A Weekend Getaway at West Edmonton Mall

A Weekend Getaway at West Edmonton Mall: Mixed Emotions and Unforgettable Moments

This past weekend, my youngest daughter surprised me with a two-week visit from England, an unexpected and delightful reunion that warmed my heart. To make the time even more memorable, she planned a special staycation at the West Edmonton Mall with my oldest daughter and her two teenage girls. The gesture was incredibly thoughtful, and I was touched by her generosity. She even booked a room for us at one of the mall's hotels and got us matching pajamas—a sweet, bonding touch that set a positive tone. Little did I know that while the company would be wonderful, the hotel experience would leave much to be desired.

A Promising Start with a Bumpy Reality

As we entered the hotel room, I was initially impressed. The spacious room was equipped with two double beds and bunk beds, perfect for a family outing. It looked clean and inviting, and I was hopeful for a comfortable stay. However, as we sat down by the window at a small table with two chairs, a musty, overpowering smell hit us. The odor was so strong that it immediately raised concerns about the ventilation. Trying to make the best of it, I kept quiet at first, not wanting to come across as ungrateful or dampen the excitement of my daughter's thoughtful treat. 

But the reality of the room’s lack of ventilation soon became unavoidable. The air felt stagnant, and when we used the bathroom, it became apparent that it lacked any proper airflow as well. I couldn't help but mention to my daughter that the room didn't quite meet our expectations. She had meant so well with this "girls' night out," and I didn’t want to sound negative, but I felt it was essential to share the discomfort.

The State of the Hotel: Outdated and Disappointing

Walking around the hotel only confirmed our initial impressions. The reception area was the only part of the hotel that looked somewhat inviting, with a pleasant ambiance that didn’t quite extend to the rest of the hotel. The escalator area, for instance, looked worn, and the doors appeared unclean. It was clear that the hotel hadn’t received a modern update in some time, which was disappointing, especially given its steep rates of $500+ per night.

On our floor, we were met with a Hawaiian-themed hallway—a choice that felt outdated and borderline tacky. The decor did little to lift my spirits and only seemed to emphasize the lack of quality in the hotel’s upkeep. I rarely need to use my inhaler, but the lack of ventilation and the musty air forced me to use it twice over our two-day stay, underscoring just how uncomfortable the environment was.

Conversations with Other Guests: A Shared Disappointment

I wasn’t the only one noticing these issues. I took the opportunity to chat with other guests, hoping that perhaps my experience was an anomaly. A couple I met on the escalator shared that they were also concerned about the lack of ventilation, particularly for their son’s health. They, too, found the room humid, outdated, and lacking basic amenities. Another guest staying in one of the themed rooms said it "wasn’t too bad," but his young son chimed in that it felt "old." These conversations confirmed my own experience—this was a hotel in serious need of refurbishment and not delivering on the quality expected for the price.

Breakfast Woes: A Lack of Amenities

On Sunday morning, we discovered that breakfast was not included with our stay, which seemed surprising for such a high-cost hotel. We made our way to Tim Hortons, looking forward to a simple coffee and pastry to start the day. Unfortunately, the coffee tasted awful and unappealing, and the croissant had been over-microwaved, resulting in a rubbery texture that’s hard to forget if you’ve ever overheated bread. It was disappointing, especially as I’d hoped for at least one pleasant start to our day.

Exploring West Edmonton Mall: A Sensory Overload

West Edmonton Mall is known for being one of the largest malls in North America, filled with entertainment options, shopping outlets, and dining establishments. For someone like me, who prefers quieter spaces, the bustling mall environment felt overwhelming. The noise levels were high, and the crowds were intense, making it difficult to find a sense of relaxation. While I appreciated the excitement from my granddaughters, who enjoyed browsing the stores, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I would have rather been somewhere less chaotic.

Evening Entertainment: A Mixed Bag

In the evening, we opted for Vietnamese food, which was served quickly and tasted fine—perhaps one of the few highlights of the day. Later, we decided to watch a movie to wind down. The theater was nearly empty, which offered a quiet break from the earlier hustle and bustle. We watched *Here* with Tom Hanks, a film that was decent but not particularly memorable. It felt more like an on-stage production, and while enjoyable in the moment, it wasn’t something I’d recommend wholeheartedly. 

Reflecting on the Experience: Grateful but Disheartened

As the weekend drew to a close, I found myself reflecting on the experience with mixed emotions. Spending time with my daughters and granddaughters was undeniably the highlight, and I cherish the memories we made together. I was touched by my youngest daughter’s thoughtfulness in arranging everything, especially since she had traveled all the way from England. Her gesture meant a lot, and I could see her excitement in trying to create a memorable "girls' night out" for all of us.

However, I couldn’t help but feel disappointed by the hotel experience. For a property charging $500+ per night, I had expected better quality and basic amenities like proper ventilation and cleanliness. While the memories we created together are priceless, the overall experience left me feeling stressed and a bit guilty for not being able to fully enjoy my daughter’s generous effort. 

Final Thoughts: A Heartfelt Thanks Despite the Hiccups

In the end, this weekend was a reminder that sometimes the best intentions can be overshadowed by unexpected challenges. I am deeply grateful for the time spent with my family and for my daughter's heartfelt gesture. However, I hope that my experience can serve as constructive feedback for the hotel. In a place as popular as West Edmonton Mall, it’s essential for hotels to maintain a high standard, especially when charging premium rates. 

This weekend taught me the importance of balancing gratitude with honesty. I’ll always remember this time with my daughters and granddaughters fondly, even if the hotel experience wasn’t what I’d hoped for. Family moments like these are invaluable, and I’m thankful for the memories we created together—even if they came with a few extra challenges.

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