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
Love the picture of the slide! How cool is that.
The Bath and Body Works picture, of course! 😉
Thanks for the great weekend!!
The bed. Looks super comfy for a night away 🙂
I really like the view from the room and that slide which children love.
I liked the Keurig picture the most because I could enjoy a good cup of coffee in the morning!
This was very helpful, I was planning a trip to Ottawa and I think you made my hotel decision haha.
Love the picture of your daughter with the room service cart! She looks so thrilled and excited.
I really enjoyed picture 25! It showed that the hotel is kid friendly since your daughter had a big smile on her face. The hotel looks very modern. Thank you for the detailed review! Good luck to all the contestants and sending good karma to you for having this contest =)
I love the room service pic with the breakfast spread! One, because I love hotel breakfast in bed, and two, your kiddo is adorable : )
Absolutely LOVED the picture of the parliament building. It’s too often that people forget just how beautiful our own nation’s capital is.
I love the pic out the hotel room window. I realized that the hotel is near where mr.orangeheromama’s brother lives.
I’d love to go visit again! I’ve only ever been to ottawa ONCE!
My fave was the picture of your kids eating breakfast on the big striped banquet because happy kids are the best. (And who doesn’t love a good jam selection?)
My favorite picture was her little girl with the room service cart! She looks as excited as I would be! My Kid’s favorite picture woul be that Kid’s floor! That looks amazing!
Love the picture of the city of Ottawa, have only been there twice. Loved the feel of the city and would love to go back,
Great review! It’s hard to pick a fave, I love the view from the windows, but think my fave is BoredMommy’s babes eating breakfast. They are so darn cute and I too adore a good breakfast!!
I love the slide of the happy kids at the breakfast table – there’s nothing worse than going to a restaurant at a hotel and getting a muffin or something they hate – then they’re miserable for their whole stay. My kids love bananas and that’s what caught my eye – that and the big smiles on their faces.
I really loved the picture of the room service breakfast since it looked so yummy. Thanks!
My favorite picture was the one of Maria’s little girl and the room service breakfast. Yowza! That will fuel a day of walking around parliment hill. Hey if I win this I am going to connect with Ottawa twitter followers..thank you for that!
Love the photo of room service breakfast. Yowza! that’s great food to fuel a day of tripping around Parliament Hill. And if I win this I want to connect with my Ottawa Twitter friends! Thank you.
oooh, nice hair and body products… i always love a little pampering when i go away. that and the bed. looks devine.
I love the picture of your little girl with the room service breakfast. Nothing better than having a great breakfast brought to the family, so much fun.
The hockey area! The kids would love that! Such a Canadian thing to have!
Lucky you for spending time in the fabulous city of Ottawa and in the Marriott hotel, luxe!
I love the picture of the hockey net. O.K. I love AND hate it! As a mom to 3Princes having a space inside the hotel for the boys to burn off some steam is a fantastic idea. But I said hate it too and this is the reason why; I would end up spending more time in this room than in my room enjoying the bed, the room service, the views.
The in-room dining breakfast looks delicious!!! That’s my fav photo.
The pictures with the beds! Those beds look sooo comfy!!!
Those are some great photos of the views.
The photo with the breakfast looks great
I love Ottawa and have close family there so I’ll keep my fingers crossed! I love the window pic but wow – that bed looks so comfy too. Partially because it’s made perhaps! LOL Looks good all around 🙂
Room service is one of the greatest luxuries – and that picture of breakfast looks great
I have never been to Ottawa. I love the pics of the architecture – the old buildings are gorgeous !
I’m a huge sucker for Bath and Body Works in hotels. I’ve heard so much about Ottawa Marriott that is good and that makes me want to go there even more. (Isn’t Anathea awesome!!?)
I like the photo of your kids all snuggled up in the own beds! Cute. Bedtime is one of my favourite times of the day.
I did not know the Ottawa Marriott carried Bath & Body Works toiletries! That is my fav photo!!
Fav pic was of the parliament building. It shows even in a city as big as Ottawa there are still many trees to enjoy.
I love the view from your hotel. That is definitely worth opening window for!
I’m reading this on my iPad, and Munchkin comes up as I’m scrolling through the pictures and says “Daddy, where is that”… So I tell her it’s a hotel in Ottawa. Then I get to the pictures of the slide and playroom and she says “Whoa. That’s cool. Can we can go?”. I think those are our favorite two.
the bathroom amenities, I always like to see what goodies you get to use
The last pic. It shows everything I love to see when I visit Ottawa, the river, the parliament buildings, and all of the amazing architecture!
It’s got to be the one of your daughter with the room service cart full of breakfast. Looks like she’s ready to eat it all!
I love the picture of the slide. It looks so much fun that i want to go on it. Also love the pictures of the beds, they look very comfy.
Wham bam thank you, ma’am, my quseiotns are answered!
The one with your daughter and the room service cart! She is so adorable and I am weak at the thought of such delicious room service, especially the eggs benedict and not having to clean up after. Boy do I miss my pre-baby brunch days!
Breakfast in Bed aka image of tray on that pillowy, deliciously comfortable looking bed. Now THAT’S my idea of indulgence!
I’m going to have to say that first picture of the BED looks heavenly. Aaaaaahhhhhhh. I would love to slide right in there.
The bed – it looks so inviting and comfortable
I love the picture of the view – really captures the experience of staying both at the hotel and in Ottawa.
The last photo – I’m a sucker for a beautiful city view! But I’m also so tempted by the beds, everything. Looks and sounds beautiful! I’ve been wanting to bring my family…this would be a great chance! ; )
My favourite photo was the one of the hotel bed. There is nothing like a freshly made bed (one that you didn’t have to make!) to melt away stress and to help you enjoy your break from routine! Bliss!
ahhhh….the beds.It always comes down to the beds – sleeping, reading, breakfast in, jumping…..ahhh, those beds!!