Review: Renaissance Edmonton Airport | Prince of Travel

Through the Winter 2022 travel chaos, my spouse and I have been caught in Edmonton for 2 nights as we tried to navigate our manner again to Vancouver Island. We spent the primary evening of the delay on the 4 Factors Edmonton Airport, which we paid for out-of-pocket.

For our second evening, I requested the Concierge within the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge Edmonton if we have been eligible for lodging as a result of delay, and far to my shock and delight, she knowledgeable us that we have been.

To makes issues higher, our voucher indicated that we’d be staying on the Renaissance Edmonton Airport, which is connected to the airport. Having grown up in Edmonton, I’d pushed previous this lodge many instances, and I used to be eager to take a look at the inside as soon as and for all.

Renaissance Edmonton Airport – Reserving

We have been lucky to have our lodging coated by Air Canada, which is required by the Air Passenger Protection Regulations as a result of reason behind some flight delays. 

This grew to become my first time being supplied with a lodge throughout a delay, and to be sincere, I wasn’t anticipating my question to bear any fruit. 

Common money charges on the Renaissance Edmonton Airport fall round $200 (CAD) on the low finish and climb upwards of $400 (CAD) on the excessive finish. A fast look by means of the calendar exhibits increased costs from Sunday–Thursday, and decrease costs on Fridays and Saturdays.

Redeeming Marriott Bonvoy factors for an evening would require 17,000–22,000 factors all year long.

In comparison with our target valuation of Bonvoy points at 0.9 cents per level, you possibly can definitely get good worth in your factors when the money costs skew excessive. In any other case, it’s probably finest to avoid wasting your factors for a extra valuation redemption if the worth is on the decrease finish in your keep.

It’s value noting that my sister and her household have been stranded on the airport a couple of years in the past when WestJet cancelled one among their connecting flights again to Australia. She discovered that the Renaissance Edmonton Airport has a “distressed traveller charge”, which they used to maintain the children entertained on the pool whereas they handled the delay.

The speed gave them a room and use of the services for a couple of hours, so it’s value contemplating if you end up in the same scenario.

Renaissance Edmonton Airport – Location

The Renaissance Edmonton Airport is linked to Edmonton Worldwide Airport on the northern fringe of the check-in areas.

When you’ve got an early flight from Edmonton, you gained’t must take care of any lodge shuttles or waking up in the midst of the evening to get to the airport on time. Edmonton’s airport is round half an hour from the downtown core at one of the best of instances, and takes even longer to achieve from many different components of the town.

There isn’t loads else near the airport. You’ll discover a big Costco close by, in addition to an outlet mall and some shops on the drive in from the freeway.

Renaissance Edmonton Airport – Examine-in

The lodge has the theme of ice all through, from the outside to the rooms and even on the pool. On condition that it was near 40 under on the time, it couldn’t have been a extra becoming place to remain.

Strolling to the lodge with out having to place a winter jacket on or stand exterior ready for a shuttle was nice, and the brief journey alongside a pathway to the lodge was painless. It solely took a couple of minutes to get from the bags space to the entrance desk, which I have to say is heaps higher than ready for a shuttle to an offsite lodge.

There was an artwork exhibit in a part of the pathway, which we stopped to have a look at earlier than we checked in. You’ll additionally discover an airline check-in kiosk as you method the lodge, which is useful if it’s worthwhile to print off a boarding move in your flight.

The foyer lounge is mainly an extension of the close by bar, and we handed by means of a vibrant mild show as we transitioned from one space to the following.

There are a couple of seats dotted across the foyer lounge, with some behind a big white construction that resembles a Join 4 board. 

On the check-in desks, we handed the affiliate our voucher, and he or she confirmed that we had been assigned one of many final remaining rooms within the lodge that evening. She additionally added my Marriott Bonvoy quantity to the reserving, which allowed us to get pleasure from the advantages from my Platinum standing.

Earlier than lengthy, she handed us the room keys, and we headed as much as the seventh ground to loosen up and ponder our subsequent transfer for getting again to BC amidst all of the journey chaos.

Renaissance Edmonton Airport – King Visitor Room

We stayed in a base-level room, which makes up nearly all of the lodge’s lodging. There are different rooms obtainable with two queen beds as a substitute of a single king, rooms with runway views and Membership Lounge entry on increased flooring, and a small variety of suites.

As you enter the room, you’ll discover a frosted-glass door to the toilet on the suitable, in step with the frozen design discovered all through the remainder of the lodge.

The room then opens up into the bed room, with the king mattress taking centre stage. Be aware the wallpaper behind the mattress and the bedside lights becoming in with the lodge’s theme.

Between the mattress and the window is a lounge chair with an ottoman and a close-by glass espresso desk.

The view from our window missed an industrial space and a car parking zone, with attainable peek-a-boo views of planes on the ultimate method or taking off.

On the wall reverse from the mattress is a flat-screen TV, desk, and minibar space. Be aware the ice design above the desk.

The Keurig espresso maker sits on a glass shelf to the suitable of the TV, and got here stocked with caffeinated and decaffeinated espresso pods, in addition to some tea.

Between the bed room and the toilet is a small closet, which is revealed as you slide the frosted rest room door closed. Inside, there have been a couple of coat hangers and an ironing board.

The toilet takes a little bit of a departure from the frozen theme, with wallpaper showcasing a variety of jean-clad behinds.

The setup of the toilet is easy, with a a single sink, rest room, and a walk-in bathe.

General, the room was solely purposeful for our wants, which have been actually only a place to remain whereas we have been caught in transit. The mattress was snug and the room was quiet, and I really discovered the ice theme to be a bit amusing.

Renaissance Edmonton Airport – Govt Lounge

The Govt Lounge is positioned on the primary ground of the lodge, simply to the left of the elevators.

We loved entry to the lounge by means of my Platinum standing, as would anybody with Titanium or Ambassador Elite standing. Friends who don’t have standing however who’re staying on particular flooring can even get pleasure from entry to the Govt Lounge.

I popped by within the night to take a look at the area. It seems to be extra fashionable than the remainder of the lodge, and noticeably absent from the lounge was any vestige of an ice-related ornament.

There are a couple of totally different seating choices obtainable within the lounge. You’ll discover a bench that runs alongside the again of the buffet space, which faces a desk with chairs for as much as three extra individuals.

Alongside the again fringe of the lounge are high-top chairs, and within the center, you’ll discover round picket tables with three or 4 chairs arrange. There’s additionally a snug seating space round a TV tucked into the nook of the lounge.

Within the night, you’ll discover some gentle drinks and scorching drinks obtainable within the lounge. There’s additionally a light-weight providing of snacks within the type of chocolate bars, granola bars, potato chips, fruit, and a single tray of finger meals.

Within the morning, a breakfast buffet is placed on for eligible company. The choice was extra substantial than the night service, which isn’t uncommon for a North American lodge lounge.

Sizzling objects obtainable throughout our keep included bacon, sausages, scrambled eggs, and waffles. There was additionally a collection of pastries, baked items, recent fruit, yogurt, and berries.

The automated Nespresso espresso maker was getting fairly a exercise that morning, as many company popped in to whip up a espresso to take with them. I appreciated that this machine had an automated milk frothing operate, too, which is one thing that I don’t usually see.

The recent breakfast hit the spot earlier than we headed again to the airport to determine a method to get residence. It was a pleasant departure from the airline lounge meals we’d been consuming for almost all of the 2 days earlier than.

Renaissance Edmonton Airport – Eating

Halo Bar and Bistro is the lodge’s principal eating facility. It’s positioned close to the foyer, and is break up into two sections.

The bar space is open to the remainder of the lodge, and has extra snug seating choices. There are couches and chairs scattered all through the area, with loads of TV screens enjoying stay sports activities.

The bistro a part of Halo Bar and Bistro is to the left of the bar, and has extra personal seating areas behind a closed door.

We wound up ordering a burger, fries, and a few olives to tide us over for the night, and introduced it again as much as our room.

The meal hit the spot, and the order of olives was a lot bigger than we had anticipated it to be.

Renaissance Edmonton Airport – Different Services

On the underside ground of the lodge is the health centre and pool. 

The health centre is open across the clock, and encompasses a modest collection of customary tools.

The close by pool is open from 6am–10pm each day, with an adults-only hour from 10–11pm. Once more, notice the ice-themed design mirrored within the chairs, lighting, and beluga whales on the wall.

Sadly, the whirlpool was lukewarm at finest once I got here down for a soak. I’m undecided if that was as a result of climate exterior and every part else being chilly, or if there was some kind of ongoing challenge.

Behind the bar part of Halo Bar and Bistro is a library-like space. It seemed to be a snug spot to get some work accomplished or to converse with associates.

Simply earlier than getting into the pathway to get again into the airport, you’ll discover a small automated Starbucks retailer, the place you should purchase a espresso to go if you happen to’d like.

Conclusion

The Renaissance Edmonton Airport is a conveniently positioned lodge with an Govt Lounge, a bustling bar, and direct entry to the airport. When you’ve got an early departure or are caught in transit, you gained’t have to fret about travelling far to catch your flight.

The rooms are quiet and the lodge has sufficient facilities to make for a snug keep. Hopefully, the problem with the whirlpool throughout our go to was non permanent.

The ice-themed design all through the lodge was fascinating, and with the looks of a renovated lounge, it appears to be like like the remainder of the lodge could also be due for an replace.

I don’t hope to be caught in transit for 2 days once more, but when it occurs in Edmonton, I’ll be seeking to keep on the Renaissance Edmonton Airport for the comfort of not having to catch a shuttle bus.