Grande Dame Needs to be Happier! This is the first time we've travelled since March 2020. Last trip, we dropped by and went for a drink at Zoé's then sat in some sumptuous chairs the lobby for a bit, toured the halls and enjoyed the photos, the ambience. Nice! Fast forward to summer of 2021. Covid protocols. Self parking only (get it), body temp taken (check!), empty lobby - no chairs (sad). No Zoé! The halls looked deserted, almost haunted. After walking what seemed forever, we arrived into our lovely suite 569. Bougie elegance I would say. Great views, very comfortable bed (we slept like babies!). Loved the details - IG'd the doorknobs, loved the Rose 31 amenities, Front staff superior. I am rating a 4 because I've been to several 5 star hotels since and here are the differences. 1 - Towels smelled of vinegar. Vinegar is an excellent disinfectant but the thing I love most about hotel towels is that fresh smell. 2 - No pen and paper. 3 - No info package - call me old fashioned but "QR" doesn't do it for me. Couldn't check out via TV (less personal contact?). 4 - No TV station guide - A simple card does not transmit covid. 5 - A phone that doesn't get answered. 6 - No complimentary bottled water. 7 - I own a Nespresso and know the coffee is exceptional. Your machine spewed lukewarm dishwater. I don't think Nespresso would be happy with this kind of promotion. 8 - Lastly, the lobby experience was sad. Not what I experienced the last 3 times I stayed here (+my 2020). No pretty centerpiece or flowers or lanterns, no chairs, no people to watch. The halls had no art/photos/history. We were at Le Chateau Frontenac the other day and the lobby was beautiful. The flower centerpiece was spectacular! Covid is serious for sure but (in my opinion) you are taking things to another level. I appreciate the safety factor but things feel too much like a pandemic here. Not what I want after staying at home since March 2020.

One night getaway Visited for wife’s Birthday getaway. Very Grand and majestic hotel. Staff were very pleasant and more than willing to help, specially the guy at the front door. Very well located, walking distance to Rideau Canal and Byward. The reason for 4 stars, Rooms and parts of the hotel though definitely need an upgrade, better lighting including upgrading the swimming pool. Just the building being so grand is worth one night stay though likely not a come back hotel unless they do the upgrades.

So so A small room with a particularly small bathroom with a pink stain in the tub. Overall an underwhelming experience. Excellent location near the Byward Market and Elgin Street. The bed mattress was comfortable.

Overall a great stay BUT.... We had a short stay at this wonderful location and we got a very spacious and comfortable Signature room overlooking the Parliament and the Terrase. Check in was fast and friendly, parking available right on site very convenient but may be on the expensive side compared to other parking lots in Ottawa ($40). We loved our dinner @ La Terrase, wonderful sunset! Repeat breakfast on the Terrase, morning was busy and we didn't get a nice table (in spite of having a reservation so beware that on a weekday, it is busy until 10 so no warranty of a nice table). Service was great tho. Food, I preferred dinner by much. For breakfast, food arrived a bit cold and just nothing comparable to what what we remember from breakfast at Wilfrid's (the hotel regular restaurant). Now...Why not 5 stars? The housekeeping lady: She knocked at our door at around 8:45 AM - we had just returned from an early work and were cleaning up: "When are you leaving?" - My answer: At what time is check-out, "at noon", ok, then we will be out of here at 11:30, thank you. Strange but fair enough, she was on a mission. THEN we come back from breakfast at around 10:45 - Again, same lady, knock knock.... I opened the door for her to say, "Oh you are still here?" - Sorry but it is 10:45 and you need to stop doing this - " I need to clean" - SO, I guess she is super driven and results oriented ;) but not so cool when you are in the shower or brushing you teeth and well... not really acceptable in Fairmont, is it? Anyway, bet you she cleans like a storm and leaves the rooms clean and fresh and wonderful as we received ours but she may need to calm down a bit on rushing people out. Best!

Excellent customer service and Awesome Hotel My friend and I arrived early but they let us check in early without any charge. Front desk guy was very helpful and so was the guy at the concierge. We loved our very huge and spacious room overlooking the tower of the Parliament hill. The room was very elegant and cozy. Unfortunately restaurants are close for in door dining due to covid and patio restaurant was so busy we can't make reservation. The pool was also closed. We enjoyed our walked in the park just behind the hotel and the visit to the Parliament hill. Over all, It was an awesome experienced. I definitely comeback here with my husband and I fully recommend to friends and relatives and to everyone.