In Ottawa for Air France’s inaugural flight from Ottawa to Paris, I decided to stay at the Courtyard Ottawa Downtown hotel, a member of the Marriott Bonvoy program.
The cost of a hotel night in Ottawa can vary greatly, and is often much more expensive during the week than on weekends. During my stay, it was more attractive to book with Marriott Bonvoy points (22,000) than to pay in cash.
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The best way to earn Marriott Bonvoy points for free stays at over 8,000 hotels worldwide is to be a Marriott BonvoyMD American ExpressMD* Cardholder (and/or Marriott BonvoyMD Business American ExpressMD* Cardholder).
In addition to the great welcome bonus on both cards, you’ll earn 2 points per dollar on all purchases and 5 points per dollar at Marriott locations. And each year, you’ll earn a certificate for one free hotel night (35,000 point value) as well as 15 Elite nights toward your Marriott Bonvoy status.
Here is some information about the hotel:
Nestled in the heart of Ottawa’s vibrant downtown core, the Courtyard Ottawa Downtown benefits from a privileged location, offering easy access to iconic Canadian landmarks such as Parliament (6-minute walk), the CF Rideau Centre shopping mall and the Byward Market and its many restaurants (2-minute walk). The entrance is on Rue Dalhousie.
If you’re driving to the hotel, parking is available right in front of the hotel at $35 per day. When I visited, the parking lot was fully booked and seems to be quite often during the week.
The hotel entrance is secure, and you need to ring the bell or use your magnetic card to open the main door and enter the lobby.
Having done my check-in with the Marriott Bonvoy application beforehand, this step was a breeze.
Please note that if you are staying several nights, room service will visit your room only from the third day onwards and every other day thereafter to change towels and collect garbage. A complete cleaning of the room is only carried out on the seventh day. So if you would like room cleaning every day, please let reception know.
At the time of booking, it was only possible to reserve a room with 2 queen-size beds with the points. I didn’t get an upgrade because this hotel doesn’t offer other room types with double beds or suites. However, by booking a room with a double bed, depending on your status, you may be able to get an upgrade to a slightly larger room with a bigger sofa.
The room is fairly classic and appears to have been recently renovated. The decor is very similar to the Courtyard in Quebec City.
If you’re doing remote work, the desk is very practical: being on castors, it can be extended to provide extra space for another screen.
Room included a refrigerator and a coffee maker.
The bedding looked relatively new and was comfortable. My only negative point: There was a damp smell in the room. After a while, you stop smelling it, but it comes back as soon as you re-enter the room.
Courtyard hotels do not offer breakfast to Marriott Bonvoy Elite members. At check-in, I was offered the choice of a $10 US credit or 500 points.
Breakfast is served in the Bistro on the first floor from 6:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Monday to Friday, and from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. on weekends. To give you an idea of prices, a breakfast plate with eggs, bacon or sausage, breakfast potatoes and bread costs $16.5. This is the most expensive option on the menu.
The restaurant is open from 5 pm to 10 pm.
The swimming pool and gym are on the first floor.
The pool and gym are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and access requires the room’s magnetic card.
When I visited, the pool was deserted. I didn’t find the space inviting and both the floor and the bottom of the pool didn’t seem clean.
The gym is divided into 2 sections: the cardio equipment is just to the right as you enter the pool, while the free weights are just down the corridor to the right of the emergency exit. The space is very small, opening directly onto the toilets and checkroom.
A computer with Internet access and a printer are available. The space is open-plan and opens directly onto the passageway. It may be handy for printing documents, but not ideal for working.
Staying only one night in Ottawa and being very little in my room, I had a decent stay at the hotel but I don’t plan to return on a future visit to the capital.
Indeed, the hotel has all the amenities expected for its category, but the smell of dampness in the room and the cleanliness of the pool did not leave me with good memories. What’s more, as a Marriott Bonvoy Elite member, it’s quite possible to find hotels that offer breakfast for a similar price, such as the Sheraton Ottawa Hotel or The Westin Ottawa.
Read on for more Ottawa hotel reviews:
Savings are here:
