Moxy Halifax Downtown — Hotel in Halifax

First off, let me just say how much it bothers me to read reviews complaining about things that are EASILY researched simply reading a Goggle AI generated description of a hotel’s offerings. What these negative reviewers did was book the lowest priced property downtown and expected the amenities of the highest priced property and took to the internet to tell the stories of their struggles on this planet. They’re the type of people that travel as a family of four, don’t pay for seat reservations, then flip out at other passengers for not moving to let them sit together. Ignore these dumb 1-2 star reviews.

I stayed here on business on a Friday and Saturday night in January 2025; I was working in Atlantic Canada for the week and this was my final stop for my trip. From the moment I walked into the elevator, I was blown away at the level of detail that went into designing this hotel. Absolutely stunning!

My Bonvoy titanium status got me a very appreciated upgrade to a kitchenette suite however I did book a larger king as I had a considerable amount of luggage with me for my long trip. The kitchenette suite was rather large with a fridge, stove, plenty of cookware and dinnerware, king bed, nice ‘counter’ to sit at by the window, and lovely bathroom. Rooms get very small in the cheaper room types but what the Moxy brand does is use these smaller rooms to help you save money, get you out of the room to enjoy the destination you visited, but they then provide you with an awesome common area experience with plenty of spaces to socialize throughout the lobby.

The highlight for me was the food and beverage at this hotel. The only other Moxy I stayed at was in Amsterdam Houthhavens, which had overpriced microwaved food at their restaurant. This location however had an OUTSTANDING restaurant with great service and reasonable prices. My plan wasn’t to eat there at all and I ended up eating dinner there both nights; oysters were the best I’ve ever had, one night I had a lobster roll and the next a burger. Everything was really fresh and high quality. Plenty of choices for local beers and craft cocktails. I also had breakfast both mornings there which was decent however a tad expensive. Service was comparable to five star hotels I’ve stayed at; absolutely great team they have there!!

The location is right in downtown Halifax, I easily walked to the Citadel down to the fish market and then back up the docks. The heated covered parking was an unexpected treat as well!

My only negatives I’d share here is the lack of signage or instruction for the parking, I checked in on the app and it would have been helpful to know the garage is on Brunswick St. I found it after driving around the hotel, no biggie at all.

From there I was given two drink ‘chips’ upon arrival, not sure if it was Bonvoy status or a usual amenity. It only got me a few options though for mixed cocktails, no beer. I would have had more value in whatever that was to be able to get a point of beer for the chip.

I will be back again hopefully for leisure as Halifax is a really cool and fun city to explore with tons of great history to read and live scattered throughout the area. Thank you for an...

TLDR; Water pressure is good, but that's pretty much the only good thing. Rude and aggressive bartender just flat out ruined our night and the stay. We'll definitely be submitting this incident/feedback to Marriott.

First off, the room; the room had this weird bleach/cleaning agent smell to it when we came in. 6 hours after we came in, opened the window and had AC on as full as we could, and the smell is still there. And they just seem to have the AC on an extreme power saver mode or something because even though we set the AC to 65 (because of the next point), the temperature refuses to go below 68. We like to sleep a bit cool, and it's laughable that thermostat itself reads 67~68 and AC doesn't run, even while having the temps set to 65.

The water pressure is great though. It's better than even some Westin hotels we've been to.

Now, for the main reason why all the stars are gone: My wife and I went down to grab a drink to bring up to the room. I was carrying our dog, as we had just taken him out to relieve himself before turning in for the night. When my wife approached the bar to ask about the menu, while I stood a good distance away while holding our dog in my arms. When my wife started asking, a bartender freaked out all of a sudden and immediately and loudly stated in a hostile manner that there cannot be a dog at the bar. It was communicated in such an abrupt and aggressive manner that we have never experienced before that we were taken aback. There were no signs around as to how close to the bar we could have our dog or what areas are considered food/drinks vs living area. It was not like we were trying to sit at the bar area to have a drink while having our dog, we were merely trying to see the menu and figure out how to order, WHILE I STOOD A GOOD DISTANCE AWAY.

As longtime dog owners and having traveled with our dog for years, we understand very well that there are health codes and regulations that prevent a dog from being near food area. But I was standing a good 5 feet away, and there were no indications that certain areas were food areas, as the common space of where (I can only still guess to be) food area and the living area blend in. In addition to the lack of clear delineations, the aggressive and hostile attitude that the bartender had was extremely disappointing.

We have been to many Moxy locations and Marriott brand hotels, as apparent in the membership status, and I am shocked to find a worker being allowed to communicate in such a manner. It is safe to say that we do not feel welcome and feel that this particular location does NOT exhibit the welcoming and friendly attitude we've encountered in all other employees at all other Moxy and Mariott locations. Next time we are in Halifax, or any location with Moxy that we haven't been to, it's safe to say that we'll be staying at other Mariott locations, or even Homewood Suites across the street.

That being said, the drinks were good though. Low ball is...

First impression? It’s different. (I'm in my 40's though) I walked into the lobby and genuinely wasn’t sure if I was checking in or ordering a cocktail. The vibe is modern, edgy, and definitely not your standard hotel setup.||I had parked out front because I wasn’t sure where the actual parking was, but the gentleman at the desk kindly directed me to the garage and told me to come back to check in once I was parked. His directions were spot on—but heads up: the parking garage is not pickup-friendly. You can park, but it’s a tight squeeze and honestly kind of sketchy. I panicked trying to back into a spot, traffic started backing up behind me, and it was turning into a 10-point turn situation. I bailed and kept circling. Poor signage led me into a “Trinity Parking Only” zone, which I only realized after walking back up with my luggage and seeing a sign that said “Moxy guests, don’t go beyond this point.” Not exactly easy to reverse out of once you’re in.||Eventually, I got re-parked and checked in. The room? At first glance, it felt a bit tight for a one-bedroom. But once I settled in, I realized it’s probably the most functional hotel room I’ve ever stayed in as a solo guest. Everything is designed with intention—even if it looks quirky at first.|Perks & Pros:|• Lantern for nighttime bathroom trips (no blinding lights!)|• Side table doubles as a mini fridge—perfect height for gadgets and drinks|• Light switch by the bed that softly lights the path to the bathroom|• Shower controls are placed smartly so you don’t get soaked waiting for hot water|• Supply closet on the floor for extra towels—no need to call down|• Room service was fast and food genuinely delicious|• Continental coffee was excellent, and they even offered a welcome drink on check-in|• Lobby has a great social vibe—perfect for grabbing a drink or meeting fellow travelers|• Location is ideal for downtown events and nightlife|Cons:|• Room could use a bit more space and a proper desk setup for working (but the existing setup is very workable)|• Parking with a larger vehicle is stressful and signage could be improved||Overall, I’d absolutely stay here again. It’s not your typical business hotel, but it’s perfect for younger travelers or solo guests who want something stylish, functional, and close to the action. If you’re in town for a few days and want a hotel with personality, this one’s worth...