Andaz Ottawa Byward Market, By Hyatt

The location was really good, and I had a nice stay. The receptionist was very pleasant, and my room was clean, large enough, and had a really comfortable bed. They did miss cleaning one of the coffee cups, though. There's body lotion, shower gel, shampoo, and similar items, but no toothpaste. Construction is going on near the hotel, so if you book through a discounted website, you may get a room closer to it. I was out during the day and only came back at night to sleep, so it wasn't a problem for me.

For a trip that was supposed to be special and memorable for my boyfriend and me, this stay at the Hyatt Andaz Ottawa left us frustrated and disappointed. It felt profoundly below the luxury standard the hotel advertises, and was significantly overpriced for the service and accommodations. We had prepaid for breakfast, but several staff members gave vague or conflicting answers about where and how to get it. The next morning, we went down again for clarification and were told it was too late, with no refund offered. That lack of basic communication and accountability was frustrating and unacceptable. Staff also seemed unfamiliar with the hotel's amenities, policies, and surrounding area. They couldn't answer simple questions about nearby grocery stores or places to buy drinks, which is concerning for a central hotel. The room was clean, but its design and upkeep felt poorly managed. There was no bathroom fan, the toilet layout offered little privacy, and square ceiling cut-outs looked as if they'd been removed and awkwardly put back. The light switches were disorganized and inconsistent. The space felt hastily renovated with cheap materials and little attention to detail, as if the work had been rushed or done without proper expertise. We also felt there was a pattern of hidden or opportunistic charges. The hotel reserves the right to charge $75 for shampoo, conditioner, or similar items if bottles are taken from the room, but that policy wasn't clearly explained. Alongside the unclear breakfast terms and inflated drink prices, it made the experience feel more focused on extracting extra fees than on hospitality. Cleanliness alone couldn't make up for the lack of professionalism, transparency, and care.

We paid more than this stay was worth. The carpets in the room felt dirty, and housekeeping only came after we called the front desk, around 5pm. The valet estimate was about 15 minutes, but getting our car took closer to 45. Only two of the three elevators were working. Friday night music from across the street was extremely loud, though it didn't bother us; it might bother other guests.

The room was far too warm for me. The thermostat said 17 degrees, but it seemed to stay above 20. You can open a window, but in fall that means listening to weekend sirens and downtown noise while trying to sleep. There was also construction right beside the Andaz, and nobody mentioned it. It wasn't listed on the website, but they had left ear plugs in the room, which suggests it can be bad enough to affect sleep. There were some nice parts. The room was spacious, with an entryway, full-size bathroom and coat room, and lovely views of the Byward market. The lighting options were pleasant and gave my partner a few ways to take Instagram photos. Staff were attentive and pleasant, though not especially charming. Check-in came with complimentary wine vouchers, and valet parking was available. For an upscale hotel, the room felt stripped down. The minibar had no paid options, just two complimentary water bottles, despite the wine glasses and opener. The coffee was the cheapest selection for the basic Keurig, not awful, but a mismatch for the price and atmosphere they were aiming for. Our toilet seat was cracked and pinched my partner in the morning before we noticed the damage. There were marks all over the walls and furniture. It's a used hotel, but the upscale pricing made the wear feel like poor value. The rooftop lounge was a nice space, and the staff there were very attentive. Some non-alcoholic drinks seemed oddly expensive. The DJ was below mediocre, played too loudly, and the mixing and music were bad. It isn't a nightclub, and if they want it to be one, they need better DJs. I enjoyed the stay, but not enough to pay that price myself again. If work booked me a room here, I'd be happy with that.