I was there toward the end of it's run. I believe it was Christmas 1999 or 2000. We had a small family gathering in a suite for some out-of-town relatives, etc. It certainly wasn't seedy -- it was just dated and a bit tired. The hotel had a major reno in the mid 80s to compete with the then-new Sheraton -- I would say this particular suite (which was high up in the John Street tower) was still wearing the 1980s reno. I remember floral wallpaper, dusty pink coloured carpeting, smoked mirrors and brass-finish fixtures. Great view out onto John Street towards the Court House. Catering was good, public areas were tidy, etc. Unfortunately the hotel was neglected for so long the cost of bringing up to the standards of the major chains became cost-prohibitive, particularly in light of the economic conditions of the early 2000s.
I never had a reason to go in so I unfortunately never got to experience it - although it would have been well beyond my time before it had actually been in its glory days for sure..
A couple of years prior I had my High School Grad/Prom there -- in the main ballroom which was on the mezzanine level above the lobby. Public areas were great at the time. Nice bar/lounge in the lobby as well as an outpost of Fran's (of Toronto) -- which operated 24/7 along the Catherine St side of the building in a space that had been, in the 1980s, a higher end steakhouse called Vinton's.
__________________
Hamilton Downtown. Huge tabletop skyline fan. Typically viewing the city from the street, not a helicopter. Cycling, transit and active transportation advocate 🚲🚍🚋
Prev
Linear Mode
