Chateau Lacombe Hotel — Hotel in Central Core

Where to begin.....it's likely easier to start with what works.  The rooms have digital locks, they have beds, a bathroom and a working fridge and television.   The internet isn't stellar and disconnects frequently, but is serviceable when it stays connected.  There IS a Doorman which lends an aire of finesse to the hotel, and the Front Desk staff were pleasant enough.

Unlike other reviewers, we didn't find the check-in process all that problematic.....maybe 5 minutes.

As for the room....."dated" is an understatement.  We're not sure if it's been updated since it was opened in 1966---possibly, but not likely.  We had booked a King River-View room.....now whether it was because we booked through a third party provider (and given a "lesser room") or the fact that we booked with the intention of bringing a pet, we ended up in a 5th floor room, with an Eastern-view of (mostly roof) the valley in a two-bed room (without enough room to comfortably sleep together.....we're undecided what's more stressful; sleeping with a stranger in a King-sized bed or being a couple in separate beds)....we thought that IF there was a change in accommodations, we would have been advised beforehand (just for edification,  an email was sent indicating we would require parking and a pet friendly room well before booking.  The email remains unanswered).

Basic amenities are SEVERELY lacking. There's no information portfolio in the room.....it's complete guesswork for who to call for what service, (local restaurants, etc).....Supposedly, Skip the Dishes or Doordash is preferred over in-house food.  There's a revolving restaurant on the top floor, but it's hard to justify a $55/person brunch buffet.....for that money, caviar and mimosas ought to be on the menu (it's not....by the way).  Apparently, there was a breakfast buffet in Cafe Lacombe.....but it's closed; only the restaurant on the top floor is in operation (Hot Hint;  If you desire early breakfast, it's from outside of the hotel).  As mentioned,  there IS a fridge.  There isn't a microwave or iron/ironing board (you CAN request an iron from the front desk, but.....).  A 32" TV is in the room, but it's also 12 years old......there is NO on-screen guide, but they're happy to provide a photocopy of the channel listings at the front desk.  The remote control (one of the Covid Pandemic "easy-to-disinfect-or-dispose-of" models) is slower than changing channels manually at the TV (we imagined this was to provide us with exercise because the 4th floor gym is to "re-open" on the 30th of September---aside from it currently being used for storage, it does not appear that the gym was undergoing any substantial renovations). There IS an ice-bucket provided in the room, but, from 4th to 8th floor (we didn't check above that floor) NONE of the ice machines work.....they whirred and sputtered but no ice. When the Front Desk was advised of this fact, they were happy to advise us NOT to try using any of the ice machines on the other floors but rather to bring the bucket down to the front desk, and they would be happy to fill it.

Parking is a bit pricey considering that it's shared with monthly parkers.....which are several decks below.  However,  there really isn't much available parking around the hotel so options are limited. If you're driving anything taller than 6 feet or the size of a pickup,  parking is going to be problematic.

The final faux pas was checking out....despite having a conversation at the front desk, the on duty staff sat in the back room out-of-sight until we made eye contact with him.  The check out process was far longer and complicated than the check in.  The Agent took about 5 minutes to decide if we stayed for 3 nights or 2 nights.  Despite a HUGE printer/photocopier plainly visible in the back room, the Agent could not provide me with a printed receipt....instead, requestinstead, requesting an email address so it could be...

Front desk staff were very friendly. Even lucked out with early check in. One downfall, the carpet in some of the hallways is bubbling and I tripped a few times. The concierge lounge staff were nice. Nice selection of meats and cheeses and a treat with deep fried pickles and Mac and cheese bites. It is supposed to be adults only in the lounge, but there were kids running around and touching the food. There are no places to eat or drink before 5pm. So if you are a diabetic, like I am or just want a later lunch or earlier dinner (didn’t know you couldn’t get lunch here) probably should plan ahead or stay in a hotel that has dining options for lunch and snacks etc. I didn’t see any vending machines in the lobby area or anywhere either for pop or water.

The room: Walked in and the smell was so bad. Handprints all over the glass in the shower. Paid extra for lounge access on the 20th floor. No robe in room which on website stated. Tv had fingerprints all over it. The windows were filthy outside. The view of downtown was nice though. Room looked okay, newer carpet but the furniture was very scratched and marked up. The king size bed was HORRIBLE. The bedding didn’t fit, the pillows were terrible. . Loud banging of doors all through the night.

Bellamy’s lounge: I was greeted by a friendly waiter. Sat down near the bar and could hear every word from a lady in the back room where the kitchen was complaining non stop about having to work and throwing the f bomb every three words. Ordered a virgin Caesar and a salad for myself for dinner. The Caesar was disappointing, paid for ice basically. Watered down and lacked flavour Salad came and it was delicious. The rolled up cuttlery cloth napkin was dirty, dried food on it. Was gross. I wouldn’t recommend this place if your trying to have a drink with friends or solo, with all the yelling in the background plus a manager coming to find one of the servers and to hear the way she spoke to this lady manager it was very shocking.

The laronde: Made reservations for 7:45pm. Still wasn’t seated by 8pm. Was asked to follow the hostess to my table. Halfway had words with a co worker who said take her back to the lobby. So we went back. At 8:10pm was taken to a table and was seated. Waiter came and took my drink order. The hostess came back and said we need to move you to another table. So back to the lobby I went. Waited again. She then took me to another table. I was not impressed and I was beyond embarrassed at that point. My server was great. Very friendly! Ordered the chicken breast. Tasted great, however stated in the menu it was supposed to be a stuffed breast and it was not. It was very dry and very bland. I should have had the steak. Definitely wasn’t worth $49. I had cheesecake for dessert and took it to my room to enjoy later on. It was delicious!

Overall my staycation was alright. I definitely don’t think I would choose the restaurants in the hotel again and I honestly would probably stay elsewhere due to “luxury” hotel. Definitely wasn’t...

Booked the executive concierge suite weeks ago for my partner’s birthday. We arrived at check in time and waited over an hour in the massive line of other people waiting to be checked in only to be told at the front desk that our room wasn’t ready and wouldn’t be ready for an undetermined amount of time. David K who was helping us was extremely condescending and at first, didn’t give us any option besides to continue waiting in the freezing cold lobby until our room would be ready. He said the best he could do is put a rush on the room to clean it (just like they told everybody else who also didn’t have a clean room to go to). His recommendation was downgrading our room if we didn’t want to wait, which was not acceptable to me after I booked and paid for a room significantly more expensive and higher quality. Not only that but another employee told us there were NO other rooms available that night. David was unwilling to rectify the situation any further until we spoke up and told the line of people behind us what was happening and that their rooms weren’t ready either and there was no alternative room to stay in so they may as well leave. Surprisingly (or should I say not surprisingly at all) after I spoke up and told everyone else who was waiting what was going on, the “Royal Parlour” room just happened to be available and we were offered an upgrade to the only room “nicer” than the one we booked. As we had evening plans and couldn’t wait any longer after this huge ordeal, we accepted the room and hoped the service would be the worst part of our stay. But upon entering the room, the jacuzzi tub was filthy and had jets which wouldn’t turn on, the tub spout was broken off, the toilet handle (push to flush) got stuck every time you flushed the toilet, and the sheets were stained and smelly. The staff again did nothing but refund my $25 parking. They put a $400 hold on my credit card which was double what they told me it would be, and to top it off, the wifi doesn’t work. I am thankful that David was able to get us into a room because others were waiting in the lounge WELL past 9pm, but his attitude and the way he speaks to guests needs work and left us more stressed out than the room not being cleaned and available at check in. Thankfully we were one of the lucky ones who ended up getting a room, but beware, they will tell you even though you reserved and paid, you are not guaranteed a room. Trust the reviews, especially the ones posted late October, as they are accurate and this hotel and their staff is not worth the headache. They ruined my partner’s birthday and offered virtually no compensation. Do not stay here (even in the upgraded rooms) as it is a huge waste of time and money. Service at La Ronde (specifically Chris i believe is his name) is amazing though, and so...