Fairmont Chateau Laurier

We usually choose this hotel because of our Accor status, but a recent housekeeping issue has made us hesitate about coming back. We'd been here four days, and until Sunday the room had been cleaned thoroughly and met expectations. On Sunday, towels, coffee cups and glasses, stir sticks, cream, coffee, and other standard items weren't replaced. I know oversights happen, but this came across as a lack of care and attention, especially since we'd left a tip. It leaves a bad impression for guests and for the many staff who work hard to provide good service. I hope the feedback is taken seriously and helps improve consistency in housekeeping. The staff have otherwise been very friendly and accommodating, though the hotel itself feels dated. The carpet in the gym, for example, makes it feel unclean and not well suited to a fitness space.

The valet mix-up is why I gave four stars instead of five. On TWO seperate occasions, they asked what kind of car I had and to describe my keys, then put the keys on the wrong valet label number hook. Both times I had to go into the office and find them. I thought my car was missing or hadn't been looked after, which is unacceptable. This didn't happen at any of the other Fairmont hotels we stayed at, and it happened twice here. Aside from that, I loved the three-night stay. The room was spacious, with a wonderful view of Parliament Hill and accessible amenities. Breakfast at Zoe's was great one morning, and the classy style felt fairly modern. The central location made it easy for Uber pickups and walking to nearby spots. Staff were friendly and accommodating, and the art gallery and cafe on the main level were a cool addition.

We spent a 'date night' here over the May long weekend. The robes in the room were very nice, and the valet staff and concierge were both incredibly friendly and personable. It does feel a bit dated, though that goes with it being an 'old vintage luxury hotel'. The parking rate was a little much :( otherwise, a great stay!

The food and service were very good throughout our family holiday, and the hotel's location was handy for exploring Ottawa, even if traffic around it can get busy. The building is beautiful, historic, and full of character. Still, the rooms and many other areas feel dated and could use modernization, and our rooms didn't get much natural light. The pool was out of service during our visit, which was a letdown since it was one of the main reasons we chose the hotel. We also had trouble with the air conditioning. Someone came almost immediately to deal with it, which we appreciated, but the unit stayed very loud. The hotel has charm and an iconic presence, but at that price we expected a more updated experience and a wider range of amenities.