Andaz Ottawa Byward Market

Andaz Ottawa Byward Market has earned a reputation as a highly-rated luxury boutique hotel, recognized with a Michelin Key selection. The hotel consistently delights guests with its exceptional service, prime location, and stylish Canadian-inspired design.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for Andaz Ottawa Byward Market is overwhelmingly positive, reflected in an impressive overall rating of 9.1. Guests frequently describe their stays as exceptional, comfortable, and stylish, often exceeding expectations.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud several aspects of the Andaz Ottawa:

• Exceptional Service: The staff are frequently praised for being friendly, accommodating, attentive, and professional.
• Stunning Views: Many rooms, particularly those on upper floors and from the rooftop lounge, offer impressive panoramic views of Parliament Hill, the ByWard Market, the Ottawa River, and the Gatineau Hills.
• Prime Location: Its situation in the heart of the ByWard Market is a major draw, providing easy access to attractions, dining, and nightlife.
• Modern Canadian Design: The hotel's aesthetic, conceived by an award-winning Canadian design firm, showcases a sleek, modern urban style with copper accents, retro details, geometric patterns, and art by local artists. Each of the sixteen floors is reportedly dedicated to a particular Canadian province or territory.
• Rooftop Bar (Copper Spirits and Sights): This venue is a significant highlight, offering craft cocktails, light dishes, and enviable city views, making it a popular spot for both guests and locals.

3. Room Quality

The rooms at Andaz Ottawa Byward Market are consistently described as comfortable, well-designed, modern, and clean. They feature floor-to-ceiling windows that provide ample natural light and often captivating views. Key features and amenities include:

• Comfort: Plush robes, slippers, and beds draped with 400-thread-count linens contribute to a luxurious feel. Soft sheets and pillows are also frequently mentioned as a positive.
• Design: Rooms incorporate a white, beige, and navy color scheme with copper accents, retro details, and geometric patterns.
• Bathroom: Private bathrooms are equipped with rainfall showers and complimentary toiletries, with some larger suites offering both a deep soaking tub and a separate shower. Bath products are from the Byredo brand.
• Technology & Convenience: Rooms include large flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, power ports and light switches near the nightstands, and coffee makers (Nespresso or Keurig). A walk-in closet is available in some rooms.
• Complimentary Minibar: A notable Andaz standard is the complimentary non-alcoholic minibar, stocked with local snacks, sodas, and water, refreshed daily.

4. Dining Experience

Andaz Ottawa Byward Market offers appealing dining options:

• Feast + Revel: This signature restaurant on the lobby floor focuses on "New Canadian cuisine," emphasizing sustainability and local products. Dishes are known for combining familiar ingredients in innovative ways. Dinner here is generally highly regarded.
• Breakfast: Breakfast is available at Feast + Revel, with options often included in certain room rates or for an additional charge (around 26 CAD for adults). While some find it a bit expensive, many praise the quality and selection. A barista bar is also available for grab-and-go options.
• Copper Spirits and Sights: The 16th-floor rooftop bar serves light dishes, fine wines, local beers, and craft cocktails, accompanied by fantastic city views.

5. Service & Staff

The service at Andaz Ottawa Byward Market is a frequent highlight, with staff consistently described as friendly, accommodating, thoughtful, and professional across various departments, from reception and valet to the rooftop bar and breakfast service. Guests appreciate the attentive and helpful nature of the team, with some mentioning pleasant surprises for special occasions. However, some past reviews, particularly from 2021 and 2024, noted inconsistencies in staff training regarding Hyatt's loyalty program benefits and check-in efficiency, leading to minor inconveniences for some elite members.

6. Location & Accessibility

The hotel boasts an "excellent" and "prime" location in Ottawa's trendy ByWard Market district.

• Neighborhood: The ByWard Market is a vibrant area brimming with cafés, bistros, galleries, shops, and restaurants.
• Attractions: It's within easy walking distance of major Ottawa landmarks, including Parliament Hill (about 1.5 km), the National Gallery of Canada (0.8 km), and the Rideau Canal. The Rideau Centre is also a 5-minute walk away.
• Transport: The closest light rail station, Rideau, is a 5-minute walk from the hotel.
• Parking: Valet parking is available but can be expensive (around $50 CAD per night). Guests often recommend nearby public underground parking as a more affordable alternative.

7. Value & Pricing

Andaz Ottawa Byward Market is generally considered to offer excellent value for an upscale hotel in Ottawa. The average price per room is around $244 CAD, which is higher than the city's average of $180 CAD, but still seen as a remarkable experience that doesn't "break the bank" for its luxury offerings. Cash rates can range from approximately C$126 to C$336, depending on the day and season, with April and January often being the cheapest months. It is also a Category 3 property within the World of Hyatt program, making it a good option for booking with points (9,000 to 15,000 points per night).

8. Common Complaints

While overall satisfaction is high, some recurring criticisms include:

• Parking Costs: The high cost of valet parking is a frequent point of contention.
• Noise: Being in the lively ByWard Market, some guests have noted street noise, particularly from lower floors. The hotel proactively provides earplugs in rooms to mitigate this.
• Service Inconsistencies: Some guests have reported issues with staff training, particularly concerning Hyatt loyalty program benefits and check-in delays, though many other reviews highlight excellent service.
• Construction Noise: The hotel has been noted as being next to a construction site, which could cause disruption during the day, and earplugs are provided.
• Minor Room Issues: Occasional reports include non-functioning electrical plugs and, in one instance, worn furniture in a suite. One reviewer also felt the complimentary minibar items lacked a strong "local vibe."

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