The Westin Ottawa
by the TopOfHotel team
The Westin is the ace for conference-goers and cold-wary families — an underground link to two big malls you won't find anywhere else, leaning on the Heavenly Bed more than the heritage Chateau Laurier sells.
The Westin is the ace for conference-goers and cold-wary families — an underground link to two big malls you won't find anywhere else, leaning on the Heavenly Bed more than the heritage Chateau Laurier sells.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
The Westin Ottawa sits at 11 Colonel By Drive in the heart of Downtown, right on the Rideau Canal — it opened in 1983 in a 24-storey tower that links underground straight to Shaw Centre and the Rideau Centre mall, which is the whole selling point. The hotel has 492 rooms and went through a major 2017 renovation. Rooms start at the Traditional at 32 sqm and run up to the Presidential Suite at 130 sqm, done in a contemporary Pacific look of blue, grey and white. The Heavenly Bed — Westin's signature, with a firm mattress and 10 pillows — gets the most love in reviews for a genuinely deep night's sleep. You also get fast Wi-Fi, a 49-inch Smart TV, and a bathroom with a rain shower and Heavenly Bath White Tea products. Rooms on floor 11 and up on the canal side have balconies over the Rideau Canal and Parliament Hill — the skating rink in winter, boats through the Ottawa Locks in summer. Real reviews on Trip.com (9.0/10) and Booking (8.6) mostly call out the Heavenly Bed and an underground location you won't find anywhere else.
Food and amenities
The heart of the Westin is that underground passage to Shaw Centre and the Rideau Centre — you barely have to step into the snow during the -15°C January and February stretch. Daly's Restaurant is the main dining room, serving Pacific Northwest food with a Sunday Brunch at CA$55. Twenty-Two Lounge on the 22nd floor has 360-degree views taking in Parliament Hill, the Gatineau Hills and the Rideau Canal, with cocktails CA$16-22. There's a Starbucks in the lobby for the morning rush. The indoor pool on floor 4 is open 06:00-23:00 daily with a free jacuzzi and sauna, and the WestinWORKOUT gym runs 24 hours with Peloton bikes. The Marriott Bonvoy Lounge on floor 22 serves Bonvoy elite members three times a day. There's no in-house spa, but a Westin Spa partner sits near the Rideau Centre. Overall score: 9.0/10.
Location and getting there
The Westin is at 11 Colonel By Drive, about as well placed for winter as it gets. Parliament Hill is a 3-minute walk and ByWard Market a 5-minute one. The Rideau Centre connects underground — 200+ stores including Hudson's Bay and Saks Fifth Avenue — and so does Shaw Centre, the convention centre. The Rideau Canal runs right past the building, a 7.8 km skating rink in winter, and the National Gallery is a 5-minute walk. Rideau O-Train station sits inside the mall, one stop on the Confederation Line to Parliament. The Canadian War Museum is an 8-minute taxi. YOW Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport is 15 km out — a 20-minute taxi for CA$35-45, or bus 97 from Hurdman in 25 minutes for CA$3.75.
Things to know before booking
Straight talk to help you decide. First, valet parking is CA$50+/night, which is a lot — if you're driving, use the Shaw Centre underground parking nearby at CA$25/night, or the Rideau Centre parking that connects underground. Second, some lower-floor rooms face a wall because the tower faces in toward the Rideau Centre — ask for a Canal View on floor 11 or up at booking (about CA$40-60 more) for an open view. Third, free Wi-Fi is for Marriott Bonvoy members only — sign up free online before check-in (about 3 minutes) for free Wi-Fi and a welcome amenity; non-members pay CA$14.95/day. Fourth, summer gets busy around Canada Day on July 1, when Parliament Hill fills up — book about 3 months ahead.
Our take
The Westin Ottawa is the most sensible pick for business travelers, families and anyone who fears the cold in Ottawa — it bundles an underground link to Shaw Centre and the Rideau Centre you won't find anywhere else, the legendary Heavenly Bed, an indoor pool, a 24-hour WestinWORKOUT gym, and views of the Rideau Canal as it becomes a 7.8 km winter skating rink. Rates start around $177/night, cheaper than the Fairmont Chateau Laurier. If your trip is a Shaw Centre conference, a family bringing kids for the indoor pool, or a Winterlude visit, this is the most sensible answer. If you're after heritage charm, the Chateau Laurier fits better. Overall we give it 9.0/10, best for business travelers, families and Winterlude visitors in winter.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- The location is as good as it gets — from the lobby you walk an underground concourse straight to the Rideau Centre and Shaw Centre, so during -15°C January cold snaps you can shop, eat and catch the convention centre without ever touching the snow.
- The signature Heavenly Bed — a firm mattress and 10 pillows — lives up to the legend; reviewers consistently single it out as the thing that gives them a deep, solid night's sleep.
- Staff service is a real strength here, with guests on Trip.com and Booking repeatedly praising the front-desk team.
- Rooms on floor 11 and up on the canal side come with balconies looking over the Rideau Canal and Parliament Hill — in winter you see the 7.8 km skating rink, and in summer the boats working through the Ottawa Locks.
- Amenities cover the bases: a floor-4 indoor pool open 06:00-23:00 daily with free jacuzzi and sauna, plus a 24-hour WestinWORKOUT gym kitted out with Peloton bikes.
- Valet parking is CA$50+/night, which stings. If you're driving, the Shaw Centre underground parking nearby is about CA$25/night, or use the Rideau Centre parking that connects underground.
- Some lower-floor rooms look out onto a wall, because the building faces in toward the Rideau Centre — ask for a Canal View on floor 11 or up at booking (about CA$40-60 more) and you get an open view instead.
- Free Wi-Fi is for Marriott Bonvoy members only; non-members pay CA$14.95/day, so sign up free online before check-in — it takes about 3 minutes and also gets you a welcome amenity.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
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Insider Tips
- Ask for a Canal View Room on floor 11 or higher at booking — in winter you get a full view of the skating rink, and in summer the Parliament Hill side.
- Use the underground passage to the Rideau Centre — you can shop without ever stepping out into the snow.
- Sign up for Marriott Bonvoy free before check-in to get free Wi-Fi and a welcome amenity.