12 Best Hotels Near Winterlude Ottawa
Winterlude is an incredible family-friendly festival that transforms Ottawa, Ontario and Gatineau, Quebec, into an awesome winter wonderland every February.
A celebration of Canadian winter fun, Winterlude also highlights Canada’s rich artistic and cultural diversity.
We have put together a list of the best hotels near Winterlude Ottawa venues so that you can spend less time travelling, and more time enjoying all that this amazing festival has to offer.
Best Hotel Near Winterlude Ottawa
❄️ Don’t have time to read the whole article? The Hotel Fairmont Château Laurier is the best hotel near Winterlude in Ottawa, with 1,700+ stellar reviews!
Winterlude was first introduced in 1979 and is home to some incredible ice sculpting, awesome concerts, and performances by talented Canadian artists. You will also find several venues that feature ice slides, tube rides, sled tracks, and other family-friendly activities.
And of course, skating on the Rideau Canal, and visiting the iconic ByWard Market cannot be missed when visiting Winterlude in Ottawa!
12 Best Hotels Near Winterlude Ottawa
We have put together a list of the best hotels in the downtown Ottawa area, that are less than one kilometre from the Winterlude venues. The hotels are broken down by budget to make it easier to fit your needs.
If you are short on time, we have chosen the 3 best Winterlude Ottawa hotels so you can quickly select the one you want to stay at.
- Luxury: Hotel Fairmont Château Laurier
- Mid-Range: Lord Elgin Hotel
- Budget: Les Suites Hotel Ottawa
Luxury Hotels Near Winterlude Ottawa
These luxury hotels have a ton of amenities, as well as being in close proximity to restaurants, shopping, attractions, and the Winterlude venues.
1. Hotel Fairmont Château Laurier
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
One of our favourite places to stay for Winterlude is the Fairmont Château Laurier. However, this is also the most expensive hotel on our list.
Not only is this hotel affiliated with Winterlude, but it is also centrally located, and close to several of the Winterlude venues. If you have ever stayed at a Fairmont hotel, you know that they are pretty amazing! And the Château Laurier is no different.
This historic hotel is absolutely gorgeous! You can expect high ceilings, beautiful architecture, and a very friendly staff.
The rooms were well-appointed, with a coffee/tea station, minibar, flatscreen TV with cable, windows that open, and even comfy bathrobes! And although breakfast was not included in our stay, there are several restaurants conveniently located right inside the hotel.
Dining options at the Fairmont include Zoé’s Lounge for casual afternoon tea or evening cocktails, or Wilfrid’s Restaurant is available for fine dining with a view of the Parliament buildings.
And when we travel with the kids, we always try and make sure that the hotels we stay in have a pool. The pool at the Château Laurier is quite nice, with more than enough lounge chairs for parents to supervise along the sidelines.
In addition to the pool, all guests have free access to the on-site health club which includes a modern fitness centre where each machine is equipped with a personal flat-screen TV.
Because the Fairmont is considered Winterlude Headquarters, we were easily able to get maps, directions and suggestions for all the activities we were interested in. They even had colouring sheets and a photo booth area located in the lobby for a little family fun.
Parking is valet only and is an extra charge added to your bill.
The Fairmont Chateau Laurier is a 5 minutes walk to Major’s Hill Park and the Ottawa Convention Centre. The Rideau Centre Mall is less than 100 m away.
2. Le Germain Hotel Ottawa
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Le Germain is centrally located and just a short walk from popular attractions like the CF Rideau Centre, the Rideau Locks, Parliament Hill, and more.
This hotel offers family suites. All rooms are air-conditioned and come with free WiFi.
Rooms come equipped with a kettle, free toiletries, a mini-bar, a hair dryer in the bathroom, and a flat-screen TV.
🐾 This hotel is pet friendly!
A small boutique hotel with super friendly staff, clean and bright facilities, smart rooms with very comfortable beds and lovely toiletries in the rooms.
— Natasha (Le Germain Reviews)
All Le Germain guests also have access to a well-equipped fitness centre. A bar and a restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner are also conveniently located within the hotel.
There is parking available onsite for a fee, as well as valet service.
3. The Metcalfe Hotel
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Located in downtown Ottawa, and only a 5 minutes walk from Parliament Hill, this newly-renovated boutique hotel will impress you with little details that make you feel at home.
Each guest room is well-appointed, spacious and comfortable, and includes a flat-screen TV with cable channels and pay-per-view movies. Free WiFi is provided.
🐾 This hotel is pet friendly!
Not only will you find cozy bathrobes in your suite, but also hot chocolate or lemon water waiting for you in the lobby.
The hotel is beautiful and romantic… A wonderful experience. Instagram worthy. A 5-star hotel. This will be my go-to hotel when going to Ottawa from now on!
— Wishful (The Metcalfe reviews)
This hotel includes a 24-hour fitness centre. Onsite parking is available for a fee.
4. The Westin Ottawa
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Westin Ottawa is conveniently located right in the heart of the city. Attached to the Rideau Centre Shopping Mall this completely non-smoking hotel also offers two onsite restaurants, a bar, and free public WiFi.
Every guest room at the Ottawa Westin has either wonderful canal or city views and is equipped with a 50″ flat-screen TV. In-room films are also provided.
🐾 This hotel is pet friendly!
Amenities include a saltwater swimming pool, a hot tub and a fully equipped fitness centre. Squash Courts, floral services, and a 24-hour business centre are also available.
Unfortunately, there is no onsite parking specifically for hotel guests. However, you are able to park at the attached Rideau Mall for a fee. Just note, there are no in-and-out privileges when parking at the mall.
Mid-Range Hotels Near Winterlude Ottawa
The mid-range hotels are also located within one kilometre of the Winterlude venues. And although they are more budget-friendly, they still have great amenities.
5. Novotel Ottawa City Centre
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Located just a 5-minute walk from the fashionable Byward Market district, and 10 minutes from Parliament Hill, Novotel Ottawa is a wonderful option for your Winterlude Ottawa experience.
Novotel Ottawa City Centre offers modernly furnished guest rooms with a flat-screen LCD TV, a large ergonomic desk area, free WiFi, and tea/coffee-making facilities. Bathrooms include a hairdryer and complimentary toiletries.
Amenities include a 24-hour fitness centre, an indoor swimming pool, and a hot tub. The lobby area has complimentary, pod-style workstations, as well as an onsite restaurant and bar.
And if after a long day out at the Winterlude venues you just want to settle into your suite, room service is available from 06:00 to 22:00 every day.
Onsite public parking is available for a fee.
6. Lord Elgin Hotel
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Located directly across from the National Arts Centre, this gorgeous non-smoking hotel is just a short walk from major attractions including the ByWard Market and skating on the Rideau Canal.
Guest rooms at the Lord Elgin Hotel offer spacious accommodations with a 49-inch TV, a tea/coffee machine, free toiletries, and a mini fridge. Room service is also available, should you want to enjoy a night in.
Comfortable, clean, spacious room. The hotel is located in the middle of downtown Ottawa, and it is within walking distance of just about anything you would want to do.
— Annette (Lord Elgin Hotel reviews)
Amenities include a state-of-the-art 24-hour fitness centre, an indoor lap pool, a small on-site gift shop and an onsite restaurant.
Onsite parking is available for $35 per night.
And if you happen to be spending a few days in Ottawa for Winterlude and wanted to try another truly Canadian winter activity, The Lord Elgin Hotel is a pick-up point for a dogsledding adventure. The Ultimate Dog Sledding Tour takes you out dogsledding in Quebec with a professional musher and includes snowshoeing, a warm lunch and plenty of hot chocolate!
7. Ottawa Marriott Hotel
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Located less than a 5-minute walk from Parliament Hill, the Ottawa Marriott Hotel offers modern facilities and thoughtful amenities.
Each well-appointed guest room features cable TV, free WiFi, a coffee and tea-making station, a hair dryer, ironing facilities, a seating area, and a comfortable work desk. Guests are also offered plush bathrobes.
Some suites also offer private balconies with stunning views of the city.
The view was spectacular! I definitely recommend a room with a balcony. Although it’s not a new building, the room was very clean and the facilities were well-maintained. We had a really good time.
— Ryuichiro (Ottawa Marriott Hotel reviews)
Amenities include an indoor pool, fitness centre, business centre and an onsite restaurant, Spin Kitchen and Bar. Room service is available.
If you need a little assistance while staying at the Ottawa Marriott, a concierge service is available to assist guests with local attractions and dinner reservations.
But one of the things that we think truly sets this hotel apart from others at this price range, is that the Ottawa Marriott offers a children’s playroom. Perfect for families with younger kids as well as teens, the playroom features game consoles, table tennis, a billiards table, and TVs.
8. Courtyard by Marriott Ottawa Downtown
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Courtyard by Marriott Ottawa Downtown is conveniently located in the centre of the Byward Market, and only a 15-minute walk from Parliament Hill. Step outside the hotel and you are surrounded by incredible restaurants and shops.
And if you have extra time to do a little sightseeing, you will even find the kiosk where you can catch the Winter City Tour of Ottawa in the ByWard market.
Guest rooms at the Courtyard Marriott are spacious and include a flat-screen cable TV, free Wi-Fi, a seating area, a tea and coffee-making station, and a desk with an ergonomic chair.
Amenities include an indoor swimming pool, fitness centre, laundrette, and onsite bistro serving Starbucks products. Dry cleaning services are available through the front desk.
Onsite public parking is available for a fee.
Budget Hotels Near Winterlude Ottawa
In comparison to the other hotels on this list, the following hotels are lower in price. However, if you are looking for even less expensive hotels, you will need to look outside of the downtown area.
There are some great hotel options that can be found in the surrounding neighbourhoods for a lot less. But they would require that you drive or take public transportation to get to the Winterlude venues, and then pay a pretty high rate for parking in the public lots.
9. Delta Hotels by Marriott Ottawa City Centre
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Located just a 10-minute walk to Parliament Hill, this 4-star hotel features spacious rooms and a ton of amenities.
Each guest room and suite at the Delta Hotel features plush, pillowtop bedding, fluffy pillows and crisp linens, as well as incredible views of downtown Ottawa through floor-to-ceiling windows.
Guest rooms also feature contemporary furnishings, a coffee maker, a work desk, a 42-inch cable TV, free Wi-Fi and pay-per-view channels.
🐾 This hotel is pet friendly!
Very clean and modern. Super friendly staff and the location was right in the centre of downtown Ottawa so it was walking distance for most things!
— Leah (Delta Hotels by Marriott Ottawa reviews)
Amenities include a full-service business centre, a well-equipped gym, an indoor swimming pool, and a sauna to relax in after a long day of playing in the snow at Winterlude.
Public parking is available onsite for a fee. Valet parking is also available.
10. Les Suites Hotel Ottawa
Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐
Although this hotel is located slightly further from some of the main Winterlude venues, we felt that it was definitely worth mentioning. Les Suites is just a short walk from the ByWard Market and the Rideau Centre and is surrounded by tons of dining and entertainment options.
This all-suite hotel offers fully furnished one and two-bedroom suites with free wireless high-speed internet access. Each suite has a fully equipped kitchen as well as a washer and dryer, perfect for extended stays or when travelling with kids on a budget.
We found this hotel to be clean, the beds comfortable, and the amenities to be quite good. We had no trouble walking to most of the attractions.
🐾 This hotel is pet friendly!
Les Suites also offers a 24-hour fitness centre and an indoor swimming pool. For onsite dining, the Presse Café serves a variety of fresh salads, sandwiches, desserts and beverages.
Les Suites offers onsite parking for a fee.
11. Sheraton Ottawa Hotel
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Located near Parliament Hill and ByWard Market, this hotel in downtown Ottawa features enjoyable facilities and comfortable guestrooms.
Smoke-free guestrooms at the Sheraton Ottawa Hotel offer comfortable beds, flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, large windows and free toiletries.
🐾 This hotel is pet friendly!
Sheraton Ottawa Hotel amenities include an indoor pool, fitness center, and onsite dining options. The onsite restaurant, The Carleton Grill, offers an a la carte menu for breakfast, as well as a lunch buffet. Sasha’s Bar serves Starbucks coffee or even a light meal with a beverage.
Onsite parking is available for a fee. Valet parking is also available.
12. Alt Hotel Ottawa
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Conveniently located about 400 m from the Parliament Buildings, the Alt Hotel Ottawa is a great option for those on a budget.
All guest rooms are air-conditioned and come with free WiFi, a flat-screen TV, a coffee machine, a hair dryer, and free toiletries.
🐾 This hotel is pet friendly!
Amenities include a 24-hour front desk, a fitness centre, free luggage storage, and an onsite cafe. The Altcetera Café serves a variety of snacks and beverages as well as hot and cold meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Very clean room. Comfortable bed. Nice bright bathroom. The location is ideal and easy walking distance to dining, sights, and shopping.
— Jason (Alt Hotel Ottawa reviews)
Unfortunately, there is no onsite parking available. Visitors must instead use a nearby paid public parking lot.
Hotels Near Winterlude Ottawa – FAQs
Winterlude actually takes place in downtown Ottawa and Gatineau, spread across several different venues. The main venues in Ottawa include Confederation Park, Dow Lake, ByWard Market, Marion Dewar Plaza with its Rink of Dreams, and of course, the Rideau Canal for an epic ice skating experience.
We would recommend setting aside 2-3 days to experience everything that Winterlude has to offer. This will also give you some extra time to explore Ottawa, as the city has so many wonderful attractions outside of Winterlude.
Winterlude is Ottawa’s largest and most popular festival, bringing in about 1.6 million visitors annually.
Ice carving competitions are held at the Crystal Garden in Confederation Park. Located between Ottawa City Hall and the National Art Center, this is one place you don’t want to miss.
And be sure to head back to Confederation Park at night, when the sculptures are all lit up and the garden looks magical!
❄️ If you are interested in learning more about the Winterlude Festival in Ottawa, you can read about our full experience here.
Final Thoughts – Hotels Near Winterlude Ottawa
Hopefully, we have provided you with some great options for hotels near Winterlude Ottawa. Depending on your budget, any of the above-mentioned hotels would be great. Our only advice is to book as far in advance as you can, as the hotels in the downtown Ottawa area tend to book up the quickest.
Best Hotel Near Winterlude Ottawa
❄️ Don’t have time to read the whole article? The Hotel Fairmont Château Laurier is the best hotel near Winterlude in Ottawa, with 1,700+ stellar reviews!
Pin This Post for Later!
Related Posts:
- 26 Fun and Free Things to Do in Ottawa with Kids
- 17 Fun Things to Do in Ottawa with Kids
- The Ultimate Guide to the Ottawa Tulip Festival
- 9 Best Hotels Near the Tulip Festival in Ottawa
- Winterlude in Ottawa 2024 – The Ultimate Itinerary
- 12 Best Hotels Near Winterlude Ottawa
