High Expectations: Find Out What's New In The Soo!

By Craig West Craig West is a musician, occasional writer, and former traveller, who now runs a recording studio.

January 24, 2014

The year is 1981 and I’m 11 years old. I'm riding in a shuttle bus that’s transporting my family and I from the Los Angeles airport to our hotel. It’s nighttime and the thick L.A. air makes it feel like another planet. A taxicab swerves in front of the shuttle bus, and our driver and the cabbie exchange profanities.

We’re only staying in Los Angeles for one night, prior to heading to San Diego to visit family. The hotel is grey and so is our room. There is a small balcony and the room smells like stale cigarettes. I’m thrilled. There was always something special about staying in a hotel, even if it was rather unexceptional. How times have changed.

Fast forward to 2009, and I’m staying at the Four Seasons in Florence, Italy; a former Medici palace. The bathroom is carved out of marble, and every time I leave and return, fresh oranges mysteriously appear in the room. I feel like a king. This experience, once enjoyed only by the very wealthy, is now becoming more and more accessible due to services such as Price Line and very competitive pricing as offered by luxury hotel chains. But of course, with increased awareness comes increased expectations.

Today, travellers demand more for their hard-earned money. Simply having a dry place to sleep for the night, and perhaps a swim, is no longer the exciting experience it was 30 years ago. People are looking for more amenities and luxuries than ever before, and there is a heightened awareness now that those luxuries exist at affordable rates. Thanks to television, the Internet and word-of-mouth, travellers are now savvier, more aware and they have more refined tastes.

Since Sault Ste. Marie is located in Northern Ontario, travellers may think that when they visit they'll have to compromise on their hotel and dining experiences while staying in our fair city.

However, in the past year, there has been a veritable reboot of the Soo’s hotel industry. Many existing older facilities have undergone breathtaking renovations, while new accommodations have been constructed to serve the city's tourism and business needs.

The Delta Sault Ste. Marie Waterfront Hotel and Conference Centre - A First for Northern Ontario

Located on Sault Ste. Marie's waterfront, Northern Ontario's very first Delta opened for business in early 2010, complete with over $6 million in complete multimillion dollar redevelopment. The new structure delivers four-star, upscale amenities including mini fridges, flat screen TV, coffee maker, iron & ironing board in all room and IPod docking stations in all deluxe rooms. The hotel also features a fitness centre, health clubpool, hot tub, dry sauna, and brand new business centre and meeting rooms. All 195 rooms feature the Delta Sanctuary bed and June Jacobs spa products, while the new View Restaurant & Bar along with Fluid Patio & Bar (weather permitted) features an extensive wine collection, fine dining, and a breathtaking view of the St. Mary's river.

The Fairfield by Marriott –Modern, Contemporary and New

SThe Fairfield by Marriott sports a bold contemporary look. The 82-room inn, 24 of which are suites, features comfortable and modern amenities including mini fridges, microwaves, coffee maker, flat screen TV and pay-per view movies. The Fairfield by Marriott also offers its guests complementary continental breakfast with 2 hot items, an indoor swimming pool with whirlpool spa, exercise room, meeting space, complimentary high-speed Internet, a fax and copy services. The Fairfield by Marriott is located just minutes from all the city's major tourist attractions and is surrounded by restaurants and shopping.

Algoma's Water Tower Inn & Suites—Freshly Minted

Algoma's Water Tower Inn & Suites is a full-service resort with 180 newly minted suites and rooms for individual, group and family accommodations. The room include mini fridges, coffee makers with Star bucks coffee , flat screen TV an free wireless internet. This unique and charming hotel features a newly renovated lobby with a digital back drop showcasing Sault Ste. Marie’s beautiful natured landscaping and cozy fireplace. Club Cabana Aqua Spa (a 24 hour health club with indoor and outdoor salt water whirlpools, pools and a sauna), Casey's Rrestaurant, Star Buck Express Coffee shop and The Pub with 12 beers on tap and wood oven pizzas. You will also enjoyOther features include the McGuffin Gallery located in the hotel's stunning Pavilion and showcasing photography from The Great Lakes Heritage Coast by Gary and Joanie McGuffin.

Comfort Suites & Convention Centre—A Suite Deal

Following multimillion-dollar renovations carried out in 2010, Comfort Suites & Convention Centre features 157 suites including mini fridge, microwave, coffee maker, kitchenette, flat screen TV with HBO and a complimentary hot continental breakfast. The Comfort Suites also includes an, indoor pool, hot tub, sauna, exercise facilities, spa and a 24-lane Bowling Centre. The hotel is also the home of the city's newest restaurant, Quattro, which prides itself on offering guests “whatever they're in the mood for" in an upscale, urban atmosphere.

City Centre Travelodge – Affordable Luxury

At the City Centre Travelodge, attractive renovations inside and out will meet all your business or leisure needs. All their well-appointed guest rooms now include a new pillow top mattress, new granite countertops and sinks, mini fridge, microwave, coffee maker and flat screen TV. The hotel also features underground parking, meeting rooms, business facilities and exercise facility. The Absolutely Delicious Cafe is located at the street level of the hotel, serving great food and baked goods.

regular 9772 City Centre Travelodge Standard One Queen Bed Room

Quality Inn—Comfort and Convenience

Located right across from Sault Ste. Marie's Tour Train and Station Mall, and walking distance from OLG Casino Sault Ste. Marie, the award-winning Quality Inn is completely renovated and upgraded its 108 guest rooms in 2010. The hotel also features the popular Gliss restaurant for fine dining, along with an indoor pool, /sauna, whirlpool, exercise facilities, meeting rooms and complementary high speed Internet access.

Visitors to Sault Ste. Marie need not settle can expect the highest level of quality when it comes to amenities or luxuries while visiting for a night, a weekend or beyond. So when you plan your trip to Sault Ste. Marie, don’t worry about your expectations. Chances are no matter how high they are, they’ll be duly met from the moment you check in.

Story by Craig West

Visit www.saulttourism.com for more information on things to see and do in Sault Ste. Marie!

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About Craig West

Craig West is a musician, occasional writer, and former traveller, who now runs a recording studio. His academic background features a BA in English literature and he worked for many years as the Creative Director of an ad agency, where he also doubled as copywriter. Today he enjoys staying in one place, helping people who need an album recorded or a travel article written, and composing music.