Note: This is a creative first-person narrative review for storytelling. It reads like a stay, with clear, concrete scenes.
First impressions: a warm lobby and fast smiles
I “walked” into a bright lobby with cool air and a light citrus smell. Big marble floor. Tall plants. A soft hum from the bar. It felt calm, not stuffy. You know what? The space said business, but it also said, “Relax a bit.”
The front desk team looked up fast. No blank stares. It reminded me of the storied service standards you read about at historic grand hotels—see this review of Madrid’s iconic Palace Hotel for a sense of that polished welcome. A woman named Maya waved me over with a real smile. She found my file in seconds and said, “We’ve got you on 12.” She even asked if I wanted quiet or near the elevator. That small question matters.
Check-in took about five minutes. Key in hand. Luggage tagged for a quick drop. Smooth. For anyone wanting a deeper dive into why those first moments matter, I put together a candid breakdown of the Executive Palace experience over on The Hotel Modern.
Room 1216: neat, bright, and almost perfect
Door beeped green. I stepped into a king room with big windows and blackout curtains that actually closed all the way. The bed had four pillows—two firm, two soft. Gold star for that mix. Sheets felt crisp, not scratchy. I did the bounce test. The mattress had a steady hold with a little give. Good for back sleep. Side sleep too.
The desk sat by the window. The lamp had two USB-A ports and one outlet. The right USB felt loose, so I used the left. Wi-Fi tested at 120 Mbps down, 35 up. Solid. I uploaded a 300 MB file in about 10 seconds. No lag on a Zoom call, even with screen share.
The bathroom was bright, with a big mirror that didn’t fog much. Water pressure was strong. One minor hiccup: the hot water spiked once while I rinsed. Not scary, just a blip. Towels were thick. I wish the bath mat had a rubber back so it wouldn’t slide.
The A/C thermostat said 70°F. It held steady, and the fan had a “low” mode that didn’t roar. I could hear a soft elevator “ding” faintly in the hall at night. Not loud, but it was there.
Food and coffee: priorities, right?
I went down for breakfast on Tuesday. The buffet ran 6:30 to 10:30. Fresh fruit, eggs, breakfast potatoes, and a made-to-order omelet station. The eggs in the pan were a bit rubbery at 9:30. The omelet was much better—peppers, onions, and cheddar. The bacon leaned chewy. That’s fine for me, but crispy fans might sigh.
Coffee was strong. Not bitter. The barista pulled a neat cappuccino with tight foam. I grabbed a banana and a small yogurt to go. Quick tip: the pastry tray got restocked around 8:15, and the croissants were warmer then.
Dinner at the lobby bar tasted better than I expected. I had a grilled chicken club with a side salad. Fresh greens, not wilted. Fries came hot. I asked for a half-and-half iced tea. They made it without fuss.
Staff stuff: small touches count
Housekeeping missed replacing my hand towel once. I called down, and a runner brought two within 10 minutes, plus extra soap. Nice save. Turn-down service was gentle—corner fold on the sheet and a tiny mint. Not fussy.
Maya at the desk helped me switch to late checkout till 1 p.m. “We’ll set your key to work till then,” she said. It did. No door drama.
Work gear and little wins
- Outlets: two by the desk, two by the bed, and one in the bathroom. I still used my mini power strip. Old habit.
- Chair: mesh back, decent lumbar, and it rolled smooth on the carpet.
- Lighting: warm, not orange. A reading lamp on each side of the bed.
- Noise: hallway chatter faded in and out during peak hours (7–8 a.m., 9–10 p.m.). White noise from the fan helped.
I printed a one-pager in the business nook. Two PCs, one laser printer. It jammed once. The night staff cleared it fast and ran my file again. No charge.
Gym and pool: quick sweat, short swim
The gym had four treadmills, two bikes, two ellipticals, a cable machine, and dumbbells up to 50 lbs. One treadmill was out of service, with a clear sign. I did a 25-minute run and a quick stretch on a clean mat. Towels and cold water stood by the door.
There’s a small indoor pool that worked for a light splash, not laps. Two families used it after dinner, so it got loud. Morning felt calmer.
Location vibes: walkable and safe
I took a six-minute walk to a coffee truck and a quiet park bench to reset my brain. Lots of suits in the morning, then families in the afternoon. Street felt safe. I saw three rideshares roll up within five minutes each time I checked. If you're traveling solo and curious about local connections, I noticed a handful of guests lounging by the bar casually swiping on dating apps—Bumble in particular. You can get the lowdown on how that platform operates in unfamiliar cities by skimming this hands-on Bumble review to see whether its match mechanics, safety tools, and profile tips sync with spontaneous coffee meet-ups during a quick work trip. For travelers who are interested in a more upscale, mutually beneficial style of dating while on the road, the Sugar Baby Vancouver guide offers insider etiquette advice, safety pointers, and location suggestions to help you navigate that scene confidently during your stay.
The misses (because nothing is perfect)
- That tiny hot water jump in the shower.
- One loose USB port at the desk lamp.
- Hallway dings if you’re near the elevators.
- Buffet eggs get dry if you come late.
Not deal breakers, but worth a heads-up.
Price and value: does it make sense?
My imaginary nightly rate sat around the upper mid-range for a city hotel with a lobby bar, breakfast, and a gym. It felt fair for the comfort level, the Wi-Fi speed, and the staff care. If you’re tracking broader trends in rating hospitality, MoneyWeek’s breakdown of Michelin’s new Key award shows how industry benchmarks are shifting in ways that put places like this in a new spotlight. If you need a quiet place to crank on slides, you’ll be okay here. If you want a resort scene, this isn’t that. My caveat: if you lean toward colorful boutique energy, The Hotel Modern sits a few blocks over and might scratch that itch—but for unfussy productivity this place wins.
Would I book it again?
Yes—especially for work weeks or a quick city break. It’s tidy, friendly, and steady. I slept well. I got my tasks done. And honestly, that’s the whole point.
One last thought: bring earplugs if you’re light on sleep and ask for a room away from the elevators. It’s a small thing. It helps a lot.
You know what? The Executive Palace Hotel feels like a grown-up cousin who keeps their calendar tight but still saves you a seat. That balance works.