Ottawa Marriott Hotel

“Good hotel, friendly staff”

The first night was not great as the room was like a goldfish bowl and didn't meet expectations. I actually felt disrespected that they put me in a room like that. Perhaps because I was a woman alone they thought I was a hooker. But it didn't look like the pictures. The "sheer" curtains were dir... more

The first night was not great as the room was like a goldfish bowl and didn't meet expectations. I actually felt disrespected that they put me in a room like that. Perhaps because I was a woman alone they thought I was a hooker. But it didn't look like the pictures. The "sheer" curtains were dirty and stained with make up (?!) It actually seemed like the room hadn't been cleaned properly due to a large stain on the carpet. The coffee maker was broken. The second day, after I asked, and complained, they moved me to another room which was much better than the first and had a good view. I appreciated the help from the man at the desk. I overheard him saying: She paid for it -- I assume his superior was trying to move me to a substandard room again, but I had paid for a balcony corner room Loved the big bottles of shampoo, conditioner, soap provided on bathroom wall. Loved the detachable hangers and the provided slippers branded Marriott. One problem was the desk chair was too low. Comfy as a chair but too low for working at a laptop. No screen door on the balcony, so impossible to leave the door open for air. I chose the hotel largely because of the balcony and the possibility of opening the door, so it was really annoying not to be able to avail myself of fresh air. While the hotel does a good job of keeping its eco footprint relatively small (no tiny shampoo bottles etc, but the big kind attached to the shower wall) it is very odd that instead of a china mug in the room, Starbucks paper cups are provided. Not very suitable for drinking coffee while working. Fan in bathroom was broken and there was a stain in the bottom of the bathtub. Also small yellowish stains on the ceiling. The spinning restaurant on the top of the hotel is permanently closed except for special events. That was not good. The food at the hotel restaurant on the ground floor inexplicably called Spin because it doesn't spin (and the formerly spinning rooftop restaurant is closed) is good and totally edible unlike some of the local restaurants. The caesar salad is great (but ask for it without kale unless you find raw kale edible). There's a Starbucks in the hotel and one down the street. The latte in both are terrible. Overpriced and basically lukewarm milk with a splash of coffee in it for color for about $4.50. The latte at Spin was the same (not sure if they get it from the Starbucks). I also found the Kuerig coffee in the room to be weak, so I bought some President's Choice coffee capsules and some cream and used that. I figured out it was $1.25 a cup based on the receipt from the grocery store. Check the hours on the Starbucks and the restaurant. Both close earlier that you would expect for a city hotel. Liked the patio on the restaurant with lots of beautiful flowers. Fun to sit on bench outside hotel. Liked two tables located outside Spin restaurant in the hotel foyer (Didn't like that these two tables had "reserved" signs on them.) All the staff in the hotel were super friendly and helpful. I borrowed a bicycle when I was there and they kindly kept it in a store room for me. Cycle thieves are rampant in Ottawa, so it was very much appreciated. (The last time I was there I rented one from the cycle shop on Sparks Street and they didn't give me a proper lock, it was stripped of everything removable in broad daylight and I had to pay for it. They acted as though it was my fault but they should bolt the seat etc down and provide proper locks for everything.) Looks like the pool is popular, but I didn't go there. I think the pool is over promoted/a downside if you don't want to use the pool. The first couple of nights I was there, the hotel was overrun by teenagers and children who were having fun going up and down on the elevators and hanging out in the corridors, which on the one hand was great for the teenagers and their parents, but for others it was annoying. Didn't provide receipt the night before as I asked and then never received it even though they said they would email it. They can't do anything with the reservation either apparently. All has to be done online. And if you drive check the cost of parking. I didn't drive, but had a friend who wanted to while we went for dinner and there is a flat rate of $29!! They told me it is city parking, but it's as if it is part of the hotel, so it is strange. To watch films it ends up being $25 each, although it says $22 (I think). It also says the films are still in the box office, but not all of them are -- be forewarned. Some of them -- like The Shining, for example, are quite old. I could not figure out how to make the closed captions appear, which was frustrating. The rooms are also not soundproof be forewarned. Overall though, given some of the nightmarish experiences I've had in hotels around the world, this was a very good experience.

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“Just a few minor mishaps…”

This is the second time we have been to this hotel. Our first experience was fantastic. Great service, great rooms, and the breakfast was also fantastic. Our return visit, was less than fantastic, unfortunately. Our air conditioner was not working properly, there were dishes all over the floo... more

This is the second time we have been to this hotel. Our first experience was fantastic. Great service, great rooms, and the breakfast was also fantastic. Our return visit, was less than fantastic, unfortunately. Our air conditioner was not working properly, there were dishes all over the floor in the hallway (see pics) - the glassware there upon arrival and still there after we left the next day…even after the cleaners were on the floor) and the breakfast buffet was mediocre…and we had to wait about 20 minutes for items to be restocked in the hit buffet line. I will say, the front service desk and our waiter at the buffet went above and beyond for us. Great service, but some of those little things impacted our overall experience.

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“Excellent location”

Pros: Excellent location Very close to LRT station “lyon” ans sparks street and many other city important locations. Good rooms, 5 elevators eliminating virtually any waiting time. Cons: Water dispensers not working you need to go to several stories before finding one that works Several machines ... more

Pros: Excellent location Very close to LRT station “lyon” ans sparks street and many other city important locations. Good rooms, 5 elevators eliminating virtually any waiting time. Cons: Water dispensers not working you need to go to several stories before finding one that works Several machines in the gym not working properly

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