Best Western Plus The Inn At St. Albert

This hotel is widely celebrated for its exceptional breakfast, offering a diverse and high-quality start to the day that consistently exceeds guest expectations and is a highlight for many. It stands out for its remarkable cleanliness throughout the property and the consistently friendly and helpful staff who contribute significantly to a positive and welcoming experience. The hotel is an excellent choice for families due to its spacious rooms, dedicated amenities like a pool, and proximity to a nearby playground. Pet owners will find it particularly accommodating, with very clean and well-equipped pet-friendly rooms that often include pet bowls, and convenient green spaces and a dog run just across the street. Business travelers and couples also appreciate the quiet, comfortable accommodations and convenient location. To enhance your stay, guests recommend taking full advantage of the extensive breakfast buffet and noting the thoughtful pet amenities if traveling with an animal.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel offers a range of facilities designed to enhance guest comfort and convenience. The pool and hot tub area is generally well-regarded, with guests appreciating the saltwater pool and the large hot tub, some noting the presence of stairs for easier access. However, some guests have expressed disappointment due to unexpected pool closures for maintenance, which was a significant factor for their booking. A fitness center is available, described as well-equipped and functional, even featuring a Peloton bike and offering 24/7 access. While Wi-Fi is generally reliable, the hotel's single elevator is frequently mentioned as being slow and potentially inadequate for the size of the establishment, with stairs primarily leading to the outside. Additional conveniences include a tuck shop for snacks, ice machines, vending machines, and a business nook with a computer.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guests consistently praise the hotel's cleanliness, describing rooms as immaculate, well-kept, and spacious, with hallways also noted for their fresh scent. The beds are generally found to be very comfortable, with many guests highlighting the quality of the pillows for a restful sleep, though some found them either too soft or too firm. Rooms are well-appointed with amenities such as a coffee maker, microwave, and fridge, along with Telus TV offering various channel options. The bathrooms are typically clean and spacious, featuring large showers with rain shower heads and environmentally-friendly wall dispensers for toiletries. While most guests report a quiet stay with good soundproofing from neighbors, some have experienced noise from children or other guests, or noted issues with a loud hallway door. Minor concerns included occasional reports of dirty surfaces upon check-in, low water pressure in showers, or a lack of hot water.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel's complimentary breakfast buffet receives overwhelming praise, frequently described as exceptional, fantastic, and a highlight of the stay. Guests are impressed by the extensive variety of options, which often include fresh fruit, cereals, pastries, and hot items like eggs, sausages, and hash browns, with selections rotating daily. A standout feature is the automatic espresso specialty coffee machine, allowing guests to enjoy lattes and cappuccinos. While most guests find ample choices, some have noted a limited number of gluten-free options. The breakfast room staff are consistently commended for their efficiency in keeping tables clean and food replenished, even during busy periods. Although there is no on-site restaurant for lunch or dinner, guests appreciate the quality and convenience of the breakfast offerings.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel boasts a highly convenient and central location, making it an ideal base for exploring the area. Guests appreciate its proximity to various amenities, including numerous shopping centers and restaurants, with a Tim Hortons and Wendy's conveniently located right next door. Its position on St. Albert Trail provides easy access to major highways and the wider Edmonton area, including West Edmonton Mall. Despite being well-connected, the hotel is often described as being in a quiet area, offering a peaceful retreat away from the city's hustle and bustle. Parking is generally ample and easy, though some guests with large vehicles or trailers have noted challenges with space. The presence of a dog run and spacious green areas nearby is a significant advantage for guests traveling with pets.

Staff & Service
The hotel's staff consistently receives high praise for their exceptional friendliness, helpfulness, and accommodating nature. Guests frequently highlight the warm and welcoming demeanor of the front desk team, who are noted for their efficiency during check-in and check-out processes, including facilitating early arrivals when possible. Many reviews commend staff for going above and beyond, such as assisting with luggage, providing extra amenities like blankets, and handling unexpected situations like medical emergencies or lost items with remarkable care and professionalism. The housekeeping staff are also recognized for their attentiveness and for maintaining a clean environment. Overall, the team's commitment to providing excellent customer service is a recurring theme, significantly contributing to a positive and memorable guest experience.

Additional Information
For guests traveling with animals, the hotel offers a highly pet-friendly policy, providing dedicated rooms often equipped with pet bowls and conveniently located near a side exit for easy access to outdoor green spaces and a dog run. However, some pet owners have expressed surprise regarding the nightly pet fee, expecting a one-time charge. A recurring point of disappointment for some guests has been the unexpected closure of the pool and hot tub for maintenance, which was not always advertised in advance and impacted their stay significantly. The hotel's single elevator can be slow and may feel inadequate during busy periods, with stairs primarily leading to the outside. Guests should also be aware that a damage deposit may be charged upon check-in, with some reporting delays in the refund process. The hotel also provides Telus TV with smart TV capabilities in rooms and offers banquet space suitable for groups. Some guests have noted the toilet height as being unusually low, and those with trailers may find parking challenging due to limited space.