Have you ever had a staycation in your town or city? We recently did just that, enjoying an eco-friendly stay at the Element Vaughan Southwest.
My boys and I visited Canada’s Wonderland for some amusement park fun, and then headed to Element Vaughan Southwest for some downtime. I hadn’t stayed in an Element by Westin hotel before, and didn’t know what to expect – I was pleasantly surprised by what I discovered.
Hotel atmosphere
The courtyard and lobby area is bright, modern and relaxing. The eco-friendly aesthetic is immediately relaxing. The open multi-purpose public spaces are inviting settings for work, or for gathering with friends and colleagues. The lobby features café seating and a 16-ft. wall of windows opening onto the outdoor patio. You can barbecue your dinner at one of the three self-serve patio grills on the patio, or relax with a drink in the sunshine too.
Rooms/Suites
What makes the Element hotels unique are that they are designed for longer stays, so they have functional spaces to make you feel comfortable just like home.
Rooms are large, bright and modern. All suites are fully-equipped with kitchens with stainless steel appliances including fridge, stovetop, microwave, cookware, dishes, utensils and glassware. Standard King Suites have kitchenettes only. Also you’ll find a coffee and tea maker, although the lobby offers a Starbucks coffee station throughout the day.
The hotel and rooms were very clean. We stayed in a Studio Double Queen Suite, and thanks to the signature Westin Heavenly Beds, we slept like babies. The bathroom was enormous, modern and bright, and best of all – the spa-inspired rain shower.
Breakfast
Free breakfast in the main lobby area was a lovely touch; there was a waffle making station, a cereal station with pastries and fresh fruit, a variety of breads and bagels, and hot offerings such as omelettes.
Pool and Fitness Centre
We loved the indoor salt-water pool and hot tub, which is so much nicer than chlorine, and more eco-friendly too. We could’ve stayed in the pool area for the entire afternoon quite honestly. The fitness centre was also well-equipped with cardio machines as well as weight machines.
The hotel is also a good spot for meetings and conferences; the hotel offers five energy-efficient meeting rooms cover 3,000 sq. ft., with the largest space accommodating up to 150 people. All the tech conveniences you need are included at the resource centre, including email, print, fax and more, available 24/7.
Also, the hotel is situated perfectly close to everything including highways, the airport and major shopping centres. The location is perfect for wedding parties as there are a number of banquet halls and event spaces nearby. Last but not least, the staff was friendly, polite and accommodating.
The Element is an ideal choice for families, sports tournaments, business conferences, and extended stays.
Disclosure: We were provided with a complimentary stay at Element Southwest Vaughan. As always, the opinions expressed herein are my own.
