ByWard Blue Inn — Hotel in Ottawa

We've attached our review from our last stay.....it is marked by quotations at the end of the current review. A few changes to note.........

Review from May, 2025

The area hasn't really gotten any better....but it's like almost any major Canadian City core area....however, most of the street people mind their own business.

Generally, it is a quieter hotel.....the vast majority of the patrons during this last trip were the 50+ age group. The included breakfast follows this trend, so if made-to-order gourmet coffee, avocado toast, and weird protein shakes are your tastes, you'll be disappointed by the scrambled eggs, bacon/sausage, egg & cheese breakfast muffins, and percolator vat coffee.

Unfortunately, on our check out day, our timing must've been slightly off - arriving to breakfast ~½ an hour after the start of service.......virtually all of the hot food was depleted; being replenished just before readying to leave the dining area.

One of the reviews at the time mentioned some of the staff were "stoic." We wouldn't have mentioned it otherwise except for the fact it was noticed by another patron visiting at approximately the same time period. In past visits, the staff were exceptionally welcoming but for whatever reason, this trip we felt as if we were somewhat of an inconvenience.

It was disappointing to see that the total cost had nearly doubled (our first stay in 2016, was ~$140/night (not including parking, service fee or taxes - there was very little change on our next trip in 2022). This last trip (with parking, service fee & taxes) was over $300/night. While the facilities are very nice, there are other hotels nearby that do offer an extensive array of amenities (such as pools, gyms, etc) at roughly the same or lesser price point.

The Hotel is currently offering rooms WITHOUT the included Breakfast on discount websites (trivago, booking.com, etc), which is ~$25/Night MORE than booking through the Hotel's Reservation system (and those rooms include breakfast).

The cost on the Hotel Website highlights a substantial "discount" and there is reduced fee overnight parking available through the hotel front desk (parking is owned & operated by the City of Ottawa; not the hotel---it is NOT clear if the discounted parking is literally for overnight parking only, or if it includes parking during the day when there is HUGE public demand).

We're not sure the why this change of strategy, or the sudden "spike" in cost but if you want to save money, you'll have to book through the hotel reservation system.

Review From Our Last Stay (still mostly valid this stay)........

"Easy to walk around the market and drop off your treasures before going out again.

Clean, well appointed rooms, very friendly and helpful staff. Daily continental plus breakfast (bacon & Eggers, yogurt, coffee/tea, croissants etc)

The ONLY downside (and it's not the hotel's fault) is there is a large number of homeless in the area, but they tend to stay near the Salvation Army and local church.....and NEVER near the hotel entrance.

If I would change anything.....I wish the hotel would negotiate a flat rate for parking in the parkade next door. On the weekend, it's only $8 per day.....weekdays (0600 Monday to 1800 Friday) the fee is around $3/hour.....there IS a daily maximum, but it is quite expensive. Parking on the street (if you can find it) costs about the same.

During the warmer months, bicycle rental is available close by, and there's a new powered scooter service on town which is literally pick up where you see one/drop off at your last stop (a scourge to residents of the city but an easy was to...

Owner/manager is Charlatan fraud be aware! Rude! Rip off !!!!Will not come back! I leave one star for location and few staff who were humble and professional but the more you move up with hierarchy the least professional and nice. I booked online 2 nights couple weeks ago, called after to make sure my reservation room was received and added parking. The receptionist Abdul, the only bilingual was very professional courteous and ensured my reservation. Prior to my arrival on the 27 I called the receptionist (another guy) 3 hours before to let him know that I will arrive late and the exact time. When I arrived he was rude. I was told no parking available but after I insisted since it’s not my mistake he told me to park in the underground anyway. No space to drive / move I was told to park in front of other cars and move mine whenever other cars need to move. Next day I was working from my room I left my keys to front desk to move my car. The afternoon I noticed a bump and black yellow scratch on my front car. After I complained the manager Fraser came and I asked to have it covered under his insurance. My brand new 50000$ car will need at least 1000$ repair. The manager “gave me hope” by saying he will help but after 40 min he concluded That he viewed the videos and that “I scratched my car” when I tried to move it their filled narrow space and he added that no one forced me to park there and that big cars usually get scratched in their parking lot and that my suv car wasn’t “suitable” for their parking while while it’s a Q3. Their insurance will not covered and when I asked if the insurance was contacted he said I know their policy they won’t. As a compensation they try to offer me one free night which I refused as it is insulting and it does not solve the problem. I requested multiple times to check the videos and it took them close to 24 hrs to let me view it. The next day I insisted with the two receptionists. One of them who was the rude guy who checked me in said I was downstairs when you parked and nothing happened you probably did it before which clearly shows between him and the manager jumping to conclusion with different versions always on the defensive trying to blame me. The owner waited for my last day noon (time for me to check out) and he brought an iPad showing two videos when I parked and when the staff moved my car. Both videos have multiple cuts and when it comes to show my car moving in both videos that could expose the part that is damaged, surprisingly both videos becomes blurry. I have seen multiple video security footages before and these ones were clearly trafficked. When I try to replay the video by touching the iPad the owner panicked and grabbed its iPad telling me “don’t touch it”. When I questioned the quality of his videos by the blurr and multiple cuts he said nothing is perfect. I had to pay for parking after all. One of the receptionist very rude, Manager and owner do not speak French and aren’t professional shame on them, while you can find bilingual warming people among the housekeeping staff and reception. Police was contacted, I already took a legal action and hopefully this will stop their fraud. I wasn’t impressed by the breakfast buffet for a city like Ottawa. Rooms definitely need to be renovated, old low quality beds, a/c does not work, waking up sweeting, kitchen unsafe one electrical outlet very very close to sink. Will not come back after such an unacceptable treatment and...

$101 room review. Recommended for the allergic or sensitive. I have chemical/environmental sensitivity with chronic pain. Both bed sheets and towels had no scent at all-this is rare for anyone to know how to do this properly. was a bit of a smell upon arrival but when i found the lemon bottle responsible under the sink and sealed it in a bag, the air quality became perfect. bed was comfortable-chairs with table supplied was not-had to use pillow for a cushion. bathtub didn't have mat so it was slippery but hotel supplied a mat immediately upon request. supplied me with laptop to my room upon request. phone supplied was loud and clear but maybe hotel could leave instructions on how to use it(e.g. dial '9' to get out). generally place was quiet but because i was on the first floor, loud voices could be heard a couple of time for a while maybe from the nearby restaurant. i couldn't access the free breakfast due to the odors in the restaurant. bar fridge a little noisy. microwave supplied along with utensils and cups/glasses/dishes but maybe can opener would be good. housecoat provided was a 'ribbed' type of weave cotton blend and was uncomfortable to lie on the bed with it on. electric heat was only slightly drying but was not so intense that i got a headache as other places i've lived in typically do. curtains and blinds were easy to use and did a good job blocking light outside and no smell to them either. lighting was not too intense. hotel did charge me another day when i gave notice to leave even though i explained that i was unable to give 24hrs notice because i was coming from a fire at my apt. and had only been notified of return that very morning. i think the hotel should exercise discretion in cases where guests can't be expected to give 24hr notice due to circumstances beyond their control. hence no...