Where to Stay in Ottawa: Our Favourite Downtown Hotel (Plus 5 More We'd Book)
Ottawa is a city made for exploring on foot, and where you stay makes all the difference. Book a hotel downtown and Parliament Hill, the ByWard Market and the Rideau Canal are all just a short stroll from your door. Even better, we found Ottawa's hotels noticeably more affordable than other big Canadian cities, so you can stay right in the heart of things without the big-city price tag.
The best area to stay in Ottawa: downtown
Ottawa rewards you for staying central. Parliament Hill, the Rideau Canal, the ByWard Market, the National Gallery and a cluster of national museums all sit within a compact, walkable core. Stay downtown and you can leave the car parked (or skip renting one entirely) and see nearly everything on foot.
Within downtown, you're really choosing between two flavours:
- The ByWard Market and Parliament side puts you among restaurants, patios, shops and the busiest sightseeing. It's lively day and night.
- The Centretown and Elgin Street side (around Slater, Laurier and Elgin) is a little quieter after dark, with Confederation Park, the National Arts Centre and the canal right on your doorstep.
Every hotel on this list is in one of those two pockets, so you can't go wrong.
Where we stayed: Le Germain Hotel Ottawa
Best for: couples and families who want boutique style, space and an unbeatable location Address: 30 Daly Avenue
Le Germain was wonderful from start to finish. It's ideally situated in the heart of downtown, right next door to the Ottawa Art Gallery (the hotel and gallery share the same modern tower) and just a very short walk to Parliament Hill. The ByWard Market, the Rideau Canal and the Château Laurier are all within a few minutes on foot, too.
The room. Ours was bright, clean and modern, with lots of space. We upgraded to a larger room, and with three of us it was well worth it: there was room to unpack properly, and nobody was tripping over suitcases. The design leans warm-minimalist, with concrete and polished wood, cozy duvets and big windows that let in plenty of light.
The price. Compared to other major Canadian cities, we found Ottawa's hotel prices very reasonable. A room of this calibre in Vancouver or Toronto would have cost us considerably more. [Add what you paid per night, or a rough range.]
The staff. Friendly and genuinely helpful, from check-in through to restaurant recommendations.
The restaurant. The hotel restaurant, Norca, was lovely, with great views over Ottawa and a menu built around Canadian ingredients. It's worth booking a dinner here even if you're staying elsewhere.
5 more great hotels in downtown Ottawa
If Le Germain is booked up or you're after something different, these are the downtown hotels we'd consider next.
1. Fairmont Château Laurier
Best for: a once-in-a-lifetime splurge and old-world grandeur Address: 1 Rideau Street
If you've seen a photo of Ottawa, you've probably seen the Château Laurier: the turreted, castle-like landmark perched between Parliament Hill and the Rideau Canal locks. It opened in 1912 and is still the city's most iconic place to stay. Expect grand public spaces, a heritage indoor pool, and the best address in the city for walking to Parliament, the Market and the canal. Rates are the highest on this list, but if there's a special occasion, this is the one.
2. Andaz Ottawa ByWard Market
Best for: foodies, nightlife and rooftop views Address: 325 Dalhousie Street
The Andaz puts you right in the middle of the ByWard Market, surrounded by restaurants, boutiques and patios. Its big draw is Copper Spirits & Sights, the 16th-floor rooftop lounge, which bills itself as the highest rooftop bar in Ottawa. It looks out over Parliament Hill, the Market and the Gatineau Hills, with fire pits on the terrace for cooler nights. Even if you don't stay here, go up for a sunset drink.
3. Lord Elgin Hotel
Best for: classic charm, families who want a pool, and good value Address: 100 Elgin Street
Opened in 1941, the Lord Elgin is a handsome château-style hotel directly across from Confederation Park and steps from the National Arts Centre and Rideau Canal. Park-view rooms look out over Elgin Street, the city's ceremonial route, and there's an indoor lap pool, hot tub, sauna and gym. Room sizes vary and some bathrooms are compact, but for the location and price it's a long-standing favourite.
4. ARC The.Hotel
Best for: a quiet, design-forward boutique stay Address: 140 Slater Street
ARC is a small, sleek boutique hotel with 112 rooms designed by Yabu Pushelberg. It's on a calm stretch of Slater Street, a few minutes' walk from Elgin Street and around 15 minutes on foot to Parliament Hill and the Market. Guests get a glass of sparkling wine on arrival, and the on-site restaurant focuses on Canadian produce. It's pet-friendly, too.
5. Alt Hotel Ottawa
Best for: budget-friendly style Address: 185 Slater Street
Alt is Le Germain's more affordable, pared-back sister brand. Rooms are compact and simple, but they're clean, well-designed, and in a central downtown spot. If you plan to be out exploring all day and just need a comfortable, stylish place to sleep, this is the smartest value pick downtown.
Ottawa hotels at a glance
| Hotel | Best for | Neighbourhood | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Le Germain Hotel Ottawa | Boutique style, space, location | Downtown / Arts Court | Upper mid-range |
| Fairmont Château Laurier | Iconic splurge | Parliament / Canal | Luxury |
| Andaz Ottawa ByWard Market | Food, nightlife, rooftop | ByWard Market | Upper mid-range |
| Lord Elgin Hotel | Classic charm, pool | Elgin Street | Mid-range |
| ARC The.Hotel | Quiet boutique | Centretown | Upper mid-range |
| Alt Hotel Ottawa | Budget-friendly | Centretown | Budget to mid-range |
Tips for booking a hotel in Ottawa
- Book early for peak events. Canada Day (July 1), the Canadian Tulip Festival in May, and Winterlude in February fill downtown hotels fast and push prices up.
- Check what's included. Breakfast, parking, and Wi-Fi policies vary a lot between properties, and downtown parking can add a meaningful amount per night.
- Consider a larger room for families. We were very glad we upgraded; the extra space made a big difference for three of us.
- You likely won't need a car. Everything in this guide is walkable, and the airport is roughly 20 to 30 minutes from downtown by taxi or rideshare.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best area to stay in Ottawa for first-time visitors? Downtown, ideally between Parliament Hill and the ByWard Market. You can walk to almost every major sight.
Is Ottawa expensive for hotels? In our experience, no. We found downtown hotel prices noticeably more reasonable than in other major Canadian cities like Toronto and Vancouver.
Which Ottawa hotel is closest to Parliament Hill? The Fairmont Château Laurier is practically next door, and Le Germain, the Andaz, and the Lord Elgin are all a short walk away.
