Drummondville's BEST Hotel? Hotel-Motel Drummond Review!
Hotel-Motel Drummond: A Review That's More "Real Life" Than "Brochure Speak"
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the swirling vortex that is the Hotel-Motel Drummond, supposedly the best hotel in Drummondville. Now, I'm no travel agent, just a weary traveler who's seen some things, and I'm here to spill the beans (and maybe some lukewarm coffee) about what makes this place tick.
Accessibility – A Mixed Bag, But Mostly Okay:
First things first: Accessibility. Seems they've made an effort. Wheelchair accessible areas are present, which is a solid win. And, you know, the elevator (thank heavens!). But honestly, maneuvering around with a wheelchair might still require a little extra patience. I'm not personally using one, but I did notice some hallways that felt a tad cramped. And that's something that's always a pain to deal with.
Cleanliness and Safety – Fingers Crossed (But Mostly Up):
This is the big one these days, isn't it? You can barely breathe a sigh of relief if they aren't doing it right! The good news is they seem to be taking things seriously. Anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection, and rooms sanitized between stays are all welcome signs in a world that feels slightly germ-ridden. You could almost feel the crispness of the air! I also liked the hand sanitizer dispensers EVERYWHERE. I started grabbing a little more than I was used to, just in case, so, I guess that's a win.
I'm happy to report the staff seems to be taking things seriously – with staff trained in safety protocol – which is always a comfort. I saw evidence of physical distancing being attempted, and they'd probably got a decent hygiene rating too. They even had this weird little sterilizing equipment that did a weird light when I got on the elevator. I may have stared a little too long. So yeah, not bad on the safety front.
Rooms: The Good, the Meh, and the…Uh… Questionable:
Alright, let's talk about the actual crash pads. My room? Well…let me paint you a picture.
- In-room features: Air conditioning (essential in July), and thankfully, they had decent blackout curtains. The complimentary tea and coffee/tea maker were appreciated (because, let's be real, I can't function before caffeine.) They also had a refrigerator, which is a lifesaver for keeping the local beer cold. And it had a safety box. Always a plus!
- The Bed: Ahhh, the bed! It was a decent bed. Okay, not the best bed in the world. Could use some extra pillows… it was more "adequate" than "dreamy." It did, however, have a soundproofing to the room, which was great.
- Bathrooms: The private bathroom was clean enough (though the grout could use a little…love), and the toiletries were the usual generic stuff. Bathtub, yay! With a shower, extra yay! (I’m always happy for a decent shower!) The hair dryer was, thankfully, fully functional.
- The View My room wasn't on the highest floor, so I wasn't getting much of a view.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – A Culinary Adventure (Or Not):
Okay, the restaurants… This is where things get a little…interesting.
- The Breakfast Buffet: A buffet is usually a win for me, however, this one was a little…basic or bare bones. They had the staples: eggs, bacon, pastries, cereal. But nothing that really wowed me. Then there always seemed to be a slow line for the coffee. And the coffee. Oh boy, the coffee. Let’s just say that it was far from the best.
- The Bar: I did enjoy the Poolside bar! They had a nice vibe, but they tended to close before I was ready.
- I'd have to say, I got one of the bottle of water from the mini bar, and called it a night.
"Things to Do" and "Ways to Relax" – So Many Choices (Maybe):
- The Pool: The swimming pool [outdoor] – a nice place to cool off! I can’t say it was the pool with a view, as my room didn’t seem to have one of those rooms.
- Fitness Room: I didn't venture into the fitness center, but I heard it was standard hotel gym fare – treadmills, ellipticals, and the faint scent of regret.
- Spa-like Amenities: If all you want is to relax, then find another place.
- For the Kids: I didn’t see any kids! I didn’t notice too many kids facilities.
Services and Conveniences – The Usual Suspects (and Some Surprises):
- Front Desk: The front desk [24-hour]. The staff was generally friendly and helpful, which definitely earns them bonus points.
- Laundry Service: Laundry service and dry cleaning are available. Always a lifesaver!
- Internet: The Wi-Fi [free] was pretty reliable. I didn't notice any problems with its speed, which is a big win in my book.
- Meetings: They have meeting/banquet facilities if you're feeling productive.
- Convenience Store: A convenience store! Always a plus!
- Other Cool Stuff: I's just a pretty basic hotel. The concierge was helpful with recommendations.
The Bottom Line:
Okay, so the Hotel-Motel Drummond is not perfect. It's not the Ritz. But it's a solid, functional choice. It's clean, relatively safe, and most importantly, it offers a comfortable place to crash after a long day (or night). It's not going to blow your mind, but it'll definitely do the job. Would I stay there again? Probably. Would I recommend it? Yeah, probably. Just don't expect miracles. And bring your own coffee!
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Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to descend – nay, explode – into a weekend at the Hotel-Motel Drummond in Drummondville, Quebec. Forget pristine itineraries, think more… organized chaos. Here we go:
Day 1: Arrival and Existential Dread (mostly kidding… mostly)
1:00 PM - Arrival & Check-in: The drive from wherever-the-hell-I-was-before was longer than I anticipated. Google Maps lied! Drummondville, you sneaky devil. Found the Hotel-Motel Drummond and… well, it looks exactly like the photos. Which is either a good thing (consistent expectations!) or a deeply unsettling thing (reality is… predictable). The lobby smells faintly of chlorine and ambition. The front desk guy, bless his heart, seems to have the weight of a thousand brochures on his shoulders. He's friendly, though. That's a win. Key card in hand. Room… is in the back. Deep breaths.
1:30 PM - The Room… and the First Letdown: Okay, the room. It’s… clean. That’s the important thing, right? But the mustard-yellow walls? The slightly-off-kilter painting of (I think) a sailboat? It's got this… vibe. Like a retired gambler's meticulously curated bachelor pad. There's a suspicious stain on the carpet. I tell myself it’s just… character. Yeah. Character. The air conditioning is roaring like a jet engine. I have to choose between freezing or sweating. Life choices, eh?
2:00 PM - First Snack & Existential Crisis (the REAL kind): Okay okay, so I brought snacks. Always a good idea. Cheese in a bag, some sad pre-cut carrots (I aspire to a better life, clearly). But sitting in this mustard-yellow, jet-engine-fueled room, munching on cheese… I find myself staring at the ceiling and wondering, "What am I doing with my life?" Is Drummondville the place to ponder the cosmic absurdity of existence? Maybe. Probably not. But hey, the cheese is (kinda) good.
3:00 PM - Exploring (or, trying not to get lost): Found the hotel pool. It's… small. And the chlorine smell is even stronger up close. Considering it would be an existential crisis. I'm not a pool person, so I decide to skip it. Wander off into Drummondville, a town that feels like it's holding its breath, waiting for something. I find a cute little bakery. The scent of fresh bread! Thank goodness. Purchase the biggest croissant I can find and return to my cave of a room.
5:00 PM - Naptime. Or, the art of pretending you're not in Drummondville: The croissant was good. Now, I need to recover from all of the… life. Nap time. The jet engine of an AC unit is actually quite soporific.
7:00 PM - Dinner at La Belle Province: Okay, this place is a classic. I found a place that's open till late. The poutine is a mountain, the fries are perfectly crispy, and the gravy… mmm, gravy. Just… pure, unadulterated, Quebecois bliss. I eat way too much. Feel slightly ill. Worth it. The waitress is super friendly, giving me instructions on where to visit.
8:30 PM - "Entertainment.” Or, why cable is both a blessing and a curse: Back at the hotel, cable TV. A treasure trove of mediocrity. Managed to find a questionable action movie. The acting is terrible, the plot is nonsensical. Perfect. My brain is happily numbed. It's a welcome reprieve from the existential dread of the afternoon.
10:00 PM - Bedtime… and the mystery of the disappearing remote: Suddenly, the remote vanishes. I've looked everywhere. I'm beginning to suspect a supernatural occurrence, maybe a mischievous poltergeist with a taste for bad reality TV. Or, you know, I simply misplaced it. Head to sleep anyway.
Day 2: Culture, Caffeine, and the Unfolding Drama of a Hotel Room
8:00 AM - Awakening (mostly): Woken up by the incessant humming of the AC. Still haven’t found the remote. Starting to feel… territorial about my slightly-off-kilter room! It's mine, goddamnit!
8:30 AM - Breakfast Disaster: The hotel breakfast is a buffet. And by "buffet", I mean a sad collection of pre-packaged pastries, stale toast, and instant coffee that tastes like sadness. I try to be optimistic. I really do. But… it's just not working. Quickly retreat to my room with a single piece of toast, and a secret stash of instant coffee I brought.
9:30 AM - Culture Time! And a Slight Panic Attack: Determined to inject some culture into this weekend, I head off to… a museum. I get there, but I'm in a slight panic attack. Where is Drummondville's museum anyways??!! The brochure promised a fascinating look at local history! I'm staring at a map, realizing everything's closed. I am not ready on that.
11:00 AM - Regroup and Caffeine: Ok, let's regroup. Time to get some real caffeine. Head to a coffee shop. Order a latte and inhale the glorious scent of good coffee. The world immediately seems a little less bleak. Maybe a lot less bleak.
12:00 PM - The Art of "Wandering" and the Quest for the Perfect Lunch: I spend the next hour wandering aimlessly, just… existing. I discover a (sort of) charming little park. The wind is slightly chilly. It feels almost… peaceful. Almost. The quest for lunch! I find a local diner. It's filled with locals, all chatting animatedly. I order a club sandwich and fries. It is great.
2:00 PM - Back to the Room, and the Great Remote Conspiracy: The remote is still missing. I'm starting to become convinced that a small, fluffy squirrel has absconded with it. Or maybe it fell behind the bed. Time to move all the furniture. The air conditioning is still roaring.
3:00 PM - Poolside Interlude (sort of): I force myself to go to the pool. Everyone else is already there. Two children splash noisily and one adult is practicing the backstroke. I sit on a chair for 5 minutes. I decide that this is enough culture for today. I'm exhausted from the effort of existing.
4:00 PM - Final Feast & Departure: Deciding to embrace the "end, I go to a nice restaurant. I have some pasta. It's good. I leave. Check out.
4:30 PM - The Departure: The drive back. Drummondville, you weird, wonderful place. I'll probably never come back. But hey, I survived. And that, my friends, is a victory in itself.
So, there you have it. A brutally honest, slightly unhinged account of a weekend in Drummondville. Hopefully, it gave you a laugh. And maybe, just maybe… made you appreciate the comfort of your own (slightly less mustard-yellow) walls. Now I need to go home and recharge… I might need some serious therapy after this one.
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