This hotel is located in a semi-Industrial Park area - close to the major freeway. The hotel owns the Strip-Mall in which it is located. I say semi-industrial, because there are lots of small companies and business in the area. But there are also lots of places to eat in the area and in this strip-mall. The hotel is an older design, but constructed out of decorative cement block inside and out - so it is VERY quiet. Not much of a view, but the staff is good, and there is a restarant attached to the hotel. Some reviews mention a "Chemical Smell" in the room. I didn't smell it, but my travel partner did, but didn't mind it. Very clean room, microwave & coffee maker. Good TV & Internet. Well worth the stay - LOTS of free parking.. One eating place in the plaza offered hamburgers and the Lamb/Pitas - it was excellent for fast food.

I have traveled all over the world and have paid some high prices for dives and lower prices for more than modest accommodations. Considering the high prices for hotels in Edmonton in the summer, I would say that this hotel is more than reasonable for the price you pay. I have no idea what other customers were expecting - if you are going to pay $80 in a $160 market, you are going to get average accommodations. Only by sheer luck will you get the Ritz for cheap (which, by the way is possible if you know when to look). I stayed in a smoking room and it smelled pretty clean to me. The room was spacious and, yes, the decor is a throwback to a couple of decades ago. The windows open, there is air conditioning and, in the non-kitchenette rooms, they even supply you with a mini fridge and a microwave oven. There is complimentary continental breakfast in the morning and the customer service was reasonable. I was quite satisfied for my $80/night room. It is, however, off the beaten path so having a car is probably a good idea.

Driving up we realized we had booked in the wrong area of town. That is your first warning.
Secondly, the hallways and elevator smelled like someone had been sick and it hadn't been cleaned up. Our room appeared relatively clean but everything was old and smelled like old smoke and urine. There was cigarette melt marks on the sheets as well, and the bathroom felt like it was not truly clean. Spend an extra 10 or 15 bucks and stay anywhere else!

I found the Argyll Plaza hotel in Edmonton to be clean but lacking in any charm or decor. The lack was somewhat surprising given that the hotel placed a $100 additional charge on my credit card "in case I damaged the room." Given that most who stay at the hotel are probably going to a hockey game at the ring next door, maybe the charge is justified.