noplasticshowers

I didn’t realize that the Indigo Hotel in Ottawa was part of a cookie cutter chain of 31 “boutique” hotels run by the Intercontinental. Dang.

In retrospect, I should have known what I was in for from my, um, interesting, stay in Jacksonville, Florida. Everything I said in that post applies: “far far better than your average Courtyard by Marriott. But it is no luxury hotel catering to hipsters and rock stars. Instead it appears to be catering to people who would like to be hip, even though they read USA Today and shop at big box stores.”

Lesson learned. Slowly. But learned.

Bathroom first. The shower is glass, but the floor is spongy and cheap. Everything looks better quality than it really is. It’s apparently all about appearances.

Glass shower good. But cheaply constructed.

Bathroom seems new in that vacant apartment way.

Bed is big and not very comfortable. But it looks big and comfortable.

Big uncomfortable bed.

Here’s how much they want my business. They choose to charge me $4 for a bottle of water. This does not make me feel welcome. Nope.

Welcome. Please insert your credit card here.

Big TV on particle board furniture. You look rich if you have a big TV, right?

All hail the television.

The lobby is nice enough, but once again that kind of super light furniture that looks great but weighs only 2 pounds. The Indigo Hotel is like a TV set for a hotel (hah, try parsing that one twice).

Lobby.

Three showerheads for the Indigo Hotel chain. Look elsewhere for a real boutique experience.

I other travel news, TSApre works now for international flights. Cool! And Global entry was a snap in Ottawa on the way out. Just don’t save time for breakfast after customs unless you like styrofoam plates.