Ottawa Marriott
 

I was in Ottawa this past weekend and made the mistake of choosing the Marriott.

During check-in, I asked if I could have a corner room (the only rooms with balconies) and was told "Sorry, we are SOLD OUT due to the Bluesfest"... I then went upstairs, fired up my laptop and booked myself a corner room on the Marriott website.

Back downstairs I go... this time I am told that they DO have corner rooms - but they are on the 'crew floors' which are unrenovated and I am told not as nice as the room I already have. The room was nothing special - kinda small room w/VERY small bathroom! I agreed to keep my original room, but wish they had been honest about this in the first place - why lie?

I then asked about hotel parking - it's included in my rate right? I am told "NO - none of our rates include parking".. I protest - my rate DOES include parking. When asked for 'proof', I headed to the business centre to print a copy of my reservation (that includes details about free parking) - unfortunately the only printer (cheap lexmark bubble-jet) was completely out of ink (apparently has been for quite some time)

I then asked the front desk clerk into the business centre to read my confirmation on the screen... only upon reading the screen he agreed that that parking is included in my rate, but offers no apology... no nothing.

Next morning around 10:30, there was a knock on the door. I opened the door to find a maintenece person wanting to hand me an iron. I hadn't called for an iron - and the "Privacy Please" sign was on the door knob!! When I pointed to the sign, he then apologized, but REALLY wanted to give me the iron!.. very strange!

The only good thing about this property is the new Revive bed - on the renovated floors!

Pay parking at hotels has long been a fact of life in downtown Ottawa.

Have you tried the CY in Byward Market? Unless you have business in the immediate area from the downtown Marriott, the Courtyard is in a much better location. That's certainly true for leisure travellers....walking distance to restaurants, pubs, shopping and still nearby other attractions, including Parliment Buildings.

Its a somewhat older hotel, but nicely re-done from its Holiday Inn/Market Square Inn days. Garage parking under the hotel and a full serv restaurant on premises. (If memory serves, the parking is $11 CDN per night.)

Our corporate rate at the Marriott *used* to include complimentary parking, but that clause was lost during a recent renegotation.
Other comments:
Haven't stayed there for a year+, but the rooms I had at the time were tired looking. Went to the formal restaurant on two separate occasions but both times I stood there and no one helped me. And one of the those times the bar/restaurant downstairs was out of the 3 things I was interested in.
Luckily I don't mind walking -- because I've always walked down to the Market from there. Sometimes 2x / evening. Even in winter.
But it is our designated property in Ottawa (along with the Holiday Inn in Kanata) so I'll continue to stay there to be a good corporate citizen, and enjoy the points & status from staying within the Marriott family (vs. the HI).