I stay often in hotels on business (120 nights per year). My wife and I stayed in Edmonton for a holiday during Christmas week.

The room was a pleasant surprise - an upgrade to a suite, with a welcome basket.

The meal that evening in LaRonde was exceptional - food was fine, Christina our server very pleasant and interested.

In the morning I got up and went downstairs to get a couple of cups of coffee to go. I went into the restaurant but couldn't get anyone to come forward. I noticed two servers sitting at a back booth chatting with each other.

I poured two cups of coffee to go from the urn and went to the desk and asked to have them charged to my room. Jasmine was not helpful. She said she couldn't do that - she had to call the bellman. I repeated my request - I just wanted to take the coffee to my room myself, but have them charged to my room. She got quite curt with me. Finally I left the coffee at the desk and went back to my room.

A half hour later there was a coupon slipped under my door for a single complimentary buffet breakfast. I left it there.

I expected better service from a Crowne Plaza. People meeting me with a request would do well to clarify my concerns before saying no! Her body language and voice tonality clearly communicated that I as annoying her by restating my request.

If she later realized her misunderstanding, a simple phone call to say "I'm sorry I misunderstood" would have gone further than a "please-go-away" token slipped under my door.

I asked for a refurnished room above the 15th floor. The room was very nice and quiet. I slept well even though it was a very windy night in December. The view was good even though it was not the $10 extra river view. Globe and Mail newspaper in the morning, although I would have preferred to find it at my door, not in the lobby. The breakfast was a very nice selection but all the hot food was not hot. Overall, except for the breakfast, a much better experience than I had expected.

Upon our arrival the staff were so busy speaking with each other they couldn't even greet us. Once they acknowledged us it seemed to be a huge inconvenience to check us into our room. No information on the hotel was offered nor assistance of any kind. The room itself was average but clean. Given a choice I would not stay there again nor would I recommend it to anyone. This is the second chance we've given this hotel, two strikes- your out!

I have stayed in this hotel few times and noticed the hotel staff (Jasmine) was not friendly at all. Upon checking she stopped me and turned her back to say hi to her friend for 2 minutes. My friend booked in the same hotel and checked in the following day. Jasmine was rude to her and mentioned my first and last name (there goes CONFIDENTIALITY) and asked if I am associated with her. My friend was shocked that the hotel front desk was too comfortable releasing personal guest information. My friend talked to the manager but we did not hear any apologies and follow up.

Also, the heater makes a loud noise when it's turned on. I complained about it to their office on 4th floor and the lady that I spoke to said she's going to pass the information to their maintenance staff. There has been no action since then, I had to bear the loud noise for 5 nights. I had a bad experience on this hotel. Find another place to stay...