TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

We stayed for 2 nights in this hotel. It is centrally located, in walking distance to the Parliament hill, market, shopping mall (in fact it is interconnected), museums. We had a room with a view to the parliament. Great view, big room. The hotel and the room compared to other hotels we stayed in Canada felt a bit old fashioned but it was clean and disposed of everything we needed. The breakfast was good, very good variety and great service. The only strange thing was that on Easter Sunday, the breakfast was served only until 9.30 while usually it was served until 11. The hotel needed the restaurant for the Easter brunch from 10.30. On one hand it is understandable that a hotel wants to make extra money but on the other hand it was quite annoying for hotel guests, especially if you are on your well deserved vacation… The hotel staff was nice, especially staff in the restaurant, the vallet parking driver, the cleaning service staff and the concierge who gave us great tips for restaurants for dinner. However, the receptionist on our arrival was rather lukewarm, no communication, just handed us the keys silently, and did not even explain anything about the hotel. We had to ask and figure out ourselves.

Our room overlooking the Parliament buildings was somewhat dated in that is lacked in Bedside plugs and USB charging outlets customary in newer renovated properties and a necessary amenity for todays travelers! When booking the room, we noted the room photo on line portrays two chairs, on arrival there was one single chair in the room and one robe indicating that perhaps this property caters more to the single business crowd than couples. Of note was the thread bare towels with actual threads hanging off the towels more customary to a low-end bargain property! Elevators are super secure – Outside the elevator, one must enter the floor number with ones key card scan and that is the only floor the elevator goes to – there are no numbers to push inside the elevator, which does take some paying attention on the first use! As platinum members we chose the breakfast buffet as our amenity and found a nice selection of hot and cold items that included pre-made eggs benedict and an omelette station. Being St Paddy’s Day, we also received a special tasty themed treat with breakfast while dining at a table overlooking the National Arts Center and the canal. We did have to make a late-night room change as the room having been requested as non-allergenic and then having been remade again by housekeeping as a feather room. We would find out that the entire 21st floor is non-allergenic and pet free which would have been the ideal place to check us into in the first place as per our Bonvoy profile! However, management apologized profusely and bent over backwards to make it right with us and we did have an enjoyable stay – Its not always how one starts as to how one finishes that matters and for that we give the hotel full credit

We checked into the Westin Hotel, myself and my two young children, after our 10 minute drive from the Children’s Museum. Such incredible service from Ghada (sp) at the front desk. She was very pragmatic when I expressed some concerns about my reservation. Meanwhile, Megan and Jackson kept my kids safe and entertained. They even sent up a nice little treat. We felt very welcomed by that staff from the moment we walked in. Thanks everyone!

Amazing hotel with a great view of Parliament. Parking was perfect underground connected to the Rideau Center Mall. Everything was close by in walking distance. Staff were friendly at check in and the room was very spacious. The only problem was the pool was not heated as claimed. We had to leave because it was very very cold when we arrived.

There is certainly much to praise about this hotel. The location is fantastic, and the service is attentive, thoughtful, and nice. We were pleasantly surprised to find ourselves upgraded, and the room that we received had a huge window overlooking the city. The room was comfortable, the daily cleanings happened promptly while we were out without our ever having to nudge anyone, the valet parking was smoothly managed, and everyone was friendly, including the servers in the hotel bar. Our one complaint--and it's not insignificant--is that they have a serious problem with their elevators. The system they use is terribly inefficient. Not only was there always a wait--sometimes a rather long one--but once you were on, you were packed in with other people and had to suffer through an experience not unlike the New York City subway at rush hour, pressed against other bodies as the elevator stopped on every floor. Admittedly, a large convention was going on while we were there, but the Westin advertises itself as a conference hotel and they should be able to manage the crowds; otherwise it's unfair to their non-conference attending guests. And, since many other reviews complain about the elevators, clearly this is an ongoing problem. Otherwise, again, our stay was lovely, and we appreciated the attentive service; the spacious, comfortable room with a view; and the fabulous location right in downtown Ottawa, in walking distance of so many great sights.