Ottawa, Capital YES, Large NO

Advantages: Plenty to see in a fairly small area
Disadvantages: B****y cold in winter - fuzzy knickers required

...This is by no means a definitive guide to Ottawa, but some jottings based on a couple of visits. I always feel with places that you are likely to go to again, that there’s no point in rushing to see it all, and to date, I haven’t! *************************************************************** “Ladies and Gentlemen, we are now 500 miles east of our capital, Ottawa” said our Air Canada captain, as if having to remind himself that a city this size is the capital of one of the world’s largest countries. Touching down in Ottawa does indeed give the impression of having landed somewhere more akin to Norwich if the airport is anything to go by. Of course, Montreal and “Tronna” are far bigger, and ironically, far more important on a global scale. This wasn’t my first footfall in...

BNibbles 11.12.2000 (22.07.2001) · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Ottawa (Canada)

Ottawa HI Jail Hostel - Staying in a haunted youth hostel

Advantages: Unique place to stay, OK price, in centre of Ottawa easy walk to attractions, good fun
Disadvantages: Light being left on in corridor all night, no good if you want 'quiet' place to sleep

...Having not stayed in a youth hostel before we decided on our visit to Ottawa to try out the Jail Hostel for 2 nights. The cost was £31.05 per night have not sure if this was more expensive than normal for hostels and you would get it cheaper if you had Hi Hostel membership. However for the experience of staying in a haunted jail we thought it was worth it and would be fun! On arrival we checked in and were given our bed sheets and towels by a very friendly receptionist and off we went to our 'cell' yes we stayed in a room that was a prison cell. Bunk Beds in one corner, wardrobe and a sink then we had a shared shower room and toilets. Not much room in there so you better get on with who you are staying with but all a bit different and good fun. The floor we were on had cells down both sides of the floor and was mixed with men...

dfc001 21.08.2009 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of HI-Ottawa Jail Hostel, Ottawa

Minto Place Suite Hotel Ottawa Canada

Advantages: A Suite of Rooms to spread out in without an exhorbitant price tag
Disadvantages: None

.... Sometimes it is fun to eat in the room but there is always the option of the restaurant and shops which can be found within the complex. We also love the fact that you are conveniently situated for all the sightseeing that downtown Ottawa has to offer. Canada is a fantastic holiday destination and you can feel assured of a welcome and comfortable stay at the Minto....

kassurvey 16.07.2008 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Minto Place Suite, Ottawa

Ottawa Activities Any Time of the Year.

Advantages: location: 2 hours from Montreal, o hour from American border, international flights
Disadvantages: can't think of any

...There is something to do all year-round in this clean, truly beautiful city. National Museums abound in the Nation's Capital. The National Arts Centre, smaller theaters, large festivals of all kinds attract locals and tourists alike. One can enjoy boating on the Ottawa River or on the Rideau Canal. There are miles of hiking and cycling trails, even river rafting. In winter, the Rideau Canal is transformed into the longest skating rink in the world. About half of its population speaks both French and English. Many excellent restaurants catering to all tastes are found in this increasingly multi-ethnic city....

mavin 22.10.2000 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Ottawa (Canada)

Great city to visit

Advantages: Historical, lots to see, cheap
Disadvantages: Transport links

...Ottawa, the capital of Canada, was the second stop on a recent trip across Canada. Before going there, I knew the basics (i.e. that its the capital) but couldn't really have pointed out any landmarks. I have to say that I was very impressed by what I saw and would definately recommend a trip here to anyone. GETTING THERE: Although Ottawa is Canada's capital it is by no means a big city. There are few options for direct flights from the UK but you can fly with Air Canada from Heathrow direct. In the summer the airline Zoom have flights from Gatwick and Glasgow. There are plenty of flights available within Canada so its easy to get from Ottawa to Toronto/Halifax/Vancouver etc. We arrived by train. We had train passes so our travel was no extra but I think it costs around $100 for the trip (about £50). There are around 5...

tartlette83 07.09.2006 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Review of Ottawa (Canada)

A Capital City

Advantages: not too large, lots of museums, sights, shops
Disadvantages: not as easy to get to as other large cities

...Ottawa, Canada's federal capital, does not find its way onto many tourist itineries, it is really too far from Toronto to be worth the trip, although it is much easier to make the journey from Montreal. Geographically, politically and culturally, the city bestrides the border between Francophone Quebec and Anglophone Ontario. The Ottawa River runs through the City, dividing the city of Ottawa (on the Ontario side) from the city of Hull (on the Quebec side). In effect, it is the same city, but the citizens of each are particularly proud so you might not want to mention this too loudly! Most of the points of interest are on the Ontarian side, in Ottawa proper. Of course there is the Parliament Building itself, which, perhaps unsurprisingly, is a little reminiscent of the Houses of Parliament in London. There is a little cat...

womble 25.05.2001 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Ottawa (Canada)

Great place to visit.

Advantages: Free, lots to see
Disadvantages: None

...As part of a trip across Canada my boyfriend and I made Ottawa our second stop. The Parliament Buildings were the first things on our 'to do in Ottawa' list. We definately weren't disappointed by them. HISTORY: The history of the Parliament Buildings is interwoven with the history of Canada. I'll try to give some idea of the history of the buildings without it sounding too much like a history lesson! In 1857 Queen Victoria was asked to chose a capital for the Province of Canada and she chose Ottawa. The Parliament Buildings, which consist of a Centre Block and East and West Blocks, were completed between 1859 and 1866. In 1867 Confederation was introduced in Canada and the buildings were chosen as the seat of government of the newly formed Canada. In 1916 fire broke out in the Centre Block, believed to have been started...

tartlette83 29.08.2006 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Review of Radisson Hotel Parliament Hill Ottawa, Ottawa

Jailhouse rocks

Advantages: Canadian history and culture
Disadvantages: It's very cold in winter

...Ottawa, Canada?s capital city. What?s it like ? Although it?s the capital, it?s a smallish city (about 1m people) so it?s possible to walk round. Unlike a lot of other Canadian cities they?ve preserved their historical buildings so the city has a real sense of history and heritage. The verdi-gris roofs of the parliament buildings in contrast to the brickwork are a lovely sight and their gothic tone is very atmospheric. Ottawans have the typical Canadian trait of being very friendly and helpful so expect a warm welcome whatever the weather. Weather ? On a par with most other major Canadian cities ? warm in summer but freezing in winter. Things to do ? - Parliament buildings. You can go and watch the ministers at work in the House of Commons then do a free tour of the buildings and the peace tower. After go see...

filmlover 13.01.2005 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Ottawa (Canada)

Surprise - whos sleeping in my bed?

Advantages: Spacious Rooms, comfortable beds and the extras!
Disadvantages: Small bathrooms, views from room and other little things in review

...Well im back onto the hotel reviews again after a recent visit to Ottawa in Canada. After freezing my buttocks off and nestling into my scarf grabbing my bags and rushing into the hotel I had little chance to look at the exterior of the hotel! Walking into a large reception area located on three levels we made our way up a number of steps from the main entrance to the reception desk on the middle floor. My hands were numb with the onset of frostbite and here I was wrenching my bags up to the reception desk and lifts! Seating areas are located around the reception desk and a bell boy (and his desk) were located just at the top of the steps. Despite struggling with bags the bell boy was no help, I never asked for help but his job description would state the obvious. Four lifts and a set of stairs are just at the top of the steps...

RichardElse 12.03.2007 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Crowne Plaza Ottawa, Ottawa

Old-fashioned grandeur, courtesy and style

Advantages: Great comfort, great service ,great location, great breakfast
Disadvantages: None except the cold wind outside in winter

...The Fairmont Chateau Laurier Hotel is one of the landmark buildings in the centre of Ottawa. Situated across the Rideau Canal from Parliament buildings, the hotel has had a rich and varied history. According to the plaque on the wall out the front, the Hotel was commissioned by the General Manager of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway. Unfortunately, the means he chose to travel to open the hotel in 1912 was the Titanic, so instead the hotel was opened by the then Prime Minister, Sir Wilfred Laurier, whose name the hotel bears. A suite in the hotel was also used by a Canadian Prime Minister in the 1930, R B Bennett. Its opulent facilities being used by numerous politicians, together with its proximity to Parliament Hill meant it has sometimes been called "the third chamber of Parliament". The grandeur that was evident nearly 100...

lobourse 06.06.2007 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Fairmont Chateau Laurier, Ottawa