Travelodge Ottawa West

The mid-range Travelodge Ottawa West is a pretty, low-key hotel with wood paneled exteriors that look vaguely Japanese, and two floors of rooms that wrap around an interior courtyard lake, plus a higher section off to one side. The lobby is simple and plain, with gray-tile floors, a light-wood paneled desk, and a carpeted seating area with few chairs, that doesn't really invite lounging. This hotel attracts budget-conscious conference groups (there's lots of meeting space here) as well as families looking to take advantage of the hotel's massive indoor water park -- especially in the winter. 

Travelodge Ottawa West is located in the Carlington neighborhood of Ottawa, just southeast of the city center and across the 417 from Hampton Park. It's about a 15-minute drive from Parliament Hill. Both the Rideau Canal National Historic Site and the Canadian Museum of Nature take around 10 minutes to reach by car, depending on traffic. Further afield, it's about a two-and-a-half hour drive or bus ride to Montreal, with regular bus service from the Greyhound station downtown. Ottawa International Airport is about 20 minutes from the hotel by car. Travelers relying on public transportation should anticipate at least an hour's journey door-to-door, with a bus transfer downtown.

This hotel offers three types of room, primarily distinguished by bed configuration: one king, one queen, or two queens, and pet-friendly rooms are available. One queen rooms add pull-out sofa beds. Some offer views out over the indoor water park, which is ideal for parents wanting to keep an eye on their kids but can be unnecessarily noisy for everyone else. All rooms are non-smoking and have similar decor with beige walls, dark earth-toned pattern carpets, elegant wooden furniture with a cherry-wood hued finish, and framed wall art with images of flowers and fish. Large cherry-wood desks create an elegant touch to the otherwise motel-like rooms, and ample use of floor and desk lamps rather than bright overhead lamps keep the spaces feeling warm. 

Standard amenities found across categories include free Wi-Fi, safes, small coffeemakers, and small flat-screen TVs. One king and one queen units add irons/ironing boards and mini-fridges. Microwaves can be arranged on request. Bathrooms are simple and bright, with shower/tub combos and big mirrors, plus lots of counter space and good lighting. Small hairdryers and soap and shampoo from wall-mounted dispensers are provided.

This hotel's piece de resistance is its gargantuan indoor waterpark, featuring a large main pool with a zero-entry, a gigantic enclosed waterslide, a splash area, and an adult-only hot tub. There are plenty of lounge chairs along with tables and chairs for those who want to hang out poolside, though for the most part it's not really a place to linger, and the space is on the dark side. The water park is free to use during non-supervised hours, but when there's a lifeguard on duty, guests are required to pay a small fee. 

Other amenities include a super simple fitness room with a couple of dated cardio machines and a few small free weights, coin-operated laundry facilities, and a shop selling sundries, snacks, and gifts -- plus ice and vending machines and an ATM. There's no proper restaurant here for lunch or dinner, but a simple, not particularly high quality continental breakfast is served in the spacious Village Restaurant every morning, free of charge. 

This hotel is also popular with large groups, and offers all sorts of meeting and event spaces, the biggest of which is the Centennial Ballroom, which can seat up to 400 people banquet-style. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel and free parking is available, but it's limited due to nearby construction (as of summer 2018) and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Pets are also welcome, with advanced notice.