Overall I can't complain about the room for the price. The hotel looks a little shabby on the outside. Renovations are taking place, but the rooms are clean and comfortable. It appears that some finishing touches are still to be done. If you like a nice soft bed to sink into, you will love it here. New bathroom fixtures are a good quality. Great LCD television, fridge, microwave, free wi-fi, and breakfast is included. Beats anything in Kingston for the price.

We had a minor problem with the toilet making noises. Literally, within seconds of the front desk being notified, the maintenance fellow was at the door and fixed the problem in a few minutes. The staff are friendly and perform as well as any other hotel and better than most.

We will be back!

Said to be the closest motel to downtown and the seafront, the Hojo met all our expectations and we didn't pay the prices for a sea view. True, the style outside is pretty 60ish and the street in front doesn't look too good ( it is safe though ) but the rooms were fine, 2 large beds with adequate amenities, good breakfast: loved the waffle machine and there is the opportunity to play pool in the bar next door.
The main street down to the shops is full of restuarantst to be recommended by the friendly desk staff. Free parking outside the room , excellent value and we would stay there again.

I had read mixed reviews of this place, and was somewhat worried when I booked 5 nights here. I wanted a convenient and inexpensive place to stay while I helped with my parents move to Kingston.

As I drove in, I wondered what I was getting into. The hotel looks like a throwback to the 60's (or is it the 50's?), even though it has clearly had some paint thrown on in recent years. The neighbourhood - which I already knew from previous visits to Kingston - does not look great, even though it is not really bad.

Good reviews had mentioned newly renovated rooms, while bad reviews had mention the substantial renovations needed. I was therefore apprehensive as I opened the door to my room - and relieved to see that my room had been newly renovated.

In fact, once inside the room with curtains closed, you could well imagine being in any newly opened North American hotel chain: up to date decoration, nice choice of colors, spacious, separate wash basin outside the bathroom, flat screen TV.... really very nice and comfortable.

Breakfast was basic, but the dining room area was clean and tidy. Staff at the front desk seemed friendly.

All in all, I was satisfied with my choice, considering the rate I paid including breakfast. Would I come back and stay here on vacation with my wife and kids? Certainly not, as the appearance is not at all conducive to a vacation atmosphere, and it is not somewhere that I would really want to bring my kids. However, on my own it was fine for the time that I needed to spend in Kingston.

Previously when in Kingston I've stayed at the Econolodge, and would have gone back there if I hadn't found a great rate here at the HoJo. The two are close to one another (and there's a Super 8 between them, which I don't know), so I can compare them in this review. Both are clean and quiet, both had indifferent breakfasts - though there's a Tim's close by - so I'll just compare them where they differ. The HoJo is a two-story structure where you park at the door; the Econolodge (like the Super 8) has an inside corridor. My HoJo room had two sinks, one in the sleeping area and another in the bathroom (as well as a shower and tub), for maximum flexibility when several people are getting ready in the morning. The HoJo is five minutes closer to Queens and downtown - not much of a difference, but 15 minutes is better than 20 when it's raining. The HoJo internet connection worked well; I seem to remember some problems at the Econolodge. To sum up, although I was happy enough at the Econolodge, I've no regrets about switching to the HoJo and will probably make it my first choice next time I'm in town.