Saskatoon's BEST Western Blairmore: Unbelievable Deals & Amenities!
Saskatoon's BEST Western Blairmore: My Unfiltered Take (Prepare for Rambles!)
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because I just spent a couple of days at the BEST Western Blairmore in Saskatoon, and let me tell you, it’s a mixed bag. "Unbelievable Deals & Amenities!" they crow, and… well, let’s dissect this, shall we? Prepare for a review that's less "objective critic" and more "slightly caffeinated human who just spent the night".
SEO & Metadata Alert (Gotta Play the Game):
- Keywords: Saskatoon Hotel, Best Western, Blairmore, Saskatchewan, Accessibility, Pool, Free Wi-Fi, Restaurant, Spa, Business Hotel, Family Friendly, Cleanliness, Breakfast, Parking, Pet-Friendly (sort of!), Conference Facilities.
- Meta Description: Honest review of Saskatoon's Best Western Blairmore, highlighting amenities like pool, spa, and restaurant, plus accessibility, cleanliness, and value. Find out if the "Unbelievable Deals" live up to the hype!
First Impressions (and a near-miss with a rogue luggage trolley):
The lobby? Standard Best Western. Clean enough, pleasant enough. The check-in process was thankfully, thank the heavens, Contactless check-in/out. I'm a germaphobe at the best of times, and well, the world has only amplified that. I whizzed through, but it was a little too breezy, like I was checking into a robot hotel. Where's the life? The personality? Oh well.
Accessibility - A Mixed Bag, Naturally:
- Wheelchair accessible: Check. Ramp access, elevators. Good job, BW.
- Facilities for disabled guests: Appeared to be present, but I didn't need them, so I can't vouch with authority.
- Essential condiments: Um, is this really an accessibility feature? Anyway, yes to the salt and pepper.
Getting Around (and the perils of hotel hallways):
- Elevator: Present and accounted for. Necessary.
- Car park [free of charge]: Yes! Huge bonus. Saskatoon parking can be a nightmare.
- Car park [on-site]: Same as above. Relief.
- CCTV in common areas: A bit unsettling, but necessary for safety, I guess.
- Exterior corridor: Mine was, so easy access to the outside world.
Room Review - The Good, The Bad, and the Coffee Maker That Mocked Me:
- Available in all rooms: This is where things get fun.
- Air conditioning: Bliss! Saskatoon summers can be brutal.
- Alarm clock: Check. Although, mine was still set to some ungodly hour by the previous guest.
- Bathrobes: Nope. Not in my room. False advertising, BW! (kidding, but I like a robe.)
- Bathroom phone: Seriously? Who uses those anymore?
- Bathtub: Yes! A nice, deep one. Had a wonderful soak, even though the jets weren't working.
- Blackout curtains: YES. Slept like the dead. Thank god.
- Closet: Standard.
- Coffee/tea maker: Here's where we hit a snag. The coffee maker was a complete enigma. Instructions were nonexistent, I nearly flooded the room, and the coffee tasted like despair and sadness.
- Complimentary tea: Yes, but after the coffee debacle, I stuck with bottled water (Free bottled water, yay!).
- Daily housekeeping: Yes. The room was always tidied, which was lovely, albeit slightly invasive to my precious chaos (I'm a slob, sorry not sorry).
- Desk: Fine for working, though the Wi-Fi… we'll get to that.
- Extra long bed: Yes! Thank goodness. I'm tall and I appreciate the space.
- Hair dryer: Existed. Thankfully.
- In-room safe box: Nope.
- Interconnecting room(s) available: No idea, didn't need it.
- Internet access – LAN: Didn't try.
- Internet access – wireless: Yes. Mostly. The Wi-Fi was patchy at times, which was infuriating. I wanted desperately to work in my room, which… wasn't happening. It was, at times, like trying to connect to the internet using carrier pigeons.
- Ironing facilities: Yes, thankfully.
- Laptop workspace: Yes!
- Linens: Clean, crisp. No complaints.
- Mini bar: Nope.
- Mirror: Yes, which I needed to survey the damage on my mascara situation.
- Non-smoking: Thankfully.
- On-demand movies: Nope.
- Private bathroom: Yes.
- Reading light: Present and appreciated.
- Refrigerator: Yes! Crucial for my travel snacks.
- Safety/security feature: Smoke detector.
- Satellite/cable channels: The usual.
- Seating area: The sofa was comfy.
- Separate shower/bathtub: Yay!
- Shower: Good water pressure.
- Slippers: Nope.
- Smoke detector: Yes.
- Socket near the bed: Bless. Technology is a must.
- Sofa: Yes.
- Soundproofing: Pretty darn good, I had a room on the first floor and heard minimal noise from outside.
- Telephone: Whoa, the phone?
- Toiletries: Standard hotel stuff.
- Towels: Plentiful and fluffy.
- Umbrella: Nope.
- Visual alarm: Nope.
- Wake-up service: Yes, if you can figure out the infernal alarm clock.
- Wi-Fi [free]: As mentioned, unreliable, but there.
- Window that opens: Yes! Thank goodness.
Spa, Pool, and Relaxation - Maybe Unbelievable, but Not Necessarily in a Good Way…:
- Body scrub: Didn't see it.
- Body wrap: Nope.
- Fitness center: Looked like it had the bare essentials. I didn't go, so can't judge. Judging is for the brave, so I'll skip it.
- Foot bath: Nope again.
- Gym/fitness: See above.
- Massage: Nope.
- Pool with view: No view.
- Sauna: Yes! But wasn't used.
- Spa: Kinda-sorta. They have spa-ish services.
- Spa/sauna: As above.
- Steamroom: Nope.
- Swimming pool: Yes!
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: Yes! It was…cold. Didn't get in. BUT… if you are brave enough to take the cold plunge, please tell me how it goes!
The "Relaxation" Angle: It seems like they intend to offer relaxation. The pool and sauna are nice. But the overall vibe wasn't spa-like. It was more "business traveler on a budget". Still, a pool is a pool, and I'd take that any day.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking - A Culinary Adventure (or Lack Thereof):
- A la carte in restaurant: Yes.
- Alternative meal arrangement: Not sure.
- Asian breakfast: Unsure.
- Asian cuisine in restaurant: Didn't try it.
- Bar: Yes. Looked lively, but didn’t partake.
- Bottle of water: Yes!
- Breakfast [buffet]: Yes, but this is where things get really messy. The breakfast buffet was… chaotic. Think hungry and half-awake guests, lukewarm scrambled eggs of questionable origin, and a serious shortage of clean utensils. The waffles were the redemption of it, thank goodness.
- Breakfast service: See above.
- Buffet in restaurant: Yes. The buffet struggle is real.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Yes. At least the coffee in the restaurant was drinkable.
- Coffee shop: No.
- Desserts in restaurant: Standard.
- Happy hour: Yes.
- International cuisine in restaurant: See above.
- Poolside bar: Nope.
- Restaurants: Yes.
- Room service [24-hour]: YES. And THANK GOD. Especially when the breakfast buffet sends you running for your room.
- Salad in restaurant: Yes.
- Snack bar: Nope.
- Soup in restaurant: Yes.
- Vegetarian restaurant: Nope.
- Western breakfast: Yes. More or less.
- Western cuisine in restaurant: Yep.
The Breakfast Saga (My Personal Hellscape):
Okay, let's talk breakfast. The buffet. It
Unbelievable Hua Hin Villa: Baan Pieng Ploen 6/396 Awaits!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, 'cause we're about to dive headfirst into the chaotic, glorious mess that is my (fictional) stay at the Best Western Blairmore in Saskatoon. This is gonna be less a pristine itinerary and more a scatter-brained journal of what actually happens when I attempt to vacation. Prepare for feelings, folks. And probably some lukewarm coffee.
Day 1: Arrival, Anxiety, and the Unexpected Embrace of Saskatoon
- 1:00 PM: Arrive at Saskatoon Airport (YXE). Okay, so the flight was delayed. Again. I swear, airlines are actively conspiring against my sanity. Spent a good hour pacing, fueled by airport-bought, ridiculously overpriced coffee and the gnawing feeling of missing my connecting flight. Finally made it, bags miraculously intact (a small victory!).
- Anecdote: The woman next to me on the plane was crocheting a tiny sweater for her Chihuahua. I mean, come on. Who does that?! And yet, I was strangely charmed. Maybe it was the flight anxiety making us all a little…unhinged.
- 2:15 PM: Rental Car Hell. Navigating the rental car labyrinth is always the most frustrating thing ever. The dude at the desk was clearly having a worse day than me (and that takes some doing!), and the car, a rogue Kia with a suspicious rattle, felt like it was about to explode the moment I pulled out of the lot.
- 3:30 PM: Check-in at Best Western Blairmore. Ah, the sanctuary. Or at least, that’s what I hoped. The lobby smelled faintly of chlorine and…something else. Hard to place. Maybe hope? The receptionist, bless her heart, looked like she’d seen some things. Gave me a key, which, thankfully, did work.
- Quirky Observation: The elevators were suspiciously slow. Like, "contemplate your life choices while you wait" slow. I swear, I aged a year during each ascent.
- 4:00 PM: Room Inspection/Emotional Breakdown. The room…it was standard. Not bad, not great. The patterned wallpaper gave me a slight headache. But hey, the bed looked comfy, and that's all that mattered.
- Rambling & Opinion: I always have this thing where, on the first day of a trip, I'm convinced I've made some catastrophic mistake. This time, it had to be booking a room for the next month on accident. Am I going to be here for the rest of my life?
- 5:00 PM: Exploring Blairmore. The town… it had a charm of its own, a sort of gritty, practical beauty. The wind felt like it would take you away if you didn’t hold on tight.
- Emotional Reaction: After my existential crisis inside, I walked around the town and realized I was pretty happy. The lack of high-rise buildings, the openness of the whole area, and the feeling that people were just… living here, not trying to impress anyone, it was comforting.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner at "The Rusty Sprocket". Found this spot, a local pub with a surprisingly good burger. The staff was so friendly, I actually started feeling less like a travel-weary gremlin and more like an actual person.
- Anecdote: Accidentally complimented the waitress on her "exquisite taste in… napkins." Mortifying. She just laughed and said, "Hey, they get the job done." Turns out, she was a local storyteller, and she was quite good.
- 7:30 PM: Back at the Best Western. Watched some TV. Listened to the hum of the air conditioner. Prepared for more anxiety.
- 9:00 PM: Attempt to Sleep. The bed… it felt like quicksand. I dozed, then woke up. The worst kind of sleep.
Day 2: The Prairie, The City, and the Quest for a Decent Cup of Coffee
- 7:00 AM: Wake up to mediocre hotel coffee. The coffee was… sad. Bitter. Undrinkable, really. This is a serious travel flaw; I need coffee.
- Opinionated Language: Why can't hotels get this right? Is decent coffee so much to ask?!
- 7:30 AM: Hit up the Breakfast buffet. Oatmeal with strange lumps in it. The scrambled eggs were… yellow. I settled for a waffle.
- Emotional Reaction: The waffle, however, was a small taste of happiness. It actually tasted good! Why is it that simple breakfasts can be so emotionally impactful?
- 8:00 AM: Daytrip to the vast Saskatchewan prairies. This was the highpoint of the trip. I felt like I was really living.
- Quirky Observation: The endless horizon was so vast you could almost see the curvature of the earth.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch in Saskatoon at a cute little bistro. Finally, a decent sandwich! And a salad that wasn't entirely iceberg lettuce.
- Emotional Reaction: Feeling less annoyed.
- 1:30 PM: Wander through the charming Market. Everything looked good! Some interesting purchases were made.
- Anecdote: The market had a local artisan selling beeswax candles that smelled divine. And I got two.
- 4:00 PM: Back to the hotel. The elevators were still playing games.
- 5:00 PM: Nap
- Rambling: I'm not ashamed of napping. When you're traveling you need your rest.
- 7:00 PM: Another dinner. Local recommendation was a steakhouse, which was fine. Steak was good.
- Opinionated Language: The potatoes were a little dry.
- 9:00 PM: Back in room, watching TV. The TV was still working.
- 10:00 PM: Sleep. I was tired.
Day 3: Departure and the Lingering Taste of Prairie Charm
- 7:00 AM: Final attempt at hotel coffee. Nope. Still tragic.
- 7:30 AM: Check out. The receptionist was a different one. She seemed happy, which was interesting.
- 8:00 AM: Head to the airport. The drive to the airport was pretty.
- 9:00 AM: Flight leaves. I made it. After all the stress, I did it.
- 10:00 AM: Flying away.
- Emotional Reaction: Saskatoon was good. Not perfect, but good. The people were nice, and the prairies really made the whole trip.
- 12:00 PM: Home.
- *Overall Impression: Saskatoon, and my stay at the Best Western, was a rollercoaster of low-grade anxiety, unexpected delights, and the constant search for a decent cup of coffee. It wasn't perfect, but it was real. And hey, that's travel, right? It's never as flawless as the brochures promise, and sometimes, that's the best part.
- Final Thought: I'd go back. And maybe next time, I'll bring my own coffee pot.
Best Western Blairmore, Saskatoon: The Truth... (And the Deals!)
So, what actually makes this place "The Best" anyway? Like, seriously, what's the *real* lowdown?
Okay, alright, first things first: "Best" is subjective, right? I mean, are we talking "Best Five-Star Luxury" or "Best Bang-for-Your-Buck-and-Maybe-Get-Some-Free-Cookies" kind of best? Because... well, it leans heavily toward the latter. But honestly? It's a solid choice. The deals are actually pretty darn good. I once snagged a room for, like, sixty bucks! Sixty bucks! And that included breakfast. Granted, the breakfast was the usual scrambled eggs, sausage, and waffles situation (which, confession time, I *love*), but still! Sixty bucks. Try finding that in downtown Saskatoon! It's the practical choice, the one your wallet will thank you for.
What's up with the free breakfast everyone's talking about? Is it actually edible? And is it *free* free?
The breakfast... Oh, the breakfast. Okay, so, yes, it *is* free. (And yes, it's included, because, trust me, after a certain point, you're not questioning what they serve you at 6am). The edible question... that's a tricky one. See, the quality fluctuates, I'll be frank. Sometimes, the eggs are fluffy and glorious. Sometimes, they're… well, they make you question the definition of "egg." But there's usually a waffle maker, and who doesn’t love a waffle? And the little yogurt cups! Those are a godsend at 6:00 am when you're running late and desperately need sustenance before the meeting. Don't expect Michelin star... but it certainly works. Plus, I wouldn't be surprised if you see a couple of folks sneaking some extra pastries for the road. No judgement here, folks.
Amenities! What kind of fun stuff can I expect? Pool? Gym? Is there a secret karaoke room? (Please say yes.)
Okay, so, the pool… Yes! There *is* a pool. And a hot tub. I saw kids having a blast there last time I swung by, which made me almost jealous, but then I remembered I’m terrible at swimming so I didn’t go. The gym? It’s… functional. Treadmill, elliptical, some weights. Not exactly a hardcore fitness mecca, but it'll do the trick if you need to work off those waffles. And the karaoke room? Sadly, no. My dreams have been crushed. But hey, maybe you can make your own karaoke in your room! Just be mindful of the other guests. Unless, of course, they’re into it. Then, go for it.
So, location-wise, is it, like, in the middle of nowhere? Or is there stuff to *do* around here?
Blairmore! Right? It's technically "on the outskirts." But! It's surprisingly convenient. You're not in the heart of downtown, but that keeps the prices down, remember? Plus, you're close to a lot of stores, restaurants, that sort of thing. Quick access to the highways for those road trips. It's perfectly fine. It's not the *most* exciting location, but you can't have it all, unless a lot of traffic lights constitute excitement for you.
Tell me about the rooms! Are they clean? Are they falling apart? Give me the real deal!
The rooms... Okay, let's be brutally honest: They're not the Four Seasons. But they are *generally* clean. I've stayed there a few times and never encountered anything truly horrifying. Don't go inspecting every nook and cranny with a magnifying glass, and you'll be fine. The beds? Comfortable enough. The TV? Works. The air conditioning/heating? Also works. Basic functionality is definitely present. You're paying for convenience and affordability. They're... well-worn. But like a comfortable, worn-in pair of jeans. The kind you want to wear after a long day. (Speaking of long days, make sure the WiFi's good, eh?)
Any tips for making the most of my stay? Hidden gems, inside scoops, stuff like that?
Alright, here’s the insider intel! First, grab an extra coffee cup from breakfast. You *will* need the caffeine later. Second, check the deals on the website *before* you book elsewhere. They often have amazing packages. Thirdly, if you're a light sleeper, ask for a room away from the elevator... or the ice machine. That humming can be killer! Then, and this is important: be nice to the staff. Seriously. They're usually super helpful. They deal with a lot of people, and a little kindness goes a long way. Finally, don't be afraid to ask for extra towels or pillows. They're there to make your stay comfortable!
Okay, let's go back to the cookie thing. Is that a recurring event, or a one-time-only deal? Cookies are a deal-breaker, people!
The cookies! Okay, maybe I got lucky. I *seem* to remember free cookies at the front desk once but it was also a long time ago. It's so hard to remember. I'd say don't go in expecting a cookie bonanza. If you get cookies, consider it a delightful bonus! If not, well, there's always the convenience store across the way.
So, if I'm on a budget, would you actually recommend this place? Be honest!
Yes! Absolutely! It's a solid, reliable, budget-friendly option. You're not going to be blown away by luxury, but you'll get a clean room, a decent breakfast, and probably a pretty good deal. For the price, you really can't beat it. Plus, it's Saskatoon, so you're not going to be paying Ritz Carlton prices anyway. You'll have money left over for poutine! (Highly recommended). Look, it's not a five-star experience, but you're not paying five-star prices. And in my book, that's a win. Go forth, and embrace the affordable hotel life! You might even get cookies.
