Review: Saintlo Ottawa Jail Hostel

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 in 1972, when a hostel company purchased it and turned it into a hostel. I finally got the chance to stay there during my visit to Ottawa in July 2024.

Booking (July 2024)

I stayed two nights: one in a single jail cell for $75.18 and one in an 8-bed dorm for $46.99, taxes included. Both were Expedia’s member prices.

Normally, I book most of my stays directly with the property. But since there was a 10% Expedia credit back Amex Offer and 8% cashback on Expedia purchases through Rakuten, I booked my stay on Expedia to save on costs.

It didn’t quite work out. Both rates were paid at the property, so the hostel charged my Scotiabank® Gold American Express® Card at check-in, not Expedia. My Rakuten cashback never tracked either; Rakuten only added it by hand in September, after I chased them with two support tickets.

However, you should always check Saintlo Ottawa Jail Hostel’s website for promotions. When I stayed, they had 15% off stays of 3 nights or more, valid until December 29, 2024.

Location

The hostel is in a prime spot in downtown Ottawa, a 10-minute walk from the city’s most visited attraction: the ByWard Market. It’s also just a 3-minute walk from the Rideau Centre, a major public transport hub.

Parking

Outdoor parking was available for $20 a night when I stayed.

Lobby & Check-in

Check-in takes place in the second-floor lobby, and the process was very smooth.

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The lobby was quite cozy and had a very welcoming vibe, with lots of tourist information and hostel events posted on the walls. The door to the dorms still carries its historical charm, with only a key fob sensor added, a reminder of the building’s past as a prison.

Check-in starts at 3pm, but if you happen to arrive early, the friendly staff will gladly store your bags. My welcome card listed breakfast from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m., checkout at 11 a.m., and the free jail tour at 11 a.m. from the front desk.

Room (Jail Cell and 8-Bed Dorm)

There are various room types, including jail cells, bunk bed dorms, and standard double rooms. I stayed in a single jail cell one night for the experience, and in an 8-bed dorm the other night to meet other travellers (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 have the original iron bars, with the gaps filled in for the privacy of hostel guests. The original jail cell keyholes are still there, but a modern doorknob with a copper key has been used since the building became a hostel.

The lights in the hallway were also very dim, creating a creepy atmosphere, although I’m not sure if that was the intention.

In front of each cell, there was a plaque with 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 jailed on March 15, 1886, for theft.

Upon opening the cell door, it really felt like a real jail cell, until 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 of keeping an authentic jail cell atmosphere, adding only minimal things for the convenience of hostel guests. On the left was a mirror and a row of wall hooks for 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 in operation.) Under the bed was an empty space where you could store your bags and carry-ons.

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Near the head of the bed, a small panel is mounted on the wall, with a night light and a standard USB-A charging port.

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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 five eggs.

A JAR OF PICKLES AND SOME EGGS.

I thought it was quite bizarre to be jailed for a month for that. At the time, tens of thousands of cars were being stolen in the Toronto area, and the thieves were getting away with it.

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8-Bed Dorm

The dorm rooms aren’t anything special and 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 bring 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 that night; luckily, no one snored.

(Maybe I snored? I hope not.)

There were 4 other lovely guests 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.

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A big advantage of the dorm rooms is that there was an A/C unit in the room (although a very rusty one). After getting steamed in the jail cell the night before, I was glad to trade privacy for A/C.

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi was available throughout the building, and the speed was quite fast and reliable.

Bathroom

Each floor has shared bathrooms, some co-ed and others designated male or female only, so you can choose based on your comfort. The bathrooms were actually quite clean, which made them easy and comfortable to use.

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There are also shower rooms on every floor, with a fully locking door. A basic body soap was available, but I highly recommend bringing your own toiletries.

A hair dryer is also available at the front desk.

Kitchen & Dining Room

Saintlo Ottawa Jail Hostel has a full kitchen, so guests can cook their own meals. It’s perfect for budget travellers who want to save money, and convenient for anyone who enjoys a late-night snack.

There were two large fridges for guests to store food and drinks as well.

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The kitchen was also equipped with all sorts of kitchenware you could think of: pots, pans, plates, utensils, and so on. Essential cooking ingredients like cooking oil, salt, pepper, and sugar were also available.

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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 or ergonomic enough for long hours of work, but it was good enough for quick tasks or socializing with fellow travellers.

Breakfast

The dining room is where breakfast is served, and it’s complimentary for all guests. It was a basic continental breakfast, with bagels and toast, cereal, boiled eggs, coffee, and some fruit.

While nothing special, I was honestly impressed that a hostel offers a complimentary breakfast at all.

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Amenities

The hostel doesn’t have a gym or a 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 board games, or socialize with other travellers.

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 join a guided jail tour for free; non-guests can also pay to join. The guide takes you around the building where remnants of its jail history remain and explains them in detail.

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.

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Around the building, there was equipment from back in the day displayed on the walls, as well as bits of historical information.

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There are also some funny photo spots throughout the building.

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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 various other events.

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This was the schedule when I stayed in July 2024. It 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 travellers, hostel enthusiasts, or anyone just looking for a simple place to catch some sleep.

However, strictly from a lodging perspective, the building’s age and original purpose mean ventilation and cooling aren’t great. I wouldn’t recommend staying more than two nights.

For super light sleepers, consider staying at a nearby hotel such as Andaz Ottawa ByWard Market and just signing up for the guided jail tour.

Have you stayed at Saintlo Ottawa Jail Hostel, or slept in a jail cell somewhere else? Let me know in the comments.