Ottawa, 157 Clarence Street45.430159,-75.69075(Show on Map)
8.8
Excellent
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Checkin - Checkout dates
1 Room2 Guests
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Summary of reviews
ByWard Blue Inn in Ottawa stands out with its exceptional location, which is perfect for visitors eager to explore the city on foot. It is conveniently situated near the vibrant ByWard Market, Parliament Hill and an array of museums, restaurants and shops. Despite its proximity to bustling areas, the hotel offers a serene retreat on a quiet street, making it a prime lodging choice for those wishing to fully experience Ottawa.
The breakfast service at ByWard Blue Inn is highly praised for its quality and variety, offering a hearty buffet that includes both continental and traditional Canadian options. Guests enjoy the well-maintained breakfast room and the friendly staff, making it a delightful start to the day. The complimentary breakfast is frequently highlighted as one of the best among comparable hotels, contributing significantly to the overall positive experience.
The hotel's favorable location ensures easy access to numerous dining options within walking distance, which guests find convenient and enjoyable for their evening meals. The rooms at ByWard Blue Inn are appreciated for their spaciousness, cleanliness and comfort. Many rooms include kitchenettes, comfortable beds and balconies providing charming views. Despite some rooms being small, their efficient design and included amenities make for a pleasant stay.
Cleanliness is a consistent highlight with guests describing the rooms and common areas as immaculate. The staff receives high praise for their exceptional service, friendliness and attentiveness with particular commendations for the manager and multilingual team members.
While the WiFi service receives mixed reviews, it is generally considered reliable and free. Parking options are somewhat limited and tight onsite, but there are secure and affordable offsite options available nearby.
The ByWard Blue Inn is also recognized for its family-friendly atmosphere, offering spacious family suites and practical amenities. Additionally, its central location is advantageous for those looking to enjoy Ottawa's lively nightlife with numerous bars, restaurants and entertainment options nearby.
The beds receive mixed feedback regarding comfort but are generally seen as adequate. The hotel is well-regarded within the three-star category, offering superb value for money with its blend of cost-effectiveness and quality service. Overall, ByWard Blue Inn provides a delightful and convenient stay, making it a reliable choice for visitors to Ottawa.
Categories
Honeymoon
Located in the heart of the ByWard Market, this inn offers charming and comfortable accommodations. Its central location and cozy atmosphere make it a delightful choice for a romantic escape.
Nightlife
Located in the heart of Ottawa's ByWard Market, this inn offers immediate access to the area's vibrant nightlife, including numerous bars and restaurants. Its prime location is perfect for those seeking entertainment.
3 Star
This hotel has excellent ratings.
Family
Business
Parking
Ski
Sustainability Journey
Room Types
Twin Room with BalconyOffers a kitchenette and city views
Queen Room with BalconyLocated on higher floors, offers a kitchenette, furnished balcony and city views
Standard Queen RoomThis room is located on higher floors.
Two-Bedroom SuiteA kitchenette and a dining area are featured in this suite. Free Wi-Fi and a cable TV are included. A desk is provided.
Guest Reviews
8.8
Excellent
Review Summaries
Location
ByWard Blue Inn boasts an exceptional location in Ottawa, making it an ideal choice for visitors keen on exploring the city on foot. Situated just a short walk from the lively ByWard Market, guests can easily access Parliament Hill, various museums and a plethora of restaurants and shops. The hotel's position is right on the edge of ByWard Market, allowing for quick immersion into the vibrant local scene, while still offering a quiet retreat on a serene street.
Accessibility is a highlight with major attractions like the National Gallery and the Rideau Centre within easy walking distance. The neighborhood is described as bustling, yet the hotel itself remains a tranquil refuge. Guests appreciate the convenience of nearby public transit options and the underground parking facility.
Overall, the location is deemed superb, facilitating easy access to cultural sites, shopping, dining and nightlife, all while contributing to a comfortable and clean environment for guests. The proximity to ByWard Market and the central downtown area ensures that virtually everything a visitor might desire is within a few minutes' walk, cementing ByWard Blue Inn as a prime lodging option for those looking to fully experience Ottawa.
Breakfast
ByWard Blue Inn offers a highly praised breakfast experience, consistently highlighted by guests for its quality and variety. The breakfast includes an assortment of hot and cold items with options like scrambled eggs, bacon, croissants, fresh fruit, yogurt and a variety of pastries. Diners can expect a hearty buffet with both continental and traditional Canadian options, ensuring that there’s something for everyone, including vegetarian and healthier alternatives like whole grain bread. The breakfast is often described as exceeding expectations with many visitors noting it as the best they've had at comparable hotels.
Guests appreciate the well-kept and cozy breakfast room, finding it a pleasant space to start the day. The friendly and attentive breakfast staff contribute to a positive dining experience. Stand-out items such as warm croissants and fresh melon are frequently mentioned and the use of real cutlery and dishes adds to the overall quality.
While the breakfast is generally described as varied and satisfying, a few comments point out limited choices or pre-packaged items, largely attributed to adaptations for COVID-19 safety protocols. Despite these minor critiques, the complimentary breakfast remains a significant highlight for many, providing great value and enhancing the overall stay at ByWard Blue Inn.
Dinner
ByWard Blue Inn boasts a favorable location near numerous dining options, making it easy to stock up on food for lunches and suppers. Guests have appreciated the ample selection of nearby restaurants and pubs, noting that the streets are filled with various places to eat, whether one prefers dining in or taking out. This variety ensures that there are many restaurants to choose from, providing a pleasant evening dining experience. Overall, guests have enjoyed their dinners, highlighting the convenience and quality of the local eateries.
Rooms
The ByWard Blue Inn in downtown Ottawa offers travelers a mix of comfort, cleanliness and convenience. Most guests appreciate the spacious, well-equipped rooms with many including thoughtful amenities such as kitchenettes and comfortable beds. Balconies are a common feature, providing delightful views and a charming outdoor space to enjoy. The rooms are consistently described as clean, tidy and comfortable, ensuring a pleasant stay for guests.
The beds receive frequent praise for their comfort, contributing to a restful night's sleep. Rooms are often highlighted for being quiet, offering a serene retreat in the heart of the city. Decorative touches and functional layouts enhance the overall experience, making the rooms feel cozy yet practical.
While some rooms are noted to be small, the efficient design and inclusion of necessary amenities like fridges, kettles and microwaves make even the more compact spaces functional and pleasant. Furthermore, the presence of balconies and terraces in many rooms adds a unique feature that enhances guest satisfaction.
Overall, the ByWard Blue Inn successfully combines a great downtown location with spacious, clean and well-appointed rooms, making it a reliable choice for visitors to Ottawa. Despite occasional mentions of dated decor, the high standards of cleanliness and comfort dominate the guest reviews, portraying the Inn as a welcoming and delightful place to stay.
Beds
The beds at ByWard Blue Inn receive mixed feedback from guests, though many find them to be comfortable. Numerous reviews highlight the beds as very comfortable with clean bedding. Guests frequently mention the comfort of the queen-size beds and the variety of pillows offered. Some appreciated the addition of extra beds for children, ensuring a cozy sleep for everyone. However, there's a noted variability in firmness with some beds described as too soft, while others were too firm or too hard. Squeaky beds and lumpy mattresses were occasionally pointed out as issues. Despite these inconsistencies, the overall sentiment is positive with many guests enjoying a good night's sleep on comfortable mattresses.
Cleanliness
The cleanliness of ByWard Blue Inn consistently stands out as a highlight according to guest reviews. Guests repeatedly describe the rooms as "super clean," "spotless," and "very clean." The hotel maintains a high standard of cleanliness throughout, including well-kept rooms, spotless bathrooms and clean common areas. Daily room service ensures that the rooms remain tidy and welcoming. The property, although aged, is frequently complimented for its impeccable maintenance and cleanliness. Additionally, guests find the environment comfortable and quiet, making for a pleasant stay. Despite minor issues reported by a few, the overall sentiment suggests that ByWard Blue Inn excels in maintaining a clean, comfortable and inviting atmosphere for its guests.
Staff
At ByWard Blue Inn, the staff consistently receives high praise from guests for their exceptional service. Described as super helpful, attentive and highly accommodating, the hotel's personnel make a significant impact on the overall experience. Notably, the manager, Arvind, is often singled out for his awesomeness and efficiency, contributing to the welcoming atmosphere.
The reception staff is particularly commended for their friendliness and willingness to assist, making check-ins and general inquiries seamless. The morning crew, including those serving breakfast, also garners compliments for their attentiveness and warm hospitality.
Many guests appreciate the multilingual capabilities of the staff with specific mentions of French-speaking team members like Abdul, who provides professional and warm service during late-night hours. The hotel’s housekeeping and maintenance teams are similarly well-regarded for their friendliness and efficiency.
In sum, ByWard Blue Inn's staff, from front desk to kitchen and maintenance, is consistently described as friendly, professional and highly accommodating, ensuring a pleasant and comfortable stay for all guests.
Wi-Fi
Reviews of the WiFi at ByWard Blue Inn offer a varied range of experiences. Many guests have praised the service, describing the WiFi as good, reliable and free. Several reviews highlighted strong and fast internet connections, especially within the rooms with some noting excellent coverage and consistent performance.
However, the experience isn't universally positive. Some guests have mentioned issues such as slow speeds, particularly at specific times of day. A few reviews pointed out that the WiFi could be spotty or unreliable and some guests had trouble with connectivity on the balcony or found the signal weak and unstable in certain areas.
Overall, while many guests had a satisfactory experience with the WiFi, noting its ease of access and strength, there are occasional reports of less consistent performance.
Parking
The parking situation at ByWard Blue Inn garners mixed feedback from guests. On the positive side, the hotel offers secure and underground parking options. For those who prefer proximity, there is a public garage right next door, which is considered convenient and affordable by many. Some guests mentioned that the parking spots are clean and safe, adding to their overall sense of security.
Additionally, there are multiple affordable parking options in the immediate vicinity of the hotel with one public garage offering a modest fee of around $15 per day or $10 overnight. Underground parking is available and the spaces are generally deemed satisfactory, though tight for larger vehicles.
However, the limited number of onsite parking spaces, which seems to be around eight and the tight parking conditions can be a challenge. Guests often have to use nearby public parking facilities, which are sometimes just a few meters away but come with an extra cost. Despite these limitations, many find the parking options workable, especially given the hotel's prime location.
In summary, while the parking at ByWard Blue Inn is somewhat limited and tight, there are secure and affordable offsite options nearby, ensuring most guests can find a suitable place for their vehicles.
Family
The ByWard Blue Inn is highly recognized for its family-friendly atmosphere, making it a notable choice for travelers with children. Guests consistently highlighted its suitability for family vacations, noting the comfortable and spacious family suites and rooms designed to accommodate larger parties, sometimes even up to five people. The hotel boasts a welcoming and relaxing environment that caters to families, providing a pleasant retreat for parents and children alike.
Its prime location within walking distance of numerous attractions, enhances its appeal, ensuring that families can easily explore the surrounding area. Visitors appreciated the hotel's flexibility for families, which includes practical amenities such as parking availability and additional beds in the rooms. The presence of a family-run, friendly staff adds to the feeling of being well-cared-for during the stay.
While mostly praised for its family-friendly nature, a few reviews mentioned that it might not be the best choice for all family types, particularly those with specific needs for more child-centric activities. Nonetheless, the overall consensus points to the ByWard Blue Inn as an ideal destination for family getaways, offering a comfortable, clean and accommodating stay.
Nightlife
Located in the heart of a vibrant area, ByWard Blue Inn offers a prime spot for those looking to enjoy Ottawa's lively nightlife. Just a short walk brings guests to the bustling ByWard Market, filled with a variety of bars, restaurants and nightclubs. This cozy area is perfect for evening outings with numerous establishments like Blue Cactus adding to the allure. The proximity to an array of eateries makes dining out in the evening convenient and enjoyable.
The hotel’s location is particularly advantageous for visitors keen on experiencing the local nightlife, as it is surrounded by numerous options for entertainment, including bars with live music. While the area is characterized by its energetic vibe at night, guests have mentioned that their stay remained pleasant and quiet. Other nearby attractions and the downtown core are easily accessible on foot, ensuring a well-rounded experience for those wishing to explore both day and night.
However, the vicinity of a homeless shelter means there may be some unusual characters around, but this has not overshadowed the overall positive experience of the nightlife scene. With everything from stand-alone bars to sophisticated restaurants, ByWard Blue Inn is conveniently situated close to the action, making it an excellent choice for guests looking to enjoy Ottawa's dynamic evening atmosphere.
3 Star
ByWard Blue Inn is reputed for its superb value for money, especially within the three-star category. The hotel offers a balanced combination of cost-effectiveness and quality, making it a popular choice for budget-conscious travelers. Guests find the service comparable to business hotels and consider the staff exceptionally good. Located right in the historic center, it provides convenient access to downtown attractions.
While the breakfast is simple and limited, it is praised as one of the best offerings from a three-star establishment. The accommodation itself is basic but well-maintained, matching the expectations one might have for this class of hotel. Despite some noise from the air conditioning and a need for room and toilet renovations, the value for money remains a significant highlight.
The parking situation is noted as less favorable with a tiny garage that is more challenging than nearby public options. However, if expectations are aligned with a three-star experience—with a touch of style—the inn can be a pleasant surprise. For those seeking affordable, solid accommodation in the heart of the city, ByWard Blue Inn stands as a cost-effective choice that doesn’t skimp on essential amenities.
Business
ByWard Blue Inn is often highlighted by business travelers for its functional and efficient services, drawing comparisons to a Courtyard Marriott. The hotel’s location in Ottawa center is particularly convenient, placing guests close to key business landmarks and the convention center. It's a well-tended, clean and quiet establishment, offering decent housing and basic amenities that cater well to short and solo business trips.
The rooms are equipped with work desks and necessary plug points, while some even feature a desk with a printer for documents. The business center is noted as a good space to work and the Wi-Fi in the breakfast room is reportedly quick enough for business needs. Overall, the establishment is considered a great value for the price with guests appreciating its warm atmosphere and attentive reception team.
While the decor and some features might be too basic for some and there are no extensive business services offered onsite, the cleanliness, affordability and simplicity make it a reliable choice for business travelers seeking a straightforward and cost-effective stay in Ottawa.
FAQ
No, ByWard Blue Inn doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at ByWard Blue Inn.
No, ByWard Blue Inn doesn't allow dogs.
Yes, parking facilities are available at ByWard Blue Inn.
