OverviewLocated about a 5-minute drive from Dow's Lake (the beginning of the Rideau Canal skateway in the winter, running/walking trails, outdoor patios, boat and bike rentals in the summer) and is well-suited for travellers who would like to be near outdoor recreation activities.
This hotel shares space with a seniors residence (some floors are part of the residence, some are hotel rooms for rent). All of the hotel rooms have free Wi-Fi, a mini-fridge, a microwave, a 32" LCD TV, coffee service and an iron and ironing board. Rooms are furnished with queen or double bed(s). Pets are not allowed at this hotel.
There is an on-site restaurant that serves breakfast. There are also a number of restaurants within a 5-minute drive of this hotel. Free parking is available on site.
Shopping is a 5-minute walk away at the Westgate Shopping Centre. The Civic Hospital is under a 5-minute drive away. Downtown Ottawa (which is home to the Byward Market, Rideau Canal and Parliament Hill) is under a 10-minute drive away. For air travellers, the MacDonald-Cartier Airport (YOW) is just under a 20-minute drive away. (All distances and travel time estimates: Google Maps)
Confirmed with a front desk agent: Wi-Fi and parking (call date: January 31, 2013).
The GoodThere seemed to be a balance between negative and positive comments in reviews used for this analysis. Guests were most pleased with the hotel's location and with the cleanliness of the rooms.
Guests liked this hotel's proximity to the Civic Hospital (under a 5-minute drive, just over a 10-minute walk) and to Highway 417 (under a 5-minute drive) and said that it was easy to locate.
Guests described rooms as clean, comfortable and well-maintained. Guests liked the convenience of having a mini-fridge and a microwave in their rooms.
The price point was attractive to a number of guests who said that they felt that they had received good value for the price paid.
Staff were very friendly and helpful. Guests said that the check-in process was smooth and that staff were flexible in accommodating early check-in requests.
The Bad
The reviews used for this analysis seemed to be evenly split between negative and positive comments. Guests typically did not like the beds or the aging decor.
A number of guests complained about uncomfortable, sagging mattresses and suggested that they needed to be replaced.
A few guests said that this hotel was showing its age, and that updates were in order. Furniture, pillows and linens were mentioned specifically
Some guests were disappointed that there was no breakfast included with the room rate.
This hotel shares space with a senior's residence, which a few guests were not expecting, and found it unusual.
A couple of guests said that Wi-Fi signals were weak and spotty.
TripAdvisor.com guest reviewers ranked this hotel #50 out of 62 Ottawa hotels based on 61 reviews.
Expedia.ca guest reviewers rated this hotel 3.3 out of 5 based on 136 reviews.
Booking.com guest reviewers rated this hotel 7.5 out of 10 based on 100 reviews.
The author called the hotel on January 31, 2013 to verify some information.
