As I was attending a conference in Ottawa, I needed a place to stay a night.
While browsing for hotels, I found an excellent Marriott Bonvoy Points redemption opportunity at Delta Hotels Ottawa City Centre.
Having consistently experienced great stays at Delta properties over the past few years,
I made the booking without hesitation.
Booking (July 2024)
A standard king room at Delta Hotels Ottawa typically goes for around $200-$300.
While this is quite an average price for Delta properties in Canada,
It required only 16,000 Marriott Bonvoy Points to book the exact same room.
Booking using points provided an exceptional value, as it’s relatively easy to earn Bonvoy points in Canada.
If you’re an avid traveler like me, you should definitely look into AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Card and AMEX Cobalt Card!
Location
The hotel is located in the heart of downtown Ottawa.
It’s within walking distance to major landmarks such as Parliament Hill and the Rideau Canal.
It’s also right by Lyon subway station, making it easy to access ByWard market and Rideau Centre.
Lobby & Check-in
Entrance
The main entrance is on Lyon Street, facing southwest, right across the road from Lyon subway station.
Check-in
The check-in process was very smooth.
There are three main front desk counters, one being a priority lane for Bonvoy Elite members.
There are a couple more desks with computers around the corner, which I believe can also be used to check-in guests during peak times.
Having experienced numerous instances of congested check-in lines during peak times at other hotels, this setup was truly impressive.
(Although this should be a norm rather than something to be impressed by. Seriously.)
Elevators
I forgot to take a picture but there are 4 elevators operating at this hotel.
Hallway
The hallway is fairly standard, with the only notable feature being the patterned carpet.
Room (1 King)
Unfortunately I didn’t receive any room upgrades 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 spending only 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.
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.
On both sides of the headboard, there were night lights for those who enjoy reading.
Desk Area
Despite the room being quite small, it featured a full ergonomic desk.
Conveniently located on top of the desk were charging ports and various cables to connect to the TV.
In addition to the desk, there were also luggage shelf, mini fridge and a sofa in this area.
Wi-Fi
If you’re a Gold Elite member and 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.
Executive Lounge
Delta Hotels Ottawa has a club lounge located on the second floor. (Mezzanine floor)
I can confidently say this lounge offers some of THE BEST food and beverage options among hotels I’ve stayed in Canada
This compensates for the lack of a skyline view, which is typically offered by other Delta hotels but isn’t possible from the second floor.
The staff named Taylor in the lounge was super friendly and provided an excellent service.
(I was quite chatty, and I hope I didn’t bother her too much! 🥶)
The lounge is open from 6am to 10pm and light snacks and drinks are offered throughout the day.
The highlight of my stay was the hors d’oeuvres offered from 5 pm to 8 pm.
Normally, the evening lounge food isn’t enough for a full meal.
But Delta Ottawa not only provided a wide variety of options, they were also very delicious.
I ate so much that I almost got a food coma afterward. 😅
Breakfast
For Marriott Platinum Elite and above members, complimentary breakfast is served in the Club Lounge.
The breakfast was again exceptional, showcasing Delta Hotels Ottawa’s commitment to top-notch hospitality.
Alternatively, breakfast is available at Prova Bar and Kitchen, located 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, pool, sauna, 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 to enjoy water basketball.
This thoughtful touch makes the pool a great feature for families or groups of friends staying at the hotel.
Inside the change room, there were lockers, shower facility, and a dry sauna.
Gym
The gym is fairly average, with cardio machines, cable machines, and free weights.
While it lacks a squat rack or bench press, it suffices for daily workouts.
From the gym, there are stairs that lead down to additional 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 if they offer squash rackets and balls for rent.
Kids’ Activity Zone
Opposite the squash court is a kids’ playroom.
Through the window, I could see a foosball table, Jenga, and a chess set.
While I’m unsure if they offer any sessions with an instructor,
this is a great added bonus for families staying at the hotel.
Business Centre
Throughout the property, there were many areas where you can catch up some work, or have a quick meeting.
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 extensive amenities to the exceptional club lounge,
this hotel is an excellent choice for all types of travelers.
If I lived in Ottawa, it would be my go-to staycation spot.
I would definitely stay here again on a future visit.
