Brandon's BEST Kept Secret: Western Plus Inn Review (You WON'T Believe This!)
Brandon's BEST Kept Secret: Western Plus Inn Review (You WON'T Believe This!) - Finally, a Raw and Honest Look
Alright, let's be real. I’m usually skeptical of anything touted as a "BEST kept secret." It's usually code for "mediocre, but we're trying to sound exciting." BUT, brace yourselves, because after my recent stay at the Western Plus Inn in Brandon, Manitoba… I might actually be eating my words. Or, you know, talking them. (Because I’m definitely still full from the breakfast buffet – more on that later.)
This isn’t your slick, polished brochure review. This is me, spilling the tea, the coffee… everything I experienced, good and… less good. Buckle up, buttercups.
First Impressions & Accessibility (They Nail It! Mostly.)
Okay, the exterior isn’t exactly Eiffel Tower glam, let’s be honest. But what really matters is inside. And the lobby? Surprisingly spacious and bright. Accessibility is a BIG tick here. Elevators, wide hallways, and ramps – they've clearly put thought into making it easy for everyone. They even have accessible rooms, though I didn't get a chance to check one out myself. (Next time!)
Accessibility - Wheelchair Accessible: Check. Elevator: Check. Front Desk (24-hour): Check.
Important Note: The whole experience is smoother with the elevators. Thank goodness for them! You’ll thank me later.
Getting Connected: Wi-Fi – Praise Be!
Look, I need Wi-Fi. I need it like I need air. (Dramatic, I know.) And the free Wi-Fi in all rooms?! Yes, please! It was actually pretty decent, too. No buffering during my late-night Netflix binge (research for this review, obviously).
Internet Access: Check. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!: Double Check! Internet: (Fast enough!) Check. Internet [LAN]: Didn't use it, but it's there! Check. Wi-Fi in public areas: Yup, works in the lobby too. Check.
Rooms: Comfy & Functional (Minus a Little… Quirks)
My room? Clean. Seriously, CLEAN. That’s a huge win. And the bed? Super comfortable. I'm talking, "I might just sleep here forever" comfortable. Blackout curtains were perfect for blocking out the prairie sun if you want a solid night's rest, if, like me, you require peace and quiet.
Available in all rooms:
- Air conditioning (THANK GOD!)
- Alarm clock (Standard, but useful)
- Bathrobes (Nice touch, though I rarely use them)
- Bathroom phone (Okay, a bit old-school, right?)
- Bathtub (Yesss, perfect for a soak after a long day.)
- Blackout curtains (Essential for light sleepers)
- Carpeting (Eh, it’s carpet. Not a dealbreaker.)
- Closet (Good for hanging my… you know, clothes.)
- Coffee/tea maker (Essential for a caffeine addict like me!)
- Complimentary tea (Nice touch)
- Daily housekeeping (My room was always spotless after a day out, seriously, I was impressed.)
- Desk (Handy for working… or, you know, pretending to work.)
- Extra long bed (Perfect for tall people - or people who like to spread out.)
- Free bottled water (Always appreciated.)
- Hair dryer (Saved me from frizz-ageddon.)
- High floor (Great views!)
- In-room safe box (For valuables – or, you know, my emergency chocolate stash.)
- Interconnecting room(s) available (Good for families.)
- Internet access – LAN
- Internet access – wireless (See above!)
- Ironing facilities (Necessary for avoiding the dreaded "crease crisis.")
- Laptop workspace (Convenient)
- Linens (Clean and comfy)
- Mini bar (Didn't use it, but it's there.)
- Mirror (Essential for checking yourself out – responsibly, of course.)
- Non-smoking (Important)
- On-demand movies (Yay for entertainment!)
- Private bathroom (Obviously!)
- Reading light (Handy for late-night reading)
- Refrigerator (Good for keeping snacks cold.)
- Safety/security feature (Always a plus.)
- Satellite/cable channels (TV!)
- Scale (Scared to look, but it's there!)
- Seating area (Nice to have for relaxing)
- Separate shower/bathtub (Luxury!)
- Shower (Works!)
- Slippers (Not provided, but you probably don't need them.)
- Smoke detector (Safety first!)
- Socket near the bed (Bless!)
- Sofa (Perfect for flopping on after a long day.)
- Soundproofing (Mostly effective. I could still hear some hallway chatter, but nothing major.)
- Telephone (In case you want to dial a number.)
- Toiletries (Basic, but adequate.)
- Towels (Clean and fluffy)
- Umbrella (Wish I'd needed it!)
- Visual alarm (For those who need it)
- Wake-up service (Reliable)
- Wi-Fi [free] (See above, again!)
- Window that opens (Fresh air!)
A minor niggle: My room’s décor was a little… safe. Think beige and functional. Not exactly Instagram-worthy, but hey, I wasn't there for a photoshoot. And the, ahem, bathroom phone… felt a bit unnecessary. But hey, some people like it.
Dining, Drinking & Snacking: The Breakfast Buffet – My Love Story
Okay, let's get to the good stuff. The breakfast buffet was legendary. I'm talking fluffy pancakes, crispy bacon, scrambled eggs that were actually cooked (sometimes a rarity in hotel buffets), and fresh fruit. Plus, they had an Asian breakfast option, which was a nice touch. There was also coffee/tea in the restaurant, and a selection of pastries that made me question all my life choices (in a good way). I might have, ahem, overindulged. No regrets.
Dining, drinking, and snacking:
- A la carte in restaurant (Didn't try it, but it's an option)
- Alternative meal arrangement (Didn't need it, but good to know they're flexible)
- Asian breakfast (Awesome!)
- Asian cuisine in restaurant (Didn’t try it, but if it's anything like the breakfast, I’m in!)
- Bar (Didn't visit. Too busy with the buffet!)
- Breakfast [buffet] (HEAVEN!)
- Breakfast service (Attentive and friendly)
- Coffee/tea in restaurant (Essential)
- Happy hour (Didn't catch it, but sounds fun)
- International cuisine in restaurant (Didn't experience it)
- Poolside bar (Nope)
- Restaurants (See above)
- Room service [24-hour] (Handy!)
- Salad in restaurant
- Snack bar
- Soup in restaurant
- Vegetarian restaurant (Didn’t see one)
- Western breakfast (Yep, they have it!)
- Western cuisine in restaurant
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Fitness Fanatics, Rejoice!
The Fitness center was actually impressive. Decent equipment, clean, and bright. They also boast a pool with a view – I didn’t get a chance to swim, but it looked inviting. They have a sauna and a spa! I definitely did not have the time for these, I am already regretting that. Next time, I promise…
Things to do, ways to relax:
- Fitness center (Top notch!)
- Gym/fitness (See above)
- Pool with view (Looked stunning)
- Sauna (Missed opportunity!)
- Spa (Wish list)
- Swimming pool (Sadly, another miss)
- Swimming pool [outdoor] (Also a miss!)
Cleanliness & Safety: Peace of Mind is Priceless
This is where the Western Plus Inn really shines, especially post-pandemic. They had **hand sanitizer
Uncover the Hidden Gem: Lodge Raichoso Toyama's Unbelievable Secrets!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're not planning a meticulously crafted vacation. We're planning a life experience at the Best Western Plus Brandon Inn in Brandon, Manitoba. Don't expect a perfect itinerary. Expect… well, expect me.
The Great Manitoba Adventure: Brandon Edition (Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Prairie Landscape)
Day 1: Arrival, Anticipation, and the Quest for Free Breakfast
- 1:00 PM: Arrival at the Brandon Inn. Seriously, look at it. It’s a Best Western. You know what you’re getting. Clean, functional, a vague scent of chlorine lingering in the air. My first thought? "Is there a pool? Because after a five-hour drive, I could really use a swim." (Spoiler alert: there is. But the jacuzzi wasn't working, more on that later).
- 1:15 PM: Room Reconnaissance. Unpack. Assess the bed situation (essential). Did I bring enough snacks? (Never). The TV… working? (Thank God, because I’m pretty sure my brain will turn to mush without some mindless reality TV). The obligatory "checking for dust bunnies" inspection complete. Success! A surprisingly decent room.
- 1:45 PM: The Free Breakfast Hunger Games BEGIN. This is the most important part. I'm on a budget, dammit, and I need to maximize my free food intake. Scouting mission to the breakfast area. The anticipation is killing me. Hoping for waffles, maybe a decent selection of fruit. Praying for the elusive "fresh" fruit.
- 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Brandon Exploration (or, "Where the Hell is the Shopping?"). Alright, time to embrace the city. Go for a walk downtown, find a coffee shop. Get a good, honest coffee. Hopefully, get a decent pastry. Maybe hit up some antique stores. (Don't get me wrong; I love antiques, but really, who needs another chipped teacup?) Hit up the shops: I saw a beautiful pair of boots at a local shop, but I already have a closet full, and I don't want to buy any that I don't use.
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Pool Time (and Jacuzzi Disappointment). The aforementioned pool. Crystal clear! (Hopefully the kid's peeing is contained.) The Jacuzzi was… out of order. (Insert very dramatic sigh). Spent a solid hour pretending to be a mermaid and wondering if I should have brought my own bubbles.
- 6:30 PM: Dinner – The Perils of Restaurant Selection. Decisions, decisions! Where to eat? Do I feel like Mexican, Chinese, or gasp Canadian? (Is poutine really a meal? The jury is still out.) I ended up at the "restaurant attached to the hotel". (It was convenient, okay? I was tired.) The food was…fine. (Read: forgettable, though the server had a lovely smile). Probably overate. Regret.
- 8:00 PM: Evening of Rest and Relaxation. Back to the room. TV time (obviously). Maybe a quick skim through the local paper. Attempt to avoid all thoughts of tomorrow, even though it'll involve a lot of driving.
Day 2: Adventure, Prairie Views, and the Mystery of the Missing Remote
- 7:00 AM: The Breakfast Debacle. BACK to the free breakfast bonanza. I was determined to have waffles. Alas. The waffle maker was broken. This is what I came for, world! Managed to snag some stale toast, a questionable-looking banana, and a cup of coffee that tasted suspiciously like dishwater. Okay, maybe I'm being cynical. It's fine. I'll survive.
- 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Driving Around (or, "Where is the Canadian Outback?"). Decided to venture out into the prairie. This is where the whole trip could go sideways. I went for a drive on a gravel backroad. The landscape is surprisingly flat. And empty. And occasionally dotted with things like abandoned farm equipment, a few cows, and the occasional hawk. It's… different. I found a little town. The locals were friendly. I felt a deep sense of calm, only to be interrupted with the thought "Is that a tornado?".
- 12:00 PM: Late Lunch. Stopped at some random country cafe. Found the most incredible tomato soup I have ever tasted! This is the moment of the whole trip, and I was caught by surprise.
- 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM : The Battle with the Remote (and the Mini-Bar Blues). Okay, a serious crisis had occurred. WHERE WAS THE REMOTE CONTROL? Searched everywhere. Under the bed. Behind the curtains. Inside the microwave (just kidding, but I was that desperate). Finally, found it lodged between the cushions of the chair. Major victory! Also, checked the mini-bar. (I’m weak, okay? I might have sneaked in a tiny chocolate bar from the front desk. Don't tell).
- 2:00 PM: Planning. I had to drive home. I didn't like it. I hated it and wanted to go home. I spent the next hour looking for a plan to stay longer.
- 3:00 PM: Drive to the airport to get home.
Day 3: Back Home
- 1:00 PM: Arrive safely at home.
Overall Reflections (aka, My Honest Thoughts):
- The Best Western Plus Brandon Inn? Solid. Clean. Functional. Free breakfast… hit or miss (mostly miss).
- Brandon, Manitoba? Unexpectedly charming. The vastness of the prairie is humbling. The people are genuinely friendly.
- Would I go back? Maybe. If I'm passing through. If the Jacuzzi is working. And if they have waffles. Definitely waffles.
- Final verdict: More than just a place to stay; it’s a story. And I’ve got a good one to tell. And I'm exhausted. Time for a nap.
Okay, Brandon's "BEST Kept Secret"? Seriously? What's the Hype?
So... is it actually good? Spit it out! We haven't got all day!
Let's talk location. Where is this supposed "secret" hiding? I bet it's miles from anything decent!
Alright, spill the tea: What's the *best* thing about the Western Plus Inn? The actual good stuff!
And the worst thing? Don't tell me it's all sunshine and roses!
Okay, let's get specific. What about the rooms themselves? Are they clean? Comfortable? Like, can I *sleep* there?
About the breakfast... they always talk up the free breakfast. Worth it?
Okay, let's get to the important stuff: Would you recommend it? Is it really a "best kept secret"?
Any final rambling thoughts? Anything I may have missed? Seriously, what's the real secret here?
