Castel Hotel
The Castel is in the heart of downtown Granby. This location is convenient but not particularly distinctive, as many other hotels are also located in the same area.
The Property
This large, four-story property houses the local convention center. It is very well located in downtown Granby, within walking distance of several stores, restaurants, and a shopping mall.
The Room
I booked a room, with a king-size bed, which is average size. The bed was comfortable, and the linens were clean. There was a nightstand on only one side of the bed only, and no electrical outlets were accessible. In this type of room, a nightstand on each side of a king size bed is usually expected. The room’s furniture was old and worn. The flooring was a faux-wood polymer covering. The room included a large desk with accessible electrical outlets and a desk lamp. An old reading chair was also available, but it wasn’t very comfortable. A sofa bed was also provided. It’s oddly positioned against the same wall as the TV, meaning it can’t be used for watching television. I didn’t use this sofa bed during my stay, so I can’t comment on its comfort. The room was clean.
A large, closed wardrobe is conveniently located near the bedroom door. Inside, there’s a small refrigerator, a Keurig capsule coffee maker, and an iron and ironing board. Yes, indeed, these appliances are inside the wardrobe, which I find a bit less than ideal.
A DVD player is also available in the room. A large TV is mounted on the wall and has HDMI inputs. A wide selection of channels is available.
The heating system is quiet. I didn’t use the air conditioning during my stay, so I can’t comment on its noise level.
The Bathroom
The bathroom is small, and the counter space next to the sink is limited. Three shelves have been added above the toilet, but they provide little additional storage space since two of them are used for towels and a tissue box.
The bathroom is clearly newly renovated. It has a shower but no bathtub. The showerhead is adjustable and of the handheld type. The water pressure and temperature are excellent.
Services
This property is well equipped, notably with a large gym, a games room with air hockey and foosball tables, and a spa. There is also an outdoor pool, which is closed during the colder months. A children’s playground is located near the pool. Breakfast is served on-site in one of the two restaurants, but the cost is not included in the room rate. A bar is also available on-site. Free Wi-Fi is available and of excellent quality. Outdoor parking is free.
Design
The room’s furniture is solid wood in a colonial style, contemporary classic, likely from the 1990s. The overall look is consistent with the wall color. However, the flooring appears to be from recent renovation and doesn’t match the furniture’s color scheme. Nothing in this room is particularly memorable. A refresh of the furniture’s quality and comfort would be welcome soon before it becomes outdated.
My two cents
This establishment is not affiliated with any hotel chain and will not allow you to accumulate benefits or loyalty points. In fact, you won’t find any major national chain hotels in Granby. You’ll have to travel to nearby Bromont to find one. The presence of a DVD player is anachronistic and should be replaced with access to streaming TV services, to bring it into the 21st century.
The devil is in the details:
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Uncomfortable armchair
Pros
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Well located
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On-site restaurants
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Well-equipped hotel
Cons
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Poorly placed television in the room
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Insufficient counter space in the bathroom
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No nightstand on each side of the bed
This review is based on a single visit in November 2022, in a single room at this property. It is understood that the experience may differ in another room at the same property. It is also understood that the property may have changed since that visit and may provide the visitor with a different experience than the one described in this review.