Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Wifi
Free breakfast
Meeting rooms
Non-smoking hotel
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Location
1187 Upper James St, Hamilton, Ontario L9C 3B2 Canada
Airport Inn
257 reviews
Getting there
Car recommended
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
This is, by far, the sketchiest hotel I have ever stayed in.
A few things:
1) It is no longer a Howard Johnson. It is called the "Airport Inn." I can only guess that it dropped below the HoJo's already rather low standards. They have just torn the logo off the front. 2) It is half abandoned. The restaurant beside it (appears to have been a Hooters, to top it off) is empty and half the hotel isn't being used. At least one broken window in the unused part of the hotel really adds to the "character" 3) A number of bug bites after sleeping there. Just hoping it's not bed bugs that I'm bringing home 4) There were legitimately blood stains on the carpet (see photos). Thus, the Walking Dead comment 5) The free "continental breakfast" appears to just be Costco muffins.
Don't stay here. They should close it, tear it down. The worst.
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Date of stay: March 2015
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
this hotel is discusting and the only thing good about it was the front desk girl i think her name was leslie and i am hoping i am right. she made sure i knew there was no heat before i even checked in, and made sure i had everything i needed. the manager was very rude and she does not have what it takes to be a manager. i do not wish for anyone to stay at this hotel it is dirty and the staffing sucks all except for that one girl. i am hoping she finds her way to a new job in a better cleaner hotel. Do Not Stay Here
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Date of stay: April 2005
Value
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
Trip type: Travelled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A few weeks ago, I stayed at this 60's hotel. The hotel is very nice and clean. I thought the service was wonderful until I came across one of the employees. I believe she may be one of the owners. Her name was Jaggie or something. She was rude and completely incompetant. When I asked her for extra towel in my room, she said why are there other people in your room. I had to ask for towels 4 times before I received them from her. No matter how hard I tried to be nice she kept on being rude. When I spoke to the manager/owner he was very apologetic for his wife's actions. Everyone else was great except for this rude ..... I recommend that you call this place before you go there. Don't bother if she is there.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Well when you start your weekend with every single person in your group having to change rooms you know its going to be bad. And bad it was, Our adventure begins upon arrival, approx 30 minutes to figure out where all the reservations could possibly be-gotta love making them and then no one knows where they are-reminds me of a Seinfeld episode!!! First set of rooms, dirty sheets/used soap/leftovers in fridge/no towels/no tp/one room with bed bugs-verified by an expert/hair on the ceiling??/stairs that are so rotten rather than fixing them boards have been nailed underneath-for your safety of course LOL...the list goes on and on. We expressed our concerns and were told by the "acting manager" owners son that he would review all the issues and get back to everyone with credits. Of course no follow up, when called he would require another 24 hours to ask Daddy what to do....so end result is only some peoples stay was horrible enough to grant discounts. Please pass this on, if staying in Hamilton avoid HOWARD JOHNSONS on Upper James at all costs-we've stayed in cheap hotels before but this one is the grandest one of all.....oh and BOO to your horrible service Aria, your dad should be so proud!!!!!
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Date of stay: August 2011
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from HojoHamiltonON, General Manager at Airport Inn
Responded Aug 15, 2011
Thank you for your letter expressing the problems you encountered during your stay at the Howard Johnson of Hamilton. We sincerely apologize for the substandard condition of your room. At Our Howard Johnson, we take great pride in our high standards of cleanliness. Unfortunately, you experienced a time when we obviously did not meet those standards. My hope is that you will allow us another opportunity to serve you.
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Let's just say that this is one of those places you go if you "wanna get a room". Not very classy at all. The only part about this Howard Johnson hotel that has anything to do with Ho Jo are the complimentary shampoo and soap. The beds are stained, the carpets are filthy, the windows in the washroom are held together by tape, and let's not even get into what kindof disaster made that hole in my wall, pricelessly covered up in a plasticine substance. The Howard Johnson East is a waste of time and a shame to the Howard Johnson name. Never again.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Responded Feb 5, 2004
I would like to thank everyone for providing us with constructive feedback. I would like to offer my assistance and would like to speak with anyone who has any concerns with our facility. We apologize for any inconvenience that may have been caused. We try our best to make your stay as comfortable as possible. In the upcoming months we will be undergoing renovations to the rooms. We currently have rates from $50-$87 and offer free new movies, free local calling, and we're close to shopping areas.You can call our toll free number at 1-877-HAM-HOJO (1-877-426-4656).Thank You
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We stayed here as a last resort, and after leaving the lobby I was left wishing we'd slept in our car instead. It's obvious the lobby is meant to fool the customer into thinking they're entering a relatively nice, clean hotel. Unfortunately once you've forked over your money and you've left the lobby you'll realize you've made a huge mistake.
The hallway was grungy with a thick scent of stale smoke in the air. Every door we saw appeared to have crowbar marks, as if the doors had been pried open and the locks busted. Once we entered our room it only got worse. The curtains hung in disarray and it was impossible to pull them together enough to block the view outside (which meant people could look into our room). The carpet appeared filthy and had questionable stains everywhere you looked. The room was dusty, and there were crumbs in every corner and behind the chairs. The television was extremely outdated and the resolution made it impossible to watch anything. The walls were covered in watermarks and peeling paint, and there was even black mold on the ceiling. The beds looked relatively safe at first glance, but upon closer inspection the sheets were wrinkled as if the bed had been slept in by a previous guest and housekeeping had simply remade the bed rather than replacing the sheets.
The bathroom appeared to be the cleanest part of the room, with a nice shower and toilet, but the sink was falling apart and the light above the sink emitted an obnoxious buzzing sound whenever the light was turned on. Unfortunately, without a door between the sink area and the room itself, it meant people sleeping were disturbed by the buzzing sound whenever someone needed to use the bathroom.
The walls are thin, and we could hear the voices of other guests, and the sound of people walking around above us (it sounded as if they'd come right through the ceiling). I refused to take off my shoes while walking around the room, and despite its clean appearance none of us used the shower during our visit. There was even a debate as to whether or not we should sleep under the sheets, but we decided it was likely safer than whatever might be crawling on the duvet. The one positive was that the beds were comfortable and we received a good night's sleep, despite the noise and the fear that someone might break into our room.
Staff, as well, were relatively friendly and helpful. Unfortunately that didn't make up for the horrible condition of our room.
After our visit, I read through some of the reviews here and I find it interesting that the manager has been promising changes for several years now. Customers have been pointing out the same things I've mentioned in my review, and although the manager continues to promise to improve their standards it is clear that absolutely nothing has been done to improve the condition of their rooms.
If you're only looking for a bed to sleep in, this is the hotel for you. Otherwise, stay far away. We will never stay here again, and we've warned others about this hotel as well.
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Date of stay: May 2012
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Â If there was a good room in this hotel we didn't see it.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from HojoHamiltonON, General Manager at Airport Inn
Responded May 29, 2012
Kate667, We do appreciate hearing from our guests as to how we may improve our product and services to our guests. We are an older property, but we do our best to provide a superior consistent, and personlized service and comfort to each, and all guest.
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Could not agree more with the 'Keep Driving Review'. We live in Toronto and were travelling to the Hamilton area for a wedding. We chose this hotel because we could not find any other for the night of August 6th. On arrival, we were a bit shocked at the crumbling facade and even more at the state of the room which was furnished with items that did not look good enough to be put out in a yard sale. We were afraid to put our luggage on the floor. The curtains looked older than Moses and did not reach across the window. I felt the need to wash my hands after I had touched them. We checked for bed bugs but the sheets were clean and so was the bathroom for which we were grateful. The carpet was dirty, full of cigarette holes and the room smelled of smoke. As neither of us have ever smoked we considered asking for another room but the hotel was full. As this was only for one night, against our better judgement we decided to stay. It was a hot night and the air conditioner was the loudest I have ever heard and non-adjustable. I guess at least it kept us cool. Frozen, almost. It also covered most of the noise from our neighbours who returned to their room at 3am, put the TV on full blast, made merry on their bed and then had a shower at approx 5am. In the morning there was a dirty T-shirt outside our door and the parking lot was full of broken beer bottles. We couldn't wait to leave. Imagine our shock when we got a $75 dollar charge on our credit card yesterday, almost a month later. This was charged apparently because someone had found 'evidence' in our room of smoking. This is impossible - they could come to our houses and not find evidence of smoking as neither of us have ever smoked in our lives, nor is it allowed when friends come over. We've contacted the manager and he is refunding the charge. apparently the previous occupant had smoked and admitted it. Would have been nice if they had done this investigation BEFORE they charged us. Without even a call to discuss, first? It's outrageous. I"ve travelled across the world and have never had such a bad experience or been charged in this way by a hotel. We would not go near any Howard Johnsons now even if you paid us $75 each. Keep on driving, folks! It's good advice.
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Date of stay: August 2011
Value
Service
Trip type: Travelled with friends
Room Tip:Â Find another hotel!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from HojoHamiltonON, General Manager at Airport Inn
Responded Sep 2, 2011
Dear LA J Thank you for taking the time to write to Howard Johnson Hamilton Customer Service regarding your experience at our hotel. I am sorry that you were disappointed with my behavior and lack of concern regarding this situation. We have made a refund for $75 to your credit card As a consumer, I know how I expect to be treated. I am truly sorry that I failed to provide you with my very best. I hope that you will give us the opportunity to serve you on your next visit to our area. I assure you that we will provide you with our very best on your return visit. Respectfully, Arya Kichi General Manager
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I had called and reserved 7 rooms for my family and I about six months before my wedding. When I called to make the reservation and to find out the price the Manager (which is the owner's son) told me that I would get a suite for the same price because it was my wedding night. A month before my wedding I called to make sure that we all still had the renovation and to make sure we had the renovated rooms (some were not renovated) and was told all of our 7 rooms were renovated. My brother-in-law also drove all the way there to make sure the rooms were decent. They showed him a renovated room and we thought they would all be the same. We decided it would have to do because all of the hotels in Hamilton were all booked. When we checked in that was when the nightmare began. We went up to the front desk and the lady that worked there and didn't speak English very well told us that we had only 4 rooms. I said that was impossible we are supposed to have 7 rooms. She said no I only have 4 rooms and continued to argue with me. At this time I was getting really pissed off because I was getting married in forty-five minutes. The wedding party and I needed to get dressed and head to our reception. I was freaking out and all she could do was say I don't know. I only have 4 rooms for you. I began to explain that I had spoken with the manager and was assured that we had 7 rooms. There were people in line behind me that were waiting to check in and I was very embarrassed to have been put through this. Turns out that in the end she hadn't looked at the whole computer screen to see that I did have 7 rooms booked but the reservations were seperate for some reason. She also was wasting more time because she couldn't figure out the printer. After nearly losing my mind 4 of the 7 families were able to check in. The other 3 family members were going to check in later that night after the wedding. We went up to our rooms and only 2 of the rooms were renovated the other 2 were old and crappy. I wasn't given the suite and after telling her that one was promised to me she looked at me like I had three heads. I finally got pissed off and said just give me anything...I am getting married in forty five minutes. The rooms were gross the carpets were old, the hotel smelled really bad and was very dirty. Everyone was very scared to go to sleep because we didn't know what would crawl on us. The family members who hadn't checked in yet called from the reception to make sure that they all had rooms when they got there. They were told everything was fine. When it was time for them to check in that was another problem. When they got there they were told that they had a room for my husband's brother and sister but it had a king size bed. We told the new guy that they were supposed to have a room with 2 beds not 1 bed. He called the manager for help but it didn't get him anywhere. My husband got on the phone with the manager and he said I don't know what to tell you. The guy behind the front desk was very nervous because again there was more yelling and family members getting upset. This was not what we had booked. The poor guy who just started working at this hotel didn't know what was going on. Apparently the person who was supposed to train him didn't show up and he was stuck fixing everyone else's mistakes with no proper training. He was our saviour though. This new guy really deserves a better place to work. His manager wouldn't even help him. When we left the next day another girl tried to blame him for the mess. And we explained that he was the one who did everything to accommodate us at 2:30 in the morning. I WILL NEVER FORGET THE GRIEF THIS PLACE CAUSED ME THE NIGHT OF MY WEDDING AND I WILL NEVER STAY AT A HOWARD JOHNSON HOTEL EVER AGAIN.
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Date of stay: August 2010
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Here are my two cents - I stayed at Hamilton East Howard Johnson (nothing like any other Howard Johnson hotel) the weekend of Sept 20th with my husband and all I can say is that it's the worst hotel I have ever been in. The room was dirty (not sure if they clean rooms on a daily basis)... I refused to shower in a dirty washoom... TV did not work.... manager was rude and she was difficult to understand (overall very poor customer service).... I can go on and on but you got the picture... Don't stay here if you have other options.
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Date of stay: September 2005
Value
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I was a guest at this hotel in Sept '11. The only reason I came here was because it was very close to my work and because, like many of your responses, everything under $130/night was booked in Hamilton. I have never stayed at a HOJO before. However, after staying here, I can assure you I will never EVER stay at a HOJO again. I waited to send this review in because I wanted to see if my problems when I was there was just 'unique' experience, but after seeing the reviews almost 1 year later, it seems it is the status quo.
Arya you are great to apologize to customers. You were great to apologize to me. Better than apologizing so many times to people, why dont you check, and double check and triple check that EVERY room is to a decent standard so people dont have to complain and you do not have to keep apologizing. Moreover, for apologies to be genuine, there needs to be action behind them and it seems like nothing has changed, even though there are more apologies coming from you than actual positive changes to the hotel. Truly a shame! I have never been to a hotel more uncomfortable, disappointing, and filthy until I came here.
This was my first...and it will be my very last Howard Johnson experience. That is a promise!
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Date of stay: September 2011
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled on business
Room Tip:Â Avoid this hotel...simple as this.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from HojoHamiltonON, General Manager at Airport Inn
Responded Aug 20, 2012
Thank you for taking the time to make us aware of your concerns regarding your recent stay. I am sorry that we were not able to meet your expectations. If there is a problem and we are made aware of the issue we do our best to rectify the problem as we want you to have a positive experience. I do apologize that we could not overcome the issues you had difficulty with. Thank you for bringing your points to our attention.
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There are more places to choose from in the Hamilton area.
ALSO KNOWN AS
howard johnson hamilton hotel hamilton, hamilton howard johnson
FORMERLY KNOWN AS
Howard Johnson Hamilton
LOCATION
CanadaOntarioHamilton
NUMBER OF ROOMS
50
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