Downtown Ottawa hotels...
my top recommended choices

Downtown Ottawa hotels...
There are many hotels in central Ottawa. So which one should you choose?

While many Ottawa hotels describe themselves as Downtown hotels in Ottawa, there are of course some that are more 'downtown' than others.

My guess is that you prefer a downtown Ottawa hotel so that you can be within walking distance of the main Ottawa attractions, events, shopping and amenities.

I don't want you to be disappointed that your chosen Ottawa hotel involves unexpected long walks to get to everything. It's nice to know in advance as you decide. I do want you to have a wonderful stay here!

I've had the pleasure of staying at several Downtown Ottawa hotels over the years and I've visited guests who've stayed at Ottawa hotels. So I have some useful insights to share.

But obviously, not on all Downtown Ottawa hotels...

So here is a great place where you can get a variety of feedback about Downtown Ottawa hotels .

You can use this information and my (humble) opinions to pick your downtown Ottawa hotel.

Top Downtown Ottawa hotels - how I chose them...

First, these are all Ottawa hotels downtown that I've either stayed at or had relatives and friends staying there.

Here are the five points I used to choose my top Downtown Ottawa hotels. Just remember, this is my opinion. If you want to see what others think, again you can check them out here .

Anyway, my simple criteria are:

1. Location , Location, Location - just as in real estate, location is key to a good downtown Ottawa tourist hotel. It should be close to everything you want to see and do. Walking distance is ideal.
   
   
2. Dining - Must have good dining place or be close several restaurants and other dining places - good choices for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Again, walking distance is ideal.
   
   
3. Comfort - Must be clean, comfortable, quiet. Must have nice bathroom (Hey, I just like nice bathrooms...). When you get back to your room, you want to leave the hustle and bustle behind and do some cocooning.
   
   
4. Nice view. Views are a tricky because it depends on the availability of rooms with a view. But it's nice to have a good view, if possible.
   
   
5. Good Rates. Like most people you want the best value for your money. No need to explain.

Downtown Ottawa hotels - my Top 5 Choices...

With that in mind, here are my top recommendations for Downtown Ottawa hotels, especially for you as an Ottawa tourist:

1. The Westin hotel Ottawa     ...see why here
   
   
2. The Fairmont Chateau Laurier     ...see why here
   
   
3. The Ottawa Marriott     ...see why here
   
   
4. The Lord Elgin Hotel     ...see why here
   
   
5. The Courtyard Ottawa     ...see why here
   
   

Downtown Ottawa hotels - my next top choices...

6. The Sheraton Ottawa
   It has an excellent location at 150 Albert Street. This is in the heart of downtown Ottawa at the corner of Albert Street and O'Connor Street. It's a short 3-block walk to Parliament Hill. It's an easy 10-minute walk to the Byward Market.

   It has its own restaurant and is close to many dining places and shopping. Its rooms are classy and quite comfortable and the Sheraton Ottawa hotel has excellent amenities for excercising and for business.

   Views are limited since it's surrounded by high-rise office buildings.

   The Sheraton Ottawa is a great central base from which you can walk to many Ottawa Attractions and museums and attend major Ottawa Events.
   
   

7. The Crowne Plaza
   Located at 101 Lyon Street, the Crowne Plaza sits at the western edge of the downtown Ottawa core. This location is a short 6-block walk to Parliament Hill and about a 15-minute walk to the Byward Market. The hotel has great amenities including it's own restaurant, several good dining places nearby and access to the underground shopping arcade. There is also a Tim Horton's restaurant at the street level - so you can enjoy your 'Double-Double' coffee anytime.

   The rooms are comfortable with a nice contemporary decor. The Crowne Plaza is a nice base for your Ottawa stay.

   West facing rooms on it's upper floors give you glorious views of Ottawa western horizon and the Ottawa River especially at sunset- this hotel was once called the Skyline hotel, this name was right on!

   The location of the Ottawa Crowne Plaza hotel gives you space to come and go, while being close to many Ottawa attractions, museums and events, either walking or by short rides.
   
   

8. The Holiday Inn hotel and Suites
   Its location at 111 Cooper Street, puts Ottawa Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites in a great place. It's in the quiet, very desirable residential Ottawa neighbourhood called the Golden Triangle. It's very close to the Rideau Canal and about a 5-minute walk to Parliament Hill and the War Memorial. It's about a 10-minute walk to the Byward Market.

   The Ottawa Holiday Inn Hotel has its own restaurant but you will have great dining choices at Elgin Street, which is just 1-block away. Plus it's an easy, appetite-building walk to the Byward Market and it's fiesta of restaurants. The Holiday Inn rooms are modern and very comfortable. Its large suites quite popular with long-term guests, families and business travelers.

   From its upper floors you have great views of downtown Ottawa, the Rideau Canal and the Ottawa cityscape. This is because it is in a location with very few competing high rise buildings.

   The large suites of Holiday Inn are ideal if you are visiting with your family. Its location puts you within walking distance to most central Ottawa attractions and Events. It is convenient to great dining choices. And its room rates are generally lower than other downtown Ottawa hotels with comparable locations.
   
   

9. The Delta Hotel
   Located at 361 Queen Street, the Delta Ottawa Hotel and Suites is also on the western edge of the downtown Ottawa core. This location is a short 5-block walk to Parliament Hill, one block to Sparks Street and about a 15-minute walk to the Byward Market.

   The Delta hotel has it's own restaurant but there aren't as many other dining places close by as the hotels closer to the core. The Delta's LARGE suites are comfortable and very popular with familes.

   From its upper floors you have views of downtown, Gatineau to the north and the Ottawa River to the west. On the south side you can see Ottawa central cityscape - but views are sometimes limited because of the surrounding buildings.

   The Delta Ottawa hotel's large suites are ideal if you are visiting with your family. Because of its location just outside the core, you may have a slightly longer walks to get to some Ottawa attractions. However, Parliament Hill is very close by.
   
   

10. Novotel hotel Ottawa
    The Ottawa Novotel is located at 33 Nicholas Street. This a very central spot and puts you within short walking distance to almost everything.

    Parliament Hill is a 3-5 minute walk away, the Byward Market is within 3 blocks, the Rideau Centre is across the street and it's only 1-block to the Rideau Canal, just to give you an idea.

    The views from this hotel vary, the higher your room, the better. And North or South facing rooms give you an edge since there are no high-rise buildings on these sides to block the view(for now).

    The rooms are very nice and comfortable with all modern amenities. One downside with this hotel is the parking. First, the entrance is hard to find - it's on Daly Street opposite the Arts Court. Second, it's tight.

    The hotel has it's own restaurant but your choices for eating/dining could not be better, with the Byward Market and the Rideau Centre being so close by.

    I recommend the Ottawa Novotel because of its GREAT central location for convenient walking to Ottawa attractions and events
    
    

Wow, just writing this page makes me want to have a vacation. I think I'll go down to Parliament Hill to cool off.

Enjoy your stay at your Downtown Ottawa hotel!

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