Escape to Paradise: Your Dream Motel Awaits in Trois-Rivieres!
Escape to Paradise: Your Dream Motel Awaits in Trois-Rivieres!
Escape to Paradise? More Like a Quirky Quest in Trois-Rivieres: My Unfiltered Review of "Your Dream Motel Awaits"!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I just wrestled my way out of "Escape to Paradise" – the "Dream Motel" in Trois-Rivieres. And let me tell you, it was less "paradise" and more… well, let's just say a journey. This ain't your polished travel blog review; this is my truth, warts and all, seasoned with a generous dash of "did I make the right choices in life?"
First Impressions: Curb Appeal & The Quest for the Lobby
The brochure promised a sleek, modern Eden. The reality? Let's just say the exterior corridor had a certain… je ne sais quoi of faded grandeur. And finding the lobby? That felt like a scavenger hunt. But hey, at least there was a CCTV outside property, which, given the slightly… unique vibe, was mildly reassuring.
Accessibility & The Great Elevator Adventure
Now, I'm not in a wheelchair myself, but I always appreciate a place that tries. "Escape to Paradise" says it's Wheelchair accessible, and there is an Elevator. Finding said elevator was, again, part of the quest. I'd say it's more like functionally accessible with a good deal of navigating.
The Digital Dawn: Internet & the Hunt for Wi-Fi
Right, the Internet. Crucial, right? They boast Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!, which is absolutely imperative in the 21st century. And yes, it was there. But getting it to work reliably? That was like trying to herd cats. I even tried to be "tech-savvy" and use the Internet [LAN] option in the room, but honestly, that felt like something from the early 2000s. I had to yell a curse at my notebook for minutes.
The Room: My Kingdom… of Questionable Decor
Okay, my room. The Air conditioning blasted like a hurricane, which was great because I was sweating from the walk-through. It had a Bathroom phone (who uses those anymore?), Bathrobes, and even Slippers. And a Mirror. A lot of mirrors. I think a little too much, it made me feel I am in a disco dance. The Blackout curtains were a lifesaver, though. I needed them after the late-night trek to the Convenience store to get a sugary drink. It was like entering a time capsule, even for a convenience store.
The Desk was functional, although I wouldn't call it a Laptop workspace. The Internet access – wireless again, proved… problematic. Let's just say I spent a good chunk of my stay staring at the spinning "loading" icon. The Coffee/tea maker was appreciated, but a little underpowered.
And the most crucial detail? The Window that opens. A MUST.
Cleanliness & Safety: The "Safe Dining Setup" and My Germaphobia
This place tries. They have Anti-viral cleaning products and follow the Daily disinfection in common areas. The staff seem well-trained in Safety protocol. I found Hand sanitizer dispensers everywhere, which eased my mind. I even saw some Professional-grade sanitizing services happening after people left.
The Safe dining setup at the restaurant was decent, and hey, the Individually-wrapped food options were great for my paranoia.
Food & Drink: The Culinary Rollercoaster
Oh boy. The Breakfast [buffet] was… well, it was a buffet. There was Asian breakfast, Western breakfast, and everything in between. I opted for a simple Coffee shop encounter and some Breakfast takeaway service. The food was okay, nothing spectacular. The Poolside bar was… interesting. I had a Bottle of water and watched the world go by.
The Restaurants themselves offered a varied menu. I was too scared to try the Asian cuisine in restaurant after my last experience. So, I decided on some Western cuisine in restaurant and some Desserts in restaurant. Delicious, I tell you.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Spa Dreams and Reality Checks
They have a Pool with view, which was definitely a highlight. A Swimming pool [outdoor] is a must. I didn't use it, but it was there.
They have a whole range of spa treatments listed: Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath. But really… I just needed a nap after the whole Wi-Fi saga.
Services & Conveniences: The Helpful (and the Not-so-Helpful)
The Concierge was friendly, even if they didn't have answers to all my questions. The Daily housekeeping was a lifesaver, especially after my aforementioned beverage expedition. There's a Gift/souvenir shop, too - a great place to pick up a stress ball. The Laundry service was actually pretty good - a lifesaver.
But accessing the Car park [free of charge] and the Car park [on-site] was a nightmare - you had to walk miles and miles to find it. They also have Cash withdrawal for those who enjoy such services.
For the Kids: Babysitters and… More Questions
They claim to cater to kids, with Family/child friendly and Kids facilities. I saw a few kids, and they seemed… happy.
Getting Around: My Personal Struggle Bus
You can use Taxi service and Airport transfer if you have an important appointment.
The Verdict: Paradise Found? More Like… A Good Story.
Would I recommend "Escape to Paradise"? Maybe. It's certainly an… experience. It's got its quirks, its imperfections, its moments of pure absurdity. If you're looking for picture-perfect luxury, maybe look elsewhere. But if you're up for an adventure, a story to tell, and a good laugh, then maybe… just maybe… "Escape to Paradise" is worth a whirl.
Just pack a good book (because the Wi-Fi might fail), a sense of humor, and maybe a hazmat suit. You have been warned.
Sault Ste. Marie's BEST Kept Secret: Comfort Inn Luxury Awaits!Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because we're about to embark on a journey…to Trois-Rivières, Quebec. Land of poutine, polite people, and…well, the Motel Canadien. Let’s just say I’m approaching this with the wide-eyed optimism of a caffeinated squirrel.
Trois-Rivières, QC: Motel Canadien Mayhem (and maybe some culture?)
(Day 1: Arrival and the Fine Art of Winging It)
- 1:00 PM - Arrive at the Motel Canadien: Okay, first impressions. Let's just say the rustic charm is…well, present. The sign looks like it's seen better decades. The parking lot is a patchwork of asphalt and potholes that could swallow a small car. I'm already steeling myself for a possible encounter with a rogue squirrel…or a slightly less appealing rodent. Check-in. Did I mention my French is rusty? "Bonjour…uh…room?" Deep breath. Wish me luck.
- 1:30 PM - Room Inspection: The room is… functional. Clean-ish. The carpet begs the question, "What happened here?" I'm pretty sure I can smell the faint ghosts of a thousand chain-smokers past. One working lamp. One questionable bedspread. No microwave. No mini-fridge. This is… character-building, right? Okay, positive vibes. Focus on the fact that there's a window! (And, for the record, the Wi-Fi works, which is a small victory.)
- 2:00 PM - Snack Attack & Planning "Adventure": Digging into my suitcase, I pull out the essentials: a bag of chips, a bottle of water, and a travel-sized bottle of hand sanitizer. Safety first, people. Now, for the grand plan. I should have booked some tours, researched restaurants, looked at walking routes. But…I didn't. My "plan" is basically, "Wander around until something interesting happens." This is either going to be a glorious adventure or a complete train wreck. I'm leaning towards the latter.
- 3:00 PM - Exploring the "Local Wonders" (The first walkabout): Okay, so I’m going to wander out of the Motel Canadien and into… well, somewhere. I aim for down the street. I’m immediately confronted with the local offerings: a rather interesting looking pub with a few locals already out on the patio, and a pawn shop. “Intriguing, ” I mutter to myself while crossing the street.
- 3:30 PM - The Pub Intrigue: I resist the pub; I’ll check it in a bit, I note to myself . I’m not ready to be the tourist in a local setting…yet. Although the idea of a cold local brew sounds tempting.
- 4:00 PM - Dinner (or the lack thereof): Okay, time to admit it: I'm starving. I try to find a good place by my place to eat a casual dinner- but the options are slim. It's either "chain" or places that seems not to fit my mood. I decide to just go back to the room and have the rest of the bag of chips.
- 5:00 PM - The Evening Begins: I want to start getting ready for the evening, and decide to take a shower. I turn the tap and the water just trickles. I check the water pressure. Now there is no water. The pressure is low. I start laughing. It’s 5 in the evening in a motel, and I have no shower. Great! I will take a shower in the morning.
- 7:00 PM - Embracing the Silence: Turns out the room is remarkably soundproof. Like, too soundproof. Starting to miss the subtle hum of city life. It’s a long night, and I don’t fully embrace the silence.
- 9:00 PM - Bedtime Rituals: Try to read (the book I packed is boring). Listen to a podcast (keeps falling asleep). Try to fall asleep. This is the life, isn’t it?
(Day 2: Culture, Cafés, and the Quest for Good Coffee (and Maybe a Decent Shower))
- 8:00 AM - Wake Up: Okay, so the lack of a shower wasn't ideal. I’ve got to find another way to wake up, and shake off this feeling of… well, I have no idea. One should be prepared for this.
- 9:00 AM - The Coffee Crisis: The motel's coffee is like dishwater. Seriously, I think I’ve tasted stronger water. I need real coffee. I set out on a quest for a coffee shop, any coffee shop.
- 10:00 AM - The Old City Walk: I find a coffee shop! I order a double espresso. Now, I feel ready to make something of myself! It's time to explore the Old City! I wander around and discover the charming Old City. The cobblestone streets, the historic buildings…it's pretty darn picturesque.
- 11:30 AM - The Museum Visit (and a Tiny Meltdown): I go to the museum! It’s alright. Not amazing.
- 12:30 PM - Lunch: I go back into the Old City. Try to find a restaurant with charming ambiance. And I find one! I can’t remember the name, but the sandwich was delicious. I take a big bite!
- 2:00 PM - The Art Scene: I browse some art galleries. I’m no art critic, but something catches my eye: a painting of a slightly grumpy-looking cat. I buy it. I have no idea where I'm going to put it, but it's mine now!
- 4:00 PM - The Canard: I’m getting a little tired of walking. I decide to go back to the room and watch some TV. I decide to take a peek at other channels, when I find something I've never seen before, and can't watch a movie about! It looks so interesting!
- 6:00 PM - The Pub is Back: I go to the Pub. I enjoy the pub. The people are kind, and I strike up a conversation with a local about the local hockey team. We drink and laugh!
- 8:00 PM - The Food: It was an early night. I’m hungry.
- 9:00 PM - Bedtime Rituals: This time I remember to close the curtains!
(Day 3: Departure and the Aftermath)
- 8:00 AM - Check Out: It’s time to leave. I’m almost sad to be going. I say goodbye to the front desk, and make a note that the room 15 had no water.
- 9:00 AM - Drive Out: It’s time. I say goodbye to the Motel. I have to say, I’m feeling a mix of relief and nostalgia. It was… an experience. An experience I'll never forget (mostly because I have the painting of the grumpy cat).
- 10:00 AM - Drive Out: I drive, and promise to come back later!
Final Thoughts:
Trois-Rivières and the Motel Canadien? It was a mixed bag, to say the least. But I learned a few things: 1) Always pack extra toiletries and bring coffee; 2) Embrace the unexpected; 3) A grumpy-looking cat can brighten anyone's day.
Would I recommend the Motel Canadien? Well, it's certainly…memorable. Just go in with low expectations and a sense of humor. And maybe pack a portable shower. And a spare roll of toilet paper. You know, just in case.
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