by Maria Stanley
I recently had the opportunity to spend a weekend away with my family at the Ottawa Marriott Hotel in Downtown Ottawa. In desperate need of a weekend away with my brood, I was absolutely thrilled to go. Although we’ve been to Ottawa many times, we’ve never actually stayed at the Marriott before, so it was a great chance to check it out. I will admit that I’m a bit of a hotel snob – I’m always nervous when staying at a new hotel. But after looking up the hotel online, I was impressed – it looked like a beautiful hotel with great amenities for families.
The Ottawa Marriott Hotel boasts 474 rooms on 29 floors (and four concierge levels). It is located on Kent Street in downtown Ottawa, conveniently located near Parliament, several museums, the Sparks Street Mall, the Rideau Centre, and the Market. You can follow them on Facebook and Twitter too.
We arrived at the hotel Friday evening, just before dinner. We checked our car at valet parking, and headed into the lobby to check in. The lobby is gorgeous, newly renovated, and huge – large enough to include the front desk area, seating areas, a large desk with two Apple desktop computers for guest use, an attached Starbucks (perfect!) and their restaurant, SPIN Kitchen and Bar. We were greeted by Anathea, Director of eMarketing & Social Media and Arjun, the guest services attendant, which was a lovely surprise. We were promptly checked in, and headed up to our room located on one of the upper floors.
Our room was a corner room, and was actually made up of two separate rooms connected to make for one great room. With the doors left open, it absolutely felt like one room which was great with the kids. There was even a door separating our room from the rest of the floor – the kids really LOVED this. The rooms boast windows that open and even a balcony. However, when making the hotel arrangements, I actually requested that the windows be screwed shut (this is done in the winter months) because I come with a fearless four year old, and didn’t want to spend the weekend trying to keep her away from the windows.
The room was gorgeous, modern and super clean. Each room had its own bathroom, desk and t.v. The beds were beautiful to look at and amazing to sleep in. Actually everything in the room, from the chairs to the lamps to the bedding are available to be purchased – they keep a catalogue in the room – I wish I could have bought the bedding actually. The room’s location also had an unbelievable view – looking out the window, we could see the Ottawa River, Gatineau and even the Parliament buildings – it was spectacular. The kids were ECSTATIC when they realized that they would each get their own beds, and it was great that the rooms were so roomy – it allowed them to really have fun and relax at the same time.
What I think really makes this hotel family friendly, is the fourth floor facilities. I had talked to the kids a little bit about the hotel and briefly mentioned that they had a very special fourth floor, so after a lovely dinner out, we checked it out.
The Marriott’s fourth floor, is a mecca for kids – it boasts a swimming pool area, a game room with air hockey, a pool table, an Xbox 360, Wii consoles, and Foosball. Also, there’s a kid’s room with an Xbox 360 and Wii consoles and free WiFi, an indoor tree house, mini-putt and floor hockey. The rooms were clean and bright and my kids had to be dragged out of there whenever we stopped by. I cannot tell you how many times my kids wanted to go to the fourth floor – they loved it that much. It is a great addition to the hotel, and makes it a wonderful stay for families.
Saturday morning we headed down to SPIN for breakfast. The breakfast buffet was pretty much what you would expect at any hotel – hot choices like eggs, cereals, fruits, etc. However, the server then came to our table and asked if we wanted eggs to order – I ordered an omelet and it was delish, and was definitely an appreciated option. After breakfast, we headed out for a LONG, hot day of shopping and sightseeing with the kids. The hotel is an easy ten minute walk to everything we wanted to go to, although on the way back, with very tired kids, it may have felt like an hour. We came back to our room and it was clean and lovely, and they had even perched my 4yo’s stuffed kitten on the top of the pillows in her bed which thrilled her to no end.
Saturday night, there was a small hiccup in our plans when the four year old came down with a fever and was vomiting. In the morning, I called down and asked if we could get some dry toast and a banana for her, and promptly received some toast, banana, cheese and crackers. Both kids climbed into bed, and experienced breakfast in bed for the first time. Thankfully the little one was in good spirits and was feeling much better, and requested that breakfast in bed become a regular thing at home. We decided to order room service instead of going to the restaurant – which was a lovely treat with kids. While we waited, the husband made himself a coffee with the Keurig (yes every room has one), and I had a shower using the Bath & Body Works products the hotel offers. I thought that was a great touch too. Room service arrived twenty minutes later, and it was a beautiful spread – pancakes, omelet, eggs benny and French toast. I cannot lie – the food was AMAZING. My husband, who LOVES eating breakfast, was beyond impressed.
So what’s the verdict?
We had a fantastic time in a beautiful hotel with amazing service. Everyone we ran into was friendly and helpful and made our stay even better. The kids loved the special areas dedicated to them, and Mommy loved the wi-fi connection, the proximity to Starbucks, the beds and the views. Of course, we know how Daddy felt about breakfast.
Without question, I would stay at the Marriott again, and will plan to stay there from now on whenever we’re in Ottawa. Thank you to the Ottawa Marriott for the wonderful weekend away.
Maria Stanley is a book obsessed, stay at home mom of two. Find her at her personal blog, BORED Mommy and on Twitter.
ENTER TO WIN a WEEKEND GETAWAY at the OTTAWA MARRIOTT!
To enter, leave a comment below telling us which of Maria’s photos (slideshow above) was your favourite and why!
The winner will receive a one or two night free stay at the Ottawa Marriott Hotel and a Family Fun Package: Traditional room (one king or two double beds), in-room internet access, free self-parking, two Beavertail vouchers per night, choice of museum passes for 4 (2 adults, 2 kids) or breakfast for four (2 adults, 2 kids).
Travel costs to and from not included. Subject to availability. Some blackout dates may apply. Winner has one year from date of winning certificate to redeem.
Contest closes July 31, 2011. Good luck!
Photos: courtesy of Maria Stanley
71 Comments
The pic of the adorable little girl with the room service photo is priceless the fact of having breakfast without having to make it is heaven. Add in the picture of the bed with all those pillows looks amazing -Breakfast in bed! ahhh the simple things in life sometimes mean the most for busy moms 🙂
Because i’m such a fan of watching kids play, I would have to say that the picture of the kid’s area on the fourth floor would be my favourite.
Though the view, the beds, and the room service are all pretty nice views too.
Loved the pictures! Really captured how family friendly the hotel is! While I love the Bath & Body Works touch, the pic of the hockey net sold it for me, a great place for my hockey-crazed 6-YR-old!
I love love love the shots of the beds. I’m such a pillow snob lol
Do I have to choose just one??? My 6 year old just saw the photos and asked what the hotel was, I told him it is The Marriott.
He squealed with delight when he saw the bed and then the play room.
So, cool for a hotel to have such a grand play space for kids!
Then he wanted to know why the little girl was sitting at the tiny table all by herself. I told him they have room service. He thought that was cool, not having to leave a huge, comfy bed and have food delivered and eat it in bed!
My fav photo is the top of the Parliament buildings – he said, hey that is Ottawa, I remember those buildings but the tops of them were to far away to see!
The spectacular view (third from the end). I’ve never been to Ottawa, and look forward to attending a conference there, later this fall. Right now I am reading my Frommer’s Ottawa guide 🙂
Love the shot of the beds. I don’t get a good night sleep with the 3 kids in my bed, so any bed that looks comfortable is so inviting!
The rooms looks really nice and the views are spectacular! Would LOVE to go! 🙂
I love how all the pictures of the rooms look so inviting and cozy but my favorite was the one of your daughter and the brunch cart! The food looks delicious and she has a great expression! This looks and sounds like a fantastic place! I will have to check it out with my family!
it’s a toss up between the bed and the slide. I’m imagining the kids in playarea, and ME alone in the bed sleeping. Does the Marriot offer child care! 🙂
I love the first one, the big comfy bed! I could get such a peaceful sleep in that bed!
I have to say, the photo of your two beautiful kids standing at the door all dressed and ready for fun is my favourite. It reminds me of my son and daughter when they were littler an not “too cool” to be hanging with Mom and Dad.
The shot of the kids in their beds would have to be my favourite. Those look like some seriously comfortable linens.
I love the photos of the 2 kids in the front of the door. They look like they pretend to behave and as soon as you’d turn your back they would go crazy ahah:)
That would be very cool to visit Ottawa! I’ve recently settled in Montreal but I haven’t been much out of Quebec yet except for Toronto, I want to see the capital:)
I am intrigued by the photo of the bathroom tray of products. Looooove it!!! You can tell a lot about a hotel by the amenities they offer … and if the Marriott offers all this selection of beauty/spa products then they really want to pamper you!!! So I won’t deny you the opportunity … pick me … I’d love to have a getaway and get pampered!!!
I love the view of the parlimentary architecture from above… quite the perspective, wow!!!! I love visiting Ottawa… our family has never run out of things to do no matter when we visit every few years..
It sounds like you had a great family weekend away! The Ottawa Marriott looks like a great place to stay with kids – I would love to go there with my husband and kids.
All of the photos are great, but my absolute favourite one is of your daughter and the breakfast cart. Room service is such a treat for kids and adults alike, and all of the food looks so delicious – Eggs Benedict is my fave!!
i love the second last picture of the parliament buildings. I love old buildings an lobe downtown Ottawa for their old buildings. It’s Canada. Very proud to say I was born in ottawa.
Looks like you and your family had a wonderful time!
Great post! I loved the picture of your kids in those amazing hotel beds, they look oh so comfortable!
I have to say the picture of the bed! It looks so enticing with all those pillows and beautiful window right next to it. Just makes me want to crawl right in!
Fab post! I’ve been to many Marriotts around the world but never one in Canada. Being a foodie I love the picture of your little munchkin in front of the breakfast. So cute and sooo delicious! Been to Ottawa but it was a quick trip for a wedding or for work.. should check it out with the family!