Swiss Hotel

This small family-owned hotel is a mid-range property with a friendly and inviting atmosphere. The building the hotel occupies dates back to 1872. It's a nice stone structure flanked by flowers and dotted with white paned windows and a red door. The main entrance is plastered with framed articles publicizing the hotel, while further in, a small but pleasant wood-floored lobby offers some seating. Potted plants peppered about the space add a nice touch, and there's a coffee/tea station that guests are free to help themselves to at all times. Other than this, there aren't any other indoor common spaces to convene in, but there is a lovely outdoor patio area with lots of greenery and potted flowers that makes a nice space in which to relax. Guests can have breakfast here in the mornings, or enjoy some coffee throughout the day.

The hotel attracts a mix of both tourists on a city trip and business travelers. Note that only kids 12 and over are allowed to stay here, which contributes to the quiet atmosphere. Guests with mobility issues should also note that the three-story building lacks a elevator.

The hotel is conveniently located in Ottawa's Sandy Hill neighborhood. It's a quiet location right across from a church, but conveniently close to dining options and shops. The property is right by ByWard Market, which encompasses a couple of blocks and is full of restaurants, cafes, bars, specialty food shops, boutiques, galleries, and museums. The University of Ottawa is just a couple of block away from here (a seven-minute walk). Ottawa's downtown is within a 20-minute walk, and many top attractions can be reached on foot, including the National Arts Centre (13-minute walk), Parliament Hill (15-minute walk), the Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica (16-minute walk), and the National Gallery of Canada (18-minute walk). Within a 10-minute drive (or 20-minute bus ride) are the Canadian Museum of History and the Canadian War Museum. Ottawa International Airport is about a 20-minute drive from the hotel or around 38 minutes by public transit.

Entry-level Standard Rooms start at 160 square feet (14.8 square meters), with Superior Rooms adding more space at 210 square feet (19.5 square meters). The largest and most luxurious option is the Spa Suite which measures 406 square feet (37.7 square meters) and has a whirlpool tub in the bedroom.

Rooms are a bit small in size, but they're clean and bedecked in a pleasant contemporary style. Pops of color courtesy of area rugs and accent walls in bright shades like lime green or orange add some pep to the spaces. Many also have red chairs that draw the eye against gray-colored walls. All rooms have work desks with ergonomic chairs.

Rooms offer a great set of tech-y amenities, including 32-inch flat-screen TVs, iPads, and iPod radios. They also come with Nespresso machines, electric kettles, and free Wi-Fi, but they lack mini-fridges/minibars. Some rooms have fireplaces. Bathrooms are small and don't offer much storage space, but they're clean and modern, with cheery red subway tiling in the walk-in rainfall showers. Paya Organic toiletries are provided, as are hairdryers.

The hotel lacks a bit when it comes to features, but a handful of perks add some convenience to a stay. A Swiss-style breakfast is available for an additional fee and gets good reviews from guests. The buffet-style spread features homemade organic fare including various breads, cheeses, fruit, muesli, yogurt, cereals, as well as hot cooked-to-order items like French toast and eggs. There's also a coffee and tea station in the lobby that's available 24/7.

There's a lovely patio garden area where guests can eat their breakfast alfresco. Guests can bring their own bottles of wine to enjoy here. Note that the hotel does not sell alcohol.

The hotel has a nice meeting room that's available for functions, with a capacity for up to 12 people. It's a lovely space with a piano and a fireplace, plus it has direct access to the garden. Two computers are available as well. There's a small business corner with a computer that's available to all guests, plus Wi-Fi is free throughout. Parking is provided in a small lot, and it costs extra.