Description: The Ramada Hotel Fredericton has been by-passed by New Brunswick’s four-lane highway. It is at 480 Riverside Dr. (Route 105), on the side of the river opposite Fredericton, near the end of the Princess Margaret Bridge, and it’s a pity, because if I stay in Fredericton, it is my hotel of choice. My only other choice is the Delta in Fredericton proper, and that price point is considerably higher.
It’s a full-service hotel and a great place for a family on vacation or just passing through. The rooms are nice enough, clean, well decorated, etc., and when I call, I ask for something on the second floor outside and to the rear of the building. The hotel is built around an inner courtyard that contains a pool, hot tub, and poolside bar. Rooms with balconies overlooking the courtyard often have a chlorine smell to them, but since the province went smoke-free in public spaces, cigarette smoke from the courtyard isn’t a problem. I like the upstairs-outside rooms because I like to sleep with the windows open, although I have always been pleased with the ventilation/heating/cooling system. Even so, the addition of a series of townhouses behind the hotel has blocked the view down to the river for some of those rooms. There may be less reason to go to the back of the establishment, as Route 105 in front is not as busy as it used to be, and it is now a rural highway and not a main route.
If you’re making Fredericton a destination for a couple of days, you might want to unwind in the exercise room or on the driving range or the nine-hole course to the rear of the building. The restaurant on site provides good service and good food, and there are a guest laundry, complementary newspapers, and room service. I guess I’m describing a hotel that is perfect for the business traveler, but it is equally good for the family on the road with its extensive entertainment facilities for all.
The only issue may be access to the city. Well, from the hotel to downtown, it is 5 minutes across the bridge. There is also plenty of free parking, and in winter, it is a custom of the hotel to put up a tent shelter for "ski-doos" using the nearby trails. It’s a great destination.
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