Thanks to covid, it’s been more than a year since my last trip tagging along on Steve’s business travel. No planes, trains, Ubers, hotel rooms, or Airbnb stays. Then, due to a virtual conference Steve had to attend based in the European time zone, I found myself staying at the Mere hotel in Winnipeg for two nights. I was excited. I thought it might feel like a mini-tag-along getaway.
Mere – My neighbourhood hotel
Mere is a funky little riverside boutique hotel in the Exchange District in Winnipeg, a stone’s throw from where we live in a loft condo. I love the open concept design of our place, which means other than the bathroom, we have no rooms separated by walls and doors. However, when Steve had to attend the conference in Europe at 2:30 a.m., we knew I’d need another bed for the two nights or find a way to curl up in the shower.
Mere was the obvious choice. It’s close, it would be easy, and I wouldn’t have to deal with any hassles researching and booking an Airbnb. I thought it would be a good dry run for when we are back on the road for real. Here’s how it went.
The friendly distanced check-in
In The Before Times, this hotel would be busy on the May long weekend when I checked in. The place was eerily quiet. Other than the desk clerk, I didn’t see a soul. As per safety protocols, we were both masked and kept our distance. The hotel had a separate small table for the payment machine well in front of the actual front desk. Although the desk clerk was polite and friendly, we both seemed a little wary of the whole check-in process. I squirted some sanitizer into my hands from the bottle on the table even though I had washed them just before walking the few blocks from home. It seemed the right, performative thing to do.
My packing skills have atrophied
Maybe I didn’t take the challenge seriously enough. I forgot to pack my toothbrush and antiperspirant. Seriously, two of the most basic necessities for any trip! Luckily, I checked in early in the day and wandered back home before returning to hit the hay. I gathered my forgotten items. Sheesh.
The absence of people freaks me out
When I returned to the hotel after 9 p.m. to settle in, not even the desk clerk was around. The lobby was empty, and it was eerily silent riding up the elevator to my room floor. This is not the hotel experience I’m used to. Without the hustle and bustle in the lobby, cleaning staff coming and going, and a stream of vehicles out front, it adds up to an apocalyptic vibe.
The presence of people freaks me out
The first night, I woke up at about 12:45 to the sound of voices in the hallway. I heard people chatting and then the familiar sound of the automated door lock coming from another room. So, there were other people staying at the hotel. Were they alone? Did they sneak across the border? Were they mixing households? These questions ran through my mind as I rolled to the other side of the king-sized bed, trying not to think about the potential health restriction violators two doors down.
Let me tell you, that room was CLEAN
I often find fault with the cleanliness of hotel rooms. I’m the one who sees a bit of film on the drinking glasses or a fingerprint smudge on the remote control. Mere indicates that they super clean each room before guests arrive, and I will say it looks like it. Everything was spotless. That gave me a level of comfort.
I also noted that many of the in-room items advertised on the Mere website were absent. There was no fuzzy white robe, no complimentary snacks or water in the fridge. I presume that is to avoid cross-contamination. It seemed a little sad. At least the ubiquitous selection of liquid toiletries was lined up neatly next to the sink and there was a Nespresso machine. Yay!
Mere is a perfectly lovely hotel, but this was no holiday
I would recommend Mere to anyone staying in Winnipeg who wants a simple, stylish, centrally located hotel. It’s perfectly nice and provided me with a quiet night’s sleep and needed practice for a real trip once it’s possible. But, I’ve got to say, I was slightly on edge the whole time–even having had had my first vaccine weeks ago. Besides our trip to Churchill last July, we have barely ventured inside anywhere beyond groceries and pharmacies (thank you, essential workers!). The isolation has altered my mind a little. Don’t get me wrong, I will be more than ready to challenge my travel hesitancy when the time comes, and I’m sure you will be too. Just prepare for a few “freak out” moments as you ease back into it.
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