Inhospitable hotel

My wife and I live on the outskirts of Ottawa, and had once before taken advantage of a mini weekend holiday offered by the nearby Weston Hotel. Stay overnight in the centre of the city and have a nice meal, avoid the drive back to the burbs. This time we thought we'd try the stately looking Lord Elgin a few blocks over, and overlooking the Park.

We booked it and arrived to check in, and the clerk said they would not let us have a room since we lived in Ottawa!!! I couldn't beleive it! And it's not like we're a dingy couple, we are affluent middle class people with disposible income. Nice way to treat your guests.

Stay away - I can imagine if they are this hostile to the people who might recommend their hotel to visiting business colleagues, they will treat their guests similarly.

That night we went over to the Weston where they were happy to welcome us and we had a great 'mini-getaway' after all!!

I would recommended this hotel to everyone!

The Lord Elgin was a great place to stay while visiting Ottawa.We went in October 2004 and didn't experience any problems with construction. The hotel was beautiful. It was recommended to us by "the locals". This quaint hotel is not like the normal chain hotel. The hotel was reasonably priced and the rooms were clean, spacious and well decorated. The location is perfect and in walking distance to all of the attractions. We were very impressed and have recommended it to all of our friends and family.

Unfriendly, Poorly Trained Staff

My husband and I spent a night in this attractive, well-maintained and well-located hotel in October, 2004. Unfortunately, when we arrived (around 6 in the evening) a concierge was unavailable and an impatient clerk at the front desk responded to our question about where to eat by saying that there were "many" restaurants about four blacks away with no further specifics. Unfortunately, it was dark, cold and starting to rain, so we opted for the hotel restaurant (more of a coffee shop) where the food was mediocre and the service was extremely poor. In the future, we would look into other options if we were to stay in Ottawa again.

Loved the Lord Elgin

I came up to Ottawa for a wedding and stayed 3 nights. The renovations other reviewers complained of were done and the hotel looked lovely. The room was clean and nicely appointed. The staff was friendly and helpful. The price was right. It's walking distance from the main area of restaurants and bars and the Parliament building. And it's got history in Ottawa, being owned by an Ottawan family. Just the kind of place I like. The other 4 or 5 wedding guests who stayed there also liked it very much.

Great Value

Staff were courteous and friendly. Room was spacious, clean and an excellent price - booked online. Pool and workout facilities are more than adequate. We stayed during the Canada Day week and had a fabulous holiday. Hotel is close to all amenities. We'll definitely stay here next time we're in Ottawa.

Will stay there again.

after staying at various other ottawa hotels over the years, i'm happy to have found one that i can return to each year.

pros: *within walking distance to everything in downtown ottawa - no need to catch the bus or take your car anywhere! very convenient! *nicely appointed rooms - great beds, lovely bathroom, etc. *not too expensive - about the same or even less than neighbouring hotels

cons: *parking at the hotel is valet and around $14/day, which is kind of expensive and a bit inconvenient (having to call the valet everytime you want your car) but the valets are very nice and helpful. *the walls are a bit thin - i was able to hear murmurs from the neighbours in the room next to me every once in a while, as well as their toilet flushing - but it wasn't very bad - i've been in worse rooms where you could hear every single word your neighbours were saying..

we were all pleasantly surprised at the value and quality of this hotel - other local hotels are not as nice and are showing their age - not the lord elgin!

Excellent Hotel

We just got back from spending Canada Day in the Capital and this hotel was excellent. All the renovations have now been completed and the hotel looks amazing. Our room was spacious and overlooked Confederation Park. The staff was friendly, the rooms were clean and the service was the best I've ever had at any hotel. The hotel even cooked up free pancakes on Canada Day. The pool is of average size with a hot tub and fitness room (2 treadmills, bike, and weight machines). On site Starbucks is an added bonus as you can sit all night and listen to the music coming from Confederation Park. The hotel is convenient to all Ottawa attractions and is within walking distance to everything you would ever want to do in Ottawa as a tourist (Parliament Buildings, Sparks Street, all the museums, the Rideau Canal, the market, shopping etc). I would most definitely recommend this hotel to anyone.

Okay

The hotel was undergoing extensive renovations when I stayed there.

Lobby area was covered in plastic. We werent told of the renos when we made the booking. Room standard same as that of a Holiday Inn or Days Inn. Definitly high priced for the quality.

Great!

Had a 3 night stay here on a room only basis. Room was spacious and very clean. Staff were very friendly. Hotel is in a great position for city centre- didn't need to use any public transport. Changing of the Guard parade marches right past the hotel. Got a really good price through a web search.

Dont judge a book by its cover

The outside of the hotel was beautiful and impressive, but as soon as you walk in the front door the atmosphere is musty dull. The staff was not much help and the hotel was under extensive renovations which they failed to mention upon booking. In the morning we were awaken to the sound of drilling and hammering. I was not impressed with the hotels atmosphere and staff for the price i paid. I would never return and i would not recommend this hotel.