Winnipeg's BEST Hotel Deal: Fairfield Inn & Suites!
The Winnipeg Wrangle: My Absolutely Honest Take on the Fairfield Inn & Suites (Spoiler: It's Kind of Amazing!)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the tea (and maybe a little coffee… there was a lot of coffee involved) on Winnipeg's supposed BEST hotel deal: the Fairfield Inn & Suites. And I’m not just talking brochure speak, okay? This is the REAL, messy, sometimes-slightly-cringey truth.
Metadata First (because, you know, SEO):
- Keywords: Winnipeg Hotel, Fairfield Inn & Suites, Accessible Hotel, Winnipeg Accommodation, Free Wi-Fi, Pet-Friendly (sort of!), Pool, Breakfast Buffet, Winnipeg Travel, Family-Friendly, Wheelchair Accessible, Spa, Gym, Reviews.
- Meta Description: Get the real scoop on Winnipeg's Fairfield Inn & Suites! My unfiltered review covers accessibility, amenities (pool, gym, breakfast!), cleanliness, and whether it actually lives up to the hype. Honest, funny, and totally human.
Alright, Here We Go… (Deep Breath)
First off, let me just say: I’m a bit of a hotel snob. I like my luxury, okay? But Winnipeg, frankly, isn't exactly known for its five-star extravagance. So, when the Fairfield Inn & Suites kept popping up as the place to stay, I was skeptical. A "deal"? Probably means tiny rooms and questionable plumbing, right? Wrong, mostly.
The Accessibility Angle:
Okay, THIS is where the Fairfield really shines. Now, I don’t personally use a wheelchair, but I always think it’s SUPER important to comment on accessibility. And let me tell you, they seem to have thought of everything. Wide doorways? Check. Ramps? Check. Elevators that actually work? Double-check! I even saw a room with a roll-in shower. Kudos, Fairfield! Makes you feel… well, not resentful when you’re trying to navigate a busy hallway. It’s just…smooth. (And seriously, I've stayed in places where I thought I’d have to hire a sherpa to get to the room.) Accessibility: A+.
Rooms & Amenities – The Good, The Okay, and The… "Meh"
Let's start with the good stuff. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms? YES! And it actually works. I’m a digital nomad by necessity (read: broke), so good internet is basically oxygen to me. Plus, free Wi-Fi in public areas too? Bonus! (That's so 2024, but hey, gotta mention it!) The rooms themselves were surprisingly spacious, considering it's a "budget" friendly choice and I had a nice window that opened. I'm a sucker for blackout curtains. A BIG plus. Air conditioning? Thank god. Winnipeg summers can be brutal. The beds? Comfortable, but not mind-blowing. However, I did have an extra long bed! which as someone tall, is a godsend.
Now for the “meh.” The Internet access – LAN did not interest me at all. A coffee maker and a mini-fridge in the room – standard but appreciated. The bathrooms were clean, but nothing to write home about. The toiletries were… well, hotel-sized. Expect you'll want to pack something you actually enjoy.
Things to Do, Way to Relax: The Watery Wonderland (and the Slightly Weird Sauna)
This is where things get interesting. The pool with view (actually, just a pool looking out at… well, the parking lot. Still, better than staring at a wall, I guess.) was clean and delightful. Plenty of towels, and it wasn’t overly chlorinated, which is a major win in my book.
The Sauna was… an experience. It was clean, yes, but it also felt a little… lonely? Like, I went in there, and it was just me and my thoughts, sweating. Not exactly a social hub. However, it was at least warm.
Don't even get me started on the gym/fitness center. It was tiny, but it did its job with all the necessary equipment.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking… (Breakfast is Always the Star)
Okay, let’s talk food. The Breakfast [buffet] at the Fairfield is… legendary. Seriously. I’m not exaggerating. It’s the stuff of Winnipeg hotel lore. They had everything: Asian Breakfast, Western Breakfast, eggs, bacon, sausages, waffles, fruit, yogurt, and a ridiculous amount of coffee. The buffet in restaurant itself was well staffed and clean. The coffee? Absolutely essential. My caffeine needs were met. And the coffee shop nearby came in handy for a afternoon pick-me-up. I'd gladly jump through hoops for one more breakfast.
Now, aside from breakfast, the options are a bit limited. There is no on-site accessible restaurants / lounges and a snack bar for grabbing things, and I did see restaurants nearby too.
Cleanliness and Safety – Gotta Mention It (Especially in These Times)
This is crucial, right? The Fairfield gets high marks here. Breakfast takeaway service was available, and the staff were trained in safety protocol. Seeing the physical distancing of at least 1 meter was also a relief. The rooms were sanitized between stays and I saw a lot of Hand sanitizer, and Daily disinfection in common areas. I have no idea if they actually use Anti-viral cleaning products, but they certainly gave the impression of being very, very clean. I felt secure staying here.
Services and Conveniences – The Little Things That Matter
They have it all. Free car park [on-site], a Concierge and Daily housekeeping. I didn’t need it, but it's nice to know it's there. Cash withdrawal? Yup. Dry cleaning? Yep. Luggage storage? Got it. They also have a Convenience store and a Gift/souvenir shop.
For the Kids – They Seem Pretty Okay with Them
I don’t have kids, so I can’t give a definitive review on this, but the family/child friendly vibe was definitely there. They had Kids facilities and all the usual stuff.
The Quirks… and a Little Bit of Drama…
Okay, this is where it gets real. One morning, I accidentally left a very important (and expensive) thing in my room when I checked out. Panic mode activated! Then, a scramble to get help, and the staff handled my meltdown with grace and efficiency. Crisis averted. The staff were genuinely helpful and friendly throughout my stay. This is the kind of service that makes you feel… well, like you're not just another guest.
The Honest Verdict:
Is the Fairfield Inn & Suites perfect? No. Is it luxurious? No. But is it a solid, reliable, surprisingly-pleasant place to stay in Winnipeg? Absolutely. It’s clean, accessible, the breakfast is heavenly, and the staff are awesome. For the price, it’s a steal. I’d definitely go back. And I might even brave that sauna again… maybe with a friend this time.
Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars! (Would be 5 if the sauna was less lonely)
Escape to Portland: Your Perfect Scarborough Stay Awaits!
Okay, buckle up, buttercup. This isn't your pristine, perfectly-formatted travel brochure. This is… well, this is me, trying to survive a few days crammed inside a Fairfield Inn & Suites in Winnipeg. And honestly? My expectations are… low. Let's get messy.
Project: Winnipeg Winter Wonderland (Or, Surviving the Polar Vortex with Limited Sanity)
Hotel: Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Winnipeg, 1301 Ellice Ave, Winnipeg, MB R3G 0G3, Canada. (God help me)
Day 1: Arrival and the Existential Dread of Beige
- Morning (aka, the Dark Before the Dark): Arrive at James Armstrong Richardson International Airport, Winnipeg (YWG). The wind is… aggressive. It’s the kind of wind that actively tries to peel your face off. Already regretting my life choices. Taxi to the hotel, praying for a driver who understands that "slightly off-the-grid" means "doesn't want to listen to Rush Limbaugh again".
- Afternoon (Room of Judgment): Check-in. The lobby is… perfectly beige. Beige carpet, beige walls, beige everything. It’s like the hotel's entire design philosophy is "blend in with the Canadian winter – except in a depressing way." My room? Same story. Beige. Except for a surprisingly vibrant, slightly stained, abstract art piece on the wall. I'm choosing to interpret this as a sign of rebellion. Or maybe someone spilled coffee. Either way, it's the most interesting thing in the room.
- Late Afternoon (Stomach Rumbles of Doom): I thought I packed snacks. Apparently not. Wandering the streets in a blizzard to find a decent sandwich is not my idea of fun. Found a sad little Tim Horton's, and the experience was so Canadian I wanted to scream. It was the most Winnipeg thing I had done that day.
- Evening (Netflix and the Abyss): Back in the beige abyss, ordering the most unhealthy take-out option. I'm pretty sure I saw a burger with the words "poutine" and "bacon" written on it in the same sentence. My emotional state? Somewhere between existential dread and the absolute need for comfortable pants. The hotel wifi is… functional-ish.
Day 2: A Deluge of Culture? (Or, Does Winnipeg Have Anything Besides Beige?)
- Morning (The Cold Never Bothered Me Anyway): Okay, gotta be honest. Woke up with the feeling that I have seen this day before. I'm at a "continental breakfast," a.k.a. a sad collection of processed carbs and lukewarm coffee. Attempting to find some semblance of cheer in the form of dry cereal and watery-tasting orange juice. Failing spectacularly. The only thing that’s bright here are the fluorescent lights buzzing overhead.
- Mid-Morning (The Canadian Museum for Human Rights): Okay, this is actually pretty cool. The building itself is architectural marvel. The exhibits? Heavy, thought-provoking, and incredibly well-done. Feeling a little bit emotional, a lot of bit overstimulated. Took me a moment to process, because honestly, I was caught completely off-guard. Not expecting this level of… excellence.
- Lunch (A Poutine Intervention): Back in the outside world, in the snow again. So much snow. I might need a hot meal. Searching for a restaurant with the courage to serve me actual, honest-to-goodness poutine. Found a place. Ate the whole thing. Regret. Immediately after. Not even half. The guilt is real, people.
- Afternoon (The Forklifts): My intention was to visit the Forks, the meeting point where Winnipeg's rivers meet. I can see it with little more than a thin layer of snow. But I spent my afternoon staring at the Forklifts and trying to understand how something, like a forklift, could be so… bureaucratic. I have become obsessed with the forklift. I think I need to call someone about it.
- Evening (Meltdown and Mind-Numbing Television): Back. In. The. Beige. Deciding against dinner and going straight for a bag of chips. The day was too much, the Forklift, my poutine, the museum, everything. The tv offers me a choice: watch some bad reality show, or stare blankly at the walls. The walls it is.
Day 3: Escape from Beige (or, At Least… Try)
- Morning (The Breakfast Battle): Another day, another beige breakfast. Today I'm going to conquer the tiny little toaster. I'ma toast all the things. Even the bagels that look like they've seen better decades.
- Mid-Morning (A Last-Ditch Attempt at Happiness): Trying to discover some local joy. Deciding on a walk. In winter. The wind is back. I am considering going back to bed.
- Afternoon (Airport Doom): Check-out, cab to the airport. The beige is fading behind me. I'm going home. I survived.
- Evening (Home Sweet Home): Finally.
Final Thoughts:
Winnipeg, you were… an experience. The hotel? Beige bliss. The food? Poutine-induced guilt. The people? Surprisingly friendly. The weather? Brutal. Would I go back? Maybe. But, I'm going to need at least a month in a tropical resort to recover. And maybe enough therapy to finally understand the fascination with forklifts.
Green Bay Getaway: Unbeatable Deals at Hawthorn Suites!
So, is this Fairfield Inn & Suites *really* the "Best Deal" in Winnipeg? Come on, spill the beans.
Okay, okay, let's get real. "Best Deal" is a slippery slope, isn't it? Depends on what you *value*. For me? Well, I stayed there last winter. Brutal cold, you know, the kind that makes your eyeballs freeze. I was there on a tight budget, trying to catch a Jets game (lost, naturally). The price? Honestly, it was shockingly low. Like, "am I sure this isn't a typo?" low. But, *and this is a big BUT*, my room? It was... fine? Clean, comfy bed (blessedly!), decent TV. Not the Four Seasons, obvs. But for the price, and considering I just needed a place to crash and defrost after freezing my butt off, yeah, it was a good deal. So… yes? But set your expectations accordingly. Don't expect champagne wishes and caviar dreams. Think… hot cocoa and microwave popcorn. And that's perfectly okay sometimes.
The Free Breakfast...Tell Me EVERYTHING. Is it edible? Is it *worth* waking up for?
Ah, the breakfast. The cornerstone of every hotel experience! Let me tell you, I've seen some hotel breakfasts. I've seen breakfasts that looked like they were left over from the Pleistocene era! The Fairfield Inn & Suites? It's... predictable. Think: eggs (probably powdered, but hey, they're *warm*), sausage (probably processed, but again, HEAT!), waffles (make your own, which is kinda fun, if you're into that sort of thing), cereal, fruit if you’re lucky, and of course, the coffee, which is… yeah, coffee. You get what you pay for. Is it Michelin-star worthy? Absolutely not. Is it worth waking up for? If you're hungry and/or cheap (guilty!), then yes. It'll get you going. Just don’t expect culinary fireworks. I’d bring your own granola bars, just in case. And *definitely* grab an extra waffle for later, because… Waffles. Why not?
Parking: Is it a nightmare? Do I need to sell a kidney to afford it?
Okay, Winnipeg parking. That's a separate existential dread, isn't it? Luckily, the Fairfield Inn's parking situation is… not a nightmare. It's free! Yes, FREE! (Gasp!) And, blessedly, there's usually enough spots. Now, I've heard horror stories of other Winnipeg hotels where parking costs more than the room itself, but not here. So, RELAX. You can actually sleep soundly at night knowing you don't have to set an alarm for 3 AM to move your car. It's a WIN! Unless you're arriving during a giant hockey tournament... then you’ll have to fight for a space like a Winnipegger fights for a parking spot at the mall, in -30 degrees. But, generally? Good.
The Pool. Is it gross? Is it even *there*? Did someone pee in it? SPILL.
Alright, the pool. Ah, the siren song of chlorinated water! I'm a big pool person, secretly. I didn't *actually* use it, during my winter stay (brrr!), so I'm not an expert on its hygiene, but I did peep in. It looked… pool-like. There was a picture of it online. Looked clean. I didn't see floating… anything. My advice? Check it out, sniff the air, decide if the chlorine smell is reassuring or terrifying. Then, make your judgement. I *think* it also had a hot tub, which is crucial for defrosting after that Winnipeg cold. If there’s a hot tub involved? I'm in. Just pack your own flip-flops. And maybe a little extra bleach, just in case you're a germaphobe… like my mother. (Hi Mom!).
Location, Location, Location! Is it conveniently located, or am I stranded on a desolate island?
Okay, the location. This is where the Fairfield shines, actually. From what I recall, it's pretty darn good, geographically. It's not in the dead center of downtown, which is a plus, actually, if you're driving (less traffic!). But it's close enough to everything. Close to shopping, restaurants, and, crucially, close to the arena for the Jets! And, you know, close to the things you actually need, like a grocery store for snacks and alcohol (a must when traveling, in my opinion). I walked around, I drove around, and it worked. It's not a sprawling resort in the middle of nowhere. It's Winnipeg, and you're in a good spot. Think of it as a launching pad for your Winnipeg adventures.
The Staff: Are they friendly? Do they know what they're doing? Are they secretly robots? (I've had bad experiences.)
Right, the staff. This is a make-or-break factor, isn't it? Thankfully, my experience was overwhelmingly positive. The front desk people were friendly, efficient, and actually *seemed* like they wanted to help. No vacant stares, no robot-like responses. Very important. I remember I had a minor issue with my key card (classic, right?). They fixed it immediately, with a smile. That kind of thing makes a difference, especially when you're tired and grumpy from traveling. I didn’t demand much, I just needed a place the night. They provided. I'd give them a thumbs up, generally speaking. Based on MY experience, they were definitely *not* robots. Unless, of course, they are exceptionally good at mimicking human emotions… which is slightly terrifying, now that I think about it…
I’ve heard about the "noise" problems. Is it noisy? Can you *actually* sleep?
Okay, noise. This is the Achilles' heel of many a hotel stay. And fair warning – hotels *can* be noisy. My room was… reasonably quiet. I didn't have any issues with screaming kids, partiers, or construction. Which, honestly, is like hitting the lottery in the hotel game. Now, I'm a light sleeper, and I was in the middle of the week, so maybe the weekends are a whole different ballgame. But I slept solid. I think my room was facing away from the street. I suggest requesting that if you're at all sensitive to noise. Bring earplugs just in case. You know, the classic wax ones. Because even in the best hotels, sometimes, you just need a little peace… and quiet.
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