Fairmont Chateau Laurier Hotel

, Ottawa, Canada
Explore Ottawa
Review this Hotel
Popular Travel Destinations

Recently Reviewed Hotels Around Ottawa

Fairmont Chateau Laurier Hotel

, Ottawa
5 star

Rooms: 428

1 Rideau Street - Ottawa - Ontario - K1N 8Y9 - Canada Hotel Website | | 613 241 1414
436 Traveller

Reviews - Fairmont Chateau Laurier Hotel

6/10
No as nice as expected
Submitted by: Charles Jenkins in 27/06/05
  • Age Group: 51 - 60
  • From: United States
  • Traveller type: Family Traveller
While we have stayed a several other hotels in Ottawa I had always wanted to stay at The Chateau Laurier due to its fine reputation, central location and beautiful architecture. However, I was somewhat disappointed by our accomodations. The room was small, a bit noisy and most of all the bed was saggy and a bit uncomfortable. Don't think we'll stay there again.
Check Rates and Availability for the Fairmont Chateau Laurier

Historical Traveller Reviews of Fairmont Chateau Laurier Hotel

Disappointing

from hm60
Having lived in Ottawa many years ago, I always wondered what it would be like to stay at the historic Chateau Laurier.

Now having finally done so, I can say that the strongest thing going for it is its history.

The corridors were gloomy and cold, and the rooms not up to four-star standards. I was initially put in a lower-floor room without a view (you have to pay extra for a view of the Parliament Buildings). I requested a higher floor, and was given a tiny room with one bed and right beside the elevators. As I reserved two beds I had to go down to complain and was moved back to my original room. A needless hassle considering that the hotel was far from full.

The bathroom smelled of mould. Room service was courteous, but way overpriced.

You'd probably be much better off at the Lord Elgin. Although I haven't stayed there, it is very close by, and actually better situated as far as restaurants, bars etc. I understand it has been recently renovated. It's significantly cheaper than the Chateau Laurier.

Impressive but gloomy

from A TripAdvisor Member
The Chateau Laurier is a great building, reminiscent of a grand government institution or Victorian museum with high ceilings and long echoeing marble corridors. However as a hotel the bedrooms I saw (and i saw three) seemed faded and gloomy with unconvincing faux antique furniture. I had great expectations of the hotel, but it does need some money spent on it. The poor lighting and traditional but dull decor created this gloomy yellow pallor to the rooms which wasnt conducive to wanting to spend any time there. I was there on a conference so wasnt paying - but would have been disappointed if I was. Shame really - the hotel is in a great location and it could be made fantastic with some investment.

Expensive but very nice

from A TripAdvisor Member
My boyfriend and I stayed here for two nights in the summer of 2004. The hotel was beautiful and our view of parliament was beautiful. We liked the quaint feel of the room and it seemed that a lot of the materials (doors, etc.) were originals--which was very cool since the hotel opened in 1912. Loved the old-school look of the indoor pool and changing rooms too.

Staff was very nice and everything was very clean. Food was great! And you couldn't ask for a better location.

You get what you pay for, but you definitely have to pay a lot.

chateau great

from A TripAdvisor Member
Stayed in this hotel 1 night 15 September. Great hotel, great breakfast.

s Classic Hotel

from A TripAdvisor Member
A classic hotel. Could use a bit of updating here and there but it's unique.

"

from Isolated
After decamping from the Arc (see review), the Chateau Laurier is just what the doctor ordered. Professional staff, truly five stars and they bent over backwards to be of service. Clone this place.

Earlier reviewer stated it wasn't for kids. For most North American kids it isn't! A welcome property that's run for adults. However, a charming German couple with two incredibly well mannered kids were doing just fine.

The Terrace in summer is a dream for lunch with great views, service and food. The breakfast buffet puts others to shame with variety and freshness. Even the scrambled eggs are top notch.
Yes, pricey, but worth every cent.

Can't wait to go back to Ottawa as it's the most underrated capital city on earth. With the Chateau Laurier you not only get posh treatment, but a large slice of Canadian history as well. Yes, that is Winston Churchill, King George and Queen Elizabeth and scads more in the hotel's picture gallery. Save somewhere else and splurge here!

Choose Wisely

from Anonymous416
The Chateau Laurier is a beautiful hotel. I have stayed in it many times. It is centrally located, has good restaurants, and is a mainstay for Ottawa.

If you are looking for the trendy and hip, don't go to the Laurier. Go to the Arc.

As is the case with many of these former CP hotels, it is worth it to avoid the least-expensive room. These tend to be fairly small and you'll ask yourself why you didn't go the Arc for less the price. Get a room with a view of Parliament. Like the Hay Adams in Washington, it's worth it to pay a little more for the unique experience of having the view.

Fairmont has done some renovations and little perks -- such as the outrageously expensive ($14/day) but convenient Internet access, which gives you access to the Wi-Fi internet in the lobby, bars and restaurants -- have been added to bring it in line with standards necessary of fine hotels in this century.

This is not a hotel for kids

from A TripAdvisor Member
Recently returned from Canada Day celebrations in Ottawa. We stayed for 5 nights at the Chateau Laurier right beside the Parliament Buildings. This hotel is in a great location for everything downtown and for the Canada Day celebrations.. BUT BUT BUT if you have kids.. pick something else. This hotel has absolutely nothing for them. NOTHING!!! No games room. No yard. No faciliities at all... except yes there is the pool. The Pool. Dark and dingy at best and located in an area reminicent of a dungeon but... we went. Well, my two boys took a beach ball to play with in the pool..but were told it could damage things so they could not use it. Then they went jumping in with flutter boards. The jumping in was not acceptable as this could damage flutter boards. I said I would pay for them.. but this was not acceptable. Then on a very very hot day.. only 25 people were allowed into the pool. This is a large hotel... 25 people is very very limited. There was a huge line up waiting to get a turn in the pool. Oh yes... half the pool is reserved for people doing lengths.. every if there is no one doing them. You are not allowed to play in the area... even if it is empty.

I did speak with the pool personel about this when they asked if we enjoyed our swim. I told them that my two boys think that you are not supposed to have any fun at this hotel. They agreed that there were limited facilities for kids. I asked if there were any ... and they agreed that there was none... but the top of the parking garage was a great place to see the fireworks.

Anyway... if you think that because this hotel has fairmont in front of it that there are great facilities you will be very disappointed unless you want to spend you day having afternoon tea. If this is how you wish to spend your time... this is your hotel.

The staff are great! Extremely friendly. The doorman greeted and remembered my husband and children everytime we went through the doors during our stay.

PS. Canada Day celebrations in Ottawa have gotten very very crowded and rowdy in the evenings. Not like it was 10 years ago. I don't think we will be back...its lost its charm.

An Institution

from canadianskeezix
I have stayed here many times, and have always been impressed. A beautiful, historic hotel! I have never encountered any of the problems with the rooms that are detailed in some of the other reviews -- and I have stayed in a range of different room types.

Beauty of a building in need of some repairs

from A TripAdvisor Member
The building is very charming and we were very impressed with the halls and such but our room was small and the door was about 2.5" too short at the bottom meaning we could see peoples feet walking by the room.
This is simply unacceptable. The bathtub was more like a shower but the bed was comfortable and the view was spectacular.

I suggest some renovations which will likely cost $$$ but at the rates they charge, on expects everything to be kept in tip top shape.

Top Local Tips for Ottawa

Nice restaurants In the surrounding of the hotel were both the Restaurant Metropolitan and Social worth a visit. Cosy and payable.

Reminds me of Dublin, which reminded me of Brooklyn, NY Possibly interesting when you can ice skate on the canals or maybe the tulips.

2 nights! Ottawa is not very big, so with 2 days you have plenty of time to see all. Dont miss the Parliament, its really awesome ( and please, make time to see the Change of the Royal Guard at 10:00 at the Parliament ) and of you are not staying at the Chateau Laurier, just take a couple of pictures there, its just beside the Parliament. If you like art, you should try the National Gallery of Canada ( the building itself its marvelous ). In the same street you could see the Notre Dame Basilica and the Royal Canadian Mint and the Canadian War Museum. In the same area you could go shopping at Rideau Center or browse for nice stuff at the Byward Market. A liitle more far from there is the Rideau Hall ( the house of the General Governor ) and the History Musuem.

(hotels)loading

Other names for Fairmont Chateau Laurier Hotel

  • ottawa fairmont
  • fairmont ottawa
  • fairmont hotel ottawa
  • fairmont hotel chateau laurier
  • Address: 1 Rideau Street - Ottawa - Ontario - K1N 8Y9 - Canada
Travel Library Traveller Rating?
8.0/10

See All 436 reviews

"No as nice as expected" - Charles Jenkins

Review this Hotel
Candid Traveller Photos
  •  Loading Image...
  •  Loading Image...
  •  Loading Image...
  •  Loading Image...
(hotels)loading

Hotels Near Fairmont Chateau Laurier Hotel