Edmonton's BEST Kept Secret Hotel? (Super 8 Review!)
Edmonton's BEST Kept Secret? (Super 8 Review: Buckle Up, Buttercups!)
Okay, folks, listen up! I've just emerged victorious (and slightly sleep-deprived) from a battle with… well, not a dragon, but the mystery that is Edmonton's "best kept secret" Super 8. And let me tell you, it's a wild ride. Forget pristine brochures and staged photos, this review is the unvarnished truth, warts and all. Prepare yourselves, because it’s a rollercoaster.
First Impressions & Accessibility: The Good, The… Okay?
Finding the Super 8 wasn't hard. Edmonton is pretty straightforward. The initial vibe? Eh. A little… tired. Like, the building has seen some stuff. But hey, I value function over form, especially when I'm road-tripping.
Accessibility: Right off the bat, I was pleasantly surprised! The Super 8 does cater to those with mobility issues.
- Wheelchair accessible? Definitely yes! Ramps, elevators – all the essentials were present and accounted for. Huge win.
- Facilities for disabled guests: I didn't personally need them, but I did see signage indicating accessible rooms and features. Good on ya, Super 8.
Accessibility Rating: 4.5/5 Stars Okay, accessibility is important, and the Super 8 knows this.
Internet – The Gateway to the World (and Netflix):
My first order of business, after dropping my bags, was to connect to the glorious World Wide Web. This is where things got… interesting.
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms?! YES! And it mostly worked. Mostly. The speed wasn't exactly blazing, but it got the job done. Essential for binging the latest true crime documentary.
- Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet services: Okay, this is where it got confusing. There was a LAN option, but I'm pretty sure my laptop was older than some of the staff. I stuck with Wi-Fi.
- Wi-Fi in public areas: Limited, but functional. The lobby Wi-Fi was a bit of a dice roll, let's be real.
- Laptop workspace: Yes! A desk! In this day and age, it's a necessary thing.
Internet Rating: 3.5/5 Stars. It’s free, it mostly works. Don’t expect lightning speeds.
Cleanliness and Safety: The Age of Covid (and Beyond):
Alright, let's get real. I've been to Super 8's and hotels that… well, let's just say I wouldn't eat off the floor. But this time, I had COVID precautions on my mind.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Check. I saw the little cleaning crews hitting it hard. Kudos.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Yep. They weren't slacking.
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere. Good. This is what I want to see.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: They advertised it. Did they actually do it? I'd like to think so.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: I saw masks, I saw distance. They were trying.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: Good for people who want to protect the environment, but I wasn't taking any chances.
Cleanliness and Safety Rating: 4/5 Stars. They were doing everything they could to keep people safe.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Fueling the Adventure:
Okay, I'm hungry. Let's talk fuel.
- Breakfast [buffet]: Oh. My. Goodness. It was… a Super 8 breakfast. I can't in good faith say it was gourmet. What was there was edible. Think: instant oatmeal (blech), sugary cereal, questionable pastries, and lukewarm coffee. This is where the Super 8 has the chance to shine, I can't deny.
- Breakfast takeaway service: YES! If you're in a rush (and let's be honest, who isn't?) you could grab and go.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Yes! (Thankfully).
- Coffee shop: LOL. Nope.
- Restaurants, Happy hour, Poolside bar, Snack bar, Bar, Asian cuisine in restaurant, A la carte in restaurant, Asian breakfast, Alternative meal arrangement, Bottle of water, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Desserts in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, Salad in restaurant, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant: Okay, the Super 8 did not boast these features, and I wasn't expecting them to.
- Room service [24-hour]: Sadly, no.
Dining Rating: 2/5 Stars. The breakfast is… a breakfast. Don't go in expecting Michelin-star dining. The hotel is not very close to any restaurants. Be prepared to use car/taxi, or order delivery.
Services and Conveniences: The Nitty Gritty:
Now, for the stuff that makes or breaks a stay.
- Air conditioning in public area: Yes, and it worked. Thank the heavens.
- Business facilities: They had a little business center. Fax machine? Maybe. Xerox? Probably. I wasn't about to find out.
- Cash withdrawal: Didn't see one, so I'm guessing no. Plan ahead!
- Concierge: Nope.
- Contactless check-in/out: Yes, and it was surprisingly smooth.
- Convenience store: Nope. But there's probably one nearby.
- Daily housekeeping: Yup!
- Elevator: Yep.
- Ironing service: Yes, but I skipped this.
- Laundry service: Check.
- Luggage storage: Yes.
- Meeting/banquet facilities: Whoa! They had these. I had to double-check this was a super 8. Seems like this hotel can do it all.
- Safety deposit boxes: Yes! A plus.
- Smoking area: Yes, but outside of the building.
Services and Convenience Rating: 3/5 Stars. Nothing spectacular, but everything functional.
For the Kids (Babysitters, oh my!):
- Babysitting service: LOL! Nope.
- Family/child friendly: Yes! The Super 8 is perfectly fine for families. The hotel is clean and safe.
- Kids facilities: See above.
For the kids Rating: 3/5 Stars.
Rooms: The Interior Life!
Let's talk about those rooms. I was in a non-smoking room (thank goodness).
- Air conditioning: Phew! Yes.
- Alarm clock: Yes. Because who uses their phone anymore?
- Blackout curtains: Good. Needed them.
- Coffee/tea maker: Yes. Coffee was… well, it was there.
- Free bottled water: Bless.
- Hair dryer: Yes.
- In-room safe box: Yes.
- Refrigerator: Yes. Essential for road trip snacks.
- Satellite/cable channels: Yup.
- Shower: Functional.
- Smoke detector: Yes.
- Wi-Fi [free]: As previously stated, yes.
Room Rating: 3.5/5 Stars. Clean, functional, and equipped with the basics - as expected.
Things to do, Ways to Relax (LOL!):
Okay, this is where the Super 8 doesn't shine.
- Fitness center, Gym/fitness: Don't get me started on the "gym." Think: a treadmill that may or may not work, and a couple of weights. Let's just say I skipped it.
- Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]: Nope.
- Sauna, Steamroom, Spa, Spa/sauna: Definitely not.
- Massage, Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath: What? We're in Edmonton, not Bali.
Things to Do Rating: 1/5 Stars. Don't expect a spa day. Or a gym day.
Getting Around: Navigating Edmonton:
- Airport transfer: Nope. Taxi time.
- Car park [free of charge]: Yes! Huge win. Plenty of parking.
- Car park [on-site]: As above.
- Taxi service: Available.
Getting Around Rating: 4/5 Stars. Easy to drive and park.
Overall: The Verdict
So, is Edmonton's Super 8 a "best kept secret?" Well, no. It’s a Super 8. But it’s a decent Super 8. It's clean, functional, affordable, and the staff were friendly. You get what you pay for. This is a great stop-over for a road trip. It excels where is needs to, and can go the extra mile as well.
**
Kirkland Lake Getaway: Unbeatable Super 8 Deals! (ON, Canada)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into the glorious, chaotic mess that is… my Edmonton adventure! Specifically, based at the legendary Super 8 by Wyndham South. Prepare for a rollercoaster of emotions (mostly mild annoyance and the occasional gasp of wonder), questionable choices, and enough lukewarm coffee to fill a small swimming pool.
Day 1: Arrival & Mild Panic (Welcome to Edmonton!)
- 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: The Great Car Rental Debacle. I swear, every time I rent a car, it's like a modern-day odyssey. This time, the nice lady at the rental place kept trying to upsell me on "protection packages." I just wanted a damn Corolla, not a full-body shield! Finally got the keys, nearly burst a blood vessel figuring out the GPS, and felt a twinge of existential dread as I merged onto the highway.
- 2:30 PM - 3:00 PM: Super 8 Check-In & Initial Assessment. Honestly, the Super 8 wasn't bad. Kinda… clean. Carpet was a bit of a time capsule, but hey, free continental breakfast! The front desk guy seemed genuinely pleased to see me, which was either a sign of Edmonton hospitality or he was just terribly, terribly bored. I’m choosing to believe the former. Room was a solid, if unremarkable, rectangle. The view? Parking lot. Artistic.
- 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: The First Exploratory Probe (South Edmonton Common). Gotta get my bearings, right? South Edmonton Common is apparently the place to be. Huge. Overwhelming. I wandered around, completely disoriented, buying a bag of generic chips. I stared longingly at a Cabela's, imagining a world where I knew anything about outdoor gear. Ultimately, I retreated to my room, feeling mildly defeated and strangely hungry.
- 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Dinner Dilemma. Okay, so I'm starving, but the thought of more chain restaurants is… well, it's disheartening. I ended up at the closest Denny's, of all places, ordered the Grand Slam. Felt a little shame, but devoured it with gusto. The waitress seemed used to a slightly sad order.
- 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Evening stroll… or a slow, confused shuffle. Walked along the edge of the South Edmonton Common, vaguely wondering what people do in Edmonton at night. Saw a surprisingly lively karaoke bar. Briefly considered going in, chickened out at the last second. Sat on a bench, pondering the meaning of life, and then went back to the Super 8 to watch whatever was on the TV.
Day 2: Culture Shock (Sort of) & a Roller Coaster (Literally Soon!)
- 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM: Continental Breakfast… a Spiritual Experience! Okay, the "continental" part is pushing it. But, hey, free waffles! I inhaled three of those little squares, a tiny carton of orange juice. The guy across from me was wearing a hat with a giant feather. I resisted the urge to ask him if he was going anywhere interesting.
- 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Galaxyland! (or, The Quest For Nostalgia) The main reason for this whole trip: the thrill of Galaxyland in Western Canada's largest shopping mall. I'd heard it could be a nostalgic trip, especially for a 90s kid like me. The atmosphere was definitely there. It was sensory overload: bright, loud, and utterly chaotic. My stomach lurched on the Mindbender (which nearly took my lunch). And after my first rides, the whole thing got… old, I'm not gonna lie. I spent the rest of the time watching the kids in front of me enjoying themselves.
- 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch in the Food Court (a Symphony of Cravings). The food court was a mob scene, but I finally snagged a table and ate a questionable slice of pizza from a place that claimed to have the best pizzas. I am unconvinced. Watched the people, felt a little envious of the families, and found myself strangely melancholic.
- 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM: More Mall Mania. Wandered around the mall. Spent an hour in a bookstore, feeling a genuine connection with the words, and then was promptly bored. Bought a novelty t-shirt and a pack of gummy bears, because that's what you do, right?
- 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Attempting an "Edmonton Experience" (The Whyte Avenue Experiment). Heard that Whyte Ave was the hip, happening place. It was… fine. A lot of bars, a lot of people who looked like they knew what they were doing (I very much didn't). Ended up at a pub where I felt way too old, and drank a pint of a local beer. It was okay.
- 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Bedtime at Super 8. Back to the cozy confines of my room. The only thing I remembered to do was to set an alarm and watch TV.
Day 3: The Great Escape (and a lingering sadness)
- 7:00 AM - 7:30 AM: Breakfast Revisited (and the Curse of the Waffles). Waffles again! I think I'm developing a dependency. Starting to recognize the other guests by sight. The guy with the feather hat is gone.
- 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Packing, Pondering, and Departure. I packed my bags, feeling a strange combination of relief and sadness. Relief: I was finally escaping South Edmonton. Sadness: I didn't manage to do everything. I probably missed a bunch of things. I also did not manage to do things other people would consider normal.
- 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM: Goodbye, Super 8 (and the lingering smell of cleaning fluids). Checked out of the Super 8 with a cheerful wave. The front desk guy seemed genuinely sad to see me go. I drove away, vowing to return to Edmonton maybe. Or maybe not.
- 10:30 AM Onward: The Long Drive Home… or, the Great North Odyssey. I'm on the road. I'm tired. But that, my friends, is a story for another time…
Okay, spill the tea! Why is THIS Super 8 "Edmonton's BEST Kept Secret"?! Is it ACTUALLY good?!
Alright, alright, settle down! "Best Kept Secret"... well, let's just say it's... unique. Look, the secret isn't about luxury. It's a secret because it's *reliable*. Think of it like that slightly wonky, but dependable, friend who always shows up. It's usually clean, generally quiet (except for that one time… more on that later!), and the price? Let's just say my wallet *loves* it. It's not the Ritz, but for a quick Edmonton trip? It's my emergency go-to. I've stayed in far worse, believe me – places where you're pretty sure the sheets haven't seen sunlight since the Jurassic period.
What's the *vibe* of this 'secret' Super 8? Is it all gleaming and modern? Or...is it got that "lived-in" charm?
"Gleaming and modern"? Honey, no. "Lived-in charm"? Well, maybe a *little* too much "lived-in". Okay, let’s be honest. The decor is... well, it's *there*. Imagine a hotel that's been happily existing since the late 90s and you get the general idea. Don't expect sleek lines or minimalist design. Think more… patterned carpets, slightly faded artwork, and hallways that whisper of countless weary travelers. But, honestly? It's comfortable. It’s familiar. I've got a love-hate relationship with those patterned carpets. I have a feeling they've seen some things. And smelled some things.
About those rooms... What's the lowdown? Are they decent? Crucial details please!
The rooms, alright. Generally, they're clean. Clean is good! The beds are… okay. Not the cloud-like perfection of a five-star resort, but they're perfectly fine for a night or two. And the pillows? Well, let's just say they provide a good foundation for a good slumber. They may be flat, but honestly, sometimes that's exactly what you need. The bathrooms are usually in good shape. I've never had a major cleanliness issue. That’s always the biggest relief. The TV? Expect a wide array of channels. And most importantly, you have actual *control* of the thermostat – a game-changer, let me tell you!
Any perks? Is there a pool? Decent Wi-Fi? Free breakfast? Spill!
Pool? Nope. (Although, that's not a deal-breaker for me personally.) Wi-Fi? Yep, it works… usually. Sometimes it's a little spotty, but generally enough to check emails and binge-watch my shows. Free breakfast? Yes! And this is where we get into the slightly… *variable* part. Think: continental. Cereal, toast, pastries, and sometimes, a waffle maker that’s seen better days. Honestly? It's enough to get you started. Don't expect gourmet, but it'll hit the spot. The coffee? Hit or miss, which is pretty standard for budget hotels. Sometimes it's like rocket fuel, sometimes it tastes like sadness.
Where IS this mysterious Edmonton Super 8? Convenient? Far-flung?
I'm always a little vague on the exact location, to be honest... haha! (I'm half-joking. Maybe.) But in all seriousness, it's ideally located if you’re visiting for (insert your reason for visiting Edmonton here). Close enough to everything, but without being *in* the absolute chaos. Seriously, the last thing you want is a hotel right in the middle of a busy intersection. You'll be cursing your choice. I know I would be. I've always found it easy to get from the airport to here.
Okay, hit me with a story! Any particularly memorable stays? Good, bad, or gloriously awkward?
Oh, honey, do I have stories?! Okay, brace yourself. This one time... I booked a room for a work trip. I was exhausted, cranky, and *desperate* for sleep. Got to the room, everything looked relatively normal. Then, around 2 AM… THE DOGS. Next door. Or *somewhere* nearby. They were. Barking. Like, *constantly*. Non-stop. A symphony of canine complaints. Seriously, the hotel staff should have known. I was so tired. I actually considered sleeping in my rental car just for some peace! I finally called the front desk, bleary-eyed and on the verge of tears. They were apologetic, offered me a different room, but the damage was done. Slept like absolute crap that night. It was the one major negative experience I've had. The next morning the complimentary coffee tasted *extra* bad.
Anything else... good, bad, or just plain *weird* about this Super 8?
Okay, a few more rapid-fire observations: * The staff? Generally, friendly and helpful. Though sometimes a little…under-trained. I've rarely had a problem, though! * The vending machines. Always a gamble. Sometimes you get your snack. Sometimes you get a sad pile of crumbs and defeat. * The elevator can be a tad slow. Embrace the stairs if you're impatient. (I am *always* impatient) * The parking is usually fine. More than I can say for some downtown hotels, mind you. * And the BEST thing is you can get a room at a really affordable price, so that's a huge plus.
Bottom line: Would YOU recommend this Super 8? Who is this hotel *for*?
Alright, the verdict. Look, if you're expecting a luxury experience, skip it. If you're looking for an affordable, clean, and generally convenient place to crash for a night or two (or even longer. The rates are great!), it's a solid choice. It's perfect for budget travelers, people on quick business trips, or anyone who just wants a roof over their head without breaking the bank. And hey, it's got that certain… "charm." Just be prepared for aComfort Inn
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