This is a tricky hotel to review because there is quite a stark contrast between the really good aspects and the not so good aspects of it.
My girlfriend and I recently spent a week in Ottawa and used an economy class room in this hotel as our base.
Every member of the staff we met was friendly, helpful and professional and the main lobby is a very welcoming place that feels like it's pushing for four star appearances.
The hotel is also perfectly placed to be in walking distance of Parliament, Canadian Museum of Nature and several attractions in the area around the historic Byward Market.
There are also a number of dining options quite close to the hotel that range from fast food to Scottish pubs as well as a supermarket for self catering types.
If there is a downside to this hotel, it is the state of the economy suites and the swimming pool. The suite we stayed in, while spacious and serviceable, felt quite dated in decor and could do with an updating.
The bed in the bedroom was only big enough for one person to sleep comfortably in, so one of us took the sofa bed. I'm not sure how old that sofa bed was, but it was in dire need of replacement. It felt like it had been in constant use for 15 or 20 years as the matress had very little padding left in it and the springs squeaked loudly at the slightest movement.
I will also say that the suite we had really could have had a better fitting door as light and noise from the corridor easily came into our suite even when the door was fully closed.
The door also needed a better lock on it. Our room's door was secured only by a doorknob with a conventional lock and key and a deadbolt that was more decorative than functional. When we travel, three star hotels are our usual choice of accomodation. We've seen enough three star hotels, even at the economy level, in our travels to know that much better suite security can be achieved than what we had at this hotel.
The swimming pool and hot tub, like the economy suite we had, were serviceable but in need of updating. I was not inclined to spend more than about half an hour there and was not inspired to pay more than one visit there.
I will give four stars to the staff of this hotel, three for our suite and the pool, and two for the sofa bed and door of our suite.
I will recommend this hotel for its convenient location and friendly staff. However, I wouldn't recommend their economy suites unless they do some upgrading on them first.
