As you might already know, I LOVE CHECKING OUT new hotels, especially unique properties.
When I discovered Saintlo Ottawa Jail Hostel (formerly Hi-Ottawa Jail Hostel), I was immediately intrigued and eager to stay there.
The building served as an actual jail from 1862 until it shut down operations in 1972, when a hostel company purchased it and transitioned it into a hostel.
I finally got the chance to stay there during my recent visit to Ottawa.
Booking (July 2024)
A single jail cell room typically costs around $65 per night, while an 8-bed dorm is about $40 per night.
Normally, I book most of my stays directly with the property,
but since there was a 10% Expedia credit back Amex Offer and an 8% cashback on Expedia purchases through Rakuten,
I booked my stay on Expedia to save on costs.
However, you should always check Saintlo Ottawa Jail Hostel’s website to see if there are any promotions going on.
For example, they currently have a 15% off discount if staying 3 nights or more.
Location
The hostel is located in a prime spot in downtown Ottawa, a 10 minute walk from the city’s most visited attraction – Byward Market.
It’s also just a 3 minute walk from Rideau Centre, a major public transport hub.
Parking
Outdoor parking is available for $20/night.
Lobby & Check-in
Check-in takes place in the second floor lobby and the process was very smooth.
The lobby was quite cozy and had a very welcoming vibe.
There were lots of tourist information and hostel events posted on the walls.
The door to the dorms, which still carried its historical charm with only a key fob sensor added, highlighted the building’s past use as a prison.
Check-in starts from 3pm but if you happen to arrive early, the friendly staffs will gladly store your bags.
Room (single jail cell, 8-bed dorm)
There are various room types including jail cell, bunk bed dorms, and standard double room.
I stayed in a single jail cell one night for the experience,
and in a 8-bed dorm one night to meet other travelers. (the beauty of staying at a hostel!)
Single Jail Cell
The history starts the moment you step into the hallway.
The first thing that comes into sight is an array of jail cells, closely packed one after another.
The doors still maintain the original iron bars, with gaps filled in for the privacy of hostel guests.
The original jail cell lock keyholes are still there, but a modern doorknob with a copper key is now used since the transition to a hostel.
The brightness of the lights in the hallway was also very low, creating a creepy atmosphere, although I’m not sure if that was the intention. 🤔
In front of each cell, there was a plaque displaying the name of the inmate who occupied it, along with the crime they committed.
I was assigned cell 416 (I guess they knew I’m an OG Torontonian),
where a man named John Fairburn had been incarcerated for committing a theft.
Upon opening the cell door, it really felt like a real jail cell before I turned on the lights.
Entering the cell, I was greeted by a tight space and humidity.
There was no window, obviously, and there was no A/C 🥵.
The only ventilation was through gaps at the bottom of the cell door.
I’d highly discourage anyone with claustrophobia from staying here.
I must say, they did a pretty good job maintaining an authentic jail cell atmosphere by only adding minimal things to the cell for the convenience of hostel guests.
On the left was a mirror and a wall-attached hook to hang your belongings.
On the right was a light switch and a pair of wall plugs. (I doubt there was a light in the cell while the jail was still under operation)
Under the bed was just an empty space where you could store your bags and carryons.
Near the bed head, a small panel is mounted on the wall, featuring a night light and a standard USB type-A charging port.
On the wall, there was more information about the inmate, John Fairburn.
The man was sentenced to a month in jail for stealing a jar of pickles and 5 eggs.
A JAR OF PICKLES AND SOME EGGS.
I thought it was quite bizarre to be imprisoned a month for that, especially when tens of thousands of cars are being stolen in Toronto area lately and these thieves are getting away with it.
8-Bed Dorm
The dormitory rooms aren’t anything special and just look like a typical hostel room you’d see elsewhere.
There were 4 ordinary metal frame bunk-beds, and lockers for storage. (You need to have your own padlock)
If you’re a light sleeper, there are free earplugs available at the front desk.
As a light sleeper myself, I had no problem sleeping at night; luckily, no one snored. (maybe I snored..? I hope not 😂)
There were 4 other lovely guests staying in the room from all around the world, including Brazil, Hong Kong, Spain, and Germany.
We had such a great bedtime conversation, sharing our travel stories and our lives in general.
A big advantage of the dorm rooms is that there was an A/C installed in the room. (although very rusty)
After getting steamed in the single jail cell room the night before, so I was glad to trade privacy for A/C.
Bathroom
Each floor has shared bathrooms, some of which are co-ed while others are designated male or female only.
You can choose based on your comfort preference.
The bathrooms were actually quite clean, making it easy and comfortable to use them.
The shower rooms are also present on every floor, with a fully locking door.
A basic body soap was available but I highly recommend bringing your own toiletries.
Hair dryer is also available at the front desk.
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi was available throughout the building, and the speed was quite fast and reliable.
Kitchen & Dining Room
Saintlo Ottawa Jail Hostel has a full kitchen, allowing guests to cook meals if they want.
This feature is perfect for budget travelers who want to save money by preparing their own meals.
It’s also convenient for those who enjoy late-night snacks.
Two large fridges were available for guests to store food & drinks as well.
The kitchen was also equipped with all sorts of kitchenware you could think of.
Pots, pans, plates, utensils, so on and so forth.
Essential cooking ingredients like cooking oil, salt, pepper, sugar were also available.
Personally, I got a bit hungry at night, and ended up making some instant noodles.
Connected to the kitchen is the dining room, where you can eat, hang out, and relax.
The furniture wasn’t the highest quality nor ergonomic for long hours of work,
but it was good enough for quick tasks or socializing with fellow travelers.
Breakfast
This dining room is where the breakfast is served, and is complimentary for all guests.
It was a basic continental breakfast, with some toasts, cereal, boiled eggs, coffee, and some fruits.
While nothing special, I was honestly impressed that the hostel is even offering a complimentary breakfast.
Amenities
The hostel does not have gym or pool.
I mean come on, it’s a hostel 😂
However, there is a small lounge area at the end of the dining hall,
where you could watch TV, play boardgames, or socialize with other travelers.
Laundry
I forgot to take pictures but there was a coin laundry machine available for guests.
Jail Tour
If you’re staying at the hostel, you can opt-in for a guided jail tour for free.
Non-guests can also pay to join the tour.
The guide will take you around the building where remnants of its jail history remain and provide detailed explanations.
Throughout the tour, you’ll get to see:
- The main gate where new inmates used to enter
- Solitary confinement cell
- Single cells with original lock mechanism
- Gallows (still functional 😱)
- Small historical details throughout the building.
You can roam around most of these sites on your own, but to see the gallows, you must join the guided tour.
Around the building, there were equipments used back in the day displayed on the wall, as well as bits of historical information.
There are also some funny photo spots throughout the building.
Daily Events
You can’t say you stayed at a hostel without going to a pub crawl, right?
Saintlo Ottawa hosts not only pub crawls but also various other events.
The schedule is subject to changes so be sure to confirm with the front desk.
- Monday: Ottawa Tours by Taf
- Tuesday: Pruno Party
- Wednesday: Pub Crawl
- Thursday: Evening at the Museum
- Friday: Ottawa Express Bike Tour
- Saturday: Canal Walk / Gatineau Park
Final Thoughts
Overall, I quite enjoyed my stay at Saintlo Ottawa Jail Hostel.
I had a decent sleep, experienced something unique, and met lovely people.
It was a blend of accommodation, tour, and history all in one.
With its prime location, it’s great for budget travelers, hostel enthusiasts, or anyone just looking for a simple place to catch some sleep.
However, strictly from a lodging perspective, the age and original purpose of the building meant that ventilation and cooling systems weren’t great,
so I wouldn’t recommend staying for more than two nights.
For super light sleepers, consider staying at nearby hotels such as Andaz Ottawa Byward Market and just sign up for the guided jail tour.
