Kingston's BEST Waterfront Escape: Bayside Inn & Suites!
Bayside Inn & Suites: Kingston's Waterfront… Escape? (Hold on a sec…)
Alright, alright, buckle up buttercups, because I just got back from Kingston's Bayside Inn & Suites, and let me tell you, it’s a whole thing. The website promises a waterfront "escape," and well… let's just say my escape took a few unexpected turns. This isn't your polished, perfectly packaged review; this is real-life, warts and all. (And yes, I checked everything – from the Wi-Fi for special events (seriously, who throws a Wi-Fi-themed party?) to the hand sanitizer dispensers.)
First Impressions (and a near-miss with the lobby):
Okay, so accessibility is a big deal for me (hello, dodgy knees!), and I'm happy to report the elevator worked, and the facilities for disabled guests looked pretty decent from the outside (though, I didn't personally test them. We’ll get to that later). The exterior corridor thing? Not my favorite, felt a bit motel-y. But hey, maybe that's the rustic charm? Still, the CCTV in common areas gave me a small comfort - you know, just in case I got lost looking for the shrine (seriously, there's a shrine somewhere? I missed that! Maybe it's a secret way to get to the spa/sauna!).
The lobby? Okay, so the lobby… initially, I almost face-planted trying to navigate the baggage storage. I swear, it looked like a game of Tetris had exploded right in front of me. But the concierge (bless her patient soul) swooped in and saved me, all smiles, like a real-life superhero. Contactless check-in/out made things easy, thank goodness.
The Room: My Fortress of (Relative) Solitude
My room! Ah, the sanctuary. It actually looked like the website photos, which is a miracle these days. I asked for a non-smoking room (essential, ‘cause my inner lung is a sensitive flower) and got one. Phew. The air conditioning was a lifesaver. Kingston gets hot.
Things I loved: The extra long bed! Glorious. The seriously effective blackout curtains. The complimentary tea (I'm a sucker for a cuppa). The free Wi-Fi (crucial for Instagramming my adventure). The daily housekeeping - a clean towel is a simple pleasure. They kept the bottle of water topped up, too, which was a nice touch. Having a desk to pretend I was getting work done and a laptop workspace felt very 'adult'.
Things that made me raise an eyebrow: The carpet felt a little… dated. The bathroom phone? Seriously guys? Who calls the room from the bathroom these days? The coffee/tea maker was one of those single-serve deals. Not terrible, but not quite a real coffee experience. (Note to Bayside: Upgrade your coffee situation!). The alarm clock was a vintage beast, which, honestly, was fun for a bit, but eventually, I just used my phone. And the scale? Let's just say, I chose to largely ignore its existence.
Food, Glorious (Sometimes) Food:
The dining, drinking, and snacking situation was a mixed bag. The breakfast [buffet]? Pretty standard. Asian breakfast was a thing! (interesting… didn’t try it). The Western breakfast was more my speed. I did note they had vegetarian restaurant options. The coffee shop? Average, but hey, coffee! I appreciated the bottle of water provided with my meals - keeping hydrated in the heat is key.
*Here's the thing that *really* got my attention*: The bar! Oh, the bar. They advertised a *poolside bar*, and you guys, it was a disaster. More on that later.
The restaurants… there’s a couple of them: the a la carte in restaurant was the better option, the staff was great. Room service [24-hour] was a lifesaver one night when I was too lazy to leave the room.
Relaxing… or Attempting To:
Alright, the moment you’ve all been waiting for, let's talk about the spa, and sauna, swimming pool! It's a pool with a view apparently.
Let me tell you a story about the sauna: I was so looking forward to it. Stepping out of that steamy hellhole and into the swimming pool to view the poolside bar was the dream…
I hit the spa. Okay, so there is a sauna! Yes, there was a steamroom! But!… The steamroom had a lingering smell of… something questionable. I, being a sensible human, noped my way out.
The sauna was a slightly better affair, but again, a slightly under-heated affair. I spent a solid 20 minutes in there, staring at the wood paneling, contemplating the meaning of life. It's a vibe, I guess.
The swimming pool was a decent size and, yes, there was a view. Nothing spectacular, mind you, maybe a hint of waterfront, but it's there. But there was NO poolside bar service like I was promised! It felt more like a sad, unfulfilled dream. I did managed to grab a cocktail from the main bar on the way but it did not make it to the poolside experience! It felt more like a mirage than a true escape.
And I'll be honest, with the physical distancing of at least 1 meter and all the Anti-viral cleaning products and daily disinfection in common areas I felt… safer.
The Poolside Bar Debacle (A Stream-of-Consciousness Rant):
Okay, so the poolside bar. I swear this deserves its own section. Seriously. I mean, that's what I was most excited for! A cold drink, a bit of sunshine, maybe even a flirtation.
So, I arrive. Empty. EMPTY. The bar itself was closed. Not "closed for cleaning", not "temporarily out of service", just… closed. Forever. Gone. I peeked through the window. The bottles of booze sat there, mocking me. Mocking me!
I asked the staff, politely, where the poolside bar was. They shrugged. "Oh, yes, the poolside bar. It is closed today." Today? Today? What day isn't it closed? They said I could get drinks, and food was available, at the main bar. Yeah, but it's not the same is it? It's like promising me a unicorn and then giving me a donkey with a glued-on horn. The happy hour was advertised yet no-one knew any details. My dreams of a poolside cocktail collapsed. I took a long walk to a nearby convenience store to purchase my own bottle of water.
I felt lied to. I felt deceived. I felt thirsty.
Oh, and speaking of thirsty… the bottle of water they provide in the rooms are a nice touch. But if you are like me, the drinks from the bar are where it is at!
Safety, Security, and the Fine Print (or, "Are We Safe?"):
I felt pretty secure overall. Security [24-hour], CCTV in common areas, fire extinguisher nearby, smoke alarms… all the usual suspects. The doctor/nurse on call thing seemed a bit reassuring, though I fortunately didn’t need it. First aid kit was available. The safe deposit boxes were a nice touch for peace of mind.
The staff trained in safety protocol seemed genuinely invested in cleanliness. They also had the hand sanitizer stations everywhere, and individually-wrapped food options which was good to see.
The room sanitization opt-out available was also a welcome feature. And the Sanitized kitchen and tableware items were a relief, but I rarely paid much attention to them.
The Bottom Line (aka "Would I Go Back?"):
Look, the Bayside Inn & Suites… it's a mixed bag. It has its good points. The room was comfortable. The staff were generally lovely. The location is decent.
But the broken promises (the poolside bar!) and the slightly underwhelming spa/sauna experience left me feeling… a little disappointed.
If you're looking for a perfect vacation, you might want to manage your expectations. If you're looking for Kingston's Waterfront Experience… well, it is on the waterfront which offers a view. It's not a bad place.
But if you ask me, I’m still searching for that perfect “escape”. And until I find it, I'd give the Bayside Inn & Suites a solid 3 out of 5 stars. Room for improvement! I just hope they fix that darn bar.
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Okay, buckle up, buttercups! You're in for a wild ride – my attempt at a Kingston adventure at Bayside Inn & Waterfront Suites. Consider this less a polished itinerary and more… well, a chaotic love letter to travel.
Kingston Capers: A Stream-of-Consciousness Romp (With Potential Disasters!)
Day 1: Arrival & Waterfront Whims (Prepare for Hangry!)
- 1:00 PM: Touchdown & the Great Parking Panic: Alright, so the drive was fine… until Kingston. Finding parking at the Bayside Inn? Forget about it! The website promised ample spaces, but reality hit me in the face like a rogue seagull. A frantic circling, a bit of a near-miss with a grumpy minivan, and then… VICTORY! I squeezed into a space that was technically legal. Cue the victory dance (which probably looked more like a clumsy jig).
- 1:30 PM: Check-in & Room Reveal: The lobby… it’s cute! Nautical themed – so on the nose it’s almost charming. The front desk staff? Super friendly! The room itself… okay, it's a touch smaller than I expected, but hey, waterfront view! Squeeee! (That was my internal, slightly embarrassing, reaction.) Those views are seriously worth it.
- 2:00 PM: The Hunger Games Begins: This is where things almost went south. I was RAVENOUS. Hadn’t eaten since breakfast (a granola bar, if you can even call it that). Tried to leave my bags and head straight to a restaurant, but it was a zoo. Apparently, everyone else was experiencing the same hunger-induced madness! I was ready to throw a vending machine through the window.
- 2:30 PM: Savior of the Stomach: Dianne's Fish Shack & Smokehouse. After a bit of searching I finally decided on Dianne's its was perfect! The food was fantastic, the place was buzzing and I needed to be in the middle of it all. After the food I was ready to continue.
- 4:00 PM: Waterfront Wandering & Whale Watching (Kidding!): Okay, so there are no whales in Lake Ontario. Obvious, right? But the waterfront is gorgeous! I walked along the pier, felt the breeze, watched the boats… It was bliss. Took about a million pictures. Probably shared half of them on Instagram. Don't judge. Even the seagulls were photogenic.
- 6:00 PM: Sunset Serenity (with a Side of Mosquitoes): Back at the Inn, balcony, wine in hand. The sunset over the water was… breathtaking. Absolutely stunning. Until the mosquitoes decided to join the party. Seriously, they were relentless. Slapped myself silly, retreated inside, and decided to declare war on all things buggy.
- 7:30 PM: Dinner Dilemma (and the Quest for Craft Beer): Okay, Kingston, you have a serious restaurant abundance, this is either a blessing or a curse. Finally settled on something, ate well, and did some more beer tasting. Did I fall asleep mid-beer tasting? Possibly. I'm on vacation, people!
Day 2: History, Hangovers & Harbour Cruises (the Messy Middle!)
- 8:00 AM: The Hangover Heard Round the World: Woke up feeling… well, let's just say I should have stuck to water last night. Coffee. Needed. Coffee. Now. Immediately.
- 9:00 AM: Fort Henry (Attempted): A drive away from the hotel, and a monument to history. I went in, learned something, was impressed. I feel smart. I also feel like I need a nap. This history stuff is draining!
- 12:00 PM: Lunch & The Great Pizza Debate: Pizza. I needed pizza. Again. Found a hole-in-the-wall place with rave reviews. It was… decent. Kingston has a pizza problem. Not the best, but, hey, it filled a hole in my stomach.
- 1:00 PM: Kingston's Waterfront & The Great Castle Debate: More Waterfront roaming, the waterfront is something to be experienced.
- 2:00 PM: The Boat Cruise Chronicles: A boat tour! I figured it would be touristy, but honestly? It was wonderful. The views from the water were stunning. The guide had a dry wit, which I appreciated (even if I missed half the jokes because I was too busy taking pictures). I may have even dozed off for a bit. Shhh! Don't tell anyone!
- 4:00 PM: The Shopping Spree (That Never Happened): Oh! The shopping! I had grand plans to scour boutiques, find unique treasures, become a cultured shopper. Instead, I wandered, got bored, and bought a fridge magnet. Progress!
- 6:00 PM: Sunset Round Two (and a Slightly Less Buggy Experience): Learned my lesson! Mosquito repellent = essential. Returned to the balcony for another sunset, chilled, and enjoyed a book. Ahhh, the simple life.
- 7:30 PM: Dinner at The Iron Duke: Again, the waterfront. Fish and Chips!
Day 3: Farewell & Future Fiascos (the Final Act!)
- 9:00 AM: The Great Breakfast Debacle: "Complimentary breakfast" at the Inn. Let's just say it wasn't exactly Michelin-star material. But hey, free food is free food, right? Ate enough to keep me going… maybe.
- 10:00 AM: Last-Minute Souvenir Hunt (Panic ensues!): Oh crap, I forgot gifts! Scrambled around downtown. Found some stuff. Overpaid. Regretted it. But hey, memories!
- 11:00 AM: Farewell Waterfront Walk & Ode to Kingston: One last stroll along the water. Said goodbye to the boats, the breeze, and the overall (almost)-chill vibe of Kingston.
- 12:00 PM: Check-Out & the Drive Home (with Potential Meltdown): Easy check-out. The drive home? Well, that's another chapter entirely. Let's just say I packed a lot of road snacks and emergency caffeine.
Final Thoughts (and a touch of chaos):
Kingston, you were a quirky mix of beauty, history, great food, and the occasional mosquito-induced panic. Bayside Inn, you were a comfy home base with a killer view. Would I go back? Absolutely! Will I plan a more organized itinerary next time? Probably not. Because, honestly, the best travel memories are the messy ones, the ones where you get lost, make mistakes, and laugh (or cry) along the way. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need a nap. And maybe a large pizza. And a stiff drink.
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Kingston's Bayside Inn & Suites: The Real Deal (or Maybe Not?) - A Messy FAQ
Okay, so... is Bayside Inn & Suites *actually* a "Waterfront Escape," or is that just marketing fluff?
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because the "Waterfront Escape" thing? Yeah, it's mostly true. Don't expect your room to *actually* be ON the water, you know? Think more... *near* the water. Like, you can *see* the water from some rooms, and it's a nice, long walk to the docks. But hey, you can't have everything. I mean, it's Kingston! The water's kinda the whole *point*, right? And you *do* smell the lake, which is a win. I remember the first time I arrived, I was SO exhausted from the drive. I fumbled with my keys, practically tripped over the welcome mat - it was one of those days. But then... I smelled the lake. And for a brief, beautiful moment, all the stress evaporated. It's a good start, I'll say that much.
What are the rooms like? Are they clean? 'Cause, you know...
Okay, *cleanliness*. This is where things get...interesting. Generally, yes. Most rooms are clean. I mean, I haven't found any *actual* monsters under the bed yet (thank the gods!), and the bathrooms, on the whole, are decent. But let's be real, this isn't the Ritz. Don't expect museum-level pristine-ness. You might find a stray hair or two (or five) – hey, life happens! I once stayed in a room, and bless their hearts, the cleaning crew had clearly *tried* to decorate – there was a sad-looking framed picture that was definitely seen better days. It added a certain... character, I guess. I’d bring my own wipes, just to be safe, but that's just me and my germaphobe tendencies. Again, it's a budget-friendly stay, not a five-star spa retreat.
What about the views? Is the lake view worth the extra cost?
Alright, let's talk views. This is a loaded question! Yes, the lake view is *usually* a bit more expensive, and, honestly, it's worth it. *But...* and this is a HUGE but, the view can vary *wildly*. You’ve got to consider the angle, the season, and your luck with which room you draw from the deck of cards. I remember one time I splurged on the view, and I ended up on the *side* of the building, overlooking some bushes and *mostly* the parking lot. Talk about a letdown! I was so bummed. I almost cried. Still, when you *do* get a good view - waking up to the sunrise over the water is pretty darn magical. So, my recommendation? CALL AHEAD and ASK. Beg, even. Make sure you actually get *a* view, and not just a glimpse of the water through a tree.
Is there a pool? (Because, hey, vacation!)
Yes! There is a pool. I've seen it. It's a pool. It's... fine. Look, it's not Olympic-sized, it's not heated to perfection, but it's a good pool. It's a perfectly functional pool. It's a place to splash around in. I appreciate a place that offers a swimming space after a long drive. I’ve splashed around there myself, and I’ve seen kids having a grand old time. So, yes, there's a pool, and it serves its purpose. Just don't expect a resort-style experience (I mean, the name is "Inn & Suites" not "Luxury Resort"). It's a good, solid, accessible pool. And sometimes, that's all you need.
What about breakfast? Is it included and, more importantly: is it *good*?
Breakfast. Ah, the breakfast situation. At the Bayside, breakfast is... *included*. The details vary slightly depending on your booking (sometimes it's a continental, sometimes a limited hot buffet). The quality? Let's just say it falls into the "functional" category. Think bagels, muffins, maybe some scrambled eggs that look suspiciously like they came from a carton (but hey, I'm not judging!). You might get some cereal and some basic fruit. It is not a gourmet experience, folks. But it's free! And it's fuel! I usually grab a bagel, slather it in cream cheese, and call it a win. I find it's best to temper your expectations on this one. If you're hungry, you'll eat it and be happy. If you're a foodie, maybe grab your own groceries and eat in your room.
Is there parking? And... is it free?
Okay, parking is a biggie. Yes, there IS parking. And... yes, it's usually free! This is a definite plus. The parking lot can get a bit crowded, especially during peak season, but I've never had a *major* problem finding a spot. However, just be prepared to potentially have to park a little further away from the entrance. I do remember one time, I spent nearly 20 minutes circling the lot, like a shark, before I finally snagged a place. After that, I’m always a little more careful, especially when I'm traveling alone. So, it's free, but be patient. And if you've got a monster truck, well, good luck!
What's the vibe? Is it family-friendly? Romantic? Party central?
The vibe? It's a mixed bag. Definitely family-friendly. You'll see kids running around, splashing in the pool, and generally enjoying themselves. It's not the place for a raucous party. Romantic? Potentially, if you're into the whole "budget-friendly, lakeside charm" thing. A sunset over the water can be quite romantic, even if you're sharing it with a few other families. It *really* depends on you and your expectations. Like, you're not going to get a candlelit dinner and a string quartet here (unless you bring your own!), but you can get a nice, relaxing getaway. I think of it as a place where you can unwind, maybe read a book, and enjoy the beauty of Kingston without breaking the bank. Don't expect too much, and you'll probably have a good time!
Okay, spill. What's the *worst* thing about the Bayside Inn & Suites?
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