Crowne Plaza Kitchener-Waterloo

The room was clean but quite outdated, with a musty odor, reminiscent of damp towels. The bed and pillows were comfortable, which was a plus. However, there were no toothbrushes, toothpaste, or slippers provided. The coffee machine in the room had water pooled in the tray, likely from the previous guest's usage and it appeared never have been cleaned. Additionally , there was no hot water kettle or bottled water provided in the room which was disappointing.  The lobby, corridors, and other public areas had a strong smell of bleach, which was overwhelming. The buffet breakfast was a highlight. For CAD$20, it offered a wide selection, and the quality was excellent, making it a great value. Service was a bit of a mixed bag. Restaurant staff, especially Erica, was fantastic—attentive, polite, and thoughtful. She checked in with every guest to ensure they were satisfied with their meal. Unfortunately, some of the male staff seemed to be less eager to serve non-Caucasian guests, which was disappointing and made the experience feel less welcoming. I also want to give a special mention to Chitra at reception. I arrived early, and she went out of her way to accommodate me, even managing to arrange an early check-in. She also informed me about the late check-out benefit available to IHG members, which the other male receptionist had not explained when he simply rejected my request. Overall, the hotel is somewhat pricey, but the breakfast and service (especially from Erica and Chitra) made up for some of the other shortcomings.