Travelodge Hotel by Wyndham Saskatoon (Saskatoon, Canada)

Professional, knowledgeable and friendly to a fault; the adept guys and gals who manage the hotel’s consistently busy reception desk are just the kind of people you’d choose to have looking after your needs on holiday. Excellent efforts.

If you get the chance then do yourself a favour and book one of the themed rooms available here. Choices range from pretty standard offerings like sci-fi ‘alien invasion’ and medieval castle (replete with knight’s armour) to more outlandish options like bus depot(?). If you really want to give your senses a workout (or blow your kids’ minds) then opt for the somewhat OTT ‘under-the-sea’ room. Bizarre and beguiling at the same time!

Along with the standard pools and hot tubs, there’s a 250-foot water-slide and a toddler-friendly splash-pad pool, both of which are magnets for kids of all ages. Exceptional facilities for a budget hotel.

Numerous guests have been left less-than-impressed by the relative absence of signage both inside and outside this hotel. Given that this property is quite large and labyrinthine, this really can be a hassle, especially when you first arrive.

Humid, smelly (chlorine) and persistently blasted by the noise of kids squealing with delight; the accommodations next to the pool complex aren’t for everyone...

Numerous guests have taken issue with the rather half-hearted efforts of the housekeeping team. Definite room for improvement here.