Hotel Penticton, Independent

The hotel stands out for its recently renovated and spacious rooms, particularly the impressive bathrooms featuring large tubs and rain showers, which many guests found to be a luxurious highlight. Its central location is consistently praised, offering easy walking access to the beach, downtown attractions, and the convention center. The staff are frequently commended for their exceptional friendliness, helpfulness, and accommodating nature, significantly enhancing the guest experience. This makes the hotel an excellent choice for families seeking convenient access to activities, couples looking for a comfortable and updated retreat, and sightseers or business travelers who value proximity to key areas. To ensure a comfortable stay, guests might consider requesting a room away from the main street for quieter nights and confirming the specific room type to enjoy the updated features.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel offers a pool and hot tub area, which is a popular amenity, especially for families with children, though some guests noted issues with murky water, lack of towels, or ants in the hot tub area, suggesting inconsistent cleanliness. There are also mentions of the pool being dated or having limited hours. Guests appreciate the convenience of in-room fridges and microwaves, which are considered handy for longer stays. Some rooms are equipped with a Nespresso machine, adding a touch of luxury, while others have a standard coffee maker. Free Wi-Fi is available and generally found to be reliable. The hotel provides EV charging for electric vehicles, though some users found it to be a slow, third-party service. Additionally, some rooms feature a balcony or patio, offering outdoor space, and laundry facilities are available for guest use.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Feedback on cleanliness is notably mixed; while many guests found their rooms spotless and well-maintained, particularly in newly renovated sections, a significant number reported issues such as dirty floors that left feet black, stains on sheets, human hair in bathrooms, and general filth in common areas. Some older rooms are described as dated or run down, showing signs of wear. Bed comfort also varies, with some guests praising the comfortable beds and soft mattresses, while others found them uncomfortable or too soft, with issues like lumps or springs. Noise levels are a concern for some, with reports of loud air conditioning, street noise, and disturbances from other guests due to perceived poor soundproofing. However, many appreciate the spacious rooms and the updated bathrooms, which often feature large tubs, rain showers, and even jacuzzi tubs, providing a luxurious feel. Some guests noted issues with bathroom lighting or shower water temperature.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel benefits greatly from its attached restaurant, the Bears Den, which is consistently highlighted by guests for its great food and delicious breakfast and lunch options. Many appreciate the convenience of having a dining establishment on-site, often receiving a 10% discount as hotel guests. While the Bears Den is a popular choice for meals, some guests expressed a desire for a complimentary continental breakfast to be included with their stay, noting that the overall cost can increase without this option. There is also a Denny's conveniently located across the street for additional dining choices. For in-room convenience, some guests noted the absence of room service. The hotel also offers a coffee machine in the lobby with various specialty drinks, which is a welcome amenity for many.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's central location is a significant advantage, consistently praised by guests for its excellent proximity to key attractions. It is within easy walking distance to the beach, downtown Penticton, and various restaurants and shops, making it ideal for exploring the area on foot. Guests also appreciate its closeness to the Penticton Channel, LocoLanding, and the convention center. The hotel offers free parking at the front, which is generally found to be ample, even for larger vehicles and trailers, though some guests noted the parking area could be a little tight. Its position also provides easy access to the highway, facilitating travel in and out of town. While the immediate surrounding area might not be considered aesthetically pleasing by all, the convenience of its location outweighs this for most visitors.

Staff & Service
The staff at the hotel consistently receive high praise, with guests frequently describing them as exceptionally friendly, helpful, accommodating, and professional. Many reviews highlight the front desk staff for their kindness, knowledge of the local area, and willingness to assist with various requests, from providing recommendations to quickly addressing in-room issues like a non-working coffee maker. While most experiences with check-in are positive, described as a breeze, some guests reported isolated incidents of rude staff or concerns regarding credit card handling during the process. Feedback on housekeeping is mixed; some guests found their rooms well-serviced, while others noted a lack of daily service or issues with initial room cleanliness, suggesting a need for more consistent training for the cleaning crew. The hotel is also noted for its pet-friendly service, which is appreciated by guests traveling with animals.

Additional Information
Guests should be aware of the hotel's pet-friendly policy, which is a significant draw for those traveling with animals. However, a recurring concern for many guests is the unusually high damage deposit, often reported as $300, which some found unexpected upon arrival and experienced delays in receiving refunds. Another frequently mentioned point is the bright electronic sign outside the hotel, which some guests found to be a significant disturbance at night, shining into rooms and affecting sleep, even with blinds closed. The hotel is an older property that has undergone recent renovations, particularly in the rooms, though some common areas may still appear dated. Guests also noted that late check-out may incur additional fees. While the hotel aims to provide accessible rooms, one guest reported that a booked wheelchair accessible room had a bathtub instead of the expected roll-in shower.