Name: Ptarmigan Inn
Address: Gagnier Rd, Hay River, NT X0E 1G1, Canada, Hay River, Hay River, Hay River, X0E 1G1, Canada
Rating: 6

Air conditioning

24-hour reception

Smoke-free property

Heating

All Spaces Non-Smoking (public and private)

General

Non-smoking rooms

Fridge

Family room

Cable TV

Hairdryer

Flat-screen TV

Shower/Bathtub

Toiletries

Rooms

Ironing

Laundry

Telephone

Services and amenities

Coffee/tea for guests

Restaurant

Vending machine

Microwave oven

Kettle

Meals

Internet

English

French

Languages Spoken

Free Parking on Premises

Parking

Fax and copy machine

Meeting and presentation facilities

Business

Darts

Fitness facilities

Sports

Beauty services

Sauna

Beauty and wellness

Family/Kid Friendly

Kids

Pets allowed

Pets

Location

At the hotel

Room amenities

Hay River Airport

Ptarmigan Inn

Hay River

Stayed here recently while in Hay River overnight. I had a standard room with 2 beds, located on the 2nd floor. First room I got had an issue with the window (couldn’t close it), but that was quickly rectified and I was moved to another room. The room definitely has signs of wear and tear, the furniture and carpets could use refreshing, but it was clean and overall comfortable. The bathroom looked newer, and I enjoyed having the coffee/tea area. The one complaint about the room was that they don’t seem to have too many outlets in the room, so it was a challenge to charge my phone etc. The hotel is in great walkable location, and it has a surprisingly good restaurant on-site. I ate all my meals there and the menu was extensive, with plenty of vegetarian options, good service and quite good food. All in all a good option for Hay River.

Good option for Hay River, with nice on-site restaurant

I have to provide a little context before getting to the review itself.  My cousin and I are in our early 80s and taking advantage of the fact that we're both in good health and our wives are tolerant (if not happy) about us taking long driving trips to out-of-the-way locations they would never think of visiting.  So, on these trips, we also stay in places they wouldn't possibly consider staying in.  We don't do micro-inspections of the rooms and realize that sometimes things won't work as well as they might have when they were first installed.  We also take into account the fact that locations that are at or near the end of the supply chain likely have higher costs and would likely need to charge a higher rate for accommodations that would be available for less somewhere else.

With that context in mind, I reserved a room in May using the internet for a mid-August one-night stay.  The reservation process was routine, and the front desk had all the information correct on our arrival.  Check-in was easy.  The room was as described in the reservation I made.  The room furnishings were clean, but a bit worn.  The toilet leaked around the base a bit after flushing, so the wax seal was probably no longer intact.  Sleeping was comfortable.  I don't know if it's quiet or not because I sleep with ear plugs.  The room was sufficiently dark even though sunrise was earlier than our wake-up time.

There is an on-site restaurant, Key's Dining, which is very good and fairly reasonably priced given costs,  

So, what would my advice be about considering the Ptarmigan Inn?  If you're traveling through and will be in Hay River or the surrounding area only one night, it's OK.  If you were going to stay longer, I'd consider another location, but not necessarily rule this out.  Based on the reviews I read before booking it, I'd say they were fair and would expect varied reactions by lodgers.  Overall, I suppose I'd have to say it was like staying in a small-town hotel that was the only place in town in the '60s.  I've stayed in worse, and I've stayed in better.  If someone said I had an obligatory trip to make to Hay River and I had to stay at the Ptarmigan Inn when I was there, that would be OK with me.

A mixed bag

We stayed in a room with a kitchenette on the second floor. While it was right at the top of the steps from the lobby there was little noise from other guests. There was a queen bed and a single bed and a hide-a-bed couch. There was an armchair an armoire with a tv and a desk and chair. The kitchen was roomy but the setup was an older single unit stove, oven, sink and fridge. The dials were partly melted from the heat from the oven and it was hard to figure out which dial worked with which burner but we did manage. 

The bed was quite comfortable and we slept well. Our only complaint would be that there was nowhere to sit and eat. Between the kitchen and the living area there is a long narrow counter so we had stand-up meals.

The location is convenient. There is a North mart around the corner and a pub and a bank located in the building.

Large comfortable room

Hotel is showing its age. Examples: worn/patched carpeting, holes in the blackout curtains, sagging mattress.
Only a few amenities. Examples: no ice bucket, no drinking glassware, only two paper coffee maker cups, towels for only one guest.
Not a good value for its price.

Paying a Northern Premium

My husband had booked two rooms through booking.com for himself, a colleague and his wife  but was told on arrival that only one room was available. Apparently the written confirmation that showed 3 people/2 rooms didn't count - the person at the front desk expected a separate confirmation for each room??? This statement was repeated several times to other guests who had booked more than one room. He ended up sharing a twin room with his colleague and wife - hardly ideal.

Only one room at the inn despite having written confirmation for two rooms!

Well, as I sit here watching tv, I am looking around my room, 102.  I needed easy access due to mobility issues so it was nice and handy at the top of the stairs.
Bed if comfy and clean.  The whole room is clean and spacious.  BUT, I am not one to sleep with heat on as I like it cool.  I could not get the window closed and I don’t think the previous guest could either.  It obviously has been a problem for a while as there is tape over the frame.  I had the desk staff come to see if he could get it shut.  Nope.  I really hate wasting power jus because we can’t get the window shut.  So I stuffed a towel around the opening.  It is after all still winter outside.  The curtains are full of huge holes.  On the other hand the staff are polite, courteous and helpful.  Hopefully next time I stay things will have improved

Cold or warm, hmmmm

Had the “executive suite” it was quite disgusting. Stains on the couch. Old furniture. Fireplace that didn’t not work just pumps out very hot air. Small desk. No table to eat a meal. I hated spending time in this room. 7am every morning garbage truck picking up garbage below my room. The staff doesn’t follow covid protocol at all. Assists me by coming INTO my room with NO MASK on. Yet demands to see my vaccination proof so I can go to the restaurant/bar and even tried to grab hold of my phone in doing so. Not impressed at all. They charge my credit card in full for 2 rooms for a week, left early and had to wait half an hour for final receipt and now waiting for that refund still. Unprofessional place. I do not recommend however you don’t have much choice in Fort Smith unfortunately

Not impressed

Stayed during a recent trip returning to the north. Due to recent Covid 19 safety precautions for the Territory, I had to self-isolate here and staff made it a very pleasant experience! Thank you, this hotel puts comfort and safety first!

Great trip Covid cautious:)

Thank you for following all recommendations by the Ministry of Health in the Northwest Territories.
The Staff was amazing with the new guidelines, making customers feel welcome and assuring guests that in these new times you will have a clean and disinfected room and restaurant as they are definitely following proper protocol.
 I was nervous about travelling during this time ..but this hotel put me at ease.  They will always have my business.
Thank you.

Excellent Customer Service

Thank you for taking care of the health & safety of NWT residents during this pandemic by following the letter of the law - even in the face of utter ignorance, self-entitlement & criticism. 

We've stayed at the Ptarmigan Inn numerous times over the years and definitely will again! 

Stay safe NWT! Miss you with all our hearts!

Ptarmigan Inn

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