Comfort Hotel Bayer's Lake

The hotel looks like a typical Comfort property from the outside; a monument to a kind of forgettable beige construction. However, the interiors have been spiffed up with contemporary decor, and details like smart accent lighting, pale blue walls, and some dark panels for warmth. An inviting reception desk with an embossed pattern that mimics the chain's logo sits across from a lounge area, where there's attractive seating next to a mosaic-tiled wall that's inset with a decorative glass fireplace. Only the carpets are glaringly dated, with deliriously busy patterns -- unfortunately they cover the hallways and the lounge area -- but the rest of the decor feels welcoming. Most guests are families and couples, as well as business travelers, and it's a great base for tour groups heading out to the region's major attractions.

Right off of Highway 103, the Comfort Hotel Bayer's Lake sits west of Halifax about a 20 minute drive from the downtown core. It's located within the quiet Bayer’s Lake Business Park where there are several shops and restaurants, but the area isn't pedestrian-friendly. Several big box retailers are also under a 10-minute drive away. The Halifax Exhibition Centre is a four-minute drive, and the Granite Springs Golf Course is about a 22-minute drive away. It's a convenient base for visiting many of Nova Scotia’s popular tourist destinations like Peggy’s Cove, Mahone Bay, and Lunenberg, which are all under an hours' drive to the west, while Halifax Stanfield International Airport is about a 25-minute drive to the northeast. 

The hotel's 73 guest rooms would be fairly stylish if not for the carpets, which are busy teal and green curiosities that look like the worst of the 1970s. The cream walls and dark wood furnishings are more broadly appealing. Standard rooms are on the large side, with either king beds or two queen beds. The former have work desks with roller chairs, while the latter have small tables with two chairs, and all have seating areas with armchairs. Executive Suites have living areas with sofa beds, and Jacuzzi Suites add in-room whirlpool tubs. All units are considerably well-equipped, with 42-inch flat-screen TVs, Blu-ray players (the front desk has a free movie library), mini-fridges, microwaves, coffeemakers, and free Wi-Fi. Most bathrooms have average shower/tub combos, with the exception of Jacuzzi Suites which opt for large walk-in showers and add double vanities.

The hotel lacks outdoor features (its grounds consist solely of a parking lot), but there's an indoor heated pool that's long enough for laps and has a few loungers, along with a rainfall shower for rinsing off. There's also a sauna and a small fitness room, though it's a bit crowded with a treadmill, cardio bike, free weights, and a bench press. Other perks include a free Blu-ray library (for the in-room players) and a coin-operated laundry room. There's also a business corner with a single computer at a workstation with a phone and a printer. Two modern meeting rooms can accommodate more than 200 people, with options for on-suite catering.  A free hot breakfast buffet is served in a bright dining room right next to the lobby (with windows that overlook the pool), and free coffee and tea is available all day. An adjacent restaurant and bar, called Canadiana, serves Canadian and Greek dishes, plus burgers, pasta, specials like rotisserie chicken, and an all-day breakfast. The hotel offers free on-site parking, and Wi-Fi is free throughout.