Fairmont Chateau Laurier

We went for the High Tea for my daughter’s Birthday. Service was great and the tea and treats were tasty and beautiful. I promise myself to go back more often. We hope to go back during the Christmas to explore the hotel and areas holiday lights

This hotel is a classic Canadian icon. The Canadian pavilion at Epcot centre is a replica of this majestic building. Situated right beside Canada’s parliament buildings, the location could not be better. I understand that much of the hotel has been recently renovated, my room however was not. That said, the room was clean and comfortable. The bed was small (I think it was likely a double , not a queen (as advertised), but I was in town alone for work so no big deal. The hotel was reasonably priced for the quality: The hotel bar is great and the breakfast in the restaurant was lovely.

I have wanted to stay at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier for years. It's one of those iconic hotels from a different era. I finally had the opportunity when on a business trip to Ottawa. Let's just say it was incredibly disappointing. 1) No pre-arrival email. A simple email to the generic email address took two days for a response from guest relations to coordinate a simple request. 2) No welcome letter at check-in nor was I told anything about the hotel, amenities, services, etc. until I prompted the front desk clerk with some basic questions. 3) Front desk clerk told me at check-in that I had a room with an excellent view. My view ended up being the view into apartments or condos on a side street. When I complained, I was told "view" rooms are not actually guaranteed to be the view ​of Parliament​ that most, if not all, guests expect with a more expensive view room. View rooms​, I was told, have assorted city views. That's like a resort claiming a room is an ocean view or ocean front room when you overlook the parking garage. 4) ​Ahead of my arrival, I confirmed 100 percent feather pillows. Instead, I received foam pillows. ​5) I don't mind classic hotels. So I have no complaints about the traditional decor​ and furnishings. But the room looked nothing like the photos on the website. It was at least seven years overdue for a renovation. The lamps were not the lamps pictured. The TV was from 2010. That's right. The TV ​in my room was a 14-year-old TV. The line​n was a cheap​er polyester​-blended linen. ​Even the Holiday Inn Express has better linen. Electrical outlets were few and far between. If you take away the stocked mini-bar and the turndown service, the quality of the room was on par with a Holiday Inn or Holiday Inn Express. Except those properties would have ​given me a newer, more modern room. 6) Speaking of the room, in the bathroom none of the usual amenities at an upscale or luxury hotel were provided. You ​at least expect mouthwash and a dental kit. They only provide a bar of soap and then dispensers with lotion, shampoo, conditioner and body wash. The ​toiletry dispensers are not tamper proof. And most of them were empty or half-empty. ​At a hotel of this caliber you would also expect stationary, a shoe mint, maybe a bag for shoes or a shoe horn, and an umbrella in the closet. None of these things were provided. There wasn't even a hotel directory in the room. Maybe that is available by QR code. But not everyone uses QR codes. At a 4-star or 5-star luxury hotel you expect certain extra touches. Those things were missing. ​7) The bathroom had a walk-in shower with extensive mold or mildew. And on the toilet seat was pubic hair from a previous guest.​ ​8) The biggest issue I had in my room besides cleanliness, the old TV or just the missing amenities was the HVAC. I set the temperature at 19 degrees C (about 66-67 degrees F). Four hours later, the temperature was still 23 degrees C (about about 74 degrees). The room was way too hot and wouldn't cool down. I reported it to the front desk and a maintenance employee came up to the room. He told me the air conditioning was turned off for the season and the only way to drop the temperature in the room was to open the windows or use a fan that he could bring me. I wasn't going to sleep with open windows when the outside temperature was around negative 12 degrees C (10 degrees F). This was the final straw for me. I packed up, checked out and went to a different hotel. ​9) No newspapers or local information. A request for a newspaper went unfulfilled. All things considered, I'm someone who stays 200-plus nights a year in hotels. I've stayed at genuine 5-star luxury hotels and roadside Holiday Inn Express properties. Once you get past the iconic architecture and the history of the hotel, the overall standard is at best at the level of a Delta or Sheraton. The Fairmont markets itself as a luxury hotel. It's not luxury, at least for anyone who has ever stayed at a real luxury hotel.​ Go have a drink or eat dinner at dinner. Enjoy the beautiful decor of the lobby. But skip the rooms. Save money and avoid disappointment by booking a room at a different hotel.

Without question, the decor is fabulous. If you're only looking for cute photos, there are some IG worthy shots - although given how small the space is (Max capacity 20 ppl) be prepared for others to be in your pics. BUT - the drink menu leaves a lot to be desired. As expected, drinks were pricey ($21+) and even though children under 19 are allowed, there were no options like hot chocolate for kids. One very helpful server was resourceful and made a drink for our little guest which was much appreciated. Overrated seemed to be the word of the day, however. Tip: You can order drinks at the main bar before heading into the Elf Pub, if you want a larger selection.

Welcome to the Fairmont Château Laurier! This stunning hotel, built between 1908 and 1912, was named a national historic site of Canada in 1980, thanks to its unique Château-style architecture that’s truly special. It’s not just a hotel; it’s an iconic piece of Ottawa’s history, having welcomed political leaders, film stars, and royalty for over a century. Stepping inside, you'll find a charming, old-fashioned luxury atmosphere that feels both elegant and inviting. Its fantastic location makes it perfect for exploring all the nearby attractions. You'll be impressed by the excellent service, spotless cleanliness, and spacious accommodations. It’s a must-see!