 hours snacks shop available in the ground floor.

Cons:

No complimentary water was provided.

We cannot still consider this as an Airport hotel as its 10 minutes in shuttle from the airport.

Since this property is near to a Busy airport, there might be some disturbing noise by the aeroplanes.

“We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.”

Anonymous

As a part of a Business trip, I visited Brussels in August. Had stayed in Renaissance hotel (4 star property) for 4 nights. This was my first stay in a Renaissance hotel of Marriott group.

The Marriott executive apartments European Quarter is the building next to this hotel.

Pros:

1) The Luxembourg Square (Place du Luxembourg) bus stop is nearby. It’s around 5 minutes’ walk from the hotel. You can catch Bus 21 to reach the Luxembourg Square from Airport.

2) There are some small restaurants nearby:

Kebab House (Jut opposite to the hotel))

Bombay House (Snack / groceries shop)

Star of Asia (Indian Cuisine)

7) All the toiletries were good along with all the other items like comfy bed , A/C in good working order, coffee/tea facilities, in room safe, refrigerator, strong free wifi and so on.

8) The Gym also had a lot of equipment’s.

Cons:

1) Airport is around 13 Kms.

2) Train station is little far away from the hotel.

3) The minibar was empty.

4) There was some major renovation happening in the hotel (not a real negative, though)

Stayed here with my Family for 2 Nights – 3 Days in January 2018.

PROS:

1) This resort has a spectacular view to the Beautiful Kanchenjunga Mountain ranges.
I remember 2-3 rooms, where you can have this view directly from the Balcony
itself. If you are staying here, I think you can easily avoid a trip to Tiger Hills.

2) There is a Monastery nearby to this resort, where you can visit.

3) If you are planning for the Darjeeling Toy train, I would strongly recommend you to
take the trip from Darjeeling station to Ghum station (means take only one side
journey and avoid the round trip). Ghum station is walkable distance from Sterling
and can save some bucks by doing so.

4) There are many activities available like Carrom board, TT and so on.

5) The staff’s were really good and food was tasty.

CONS:

1) This is little far from the city center (around 500 rupees for a Dezire/Sumo).

2) I have not seen much bigger resorts in Darjeeling. So at times some companies do some family get together which would make the resort little crowded. So check with the reception about the same, while booking.

3) They still have a small heating device in each room. Considering the normal climate in Darjeeling, I strongly feel they should look for some better heating options.

4) You will find it difficult to get hot water all the time. You will have to Switch On the geyser atleast 30 minutes prior.

Main attractions in Darjeeling:

1) Rope way (don’t miss this)

2) Toy train (Atleast you should do a one side journey, don’t miss this)

One Line Summary: Great Resort; Excellent view of Kanchenjunga.

I stayed in this hotel during October 2014.

This hotel is at the end of a steep and narrow road. So be a little careful when you take your vehicle to the hotel.

Their parking is been shared with a theater (which they own). So at times, you might find difficulty in getting a parking space.

The only dent in my car (the time when I write this blog) is the one that I got it from their parking space. Thanks to the reckless Xylo driver who has done it.

Please don’t expect any hill top view.

PROS:

Within the city Center, and neat rooms.

CONS:

This hotel doesn’t have a restaurant , but they will arrange food as per your order.

If you plan to take your own food from outside, you will have to travel 1 Km or so.

Not recommended for New drivers (road to hotel is little risky).

Can plan for a visit to the following places:

Coonoor
Ooty lake
Rose Garden
Nilgiri Mountain Railway (NMR)

One Line Summary: Good and Neat Hotel, but with some limitations

I stayed at this hotel for a night, in April 2015.

The hotel is linked with Country Club membership. I would not recommend this hotel for a Family stay. I have visited many other properties of country club like the Bandipur Resort, but this property is not advisable..

PROS:

Very near to Guindy station, Sorry I don’t have anything more to say..

CONS:

1) This hotel has a Bar attached. So ambiance is not good for a Family stay.

2) Lot of mosquitoes around.

3) I have seen many people mentioning this is a good place for Chennai transit Passengers, but its neither near to airport nor near to the Chennai Railway station. You have lot of good options near Chennai airport.

One Line Summary: Please stay Away from this property. Definitely, not Recommended!