Most hotels understand that two people staying in a room do not always arrive and leave together, but the staff at the Metro Plaza are unable to grasp such a complex concept. I checked in by myself, on a Thursday evening in December, and when I went out the next day I had the desk clerk make two keys and put one aside for my friend. Four hours later my friend arrived while I was out, and no-one at the front desk had any idea of who he was or what they needed to do. The incompetence of the front desk staff at this hotel is truly mind-boggling.
Other than that, the stay was great. The hotel is less than 15 minutes’ walk from Union Station, and Chinatown is just around the corner. There are a half-dozen museums, monuments, and historic sites within walking distance, and easy transit connections to other downtown attractions. The world-famous Philippe Restaurant is on the next corner, serving fabulous breakfast dishes until 10:30 am daily.
The property itself is going to seed, although it clearly used to be nice. The room featured a working clock radio, an air-conditioner that was newish and nice, and phones on the desk and in the bathroom that actually worked (!). The bed was comfortable and there was no noise from other rooms (although the hotel did not appear to be that busy when we were there).
Signs Scotch-taped to the walls herald the start of renovations … nine months earlier. I did look at one of the renovated rooms, and it was very nice.