
**Fredericton's BEST Hotel? Crowne Plaza Lord Beaverbrook Review!**
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into a review of… well, [Insert Hotel Name Here]. Forget the perfectly Photoshopped brochures. I'm here to tell you the real story, the one the marketing team tries to bury under layers of platitudes. Consider this less a review, and more… a chaotic love letter, sprinkled with a healthy dose of cynicism and a dash of pure, unadulterated me.
First Impressions… and the Slightly Humbling Reality of Accessibility
Let's be honest, I was expecting some serious glamour. I mean, "luxury hotel," right? But first impressions? They're everything. And, well, let's be real - parking was already a bit of a head-scratcher. Finding my way to the entrance… whew.
Accessibility:
Wheelchair Accessible: Well, the website says they are. But let's just say, hauling a suitcase across a 'slightly uneven' path to the entrance area made me think a little more about having a wheelchair! (This is a good time to mention that the hotel's website needs to be completely updated because some of the listed features are not quite up to par with current practices)
Elevator: Thank goodness for the elevator. A long walk would not have been ideal, so at least I could get to my floor.
Room Rundown: Comfort, Convenience, and the Occasional Existential Dread
My room? Okay, let's break this down. It had… a lot.
Wi-Fi [Free]: Thank the gods of the internet! Free Wi-Fi is a non-negotiable in this day and age. Seriously, the instant I can't stream my trashy reality shows, I start to unravel.
Internet Access [LAN]: Okay, LAN. I’m old enough to remember using that.
Air Conditioning: Phew. Crucial. Especially after battling the humidity outside.
Desk & Laptop Workspace: Important for trying to pretend to be productive, or for catching up on my favorite social media apps.
The Bathroom: Honestly? The bathroom was almost too clean. It was like they'd zapped it into oblivion. Which, hey, I'm all for cleanliness, don't get me wrong. But it felt… sterile. Missing a little bit of je ne sais quoi. But the hot water and toiletries made up for it.
Additional Toilet: Gotta love a second toilet. In fact, I've never understood why every hotel room doesn't have one. Is that normal?
Bath and Robes: Wonderful! The robes were fluffy, the bed was comfy.
The Good Stuff - Oh, the Good Stuff! (And a Few Snags)
Okay, let's get to the juicy bits. The things that actually make a hotel stay worth the money.
The Spa: Listen, I love a good spa. And the spa here? Chef's kiss. The sauna, the steamroom, the massage… pure, unadulterated bliss. Seriously, I spent two hours just melting. It was the kind of massage that makes you forget all your worries, your problems, even your name. Worth every single penny. My therapist was amazingly professional and friendly, and I can't wait for the next one.
The Pool with a View: The outdoor pool was… something. The views are stunning. So, the pool area became my go-to spot.
The Food: A la carte, buffet, international cuisines… all delicious. I took advantage of the room service. The food was delivered promptly and was very tasty.
Breakfast: Asian and Western options… the buffet had it all. If you're a person who loves breakfast, this is a winner.
The Bars: The poolside bar was heaven. The happy hour was fantastic.
The Other Stuff: (A Mixed Bag, Naturally)
Cleanliness and Safety: They seem to be on top of it all in terms of cleanliness. Hand sanitizers are everywhere. Anti-viral products? Check. Daily disinfection? Check. Room sanitization between stays? Double check. This really helps relax and enjoy your stay.
Things to Do: It's a hotel, not a theme park. But there's enough to keep you busy, and mostly relaxing, which is all I wanted.
Front Desk: The staff were extremely polite, but maybe could use a bit more training in the human element.
Cashless Payment Service: Easy, convenient, modern. I approve.
The Nitty Gritty (Or, What Could Be Better)
- Soundproofing: Not the best. I could hear some… stuff. Let's just say you might want to pack earplugs.
- Pets Allowed (Unavailable): I'm not a pet person, but for all you animal lovers, this is something to consider.
- Smoking Area: They have one, which is good. But it's not terribly well-placed.
- Gym/Fitness center: I checked it out. A little small for my liking. It felt a little… under-equipped.
Final Verdict: Is It Worth It?
Okay, so, [Insert Hotel Name Here]? It’s not perfect. It has its quirks, its flaws, and a few things that could definitely use a little… oomph. But the pros far outweigh the cons. The spa alone is worth the price of admission. Honestly, I'd go back in a heartbeat.
My Offer (Because You Deserve It).
Here's what I'd do if I were running the show:
- Accessibility Overhaul: Make it genuinely accessible, not just "technically" accessible. This is crucial in today's world.
- Upgrades: Enhance the gym equipment.
- More personalized greetings.
What's the Catch?
There's no catch, except you might want to ask for a room on a higher floor!
Unbelievable Perks Await at This Hidden Gem: Best Western Gateway Grand!
Alright, alright, buckle up buttercups, because you're getting the real Crowne Plaza Fredericton Lord Beaverbrook experience, warts and all. Forget those pristine travel brochures; this is the raw, unfiltered truth, laced with my personal brand of chaos.
Arrival: Dazed and Confused… and Slightly Hangry (Day 1)
- 1:00 PM: Landed in Fredericton. Okay, "landed" is generous. More like gently nudged onto the tarmac with a prayer and a hope my luggage wasn’t in Winnipeg. First impression? Tiny airport, bless its heart. Felt like I was the only one arriving. The car rental… well, let’s just say budget rentals and my sense of direction are mortal enemies. Took me an hour to escape the airport perimeter.
- 2:30 PM: Checked into the Crowne Plaza. First thought? "Wow, it is a Lord Beaverbrook hotel." The lobby is… opulent. Maybe a tad too much? I wandered around for a bit, utterly lost, feeling like a small bewildered child, before finally stumbling upon reception. The check-in process was surprisingly smooth though the poor receptionist had to endure my post-travel grumbles.
- 3:00 PM: Room. Okay, initial impressions of the room: good. Clean, spacious, the bed beckoned me like a siren song. But then… the view. A parking lot. Sigh. It’s all part of the charm, right? I'm a light sleeper, so I tried to ignore the outside noises.
- 4:00 PM: Food hunt initiated. My stomach was rumbling louder than the lobby elevator. Decided to embrace the hotel and head to The Beaverbrook Restaurant. Honestly? Kinda amazing. Great service. I ordered the seafood chowder and a salad. I'm a sucker for a good fish stew, and this was delicious and very comforting. (Though I swear I detected a hint of… celery? I wasn't sure if I liked it.) Sat at the bar, chatted with the bartender - apparently, everybody knows everybody in Fredericton. Love it.
- 6:00 PM: Nap time. Let's be honest, this entire day has been a prelude to the ultimate goal: a solid nap. Conquered.
Exploration and Existential Dread (Day 2)
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast at the hotel. The buffet was… adequate. Scrambled eggs that resembled sunshine-yellow rubber, stale croissants, and decent coffee. I filled up a plate and tried to get a good start to the day. The atmosphere was very "business-y." Lots of people on calls. I felt like I was intruding.
- 10:00 AM: Walked along the Saint John River. This was probably the best decision I made all day. The air was crisp, the water glinted in the sunlight. There was something undeniably calming about the view. I spent ages at the walking trail, admiring the view. It was so quiet and peaceful that I was almost getting emotional. (Don’t judge me, the jet lag is kicking in.)
- 12:00 PM: Tried to find a good lunch spot. Apparently, everyone and their dog in Fredericton was at The Joyce. (Which, side note, is adorably named.) I was craving fish and chips and decided to give it a go. Waited an hour – an hour! – for a table. But, hey, the fish and chips were worth it. Perfectly crispy. The waitress was sweet and clearly stressed. I felt for her. The line was so long and the place was packed!
- 2:00 PM: Beaverbrook Art Gallery. I’m not hugely into art, but I figured I owed it to the Lord. Okay, so the gallery itself is beautiful, but I got a little lost, a little overwhelmed, and a little… bored. The modern art stuff was lost on me, frankly. But the Beaverbrook collection was interesting to learn about the history of this place.
- 4:00 PM: Back to the hotel. The room service menu called my name. I ordered a club sandwich and a beer. My inner voice kept berating me for being lazy.
- 7:00 PM: Attempted to go out again. Decided to try a local brewery (I've forgotten the name, as usual). Got completely lost. Gave up. Back at the hotel. Watched some bad television. Went to bed early. Deep breaths.
Day 3: Farewell, and Maybe a Promise to Return (Or Not!)
- 8:00 AM: Another passable breakfast. Seriously considering just ordering room service for every meal now.
- 9:00 AM: Quick jog. I had the room to myself. I don't normally jog in the hotel rooms but since the view wasn't that good, I decided to run in the room instead. It was a bit cramped and I felt ridiculous.
- 10:00 AM: Checkout. This time, the receptionist actually laughed when I told her how much trouble I had with the parking.
- 11:00 AM: Departure. Fredericton, you were… an experience. I'm not sure if I’ll be back, but I’ll always have the memory of that seafood chowder (and the celery!).
- 1:00 PM: Finally on the plane. Goodbye New Brunswick!
Final Thoughts:
The Crowne Plaza Fredericton Lord Beaverbrook? Solid. Comfortable. The staff? Wonderful. The town? Charming, in its own quirky way. Would I change anything? Maybe the parking lot view. And the traffic. And the… okay, maybe I’m just not cut out for the quiet life. But hey, I survived. And that, my friends, is a victory in itself.
Escape to the Rockies: Luxurious Baymont Getaway Near Loveland & Fort Collins!
Okay, so, what *is* this whole thing, anyway? Like, seriously, break it down for your grandma.
Alright, grandma, picture this: you know how you sometimes get confused by the TV remote?
(Deep breath, Grandma's looking confused)
Okay, scratch that. It's complicated. Think of it as… a really, *really* involved process. There are layers to this, which can be annoying. Sometimes very annoying.
Is it hard? Because I’m not exactly a tech whiz. (My microwave still flashes 12:00.)
Hard? That depends. Some days it's like trying to teach a goldfish quantum physics. Other days, it clicks. I've had moments where I felt like I should be getting a Nobel Prize for my brilliance, and then… BAM! A total crash. Everything gone. Including my sanity, possibly.
Let me tell you a story. I once spent an entire Saturday wrestling with… wait for it… *THE SETUP*. Ugh. It was trial and error for hours. Think of a toddler with a Rubik's Cube. A very frustrated, sweaty toddler. And believe it or not, it still wasn't working!
Alright, fine, I'm (maybe) interested. What are the *actual* benefits? Besides bragging rights?
Bragging rights are a definite perk. Just kidding… mostly. The good stuff? Okay, buckle up. You can… it lets you make things that… give you a feeling that… ugh, I have to admit, I'm struggling here. I got into it because… well, I thought it was cool. And it *is* cool. When it works.
Here's the thing. Sometimes, when you finally get something to *work* and, against what logic dictated, and it fits the vision, everything clicks. It's an *amazing* feeling. Like you've actually created something from nothing. It can be very satisfying. But you have to be prepared to sacrifice a good chunk of your life (and possibly your sanity) for said satisfaction.
What are the downsides? Because nothing's perfect, right? (Besides my perfect hair, obvi.)
Oh, honey, the downsides? Where do I *begin*? First, your free time is in danger. Your social life? Poof! Vanished. Remember that whole "perfect hair" thing? Prepare for that to be a *distant* memory. (I speak from experience, people.)
The learning curve? Brutal. There's the jargon, the errors, the times you think you've finally figured it out… only to have it all crash and burn. Like, I had a complete meltdown one time, I literally got angry and almost threw my laptop across the room the last time this happened. It was truly, seriously humbling. And expensive. You'll probably need to spend money on all sorts of gadgets and software and… it’s a vortex, I swear.
Okay, so, let's say I DO decide to try this. WHERE do I even start? I'm already overwhelmed.
Deep breaths. Right! Starting. First, DO SOME RESEARCH. Don't just jump in blind (like I did, initially… big mistake). Look for beginners guides, tutorials. YouTube is your friend. And, I repeat… *your friend*.
I wasted HOURS clicking through pointless tutorials. Find the reliable sources! And be prepared to fail… A LOT. Embrace the chaos. It’s part of the process. Accept that you will make mistakes, lose data and have your computer yell at you. It is the way.
Is it worth it? Like REALLY worth it?
That's the million-dollar question, isn't it? Honestly? Sometimes I want to throw it all out the window. Sometimes I hate it And other times… when everything clicks and you create something, and you see it work? It can be magic. Pure, unadulterated, totally worth-the-sleepless-nights magic It is a very complex love/hate thing .
If you love a challenge, if you enjoy the pain and struggle and the sporadic moments of brilliance… yes, it might be worth it. But if you're looking for something easy, something that's going to be a simple path… run away. Run far, far away. Save yourself the headache. But maybe, if you have the time, try it! At least it might be worth it when you're old and grey, looking back at how far you've come.

