Review: Delta Hotels Ottawa – A Benchmark for Excellence

As I was attending a conference in Ottawa, I needed a place to stay for a night. While browsing for hotels, I found an excellent Marriott Bonvoy points redemption opportunity at Delta Hotels Ottawa City Centre.

Having consistently had great stays at Delta properties over the past few years, I made the booking without hesitation.

Booking (July 2024)

Back in July 2024, a standard room at Delta Hotels Ottawa typically went for around $200 to $300 a night. That’s quite an average price for a Delta in Canada, but on a PointSavers rate, it took only 16,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.

At $200 to $300, that’s about 1.25 to 1.9 cents per point.

Booking with points was an exceptional value, as it’s relatively easy to earn Bonvoy points in Canada. If you’re an avid traveller like me, you should definitely look into the Marriott Bonvoy® American Express® Card and the American Express Cobalt® Card!

Location

The hotel is located in the heart of downtown Ottawa, within walking distance of major landmarks such as Parliament Hill and the Rideau Canal. It’s also right by Lyon station on the O-Train, which makes it easy to get to the ByWard Market and the Rideau Centre.

Lobby & Check-in

Entrance

The main entrance is on Lyon Street, facing southwest, right across the road from Lyon station.

Check-in

The check-in process was very smooth. There are three main front desk counters, one of them a priority lane for Bonvoy Elite members. A couple more desks around the corner can, I believe, be used during peak times.

Having experienced numerous congested check-in lines at peak times at other hotels, I found this setup truly impressive. (Although this should be the norm rather than something to be impressed by. Seriously.)

Elevators

I forgot to take a picture, but there are 4 elevators at this hotel.

Hallway

The hallway is fairly standard, the only notable feature being the patterned carpet.

Room (1 King)

I booked a 1 Queen Bed Guest Room and was moved to a 1 King at check-in, but that was the only upgrade I got as a Platinum Elite member. I didn’t proactively ask for one either, but I should’ve after seeing how small the room was.

However, since I was only spending one night, it wasn’t a big deal.

Foyer

There’s almost no foyer space upon entering the room. Immediately on the left is a closet, and on the right is the bathroom.

The closet also held the safe, a coffee maker, a kettle and an iron.

1 / 2

View

The view wasn’t anything special: facing Lyon Street (southwest), with a handful of residential condo buildings and construction sites.

Bed

The king-size bed was very comfortable, and the mattress had a medium firmness.

1 / 3

On both sides of the headboard, there were reading lights for those who enjoy reading.

Desk Area

Despite the room being quite small, it had a full ergonomic desk. Conveniently located on top of the desk were charging ports and cables to connect to the TV, plus a couple of packs of earplugs.

1 / 3

In addition to the desk, there was also a luggage bench, a mini fridge and a sofa chair in this area.

1 / 3

Wi-Fi

If you’re a Gold Elite member or above, you have access to the enhanced Wi-Fi connection. The speed was quite fast, with an average download speed of 65 Mbps.

Bathroom

The bathroom was also very small, but it still had a fully closing and locking door, which I appreciate. (I hate how some hotels these days use sliding doors or open-style bathrooms to save costs and space.)

It also had a complete set of amenities, including Soapbox toiletries.

1 / 6

Executive Lounge

Delta Hotels Ottawa has a club lounge on the second (mezzanine) floor. I can confidently say this lounge offers some of THE BEST food and beverage options among the hotels I’ve stayed at in Canada.

This makes up for the lack of a skyline view, which other Delta hotels typically offer but isn’t possible from the second floor.

The staff member in the lounge, Taylor, was super friendly and provided excellent service. (I was quite chatty, and I hope I didn’t bother her too much! 🥶)

1 / 8

The lounge is open from 6am to 10pm, and light snacks and drinks are offered throughout the day.

1 / 3

The highlight of my stay was the hors d’oeuvres, offered from 5 pm to 8 pm. Normally, evening lounge food isn’t enough for a full meal, but Delta Ottawa not only offered a wide variety, it was also very delicious.

The night I was there, there was coconut shrimp, two kinds of pizza, a cheese and fruit board, vegetables and dip, little salads in glasses, and dessert squares. I ate so much that I almost went into a food coma afterward. 😅

1 / 9

Breakfast

For Marriott Platinum Elite members and above, complimentary breakfast is served in the Club Lounge. The breakfast was again exceptional, showcasing Delta Hotels Ottawa’s commitment to top-notch hospitality.

There were hot dishes (scrambled eggs, egg bites, bacon, sausages and hash browns), a smoothie of the day, yogurt parfaits, fresh fruit, pastries, and bread for toast.

1 / 17

Alternatively, breakfast is available at Prova Bar and Kitchen on the lobby floor.

Or if you’re in a hurry, there’s a Tim Hortons conveniently in the building.

Amenities

Delta Hotels Ottawa City Centre offers a range of amenities, including a gym, a pool, a sauna, a squash court, and a kids’ playroom. The setup feels more like a sports complex than a typical hotel!

Pool

The pool was quite large, ideal for avid swimmers wanting to do laps. It also had basketball nets, adding a fun element for guests who want to play water basketball.

This thoughtful touch makes the pool a great feature for families or groups of friends staying at the hotel.

1 / 2

Inside the change room, there were lockers, showers, and a dry sauna.

1 / 4

Gym

The gym is fairly average, with cardio machines, cable machines, and free weights. While it lacks a squat rack or bench press, it’s enough for daily workouts, and there’s a cooler of bottled water and fresh towels.

1 / 4

From the gym, there are stairs that lead down to more facilities.

Squash Court

I was pleasantly surprised to find a squash court in the hotel. You’ll need to book the court through the front desk, though I’m not sure whether they rent out rackets and balls.

Kids’ Activity Zone

Opposite the squash court is a kids’ playroom, the Bounce! Kids’ Activity Zone. Through the window, I could see a foosball table, Jenga, and a chess set.

While I’m unsure whether they offer any sessions with an instructor, it’s a great bonus for families staying at the hotel.

Business Centre

Throughout the property, there are many areas where you can catch up on some work or have a quick meeting.

1 / 3

Final Thoughts

Overall, I absolutely loved my stay at Delta Hotels Ottawa City Centre, and I’d confidently rank this hotel as my top pick for accommodation in Ottawa.

From its prime location to its extensive amenities to the exceptional club lounge, this hotel is an excellent choice for all types of travellers. If I lived in Ottawa, it would be my go-to staycation spot.

I would definitely stay here again on a future visit.