Last time we were here we stayed at the Holiday Inn. Exceptional service, modern rooms, hearty breakfast, newspapers and nice lounge. But there was a charge to use a small fitness room and the rooms were very expensive. So this time we took the budget route. All hotels/motels look the same from the back of your eyelids and since most of what we do is sleep in these places, we didn't need modern rooms.

We checked in and the desk clerk seemed unfamiliar with the motel - subbing in for a friend perhaps. So when we pointed out there was a modest overcharge (approx $10), he couldn't correct it and nor did the primary desk person, whom he called to address the situation. Had that been addressed, I would have given a higher rating. The fellow, however, was very friendly and encouraged us to contact him if we needed anything at all. He showed us the beverage room where there is a microwave and teas, which is a nice touch.

Otherwise, the room appeared clean, water pressure was good, it was very quiet (could have been the time of year too) and for a budget motel, the little extras were a nice touch.
I have to wonder if the owners have been listening as there was an air conditioner in our room. Not professionally installed - just a hole cut into the wood to give it access to outside and then covered with packing tape to hold it in. We didn't try it. It's fall, so we didn't need it (we needed heat which was slow to come on but worked just fine).

Pros: Price, decent breakfast (7 types of bread/bagels, hard boiled eggs, fruit, yogurt, cereal, coffee), access to a mircowave, fridges in the rooms. The Queen room is the smallest/simplest and ours had a fold out couch and desk as well. Free internet. 1 km from downtown Collingwood. Half a block to a nice walking/running trail.

Cons: Our room (#42) smelled of B.O. We should have but didn't ask for another room.

The Mariner had what we needed in a motel. We'd stay here again.

Hi,

I travel the province regularly & have stayed in several hotels around Ontario since March, 2011. The Mariner came up on my GPS; I had no prior experience with it & called. I checked in, and was delighted to learn of free unlimited continental breakfast every morning (eggs, milk, cereal, fresh fruit, yogurt, several kinds of fresh bread), this saved me lots of time, $$, and effort.

There is also full-time access to tea, coffee, a microwave, & ice machine. The A/C unit was effective & fairly quiet. the ceiling fan certainly helped as well in the summer heat. The fridge was large & well-placed, the desk was a little bit small but sufficient (my laptop is oversized).

The sink in the 3 piece washroom was a little bit outdated, but the rest of it was fine. Staff are very friendly, and available at all times. I met a few regulars who stay at the Mariner every time they visit, & loyal guests are the best indicator of great accommodation.

The convenience of ground floor lodging, and designated parking makes this very good accommodation for the price. The fast wireless internet & free unlimited 'help yourself' breakfast clinched the deal for me.

We are 15 years clients every Jul,y this year I had called the owner the day before to make sure the air was working as we knew the weather was going to be really hot.When we got there on the Thursday around 3.00, we noticed how hot it was in the entrance,booked in and asked if the air was on, he said yes, when we entered the room you can't imagine how hot it was , we turned it on and guess what hot air was coming in, that did it for me, I tried to talk to him but he was busy with the air conditioning guy on the roof, we decided to leave as I could not breath and did not want to take a chance staying. He put the charge on my card the day we left and charged us for 3 nights ( 471.00) He refuses to refund,even though he rented the room to someone else. I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS HOTEL.

we were 4 family stayed at motel for 2 nights.
the service was excellent, staff very friendly and supportive.
decent rooms.. competitive rates...
nice backyard to spend evening with family and friends.

this was our second trip to Collingwood and we stayed in same motel.. and we will for sure give first preference to this motel up on our next visit to collingwood