Woodbine Hotel and Suites
Toronto, Ontario
 
I checked in about forty five minutes before the posted time, and the staff were quite friendly about the idea. After nearly an hour of walking and exploring the area which includes Woodbine Racetrack and Humber College North Campus, this accommodation was well appreciated. The Woodbine Hotel and Suites (at the time Park Inn and Suites Highway 27 Toronto) is an Etobicoke establishment that is located south of Rexdale Boulevard and Highway 27.
 
I entered the room knowing that this wouldn't be the most luxurious place to stay in Toronto due to the surprisingly affordable price compared to similar hotels of the same calibre in the Toronto area. As a relatively new hotel, the room actually felt like it had premature aging due to how it was constructed; there were a couple of black marks on the ceiling, one bedside lamp had a flourescent bulb while the other was incandescent, and the electrical outlet leading to the air conditioner lacked a faceplate. The sign outside still advertised their grand opening, which may be a bit misleading since it had been at least a year since they opened.
 
The television featured a limited form of cable television, while the wireless internet is a plus, although the connection may be a bit slow due to peak traffic. Like the luxurious convention centre located next door, a lot of the bathroom has fixtures and fittings that are quite posh for its class.
 
A microwave that heats well with a refrigerator that doesn't cool very well completes the equation, and there is plenty of shelving for longer stays, but the lovely fixtures don't keep out the sounds from outside very well. Combined with the fact that it's located close to Toronto Pearson airport, there was plenty of noise in some parts of the stay. This could actually be a positive feature since it's in a somewhat convenient location, and the planes that fly overhead can be a bit of soothing ambience for the sleeper of said sort.
 
If you're planning an event, this might be the hotel to book since it's right beside an equally luxurious banquet hall, and many of their rooms have a view of a fairy tale lobby outside the window. I asked to be put in a quieter area and my window provided a view to an... old, deteriorating parking lot. For a university or college student, this might be the very experience needed for an essay about urban development.
 
Breakfast wa included in the rate, and there was unlimited coffee and tea in the lounge. You won't receive the full English monty, but the hard boiled eggs provided an interesting change to the usual cereal and baked goods found in a continental breakfast.
 
There are some pretty spectacular views and they have aced the report card when it comes to the architecture, while the rooms are private in the most part. Customer service seems to be a pleasant experience, and if I was given the decision to stay here again I would.
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