I was truly captivated by Saintlo, enticed by its rich--dare I say, haunting--history! Serving as a…read moreprison from 1862 to 1972, the experience was nothing short of chilling. However, in 1973, a remarkable transformation occurred as it was repurposed into a hostel. The juxtaposition of its dark past and the present-day hostel setting added a unique layer to my visit, making it all the more fascinating. The complimentary jail/hostel tour, skillfully conducted by the knowledgable and witty guide, Simon, added an unforgettable touch to my experience! Speaking of the staff, every encounter was met with friendliness and kindness. However, the only drawback I encountered was the early morning staff training sessions right next to my "cell," which proved to be exceptionally loud on both mornings. Let's talk about the "cell," also known as my room. Opting for the basic single private room, it was undeniably tiny but surprisingly cozy. Equipped with 2 outlets, a reading lamp, and a mirror, it had all the essentials. The only downside was the door, which was open on top, making noise more audible. Oh, and a pro-tip: ensure the hallway light is turned off at night for a peaceful sleep. My first night was a struggle until I discovered that the lights weren't turned off--I slept like a baby the second night. Cleanliness was top-notch in my room, as well as in the bathrooms, showers, lounge, and lobby. Kudos to the staff for maintaining such high standards. The free breakfast, offering bagels, cereal, fruit, hard-boiled eggs, and copious amounts of coffee, met my expectations. The showers, although small, were clean and provided hot water. In terms of safety, I felt secure. The absence of a key card for building entry was compensated by a pin code required to access the dorms and other areas. They also provided a key for my room. The location was fantastic--just steps away from the CF Rideau Centre, ByWard Market District, and a mere 15-minute walk from Parliament Hill and Downtown. A few extra notes: While they have a water cooler in the lobby, having an additional one in the lounge/kitchen area could enhance convenience. Although I didn't cook, the kitchen appeared small but equipped enough for preparing meals. Beyond the tour, it seemed like there weren't many activities for guests to engage in together. In conclusion, my overall experience was fantastic, and if I ever find myself in Ottawa again, a visit to Saintlo would be on the agenda! Additionally, it's worth noting that I traveled solo, and as a female, the experience was still enjoyable. *Experience a firsthand tour of Saintlo Ottawa Jail Hostel through my YouTube video! Get a sneak peek before your stay. Happy watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkqwSq0yNHU&t=18s I am not affiliated with Saintlo Ottawa Jail Hostel; I'm simply a passionate budget traveler who enjoys sharing my hostel experiences with fellow adventurers.

Staying overnight in a jail cell was such a unique experience. We stayed in a cell with bunk beds…read moreand it was surprisingly spacious for two people. The location is centrally located close to Byward Market, Parliament, and the shopping mall. The hostel also offers historical tours of the jail (join a walking haunted tour company if you'd like to learn about the ghost stories). Definitely would recommend staying here for the experience. Parking is an additional $12 cost. The hostel will be closed from November 1 to December 31 due to COVID.

Was expecting to be similar to a Hi-Hostel, but this is a house! The place doesn't look like the…read morepictures at all, the ambiance from the website is deceiving. There was a big group of people staying in the house and they were so loud the entire night! They were still talking loudly in spanish, cooking and making noise at midnight; so inconsiderate. And it doesn't help that the walls are thin and floors are creeky. They made noise again in the morning, making breakfast and yelling at 7am. They left a mess in the kitchen and I felt like I was living in their house instead of being guests and feeling welcomed. Everything is dirty and old. I hated how it's a rule that you have to take off your shoes once you enter the front door--the floors are so dirty! Good thing I brought my own flip flops. Even the couches in the basement are so filthy and stained. They have an old tiny antennae tv (like an 8" screen), and the screen is so fuzzy you can't see anything! The showers are in the basement, and the room is FREEZING, with no heater. Didn't dare to step on the bath math. The "white" mat is grey. They don't give you bath towels either! What a disappointment. There's no paper towels in the kitchen so you would need to use toilet papers. Yes there's free milk, but the fridge is so messy and there's no pitchers, so you're pouring from the bag tied in a knot--sketchy. There's only 3 parking spots behind the house, and it's $10 a day. The inn owns two houses side by side so we had to go to the other house to check in and pay. At the time, their internet was down for the day. The room is fine, squeaky bed, but looks decent. Everything else though, the hallways and common areas is almost gagging and appalling to look at. For a hundred dollars a night (triple room), you're better off staying at a hotel. This place is disgusting!

The best thing about this hostel is the social aspect! I hung out here one night with a friend who…read morewas staying here and the atmosphere was great! There are lots of common areas including the living room and my favorite the front porch with comfy couches for talking and watching people pass by. There is free WIFI here, so you can take your laptop out on the deck and check your email in the morning with you coffee(also free). The dormitories here aren't too cramped (a maximum of 10 beds...I have been in some that have closer to 20 on my travels). The cost is $25 per night, maybe a bit more than I've paid, but then again, I guess it is almost right in the Byward Market. This is a really convenient hostel to check out all of the tourist attractions downtown walking.

Deciding to live at Envie was the worst decision I have made in many years. When we moved in the…read morebuilding was still incomplete after multiple promises it would be finished. This resulted in many suites being entered without sufficient notice in order to finish them once we had already moved in. This sort of trend is still continuing. They advertise the building as a quiet place for students to study but in reality there is construction 5 feet away 12 hours a day every day. The internet is also significantly inferior to what was advertised on their website. The management of the building is an absolute joke. I have no idea where they found these people. For the amount of money I am paying to live in a "luxury" building, I was expecting, and promised much much more. Avoid living here at all costs. Dozens of people are desperately trying to end their leases early in order to find somewhere actually suitable for student living. Don't give in to their flashy advertising and promises (that I guarantee they will break).

Very nice hostel but with some negative points - specially bc it's not a cheap hostel…read more $70 in a mix bedroom with 8 ppl They have a bar and some food options for purchase; The bathrooms were spacious and finally someone considered adding hooks and a place to fit your stuff; Cons Bedding wasn't clean and my blanket had hairs from previous guest. Another guest said he saw staff goes in the rooms to take naps. Why???? Don't they have their own rooms and do they change bedding after their nap? That's gross Also, I love that the staff is happy and get along but they are always cooking and drinking together while front desk is left alone, bathrooms have no paper and it's full of trash and other things needs to be addressed are not because they're busy with their shenanigans. I felt like I was staying in their house- with most of the kitchen reserved for the staff ( with rude note saying "don't steal our food) Thin walls and plank flooring are bad - you can hear everything and every step from people above you

Beautiful beautiful room on the auberge side. People are super friendly. Clean, modern, high end…read moreamenities. I have no problem giving this a 5 star rating. I would definitely go back, even though I'm a local! Please go visit them!