Saskatoon Staycation: Unbeatable Deals at the Iconic Bessborough!
Saskatoon Staycation: My Rollercoaster Ride at The Bessborough (Spoiler: Totally Worth It!)
Okay, so I booked this "Unbeatable Deals" Saskatoon Staycation at the Radisson Bessborough Hotel – or "The Bess" as the cool kids call it – and, honestly? I went in half-expecting…well, let's just say my romantic notions of historic hotels have been shattered by reality more than once. But this? This was… something else. Let's dive into the glorious, messy details.
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag, But Mostly Good Vibes
First off, accessibility. I’ve gotta be honest, I’m not using a wheelchair or anything, but I'm hyper-aware of these things. And The Bessborough? Pretty good. They've got an elevator, which is a HUGE win already. I saw ramp access in some areas too, which is great. However, finding specific details online about accessibility on their website was like trying to find a parking spot at a Roughriders game…frustratingly difficult. They definitely need to highlight that better. Now, the exterior corridor situation, I'm not sure whether it applies here, but the rooms seemed accessible from the main lobby, which is a plus.
On-site Accessible Restaurants/Lounges: Hmm, I didn't specifically investigate, but the layout looked… well, mostly accessible. I need to clarify and update if I find out anything concrete later. The CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside the property definitely felt reassuring, though.
Cleanliness and Safety: Feeling Pretty Safe, Actually
This is where The Bess really shines. Seriously. I’m a germaphobe at heart (don’t judge!), and I was genuinely impressed. The anti-viral cleaning products claim? Believable. They weren’t just saying they were cleaning; you could feel it. The daily disinfection in common areas was visible, and the constant presence of hand sanitizer dispensers was a godsend. Plus, the staff? Staff trained in safety protocol. They weren’t just going through the motions; they genuinely seemed to care. Rooms sanitized between stays? Yup, definitely. They even offered a room sanitization opt-out available, which I thought was a nice, low-pressure touch. Did I mention the first aid kit, hot water linen and laundry washing, and the hygiene certification? Okay, maybe the hygiene certification stuff made my inner hypochondriac do a happy dance.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Food, Glorious, Food (And Potential Hangover)
Okay, let's talk food. And trust me, there's a LOT to talk about. The restaurants on-site are… well, it's The Bessborough. You expect good. And they delivered.
- Breakfast [buffet]: This was a highlight! The buffet in restaurant was beautifully presented (and I saw staff constantly refilling and checking). I went buffet-crazy. Seriously, I was like a hungry bear emerging from hibernation. The Asian breakfast options were a nice touch, although I mostly stuck to the Western spread, which was superb. A tiny, tiny complaint? The coffee could have been a bit stronger. Breakfast takeaway service, a good idea.
- Restaurants and Lounges: I had a divine meal at one of the restaurants. It's International cuisine in restaurant, I highly recommend the pasta dish. They even had Asian cuisine in restaurant—I didn’t try it, but it looked amazing. The coffee/tea in restaurant was great, and the desserts in restaurant? Forget about it, pure indulgence. Also, bar? Yes, please!
- Poolside bar: Another win. I think I ordered far too many cocktails by the pool, but hey, that's what staycations are for! Happy hour? Naturally.
- Room service [24-hour]: Bless them. Especially after those poolside cocktails. Perfect for ordering a late-night snack when you’re feeling lazy. Bottle of water provided in the room was much appreciated. And the snack bar was stocked with everything I needed.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax: Spa Day Dreams (and Fitness Failures)
This is where my inner lazybones shone. I mean, The Bessborough is built for relaxation.
- Spa: Oh. My. God. The Body scrub and Body wrap options made me feel like royalty. I didn't get an massage (regret!), but I walked past the spa and it looked divine. The Spa/Sauna, and Steamroom were on my list, but I just ran out of time. Next time, I'm blocking off an entire day.
- Swimming pool: The Swimming pool [outdoor] was closed when I went, the Sauna and Foot bath also eluded me this visit.
- Fitness center: I attempted the Gym/fitness thing. Keyword: attempted. Let's just say I spent more time admiring the view from the window than actually working out. Sigh.
- Ways to Relax: Honestly, just being in the hotel was relaxing. I spent hours in my seating area just staring out the window that opens at the river, sipping coffee, and letting all my worries melt away.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
The Bessborough nailed the details.
- Check-in/out [express]: Smooth as butter. Contactless check-in/out was a huge plus.
- Daily housekeeping? Immaculate. Seriously, my room was always spotless. And the daily disinfection of my room? I loved it.
- Concierge: Super helpful, always smiling.
- Laundry service and Ironing service: A lifesaver, especially after a clumsy wine-spilling incident (don't ask).
- Safety deposit boxes: Always a good idea for peace of mind.
- Air conditioning in public area and Air conditioning: Absolutely essential.
- Parking The Bessborough has a car park [on-site] which is very convenient.
For the Kids: Families Welcome (I Think?)
I didn’t bring any kids, so I can't speak from experience, but I saw some families around. The babysitting service could come in handy. They also have Kids facilities.
Available in All Rooms: The Nitty Gritty
Okay, let’s talk about the room itself! My room? (Let's call it a "suite" because, hey, staycation!) It was fantastic.
- Wi-Fi [free]: Works perfectly.
- Air conditioning? Wonderful.
- Blackout curtains: Perfect for those lazy mornings.
- Coffee/tea maker: Essential.
- Desk: Got some work done, reluctantly.
- Hair dryer? Yep.
- In-room safe box: For valuables.
- Mini bar? Tempting, but I behaved.
- Refrigerator: Great for storing snacks.
- Satellite/cable channels: Plenty to choose from.
- Slippers and Bathrobes: Luxurious!
- Wake-up service: Perfect…
- More Amenities: I'm very pleased that there was a complimentary tea option.
- The Bathroom: Excellent toiletries. The mirror was a nice touch. There was a separate shower/bathtub.
Getting Around: Easy Peasy
- Car park [on-site]: Easy parking.
- Taxi service: Readily available.
The Quirks, Imperfections, and Other Realities
Okay, here's where The Bess isn't perfect. No place is, right?
- The Price: It was a staycation "deal," so it was reasonable. I'd have to check, but I'd say it was well worth it.
- The Internet: The Internet [LAN] wasn't applicable.
- The Extra Fees: Be prepared for charges for additional services, so read the fine print, I guess.
- The Noise: It's a historic hotel, so walls aren't always soundproof. I was lucky, but be aware.
- The Lack of Detail: Certain aspects could definitely be more detailed on the Bessborough's website, accessibility information for instance.
Final Verdict: Go. Just Go.
Despite my petty complaints and moments of utter laziness, my Saskatoon staycation at The Bessborough was fantastic. It's a beautiful, historic hotel with excellent service, great food, and a genuine commitment to cleanliness and safety. This hotel has it all: from breakfast in room to the poolside bar, my time there was truly memorable. I've been recommending it to everyone I know. Yes, the price can be a bit of a sticker shock, but with the "Unbeatable Deals" you get, it is well worth it! I'm already planning my next visit. Go, book a room,
Escape to Texas Paradise: Mustang Inn & Suites Awaits!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're not crafting some pristine, perfectly-formatted travel itinerary here. This is a journey, a messy, wonderfully human journey, through the hallowed halls (and potentially the slightly-less-hallowed swimming pool) of the Delta Hotels by Marriott Bessborough in Saskatoon. Let's see if we survive… emotionally, at least.
The Bessborough Bungle: A Saskatoon Sojourn (or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Perogies)
Day 1: Arrival, Awkwardness, and Anticipation (aka, The "Is This Place Actually Haunted?" Day)
- 16:00 (ish) - Arrival & Initial Panic: Okay, first off, Saskatoon is cold. Like, bone-chilling, soul-sucking cold. Stepping out of the airport felt like walking into a walk-in freezer. But then, I saw it: The Bessborough. It's stunning. Like, fairytale-castle stunning. I practically squealed. But also… a little unnerved. Doesn't it look like a place where a Victorian ghost might pop out and ask you for a cup of tea? I seriously considered bringing a Ouija board. Priorities, people. Priorities.
- 16:30 - The Check-In Catastrophe: The line was… long. Like, "I could write a novella while waiting" long. And honestly? My patience is thinner than a supermodel's diet. Finally, my turn! The lovely, but slightly overwhelmed, receptionist (bless her heart, she's probably seen it all) efficiently goes through the check-in process. Hotel key in hand, I head up to my room, feeling a little like a conquering hero… who needed a really, really strong coffee.
- 17:00 - Room Reconnaissance & Existential Dread: My room! Not haunted (yet!). The view? Spectacular. The room itself? Decently sized, but, I keep thinking, it could use a little bit more colour - everything looks somewhat formal, though it's understandable for the high standards of an establishment like this. But it was clean, the bed looked inviting, and the bathroom had a tub! A tub! I suddenly felt my long-held belief in bathing being a huge, unnecessary chore, start to crack. There's hope for me yet.
- 18:00 - Dinner Deliberations & the "Holy Gee-Whiz, That's Expensive" Moment: Time to eat. But alas, I have to get it from the hotel. The prices are insane, but the convenience is undeniable. I end up ordering room service. My bank account weeps silently.
- 19:00 - The Meal, the Movie, and the Mild Meltdown (aka, the First Crack in My Facade of Calm): My room service arrived! I ordered a salad; I'm now a salad guy, and this salad was decent. Now, time to sit down and watch a movie. My wifi connection decides to die on me, so I have to resort to watching a TV channel. sigh. And after a long day of traveling, I fall asleep in front of the TV.
Day 2: Perogy Pilgrimage & Poolside Pandemonium (aka, "My Swimsuit Doesn't Fit, Dammit!")
- 08:00 - Breakfast Bonanza (and the Great Coffee Crisis): Breakfast. A buffet! This is the morning's saving grace. The bacon was crispy, the eggs were fluffy, and the fruit was… well, fruit. But then… I realize it. The coffee… is a watered-down abomination. I need actual coffee, and fast. Maybe a double espresso from somewhere in town before anything else? I need something strong.
- 09:00 - Exploring Saskatoon and the Unending Quest for Coffee: Armed with a list of recommended local coffee shops, I venture out into the (still freezing) Saskatoon winter. It turns out, good coffee in Saskatoon is not hard to come by. I find a fantastic place with a charming barista and excellent espresso. I am renewed!
- 11:00 - The Perogy Predicament: Ok, this is a MUST. I NEED perogies. I heard Saskatoon has some killer perogy spots. I have to find the best ones.
- 12:00 - Lunch and the Perogy Verdict: (After a valiant search, of course!) I find Baba's Homestyle Perogies. They are divine. Seriously, these things were potato-y pillows of pure deliciousness, doused in onions and sour cream. I may or may not have ordered seconds. (I did). (Don't judge me).
- 14:00 - Poolside Panic (and the Unforeseen Disaster): I've decided to try the pool. The Bessborough has a pool. It's supposed to be luxurious. I grab my swimsuit, walk into the pool area… and realize my swimsuit no longer fits! I've gained weight, and I haven't taken this into account?! I wanted to have a relaxing swim, while drinking something from the poolside bar, but now the fun has turned into a self-conscious struggle. I had to head back up to my room and rethink my plans.
- 19:00 - Fine dining, and finally, a good night's sleep: I head back to the hotel and decide to try out the fine dining restaurant. They're serving some pretty fancy meals, but I don't care, I love this. Now time for me to head over to my room and pass out after a long day.
Day 3: Departure, Reflections, and the Lingering Smell of Perogies (aka, "Until Next Time, Saskatoon!")
- 08:00 - Breakfast & Final Coffee Run: Back to the breakfast buffet. Back to the passable coffee (I've learned to cope). I grab a second cup of coffee. I decide to head out and look for another local coffee shop, looking to find something to do before leaving.
- 09:00 - Final walk around the Bessborough: I decide to walk around the Bessborough before heading out to leave. I walk around the hotel and take one last look at the beautiful sights.
- 11:00 - Check-Out & the Bitter Sweet Goodbye: Check out goes smoothly. I thank the staff for their kindness and head over to my car. I did the best I could and I can't wait until I come back here again!
- 13:00 - Departure & Saskatoon's Lasting Impression: Driving away, I can't help feeling a pang of sadness. Saskatoon, even though it's cold and my swimsuit hates me, has… charm. The Bessborough, with its quirks and its ghostly potential, was a decent place to stay at. And those perogies… I'll be dreaming of those for weeks. This place is beautiful, and I will remember my time here forever.
Final Thoughts:
This wasn't a perfect trip. There were moments of frustration, moments of pure, unadulterated joy, and a whole lot of perogies. But that's life, right? And that's the beauty of travel. It's messy, it's unpredictable, and sometimes, you just need a really good perogy to make it all worthwhile. Until next time, Saskatoon!
Hyatt Place Augusta: Your Augusta Escape Awaits!
Saskatoon Staycation at The Bessborough: Ask Me Anything (Seriously, I've Been There, Done That...and Probably Drunk the Coffee)
Okay, spill. Is the Bessborough Staycation actually worth it? I see those ads everywhere.
Worth it? Oof, that depends. Let me tell you, the *pretense* of luxury is absolutely there. The Bessborough is *iconic*, right? You walk in, the chandeliers gleam, the lobby smells faintly of old money and... *maybe* mothballs? Look, I booked it thinking, "Treat yo' self, Sarah! You deserve a break from the toddler-wrangling and microwave dinners." And, you know what? I *did* deserve it. But the reality of "luxury" is... complicated.
So yeah, *technically* worth it? Absolutely. If you go in accepting you're not actually royalty, but a sleep-deprived human who needs a nice(ish) bed and a break from the dishes and endless laundry, then yeah. Treat yourself. Just don't expect the staff to bow as you enter. I mean, I kinda *wanted* them to... but, reality check, Sarah.
What about the rooms? Are they actually as fancy as they look in the pictures? Like, with a view?
The rooms… ah, the rooms. Okay, so listen. Those pictures? They're professionals. They've got angles, lighting, and probably some Photoshop magic. My room? It was… fine. Clean, yes. Comfortable, mostly. The view? Well, I requested a river view. I got *a* view. Of the river. And a parking lot. And some rooftops. Look, it was a definite improvement over my usual view of the overflowing garbage cans from my back window. But, river view? Let's just say my expectations of seeing a majestic sunset over the South Saskatchewan were tempered somewhat by the reality.
And the furniture... It wasn't *bad*. It was just… a little dated. Like, the kind of dated that screams, "I've been here a *long* time," not necessarily "I'm chicly retro." Think, well-loved but not *loved* furniture. You get the idea.
The Pool! Is it as awesome as it looks? Seriously, I need a good pool.
Okay, the pool. This is a big one. The pool is… *pretty good*. It's indoors, which is essential in Saskatchewan. It's a decent size. They usually have a lifeguard, which is crucial when you’re there with a screaming child who looks like he swallowed a pool.
Here's the thing: My experience? Slightly marred by a rogue inflatable alligator who decided it was *my* personal space. True story. I was trying to swim laps (ha! Let's be honest: *attempt* to swim laps), and this ginormous, garishly green gator kept bumping into me. I *tried* to ignore it. I *sort* of managed to. But let's be clear, it was a struggle.
And look, maybe this says more about me than the pool itself, but I'm a *terrible* swimmer. I mean, I can doggy paddle, but that's about it. So the "swim laps" ambition quickly devolved into more of a "treading water while trying not to make eye contact with the alligator" situation. So yeah, the pool? Great, if you don't mind sharing with a prehistoric reptile. Check the gator situation first. Seriously.
What about the spa? Is it worth the extra cost?
The spa... Okay, this is where things get a little *pricey*. I didn't actually *do* the spa. I *wanted* to. Oh, God, how I *wanted* to. But looking at the prices made my bank account start whimpering. My advice? Book it if you can swing it. Especially after trying to stay above water around that damn gator... you DESERVE it, if you're me and you also get to deal with that! But if you're on a budget, maybe skip it. A long, hot bath in your room with some cheap wine and a good book might be just as good for the soul. (And your wallet).
Okay, the food. Is the food good? Is it overpriced? Spill the tea!
The food. Oh, the food. So here's the deal, the hotel has a couple of restaurants (not counting the little coffee kiosk).
I'm a sucker for pretty plates, admittedly. And *some* of the food was pretty good. Okay, the breakfast buffet? Pretty standard. Lots of options, but nothing to write home about. The coffee, though? Acceptable. Crucial. I definitely needed several cups.
Dinner at the more upscale restaurant? I decided to splurge on the fancy duck. And the wine. I'm not gonna lie, the duck was *amazing*. Perfectly cooked, crispy skin, juicy meat. The wine? Also amazing, but also… added up. My credit card wept a little.
Overpriced? Probably. Delicious? Absolutely. Did I regret it? Maybe a little when the bill came, but, hey, I needed to feel like a fancy person for a little while. So, weigh the cost to your budget. But yeah. The food... good. Just prepare to pay for it.
Any advice? Do's and Don'ts?
Listen up, future Bessborough-ers!
**Do:**
* Book the staycation deal! They're often a genuinely good value (despite what I may grumble about).
* Enjoy the river views (even if you can only see the parking lot partially).
* Pack your swimsuit, and mentally prepare yourself for the gator.
* Indulge in a fancy meal *once*. It's part of the experience.
* Make friends with the staff! They're generally lovely, just try not to be too much like me, and don't get too tipsy at the lobby bar.
**Don't:**
* Go in expecting a flawless, perfect experience.
* Overthink it. It's just a hotel.
* Leave your common sense at home.
* Forget your wallet (or at least a credit card that can handle a few splurges).
* Underestimate the importance of caffeine.
Would you do it again?
Honestly? Yeah, I probably would. Even with the gator and the slightly-dated furniture and the, you know, the cost. It's a nice break, a little bit of a treat, and a reminder to step outside of the usual chaos and soak in that little bit of luxury. It's not perfect, but hey, neither am I. And sometimes, that's the best kind of vacation. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go putSave On Hotels Now
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