Hotel Review: The Insignia Hotel Sarnia – Fast Wi-Fi, Cool Pool, and My First Revisit
Hey everyone! Welcome back to the blog. I’m Mateo, and this review is a little different. Why? Because it’s my first ever revisit! That’s right—I returned to The Insignia Hotel Sarnia, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel in Sarnia, Ontario, to see if it still lives up to the hype from my original review. Spoiler alert: It totally does. Let’s get into all the updated details!
If you haven’t seen my original review of this hotel, check it out here for my first impressions and full walk-through from my first stay.
Check-In & First Impressions
We stayed here on the last night of our Easter road trip. We arrived at the hotel around 6 p.m. and were greeted by Clint at the front desk. He was super friendly and offered us a complimentary upgrade thanks to my dad’s Marriott Bonvoy Titanium status. Pro tip: if you have a lot of luggage, skip the front entrance and go around to the side—the underground parking entrance has fewer stairs and is way easier for unloading.
The Room: King Junior Suite Upgrade
We booked a 2 Queen room, but Clint hooked us up with a King Junior Suite that felt bigger than the ones we’ve stayed in before. The room was spotless and had that same cool Sarnia map artwork above the bed.
Room highlights:
- Larger-than-average mini fridge
- Two big TVs (one in the bedroom, one in the living room)
- Double vanity sinks in the bathroom
- Stand-up shower with amazing water pressure and temp
- L’Occitane bathroom amenities (still the only hotel I’ve stayed at that has them!)
Wi-Fi & Gaming: Still #1
This hotel still holds the #1 spot on my Hotel Wi-Fi Speed Leaderboard. The connection was super fast, easy to access on all my devices, and perfect for both streaming and gaming. I had zero lag playing on my Nintendo Switch. Bonus: there were tons of outlets and both TVs had Chromecast. My power strip took the night off.
Pool Vibes & Fitness Center
The indoor saltwater pool is still one of the best I’ve seen at a hotel. There’s also a hot tub and two personal saunas. And get this—the hotel offers kids’ birthday party packages in the off-season (January–April).
The gym is right next to the pool and has a great selection of cardio and weight equipment. The big windows looking into the pool make the space feel extra cool.
Dining: Still All About Bad Dog
While the hotel has a fancy restaurant called Legacy (a bit too gourmet for me and my sister), my top pick is still Bad Dog Bar and Grill—just a short walk away. We ate there again on this visit, and the food was just as good as I remembered. I even bought the T-shirt!
The hotel’s lounge was closed for renovations, but I’m excited to see how it turns out.
Breakfast Update
They’ve switched from a buffet to an à la carte menu, and I’m a fan! During our stay (which happened to be Easter Sunday), the hotel served a special Easter brunch instead of the usual breakfast. My parents went and said the buffet was great, with lots of variety and quick refills. The Easter Bunny even made an appearance!
Breakfast hours:
- Weekdays: 6–10 a.m.
- Weekends: 7–11 a.m.
Check the Insignia’s Instagram for event updates—they post a lot of seasonal stuff.
Nearby Things to Do
If you need a break from gaming or swimming, check out:
- Stones ‘N Bones Museum (5-min walk) – cool dino and fossil displays
- Centennial Park Playground (10-min walk) – great if you have younger siblings
- Waterfront Walks – always a nice way to unwind with river views
Final Verdict: Still a Top Pick
The Insignia Hotel Sarnia is absolutely Teen Travelz Approved.
Why?
- Fastest hotel Wi-Fi I’ve tested
- Super easy gaming setup
- Amazing indoor pool + personal saunas
- Stylish rooms with Chromecast and great amenities
- Great location close to food, museums, and the waterfront
Special thanks to Clint at the front desk and the whole team at Insignia for another awesome stay. Whether it’s your first visit or a return trip like mine, this hotel brings the chill vibes and fast speeds every teen traveler needs.
– Mateo / This Teen Travelz