Travelodge by Wyndham Ottawa East

The rooms were average. We had two double beds, though we would have preferred queens. They weren’t available, but we made do, lol. There was a pool, but we didn’t use it during our two-night stay. The only thing I’d complain about is that the parking lot hadn’t been plowed, though it wasn’t a big problem. I’d stay again if I were in the area.

We chose this place partly for the pool, but after seeing the slick, hazardous stairs into it, I had to keep warning my two daughters to be careful. I made sure they showered right after swimming because I was concerned about safety, and they refused to use the pool again. On arrival, the hotel had looked fairly standard and mid-tier, nothing special but acceptable for what I needed. I booked through Booking.com. Later, while the kids stayed in the room, I walked around to get familiar with the property. On the third floor, several guest room doors were propped open, and there was a very strong, unpleasant odor. It seemed some people were living there long-term. Long-term stays aren’t inherently an issue, but propping open multiple fire-rated doors is a serious fire code violation. The hallway condition was discouraging, with garbage scattered around and old, dingy carpet. Back in our room, I asked to switch the TV to HDMI and the front desk said I needed a special remote. I had to go get it myself. At bedtime, I found what was clearly blood on a pillow. Two of the four pillows had blood stains when I checked, though my daughters’ bed was thankfully clean. It was around 10:30-10:45 p.m. and we were exhausted, so I removed the contaminated pillows and used one of my child’s pillows for the night. I reported it quietly and professionally at 7:00 a.m. while other guests were around, then brought it up more directly again at checkout around 7:30, when no one else was there. I asked a manager to contact me, but never got a call. After waiting all day and into the next morning, I contacted Booking.com. Two days later, they told me the hotel refused responsibility and issued a credit of only $23.00. That credit came from Booking.com, not the hotel. The cleanliness was unacceptable, management was unresponsive, and the propped-open doors on the third floor were a serious safety hazard. I planned to report the fire concerns to Ottawa By-law Services and the Fire Department. It was extremely disappointing and unsettling, especially traveling with children. Edit: The hotel initially refused to address the issue through Booking.com, but eventually gave a refund after I posted this review. When the invoice arrived, I noticed the hotel had blacklisted me, for reasons it never explained. Based on this experience, I strongly suggest others avoid this property.

The rooms were clean, and it stayed quiet even with a few families and kids around. It’s easy to get to the highway and back, and having a restaurant next door is great, since there’s no need to drive around town looking for one. My husband slipped on the first pool step even while holding the railing. He scraped his arm and ankle and got a few bruises on his hip, ankle and ribs, though he’s fine otherwise. The pool stairs need something to make them less slippery. There should also be another tub railing beside the soap holder, for older guests’ safety.

I came with my cousin, who doesn’t speak English, and was helping him translate. The redheaded woman at the front desk was rude, uncooperative and, I felt, racist. I didn’t have my credit card for the deposit, so I went to get it. When I came back, she said our reservation had been cancelled, then said she could get it back for me. She was extremely rude and didn’t seem willing to help at all. It was my first visit and definitely my last. I won’t come back. Paying customers shouldn’t be treated this way.