Ottawa West's BEST Kept Secret: Luxury Residence & Conference Centre!
Okay, buckle up, buttercup, because we're diving headfirst into Ottawa West's BEST Kept Secret: Luxury Residence & Conference Centre! (and trust me, it is a secret, which is kinda the problem, right?). I've got my notepad, my (slightly judgmental) travel pen, and a whole lotta opinions. Let's get messy and real and FINALLY figure out if this place is worth the hype (and the hunt).
(WARNING: This review is gonna be LONG. Grab a coffee, a snack, or a whole darn buffet. We're going deep.)
First Impressions & Accessibility: The Good, the "Meh," and the "Seriously?!"
Alright, so accessibility is a HUGE deal for a lot of us (myself included, because you know, life throws curveballs). They claim to be accessible. Let's just say… the devil's in the details. The Elevator is a godsend. Seriously, thank you for the elevator. Facilities for disabled guests, listed, but I'd REALLY want to investigate specifically before booking. Call them. Ask the hard questions about ramp access, bathroom grab bars (this is key!), and the width of doorways. I have a sneaky suspicion it's not a perfect score. BUT, the Check-in/out [express] and Contactless check-in/out are undeniably good, especially now. Big win for convenience. Car Park: Car park [free of charge], yes! That's what I like to hear. Car park [on-site], also yes… But like, how far from the rooms? Is it a hike? Details, people!
(Rant Alert!) We're talking BEST Kept Secret. I mean, it would be a whole lot less secret if there was an ACTUAL detailed access statement on their website. Seriously, people. Get with the program. 2024. Everyone deserves to know.
Internet and Connectivity: The Digital Lifeblood
Okay, fine, let's talk internet. Internet [LAN] - okay, old school. Internet [in general!] - Good. Internet services - what are they, specifically? Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! HALLELUJAH! That's the bare minimum, but THANK YOU. Wi-Fi in public areas - also essential. Wi-Fi for special events - nice. So, basically, you're covered for staying connected, which, let's be real, is a dealbreaker for many of us.
Rooms: The Sanctuary (Hopefully!)
Here's where it gets interesting. We're talking Luxury Residence, right? Promises, promises!
Available in all rooms: Air conditioning, Alarm Clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom Phone (whaaaat? Who still uses those?!), Bathtub, Blackout Curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/Tea Maker, Complimentary Tea, Daily Housekeeping, Desk, Extra Long Bed, Free Bottled Water, Hair Dryer, High Floor, In-Room Safe Box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing Facilities, Laptop Workspace, Linens, Mini Bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand Movies, Private Bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/Cable Channels, Scale, Seating Area, Separate Shower/Bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke Detector, Socket Near the Bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual Alarm, Wake-up Service, Wi-Fi [free], Window That Opens.… Wow. That's a LOT. My apartment doesn't have all of that!
The "Extra" Touches: The Extra Long Bed, YES. I'm tall! The In-room Safe Box, always a plus. The Slippers – a nice touch of luxury. The Sofa – essential for lounging in your robe, reading a book, and pretending you're not on deadline. The Scale! okay, maybe I DON'T need to know THAT.
The Flaws - Okay, I'm not gonna lie: "Bathroom Phone?" Really? Unless you're calling room service from the tub, I'm going to have to question that. And "Carpeting?" In a world of allergies, hardwood is superior, but okay.
Cleanliness and Safety: Gotta Feel Safe
This section is CRITICAL. Especially now. Anti-viral cleaning products, Cashless payment service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit, Hand Sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment are all fantastic. It shows they're taking your health seriously. This is a gold star section. If I'm paying luxury prices, I expect luxury cleanliness.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Fueling the Experience (and Making Me Happy)
This is where my eyeballs start to gleam. Food, glorious food!
Multiple options: So, there is a Restaurant. Good start. A la carte in restaurant, Breakfast [buffet], Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Restaurants, Snack bar.
The Good Stuff: Bar, Happy hour, and Poolside bar… I'm listening! A Vegetarian restaurant is always a welcome addition. Room service [24-hour] - YES! Coffee shop - YES! Desserts in restaurant? SOLD. I'm really hoping the Asian cuisine in restaurant is good because I'd love a great bowl of Pho.
Things I'm Skeptical About: "Western Cuisine". Is that just… food? And I want to know about the alternative meal arrangement. Does the restaurant have vegan options?
The Anecdote: Okay, one time at a stuffy hotel, the buffet ran out of bacon. BACON. The horror! This nearly ruined my entire stay. So, Ottawa West's BEST Kept Secret…please, for the love of all that is holy, keep the bacon flowing.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Beyond the Four Walls
This is important. What do I do with my entire body?
The Spa: YES. Body scrub, Body wrap, Massage, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom.… This sounds heavenly. I WANT to know if this spa lives up to the "luxury" promise. Is it actually a real spa, with skilled therapists, or just a glorified massage table?
The Fitness: Fitness center, Gym/fitness, Swimming pool, Pool with view, Swimming pool [outdoor], … I need to know what kind of gym this is. Is it a treadmill and some dumbbells? Or is it serious?
Quirky Observation: I really hope that the Pool with view isn't of a parking lot. That would be a buzzkill.
The Imperfection: I'm a little disappointed that there is no mentioning of a hot tub. But okay.
Services and Conveniences: Making Life Easy (or Annoying)
This encompasses the extras that elevate a stay, or create unnecessary hassle.
Essentials: Air conditioning in public area, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Safety deposit boxes.… all good, solid, expected. I would expect a Luxury residence to have a concierge to handle questions, but what if it doesn't?
The "Oh, That's Nice" Stuff: Airport transfer, a HUGE lifesaver. Babysitting service, if you need it. Car power charging station, a nod to the future. Smoking area (for those who must).
The "Meh" Stuff: Cash withdrawal: I'm guessing they don't have a full-fledged bank, but maybe a local ATM?
For the Kids: Family Friendly?
- Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal.… So, they say they're family-friendly. I need details on the Kids facilities. Is there a playground? A game room? A kids' pool?
Getting Around: Location, Location, Location
Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking
The Imperfection: No mention of public transit. That's a flag for some, but not for me.
Putting It All Together: The Verdict (and the Offer!)
Okay, so, is Ottawa West's BEST Kept Secret actually a secret worth sharing? It's complicated.
Escape to Paradise: Your Dream Villa Awaits in Giardini Naxos!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's pristine travel itinerary. This is me, unfiltered, wrestling with a trip to the Residence & Conference Centre - Ottawa West. Prepare for a rollercoaster of emotions, caffeine-fueled pronouncements, and the occasional existential crisis brought on by a vending machine malfunction.
Trip: Ottawa's Student (Maybe) Experience - Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Budget Breakfast
Day 1: Arrival and Existential Dread (aka "Welcome to Ottawa, You Cold Little Bean")
- 2:00 PM: Land at Ottawa International Airport. Okay, first hurdle. The airport? Surprisingly efficient. Didn't get lost (miracle!), passport control didn't give me the stink eye (another miracle!), and the baggage carousel actually spat out my bag in a reasonable amount of time. Win! Now… finding the bus. Let the anxiety begin.
- 2:45 PM: After a near-miss with what I think was the right bus (directions were… optimistic), I finally board the public transit. The driver? Surprisingly chipper. Maybe Ottawa isn't so bad after all. The whole bus experience is quite the adventure in close proximity with strangers.
- 3:30 PM: Arrival at the Residence & Conference Centre - Ottawa West. Okay… it's… big. Like, really big. Feels vaguely like a high school, but with more ominous-looking vending machines. The check-in process is smooth, which is a relief. My room? Clean, basic, and screams "student life." I swear, I can practically smell the lingering aroma of lukewarm instant noodles.
- 4:00 PM: Room exploration. Unpack. The bed is calling my name… but must resist. Need to assess the situation. The bathroom? Functional, thankfully. Shower pressure? Questionable, but hey, I'm used to it. The view? Overlooks a rather uninspiring parking lot. Sigh. Deep breath. Time for a walk.
- 4:30 PM: Exploring the Campus and the surrounding area. It's a bit of a walk to find interesting spots, and some of it has me feeling like I'm stranded in the middle of nowhere. But then, some of those spots actually were quiet, enjoyable, and brought me to a sense of peacefulness.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner. Ugh, cafeteria food beckons. Okay, okay… It's not awful. Edible is the word. The salad bar? Well, let's just say a bit more creativity wouldn't hurt. I grab a pre-made sandwich, and the bread is a little stale. It could have been the worst meal I've ever had, but the food and the dining room, however, it was filled with a sense of community.
- 7:00 PM: Back in the room. Stare blankly at the walls. Begin to question every life decision that led me to this moment. Try to find something to watch on TV. Struggle for a while, and I give up.
- 8:00 PM: Decide to brave the vending machine. This is where things go south. Insert money. Select snack. Nothing. Try again. Still nothing. Vending machine is taunting me. Curse under my breath. Head to bed, hungry and defeated.
- 9:00 PM: Sleep (hopefully). Dreaming of gourmet meals and fluffy pillows that I do not have.
Day 2: The Breakfast Battle and Carleton University Chaos
- 7:00 AM: Wake up to the sound of… something. Construction? Birds chirping? The existential dread is back.
- 7:30 AM: Breakfast! This is the budget part of the trip, so I'm not expecting miracles. But I need caffeine! The breakfast buffet is a thing of beauty and disappointment, all at once. The coffee? Undrinkable. The toast? Stale. The "scrambled eggs"? I'm not entirely sure what they are, but they're yellow. I decide to focus on the fruit. The apples are okay. The yogurt's fine. Victory.
- 8:30 AM: I make it to Carleton University, which is one of the attractions of this trip. It's beautiful. The campus is very nice, the buildings, and the river view. I wander aimlessly.
- 10:00 AM: Head over to the campus bookstore. This is the part where I'm tempted to buy every single souvenir and random things that I don't need. I leave with a Carleton University mug, and a new pen. I'm very proud of myself.
- 11:00 AM: Wander around the campus. I take a quick trip to a coffee shop. The coffee? Amazing. Why are all the good things not at the residence?
- 12:30 PM: Lunch break. I can't bring myself to go back to the cafeteria, so I explore the food options around the university. There are so many options. I grab a sandwich, and a yogurt. My perfect snack.
- 1:30 PM: I head back to the residence and have a quiet afternoon. The day is nice, I walk around the area, and catch a beautiful sunset.
- 7:00 PM: Nighttime. I head for dinner. The food is better tonight. I have a whole meal.
- 8:00 PM: Head to bed. I am tired.
Day 3: Departure and Reflections (or, "I Survived!")
- 7:00 AM: Wake up, feeling surprisingly okay. Maybe the stale toast and questionable scrambled eggs are starting to grow on me. (Maybe).
- 7:30 AM: One last breakfast. This time, I'm armed with my own coffee. Small victories, people. Small victories.
- 8:30 AM: Pack. The process this time felt less daunting. Even though my packing skills are still a work in progress.
- 9:00 AM: Check out. It's over. I made it. I survived the Ottawa West experience. The staff is very cordial.
- 10:00 AM: Transportation to the airport.
- 11:00 AM: Waiting at the gate. Time to reflect on the Ottawa trip. I was there, I did things, and I survived. The Residence wasn't the Ritz, but I'd seen the campus, ate the food, and had a good time.
- 1:00 PM: Boarding the plane.
Final Thoughts:
Ottawa West. Not glamorous, but not the worst. The Residence? Functional. The food? Let's just say it could stand to be a bit more… inspiring. The experience? Unforgettable, in its own messy, slightly depressing way. Would I go back? Maybe. For the cheap room and the chance to learn a new appreciation for a decent coffee? Probably.
Luxury Getaway: Hampton Inn & Suites DC North/Gaithersburg - Unbeatable Deals!
So, "Luxury"? Really? Is It Actually Luxurious? (And Does Luxury Actually Matter?)
Conference Centre? Is It a Bland Business Hellhole?
What's the Food Situation Like? (Because, Let's Be Real, It's Important)
Is It Actually a "Best-Kept Secret" Or Just… Good Marketing?
What's the Vibe? (Because Vibe is Important, You Know?)
Any Downsides? The Real Dirt, Please!
What About Accessibility?
Should I Book It? (The Million-Dollar Question!)
