So this review is confusing to write because it has some good points and some bad points. Overall I enjoyed our stay here...I think...
We stayed here 12 days so I feel like we got to know this place fairly well. There are a few quirks. If you are expecting a full on hotel experience you will be let down. That said it really suited the needs of my family of five. I found it (mostly) clean, quiet (we had a courtyard room) and comfortable.
I think this part however is the most important to note;
In all honesty if you drive a large SUV , Truck, or van this is simply not a hotel for you. The rental company upgrade us to this ridiculous Ford Expedition MAX. The parking garage can only accommodate large vehicles on the lowest level due to height, which is fine. The problem is there are very few spots and it is not enforced at all so often we had nowhere to park as small cars took the spaces. The hotel told us to use the pay lot down the street but being American and not having theses cool "chipped" credit cards we could not use the machine. Three nights we had to park at the Rideau Center. Their garage is large and has ample parking at the same rate as the hotel ($20). Still if I am staying at a hotel I would really like to park there. If there is only one floor with a few spots for large vehicles you would think that they would somehow make sure their visitors could park. So, although this is a great hotel to stay at mostly I can not stress enough how if you drive anything over a regular car this will become a bit of a daily nightmare for you and to AVOID.
Pros:
Quiet building, you never hear your upstairs neighbors. I love that!
Huge "apartment like rooms"
Nice staff
Presse Cafe in the lobby- yummy and so nice
Comfy beds. Pillows are so-so
Close to downtown and UOttawa
Full kitchens (full size fridge, full oven, dishwasher, microwave, toaster, kettle) are nice to have, lots of cupboards and grocery stores near by
Great housekeeping staff, very friendly
Nice view if you are facing the courtyard
Nice shampoos, body lotion and conditioner.
Coffee maker, creamers in the fridge a nice touch
A pool
Great A/C
Daily paper available in lobby
Cons:
Parking
Duvet /comforter on bed. Ewwww. Who still has these? Wash them please!
Sparsely stocked kitchen with teeny dishes
Kinda a creepy neighborhood at night, right across from a major homeless shelter
NEVER pool towels. Such a pain to walk dripping to the elevator. BYO
Cute balconies but nothing to sit on out there. A bit odd.
Don't leave me crappy bottles of water that are $3.50 in my fridge. Seriously.
Hot water tank in room. Your hot water will run out if you all take morning showers.
Crappy wireless connection unless you pay to upgrade
Parking garage not wheelchair friendly, neither is pool. Not an issue for us but coming from California where this is a heavily enforced law It really stood out to us. Good to note in case
Overall would I stay here again? Depends totally on what car they gave us. Hope the yellow paint from the pole we hit trying to park comes out of the bumper! read more