Escape to the Canadian Rockies: Baymont by Wyndham Edson Awaits!
Escape to the Canadian Rockies: Baymont by Wyndham Edson Awaits! – A Review That's Real (and Maybe a Little Chaotic)
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your polished travel brochure review. This is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth (or, at least, my slightly sleep-deprived version of it) about the Baymont by Wyndham in Edson, Alberta. And let me tell you, after a long drive, mountains are calling and I MUST go, but first… coffee. Let's dive in, shall we?
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Title: Baymont Edson: Rocky Mountain Dreams & Real-Life Hotel Shenanigans! (A Review You Need to Read)
Meta Description: Planning a trip to the Canadian Rockies and Edson? This brutally honest review of the Baymont by Wyndham will tell you EVERYTHING – from the comfy beds to the questionable coffee. Wheelchair accessible, family-friendly, and everything in between! Read before you book!
Accessibility - The Good, The Okay, and The "Hmm…"
Let's start with the important stuff. Accessibility is key, and this is where the Baymont shines… partially. The elevator is a godsend, especially after lugging my suitcase around like a lost hiker. Facilities for disabled guests are present, which is a huge plus. Wheelchair accessible? Yes, in general, though I'd recommend calling ahead and confirming specific room details since the layout of corridors and rooms is not perfect, and the hallways were not particularly wide. It's a decent start.
Rooms - Comfort Zone (Mostly)
Okay, let’s talk about the rooms. The non-smoking rooms, thank the lord, were well-maintained. I mean, who wants to smell yesterday's bad decisions while trying to relax? The air conditioning worked a treat after a day of hiking. The bed? Ah, the bed. It was…comfortable. Maybe not luxurious, but definitely did the job. Blackout curtains were an absolute lifesaver for staving off the Alberta sunshine, especially since it's like, always sunshine, and I could finally sleep past 6:00 AM. There was a desk and laptop workspace which came in handy, but I did notice my internet was a little spotty at times, which was fine, but it happened. I mean, I did need to work, and I do appreciate the free Wi-Fi (thank you, internet, for not being a total disaster). The bathroom was fine, with a bathtub and shower, but the toiletries were basic, so bring your favourite travel bottles – or just steal a bunch of the tiny ones from the front desk - just kidding. (Kinda.) Oh, and the alarm clock? I'm not sure if it ever actually worked…I was too tired from the mountains and never really utilized it and just relied on my phone’s alarm.
Internet & Connectivity - The Digital Desert (Sometimes)
I'm already starting to feel the "messier structure" kicking in. Sorry, not sorry! The free Wi-Fi was awesome; however, it might drop at times, so I'd recommend bringing your own hotspot, a wired connection, or perhaps just not working at all (a concept I admittedly struggle with). Internet access - LAN was available too for the tech-savvy, but I didn't actually use it.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – Fueling the Adventure (and Possibly Regret)
Breakfast: Okay, here’s where things could get, shall we say, interesting. The breakfast buffet was… well, it was there. A standard affair with the usual suspects: bagels, toast, a sad selection of fruit and, I think, some scrambled eggs that may or may not have been real eggs. The coffee/tea in the restaurant was serviceable, but I would advise bringing your own coffee. There was also breakfast takeaway service, which was perfect for when I hit that snooze button one too many times and needed to bolt.
Restaurants and Lounges - Mostly Absent
There's a restaurant that served Western cuisine which I avoided, but if you're looking for more diverse dining options, you might need to venture outside the hotel. There’s a bar and poolside bar too, so if nothing else you can drink your sorrows away. There weren't any Asian cuisine or vegetarian restaurant options on-site as far as I know, that I would have loved.
Cleanliness and Safety – My Inner Germaphobe Is (Mostly) Pleased
I'm a bit of a clean freak, so the cleanliness and safety aspects are essential. The common areas seemed clean, and the staff were wearing masks. There was hand sanitizer everywhere, which is a good start. The rooms sanitized between stays made me feel better, especially after hearing about a weird cough I got in the gift shop. The room sanitization opt-out available is a nice option for eco-conscious travelers. Anti-viral cleaning products are a win too, I guess. The fire extinguisher and smoke alarms made me feel safe, though I did notice there were no signs for my pet friends.
Things to Do - Beyond the Bed (and Coffee)
Okay, so you're in Edson. You are near the Rocky Mountains, so that's the main attraction. The hotel had a swimming pool [outdoor] which looked nice, but it was a little too chilly for me. There's a fitness center for the energetic types, but I’m more of an "admire the view" kind of person after a long hike.
Services and Conveniences – The Practical Stuff
The front desk [24-hour] was a lifesaver. The staff were generally friendly and helpful, which is always a plus. The daily housekeeping was appreciated, since I'm not particularly neat, and I was too busy getting my luggage and myself organized after a long day of hiking. Laggage storage was also a win. Cash withdrawal was available, as well as a convenience store for those late-night snacks.
For the Kids & Pets - The Family Experience
The hotel is family/child friendly, with babysitting service available (though I didn't use it), so the kids can relax in their own playground. However, they were pets allowed? So, I’m assuming that is a no.
Getting Around - The Road Trip Reality
Free car park [on-site] is a massive relief. It was easy, convenient, and didn't require me to circle the block fifteen times. Airport transfer? Not applicable.
The Anecdotal Ramblings (because, again, honesty):
One time, while walking down the hallway, I was admiring the artwork. Who am I kidding? I was just scanning the wall, trying to figure out which room was closest to the ice machine. The wall art was basically generic hotel art but it makes the place feel pretty chill, even though it doesn’t have that “mountain” vibe.
And during my stay, I needed to make a quick call. The bathroom phone was an option, but… it seemed cleaner to use my own phone. Then I realized, I was wearing dirty hiking boots.
The Emotional Verdict:
Okay, so is the Baymont by Wyndham in Edson the poshest hotel you'll ever stay in? Absolutely not. Is it perfect? Nope. But is it a perfectly decent, clean and relatively comfortable base camp for exploring the stunning Canadian Rockies? Absolutely. It's practical, it's generally accessible, and the free Wi-Fi is a huge plus.
Final Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars (with a bonus star for the blackout curtains.)
Would I recommend it? Yes, especially if you're on a budget and need a convenient place to crash after a day of hiking, or your way to the Rockies from the prairies. Just pack your own coffee and temper your expectations a tiny bit. And maybe bring some extra hand sanitizer, just in case.
Paradise Found: Your Oahu North Shore Getaway Awaits in Laie!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your sanitized, perfectly-planned travelogue. This is my Edson, Alberta, Baymont by Wyndham adventure, raw and unfiltered. Let's get this train wreck on the road!
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Gas Station Quest (and Existential Dread)
- Morning (ish): Flight into Edmonton. Ugh. Airports. Enough said. The fluorescent lights alone are enough to drain the will to live. Found my way to the rental car - a dusty, slightly dented SUV named "Betsy." Betsy and I have a complicated relationship, mostly involving me yelling at her to go faster on the highway.
- Mid-day: The drive to Edson. Actually, the quest to Edson. The map said "two hours," but Betsy and I took closer to three. Because, Canada. Because, scenic beauty. And because, let's be honest, I needed to stop every twenty minutes to stretch my legs and question all my life choices. And also because… gas.
- The Great Gas Station Quest: This is a thing. I swear, gas stations in rural Alberta are a microcosm of society. One place was a hive of truckers and the smell of stale coffee. Another, a weirdly charming place with taxidermied everything and a woman who called me "hon." I filled up Betsy, grabbed a questionable bag of chips (Canadian chips are different, y'all), and gazed out at the vast prairie. It’s a beautiful, lonely kind of beautiful, and I felt… something. A tiny, fragile seed of peace? Or just the lack of caffeine kicking in? Jury's still out.
- Late Afternoon: Arrived at the Baymont. First impressions: clean, mostly. The lobby smelled faintly of chlorine and something vaguely floral, probably the cleaning spray. The front desk clerk seemed… resigned? I get it. My room: standard hotel room fare. A bed that looked like it might be comfortable, a TV I probably wouldn’t use, and a view of… the parking lot. Excellent.
- Evening: Dinner at the nearby East Side Mario's (because, Canada). The pasta was… fine. The service? Well, it was friendly. The waitress (who was probably younger than my oldest stapler) gave me a weirdly sympathetic look when I ordered a glass of wine. Probably because I’d spent the entire drive muttering to myself about the meaning of life. Back at the hotel, I attempted to watch some TV. Decided to embrace the small-town vibe and just… stare out the window at the parking lot. It’s oddly meditative. Or maybe I was just exhausted.
Day 2: Exploring (and Questioning My Sanity)
- Morning: Woke up. Alive! This is a win. Breakfast at the hotel: generic hotel breakfast. The scrambled eggs looked like they’d been born in a lab, but I ate them anyway. Coffee was… coffee. Needed it. Badly.
- Mid-day: Time to explore Edson. Which, in my case, meant driving around for an hour, getting slightly lost, and then finding a park. Spent about an hour strolling through the park. Thought I saw a squirrel staring at me judgmentally. Started to ponder the existential implications of squirrels. Is that their job?
- Afternoon: Big-Boy adventure: Found a small, local museum. I went in, not knowing what to expect. I was actually surprised, they have some things from WWII, the local native reservations, and some local heroes.
- Late Afternoon: Attempted to go hiking. Found a trail behind the hotel. It was less "trail" and more "slightly packed-down dirt path that might or might not be a bear's favorite hangout." The trail ended up being not all that impressive and a little too easy to get off. I ended up giving up, coming back to the hotel, and taking a nap instead.
- Evening: Dinner somewhere else. Trying to stay away from chains. There was a local pizza place that was passable enough. Went back to the hotel, I drank a lot of water.
Day 3: The Edson Farewell (and the Deepening Existential Dread)
- Morning: Woke up feeling… surprisingly okay. Maybe I was starting to embrace the Edson vibe. Or maybe the lack of any real excitement had finally lulled my brain into a state of blissful nothingness. Packed my things. Said goodbye to the parking lot.
- Mid-day: Checked out. Started the drive back to Edmonton.
- Afternoon: The drive back. The Prairie again. The vastness. Betsy's grumbling engine. It was… something. I don’t know. Peaceful? Boring? Terrifying? All of the above?
- Evening: Back in Edmonton. The airport. The lights. The existential dread. I probably should’ve stayed in Edson. I need to go home.
Final Thoughts:
Edson, Alberta. It's… an experience. It's not glamorous. It’s not particularly exciting. But it’s real. It’s honest. It’s a place where you can stare out at the prairie and question everything. And maybe, just maybe, find a tiny bit of peace in the quiet, the mundane, the slightly dusty reality of it all. Or maybe you’ll just end up feeling like you need a whole lot of therapy. Good luck. Me? I'm off to find a very strong coffee.
Jellico's BEST Kept Secret: Days Inn Getaway (TN State Line)
So, "Escape to the Canadian Rockies"... is that, like, a *lie*?
Okay, LOOK. Let's be real. The "Canadian Rockies" part? Technically true. Edson is *near* them. You can *see* them... from somewhere. Probably not the Baymont parking lot, which, let's be honest, is more of a "collection of vehicles of various vintages and states of repair" than a breathtaking vista. You'll need a bit of driving. A *lot* of driving. And a strong sense of optimism. But hey, the Rockies are AMAZING once you get there. Just don't expect them to magically appear in your window like some budget-friendly Hallmark movie.
Alright, let's talk about the rooms. Are they...clean?
Clean? Ah, now we enter the realm of subjective interpretation. Let's just say "clean" is the *aim*. I once found a rogue Skittle under the bed. And not a new one. More like a… *fossilized* Skittle. A testament to the passage of time and perhaps, the limitations of the cleaning crew. Honestly? I’ve stayed in worse. Much, much worse. But "clean" shouldn't be a *question*! Still, the sheets *looked* clean! I think. (I might have inspected them with a forensic level of scrutiny, after the Skittle incident.)
And the "continental breakfast"? What culinary delights await?
Oh, the breakfast. Here’s where the "escape" part of the name really gets tested, because it's an escape *from* exciting food. Think… mass-produced donuts of questionable origin. Bagels that could double as hockey pucks. Cereal that clings stubbornly to your teeth. I’m not saying it's *bad*, per se. I’m saying it’s… an experience. A *defining* experience of the budget travel lifestyle. The coffee, though? That's the real wild card. Sometimes it’s surprisingly decent. Other times… well, let's just say it's an acquired taste. (Acquired from a deep, abiding need for caffeine after a long day of driving.) I once saw a guy load up his plate with eight different kinds of cereal. That's commitment, people. That's the Baymont spirit! Respect.
The pool! Is the pool a highlight?
Okay, the POOL. This is where things get interesting. They *have* a pool. A somewhat… *peculiar* pool. It’s indoors. It's often warm. But the lighting? Oh, the lighting. It has that underwater, industrial-grade blue glow that makes everyone look slightly… spectral. And the chlorine smell? Let's just say you won't need to worry about any pesky germs. Ever. I saw a kid once, maybe ten years old, with a scuba mask and full snorkel setup, and he was *loving* it. Truly, madly, deeply. He became a symbol of hope and resilience. Maybe he knew something I didn't. Maybe he knew the Baymont magic.
What's the WiFi situation like? Crucial for Instagramming my Rockies adventure!
Ah, the WiFi. Prepare for a test of your patience, young traveler. It’s… adequate. Sometimes. You know, the kind where you can *technically* scroll through Instagram, but your photos take approximately a week and a half to upload. Streaming a movie? Forget it. Unless you enjoy watching buffering screens and contemplating the meaning of life. I once tried to download a map for the Rockies. It took so long, I considered using a compass and a paper map. (Remember those?!) That's not a complaint, just a heads up, a friendly warning to preload your entertainment and embrace the digital detox. It's good for the soul, right?
Is there anything NEAR the Baymont? Like, good restaurants?
Okay, reality check! Edson isn't exactly a foodie paradise. There are options. Plenty of chains, yeah. A couple of local joints that are... well, they exist. I had a... memorable burger at one place. It filled a whole. A hole in my stomach, certainly. And it was... fine. Don't expect Michelin stars. Expect… fuel. You'll get fuel. And maybe some fries. And you know, isn't that really what a road trip is all about?
Let's talk about the staff. Are they... helpful? Friendly?
The staff? Okay, here's the thing: THEY'RE HUMAN. And they're probably working hard. The front desk folks were always... pleasant. Sometimes *overly* pleasant. Like, bordering-on-suspiciously pleasant. But hey, maybe that's just their way. I think its safe to say they do their best within somewhat limited parameters. They're probably dealing with more than their fair share of…unique requests. Lost keys? Complaints about the WiFi? Questions about the mysterious Skittle under the bed? So yeah, they're helpful. In a pragmatic, weary-but-still-smiling kind of way. God bless 'em.
So, overall, would you RECOMMEND the Baymont by Wyndham Edson? Be honest!
Okay, deep breath. Here's the painful truth: The Baymont is NOT luxury. It's not glamorous. It's not… *memorable* in the way you might hope. But it is… *functional*. It's a place to lay your head after a long day of driving. It's a base camp from which you can launch your assault on the Canadian Rockies (once you've driven a bit further). It provides shelter. It provides a place to escape the elements, to shower, and yes, to contemplate the philosophical implications of a fossilized Skittle. Is it the *best* hotel? Maybe not. Is it the *worst*? Probably also not. In the end, it's an experience. And who knows, maybe that experience will be uniquely perfect for *you*.
So, yeah, go. Embrace the adventure. Just... lower your expectations. And maybe bring your own coffee.
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