The Barrington Hotel — Hotel in Halifax

If you wanted a slightly detailed review then read the whole thing. If you want a short answer version then skip to the bottom.

This place has gone through a lot of changes from the first time I been here, to a few years later and then to the present (after COVID). I can honestly say that none of the changes have been good. I would suggest completely skipping over this hotel if you plan to come but here are my observations of the once 4-star hotel.

ROOMS: I stayed in an executive room on the 2nd floor, behind an area that you need a keycard to access. I don't know the purpose of this locked area though. The room was very basic with nothing outstanding. Everything from the sheets to the carpet and bath products are all the same ones the hotel has been using since I first stayed here in the early 2000's. The only compliment I can give to the room is that the outlets are plentiful and some are right on the nightstand. You have to pay extra to watch the t.v, so the only incentive to stay in the room is to sleep.

"AMENITIES": I have to quote Amenities because I have a hard time understanding what is or isn't. Amenities are supposed to be free and available upon purchase of the room. Most things here aren't offered for free. The fitness centre is free to use but it consist of 3 bikes, 2 treadmills, a cable machine, a weight rack and one adjustable seat. The area also has a pool and a sauna. Now I'll explain why this is practically nothing; all the equipment is rusty or old or both. One of the treadmills don't work and one side of the cable machine is heavier than the other due to the accumulated rust. One of the cables were frayed and scratched me during a session. I let the front desk staff know and they taped the frayed part of the cable the same day but the damage was done. The sauna control didn't work so I informed the staff. The next day I saw a maintenance staff member working on the sauna. The day after, I tried the sauna and found that the pilot light was working but the max temperature in the sauna was around 25 degrees celsius. It was 19 degrees that day, so there wasn't much difference between the sauna and being outside with a sweater. Drinking water is harder to find than one would think. I could only find 3 water machines, located in the fitness room, the main lobby and locked behind the door to the business lounge. I only mentioned this because these are the lengths you'll have to go through in the middle of the night to get a cup of water.

SERVICE: This isn't really much of a problem. The staff was very professional, even when unable to provide answers to any of my questions. There didn't seem to be much in the way of explanation for why some services were missing but at least they spoke in a professional manner. The cleaning staff was friendly, though I was told rooms only get serviced every 3rd day as opposed to before COVID when it was done everyday. I'm not sure if breakfast would count as a service but the continental breakfast is a thing of the past. Now you must pay for breakfast at the below average restaurant next door that I'm surprised is still open.

LOCATION: Nothing good to say. They inform you in your email, after you make reservations that you can park in the parkade (for more money) located nearly 2 blocks away, if you walk inside. What they don't inform you of is that Barrington st (the street the hotel is located on) is completely inaccessible and you can't drive up to the front door for a drop off. The drop off/check-in parking is about a 10 minute walk from the lobby of the hotel, which coincidentally has a sign that says: "drop off parking, 15 minutes". Terrible location.

OVERALL: I'll just list the things that this hotel doesn't have: No free parking or included parking No continental breakfast/free breakfast No working sauna No maintenance on the exercise equipment No drinkable water in the rooms No access to television without paying, not even basic cable No daily room cleaning without a request specifically

Don't waste your time or money here, there's...

I’d first like to say I’m Not a person who typically would write a hotel review on the web ,I am not someone who needs to have everything “perfect” and would consider my family practical and easy going.Due to multiple issues and annoyances that accumulated over our two day stay, I had to write this review .

I will first say , the hotel staff accommodated my requests , and generally friendly . The hotel is perfectly located for DT and close to everything . Please see below, based on my family’s personal experience during our two day stay , things that occurred and did not give us an experience we would expect for the cost $$ associated with staying in a DT hotel such as this .

-We were not notified of the construction on the hotel street , upon arrival on a Friday evening, it was near impossible finding a place to park our vehicle and unload all belongings , stroller etc Once we were able to find a parking spot( several streets over -prob in a place we were not allowed to park?) we made it to front desk. When I explained my frustration with parking , the front desk explained the parking situation , you had different options ( parking garages etc) -this proved to be not something we had envisioned having to take multiple elevators , and walking for 10+ min to a parking garage -we had to give the front desk the ticket number of the parking garage that get the “ weekend rate” -just not a good set up .They did mention we received an email stating this ? I guess I should of checked -never noticed it but ok…

-We had requested a crib prior for our 19 month old , when we arrived in our room -no crib , they did have someone come right away to set up , we were trying to get ready ourself for a planned dinner and just caused additional stress and frustration.

-The hotel room had an older smell , 2 towels and they don’t come and clean your room for 4 days? Like seriously? We had a 19 month old , you can imagine the smell after a day of diapers I just don’t understand how you can pay $$$$ per night and not have someone clean your bed and garbage ,there are signs up to call for towels. Again I just don’t understand why you would have 2 towels there for 3 people ? Then I had to go to front desk request more towels , again I just don’t get it .

-Room keys , lined up twice to have the keys put back in working order , I asked the attendant why they kept breaking ? said touching off your cell phone could be a problem?? This seems pretty archaic to me , I asked is this something they can tell folks upon arrival to eliminate this type of thing from occurring, she mentioned she would bring up to manager. Better idea would be to get modern equip so you don’t have to deal with this at all -just my opinion.

-Because we had to use parking garage , we needed to travel through buildings , take elevators etc , encountered some sketchy people travelling these walkways , pretty nice office buildings too , there was a guy asleep next to the elevator , I asked the front desk what the policy was on this type of situation and he basically shrugged me off, that it was no big deal , it was to me -there should be more enforcement and better policy on this , paying guests should not have to deal with this. Again just my thoughts .

-Planned a swim at pool -water was cold .

-Restaurant attached to hotel. Staff friendly, food was good -ordered breakfast-came out missing food .

Will not be returning to...

Worst hotel experience of my life. Two days before we show up. We got an email advising us of construction and that there is no front drop-off. I've had this room book for months. Why not tell me this when I booked it. I called to advise of my father's mobility issues as well as mine. I was told no problem, I'll let the construction staff know. They will allow you to drop your dad off and your luggage. Then I'll tell you were to go to park. I told him I'll be there in 18 minutes. Upon arrival, the construction workers only allowed my dad and mom to get out and would not allow us to take the luggage out now. Then I asked where to go. I was told I don't know, go up the hill. I got lost and could not find the parkade. Finally, I found it. My wife and I had to bring four big suitcases through the maze of hell to get to the hotel. It took us half an hour to figure it out. Now my mobility issues are far worse, and I can hardly walk. I've had to stay in the room while the rest went out to walk and see the city. There are no accessibility options for parking. Nova scotia passed the disabilities act in 2017. We are now 2024, and still nothing. When I complained, I was met with blank stairs. We came from Ontario to see Halifax and take my father to the tattoo. He served in the Air Force for 27 years. He crashed in a helicopter during a search and rescue mission. His neck was broken, and mobility has always been hard. To see someone treated like this by anyone is disgusting and disappointing. Then, to boot, they see my father hobble in the loddy with his cane. They gave him a room that was the furthest away from the elevator all the way down the hall. The people of Halifax were amazing, but this is a stain for them that needs to be removed. The rooms have AC, but it does not work. Even if you set the temp in the room. 26.8 degrees is apparently the best they can offer. The TV guide is inaccurate. No matter what the guide says, it's not what is on. This is for every channel.

The rooms were very clean. The TV was huge, and the rooms were spacious. The views are of the building across the road with neon lights. But curtains solved that. The location is the only reason that we took this place. But I'll never be back to this place EVER. The food in the restaurant is okay and prices are a bit steep. But the service was amazing.

I've taken pictures of all the accessibility violations and will be showing city hall as well as TIANS group so maybe they can address this. Lord knows management will never do anything other than take your money.

I just noticed a fire safety violation and the dust ridden fan blowing in our room. This explains my sneezing as I'm...