Review: Delta Winnipeg

I recently stayed at the Delta Winnipeg for one night prior to a Via Rail journey to Toronto. I was looking for an ideal location downtown, from where I could easily access Winnipeg’s main attractions and the train station.

There aren’t too many exciting hotel options in Winnipeg, so it was a toss up between the Fairmont and the Delta. After some deliberation, I ultimately went with the latter, as I was able to redeem points for my stay.

Delta Winnipeg – Booking

When redeeming Marriott Bonvoy points, this property typically falls in the range of 17,000–20,000 points per night. However, at the time of my visit, the hotel had a PointSavers rate of just 12,000 points.

Meanwhile, cash rates typically fall in the region of $170–290, with some rates falling in a higher range during the hotel’s busiest times.

Based on our current valuation of Bonvoy points at 0.9 cents per point, the PointSavers rate was indeed too great of an offer to pass up, and ultimately swayed me towards booking the Delta rather than the Fairmont around the block.

Delta Winnipeg – Location

The Delta is located in the entertainment district of Downtown Winnipeg on St. Mary Ave, between Hargrave Street and Carlton Street. The second floor of the building directly connects to the RBC Convention Centre and the MTS Centre via an indoor skywalk.

It’s a quick 10-minute stroll to Canada Life Centre, making the Delta Winnipeg a prime location for anyone looking to catch a hockey game or a concert.

For leisure travellers, the Delta is also well-positioned among shops, eateries, and popular destinations in the city. Stepping outside the hotel and down Carlton Street, you’ll find the Japanese Gardens, a popular place for a leisurely walk.

Around 15 minutes east of the Delta Winnipeg is the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, and a 10-minute journey on foot brings you to the Winnipeg Art Gallery.

The Forks Market, which plays host to a food hall and a vibrant market, is just five minutes by car or a 20-minute walk from the hotel.

Delta Winnipeg – Check-In

The entrance to the hotel is on Carlton Street, facing the pedestrian walkway. Next to it, you can also find the vehicle entrance.

The façade of Delta Winnipeg is quite unassuming, and doesn’t stand out much against the rest of buildings in Winnipeg’s skyline.

Upon entering the hotel through the ground-level entrance, two check-in desks are immediately to the right, and to the left is a seating area with a single couch and numerous armchairs.

Around the corner from the check-in desks were a few additional seating options tucked into their own alcove.

The lobby was precisely what you’d expect from your standard mid-level Delta – not particularly remarkable, but clean and functional.

The line-up wasn’t too long upon arrival, so I was quickly welcomed by the hotel staff. Naturally, I attempted to “suite-talk” my way to an upgrade, but alas, none was forthcoming, as the hotel seemed to be out of suites due to the Winnipeg Jets vs. Toronto Maple Leaf game that night.

I was briefly informed of the hotel amenities, including my access to the 12th-floor Club Lounge, on account of my Titanium Elite status. Breakfast was to be served here from 6:30–11am, and an evening hors d’oeuvres spread from 4:30–7pm.

The check-in process was quick and easy, and I was then handed my key and took the elevators up to Room 1116 on the 11th floor.

Stepping off the elevators, I made my way through the familiar aesthetic of the Delta hallways: somewhat sterile, barely illuminated, and dominated by grey hues.

Delta Winnipeg – King Guest Room

Upon entering the room, the bedroom lies past a short foyer.

There’s a large closet immediately to the right, and then the king bed sits against the left-hand wall, with some purple flower artwork above.

To the right of the king bed is a vibrant red armchair, which had a small side table at its side.

The desk was positioned at the wall opposite the bed, and came with an ergonomic swivel chair, which is always appreciated. The desk also had conveniently-placed charging ports, a small lamp, and then a luggage rack to its right.

Mounted to the wall above the desk was the flat-screen TV, positioned for optimal viewing from the bed.

The King Guest Room also technically has a balcony; however, it’s very basic, and doesn’t have much space. The view overlooks the outdoor pool and the surrounding downtown area.

Lastly, there’s a small pantry, where you can find a basic coffee maker and a kettle for tea.

The bathroom is positioned to the left of the entrance. It’s a rather cramped bathroom, although there’s a sufficient amount of counter space and a modestly-sized mirror.

There’s a walk-in shower with bright white tiling, in addition to a modern rain showerhead.

Overall, the room had everything that I needed for a one-night stay; however, I couldn’t help but notice that the rooms could certainly benefit from a refurbishment in the near future.

Delta Winnipeg – Club Lounge

Complimentary breakfast for Marriott Bonvoy elite members is provided in the Club Lounge on the 12th floor. Breakfast is also available at Blaze Restaurant & Lounge on the ground level, but isn’t complimentary.

I had plans to grab breakfast with a friend that morning, so I only popped in to take a look.

The Club Lounge is a single room with two-person dining tables scattered around, and at the time of my visit, it was very quiet, with only one other visitor.

The breakfast selection was limited to only a handful of items. There were a few cold cuts and cheese, fruits, pastries, and cereals, as well as a handful of hot dishes.

There’s also an evening hors d’oeuvres spread, which was also quite slim with just two items: butter chicken on a biscuit and crackers with hummus.

The evening selection probably isn’t enough for a full meal replacement, but if you’re in a hurry and need a quick bite, a few servings could be enough to keep your hunger at bay before something more fulsome. In fact, this is exactly what we did on the night of checking out, prior to our 11pm departure from the train station.

Delta Winnipeg – Dining

The main dining venue in the hotel is Blaze Restaurant & Lounge. It’s open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and focuses on locally sourced cuisine. Although I didn’t dine here, it may be worth checking out, due to the limited selection at the Club Lounge.

There’s also a grab-and-go coffee shop called Urban Bean, located directly next to the restaurant. There was a nice selection of sandwiches, fruits, snacks, salads, and cold beverages, and you can order hot beverages from the barista.

Delta Winnipeg – Other Facilities

The fitness centre is open 24/7, and is well-equipped with the essentials for a decent workout, with plenty of cardio equipment and some weights. Additionally, the facility has a view of the pool area, which lets a good amount of natural light in.

The hotel has an indoor pool and a small wading area for kids, as well as an outdoor pool that operates seasonally. The outdoor pool, I’m told, is a great spot to hang out in the summer.

The indoor pool area was spacious, with a large, heated lap pool and then a jacuzzi nearby, as well as plenty of lounge chairs dotted around.

Conclusion

As there aren’t too many spectacular hotels in Downtown Winnipeg, the Delta served my needs for a quick one-night stay in the city. The hotel is centrally located, and the rooms are equipped with all the essentials.

However, a refurbishment certainly couldn’t hurt, and the food offerings at the Club Lounge were rather meagre, so you might be more inclined to visit the hotel’s restaurant in lieu of the lounge.

Nevertheless, at the PointSavers rate, I was more than happy with the value I got for my Marriott Bonvoy redemption.