5 Best Hotels in Ottawa, Ontario

One- and two-bedroom suites with fully equipped kitchens make this 12-story hotel a favorite with those in town for an extended time. The hotel is so popular with families that it offers a children's program in July and August. Most suites have balconies. There are three wheelchair-accessible suites.

The area's only resort hotel, this 18-story tower in Silicon Valley is about a 20-minute drive from Ottawa. Guest rooms have modern furnishings in gray and raspberry and nice touches like coffeemakers and tea kettles. High-tech gadgets include a computerized seesaw in the wading pool. The Executive Health Centre provides medical fitness examinations and the spa has an on-site plastic surgeon.

In the former Carleton County Jail, this hostel is certainly the most unique place to stay in Ottawa. You can opt for a bunk behind bars in one of the old prison cells, a bunk in a dorm-style room with a window, or pay a little more for a room of your own. Private rooms on the upper floors have hardwood floors; the nicest are on the ninth floor. The only private bathroom is in the Warden's Apartment, two rooms with a kitchenette suitable for a family. Daily tours visit the original jail cells, death row, and the gallows, the 1869 site of Canada's last public hanging. Try your hand at the interactive exhibits about the history of crime and punishment.

Three multicolor glass sculptures, composed of individual pieces representing sea creatures, add a whimsical touch to the brown-tone lobby. The quirky works of art amid the conservative decor reflect the hotel's dual appeal. A 10-minute drive from the Parliament, this 23-story hotel has a marina, a spa, a game room for kids, a theater and casino, and other urban resort amenities. Floor-to-ceiling windows in the rooms provide views onto one of two lakes and brighten the otherwise muted decor.

Attached to the Rideau Centre shopping mall and convention center, this 24-story hotel is in the heart of the city. All guest rooms have plush carpeting and elegant furniture. Signature "Heavenly Beds" are topped with fluffy white duvets. Floor-to-ceiling windows provide some of the best views in Ottawa (C$50 extra for rooms facing the Rideau Canal and the Parliament Buildings).