Where to Stay in Ottawa: 13 Best Neighbourhoods and Hotels

Need to know where to stay in Ottawa on your visit?

I’ve rounded up the best neighbourhoods in Ottawa to help you find your dream accommodation: whether you’re here for a weekend or a year!

Ottawa is the capital of Canada, so it’s pretty obvious that most people want to see Parliament. But that doesn’t mean you have to stay right next to it.

In this guide on where to stay in Ottawa, I’ll take you through the various neighbourhoods in the city to help you find the best places to stay.

This isn’t just a list of hotels: it’s a thorough look at what it’s like staying in different parts of Ottawa and how the locations can shape your stay. After living here for two years and spending months preparing before I moved here, I’ve become an expert on Ottawa neighbourhoods.

Let me share my knowledge so you’ll learn the best places to live and visit in Ottawa.

Let’s dive right into Ottawa’s best places to stay!

My #1 choice of where to stay in Ottawa is the Fairmont Chateau Laurier in Centretown!

Where to Stay in Ottawa

1. Downtown Ottawa (CentreTown)

Downtown Ottawa is the classic choice for visitors to the city. Most people want to stay as close to Parliament Hill as possible, thinking that’s where all of the activities are. It’s basically the only area focused on in many “where to stay in Ottawa” guides.

They’re not wrong: there’s lots to do in Downtown Ottawa.

But that also means there’s lots of people, higher prices, and rooms can book up fast.

I live in Centretown a few streets away from Parliament. I chose the neighborhood because it’s close to train stations (both subway systems for the city and trains across the country), there are tons of food options nearby, it’s near some friends of mine, and I don’t have to commute much – admittedly, I work from home so there’s basically no commute aside from seeing friends. You’ll find Sparks Street, the Parliament Buildings, the Canadian Museum of Nature, the National Gallery of Canada,the Canadian War Museum, and the Bank of Canada Museum all within walking distance in the downtown area.

You really should stop by some of these amazing historic tourist attractions when you’re in Canada’s capital.

Centretown is aptly named because it’s in the centre of the city. You can easily get to any other area within a 40-minute bus ride, max.

Except maybe the airport, but that’s a ways away.

The cons of staying in Centretown: it’s a business district. Much like downtown Toronto, people live and work in Centretown. You’ll find smaller grocery stores, lots of office buildings (which means a ton of high rises), busy restaurants on Friday nights, and less weekday activity.

Personally, I’d avoid staying in Centretown if you’re visiting Ottawa for more than a long weekend.

Head to one of the more interesting neighbourhoods to get a more authentic Ottawa experience.

Centretown is one of the best areas where you should stay in Ottawa if you need to get to work quickly on business trips, only plan to be here for a short while and only want to see Parliament, or because you want to stay at the Chateau Laurier (which is admittedly very worth it).

In winter, many people stay here to be close to the Rideau Canal skating rink. But pro tip: it goes way beyond downtown!

Best Places to Stay in Centretown, Ottawa:

• Fairmont Chateau Laurier, this stunning hotel on the Ottawa River beside Parliament. It’s a great spot for afternoon tea, getting Insta-perfect shots, and treating yourself in Ottawa. As one of the best luxury hotels in Ottawa, you’re sure to enjoy the indoor pool and great view!
• Ottawa Marriott Hotel, a great place to stay near Parliament. More affordable than the Laurier and great for a weekend out.
• Alt Hotel Ottawa is a unique accommodation full of modern art. It has a really unique feel and is hugely popular with mid-budget visitors to Ottawa.
• Lord Elgin Hotel, One of the best hotels in Ottawa located on Elgin Street. A great place to stay with easy access to the Rideau Canal and the Rideau Shopping Centre.

2. Byward Market

Byward Market is a hugely popular neighbourhood in Ottawa. It’s named for the covered market in the area, where you can get great food for cheap.

This area is directly East of Centretown. You cross the Ottawa river and bam you’re in Byward Market.

Ottawa U is nearby, so students abound here.

You’re still close to Parliament and all its fun, but without the price tag of the business hotels and apartments.

I’m a big fan of Byward Market, but not to stay in.

Byward is known for its nightlife, which means people like me that like to go to bed at 8pm aren’t going to thrive there.

It’s also known to have more crime than Centretown due to the number of students and homeless shelters. I’ll be honest, I haven’t seen any evidence of this recently, but the vibe is definitely different when you walk there at night.

You can find great Airbnb’s and hostels in the area that will help you make the most of your stay in Byward. They’ll help you keep your budget down so you can spend your money on the nightlife or eating at the market every day.

Best Places to Stay in Byward:

• Byward Blue Inn, a cute hotel with afternoon tea, free laptops to borrow, and a cozy feel. It’s very close to Confederation Park and the National Gallery of Ottawa.
• Novotel Ottawa City Centre Hotel, prime location in Downtown Ottawa next to Byward Market. The Novotel has modern furnished guest rooms and is a great pet-friendly option in Ottawa.
• Les Suites Hotel Ottawa, next to the Rideau Centre, this hotel features full suites. It’s a top hotel for long-term stays in Ottawa.
• Ottawa Jail Hostel, one of the 10 Most Haunted Places in Canada. It’s a truly one-of-a-kind accommodation unlike anything you’ve ever experienced.
• Andaz Ottawa Byward Market, a gorgeous hotel right in the middle of Byward Market. This is a great spot to be close to museums and parliament.

3. The Glebe

The Glebe is undoubtedly the coolest area in Ottawa. It’s most young adults’ dream location if they want to live in the city of Ottawa.

So it makes sense that if you ask Ottawa residents for the best places to live in Ottawa, they’ll say the Glebe is in their top 3.

The Glebe is located just south of Centretown. It’s like downtown’s chic indie cousin, full of independent shops and restaurants. You can feel the vibe shift walking down Bank Street when you cross into the Glebe (and not just because of the giant multi-coloured neighbourhood sign).

If you’re looking for an interesting area where you can experience the local culture in Ottawa, and find some unique shopping, the Glebe is where you should stay in Ottawa.

Because the Glebe is more of a home-y area, I recommend looking for Airbnb’s rather than hotels.

Best Places to Stay in the Glebe:

• New Renovated 2 Bedroom Apartment, a bright, modern place to stay when you visit the Glebe.
• Elegant Chic Home steps from the Rideau Canal. A lovely home with a patio to enjoy the hot summer months.
• Trendy 1 Bedroom that will make all your insta followers jealous. This apartment is entirely photo-worthy. Be sure to pack some outfits for an indoor photoshoot! Or buy them in the nearby boutiques.

4. Chinatown/Little Italy

We’ve almost gone around Centretown completely now!

Chinatown and Little Italy are Centretown’s westward edge.

They are two separate districts, but I’ve combined them for the sake of time/space. They’re also right next to each other, so staying in one means you’ll be very close to the other.

Chinatown is where I stayed when I visited Ottawa for a month on my writing retreat/excuse to meet my best friend’s puppy. It’s a great neighbourhood in Ottawa with the best dumplings I’ve had outside of New Zealand (because I’ve yet to have dumplings actually in Asia).

Little Italy is adorable, with lovely parks and restaurants that make me curse my recent gluten intolerance with a fiery passion.

Stay in this area for lower prices, larger spaces, and to get some incredible food.

These Ottawa neighbourhoods are more residential, so you won’t find as many high rises. Opt for a subdivided townhome to make the most of your stay in these Ottawa areas.

Best Places to Stay in Chinatown:

• SOHO Residences Champagne for a hotel with a full kitchen and modern touches. A great spot for enjoying your time in this foodie neighbourhood.
• Upscale Apartment in Little Italy full of chrome kitchen touches, a comfy couch, and comfy queen beds.
• Sommerset Nest For Group Trips with tons of greenery inside. A lovely place for a friend’s trip.
• LIV Extended Stay for long stays in Ottawa of 30 days or more.

5. Old Ottawa South

Old Ottawa South is where I’d love to stay in Ottawa. It’s the southernmost area before you cross the Rideau Canal, directly south of the Glebe.

This area is full of classic homes, with beautiful Victorian elements and little front porches. It’s a proper family-style area that just feels warm.

It’s right along the Rideau Canal, so it’s an optimal location if you’re visiting Ottawa in winter. Stay here for easy access to skating the Rideau Canal and exploring Christmas lights at Lansdowne (one of the best things to do in Ottawa in winter).

This area gets the tailend of the Glebe’s restaurants so you’ll still find great places to eat and interesting shopping close by.

Best Places to Stay in Old Ottawa South:

• Chic Gem in Ottawa South to stay in an adorable home with modern features in Old Ottawa South.
• Central Pied a Terre, an older feeling house with bookcases along every wall and vintage touches.

6. Westboro

Westboro is further from Centretown. Technically it’s past two other neighbourhoods, but I’m lumping them all together here.

For this post, Westboro is going to include Hintonburg and Wellington Village.

Westboro is like the Glebe in that it’s full of local restaurants and shops – including famous places like SuzyQ Doughnuts.

I love wandering the streets in Westboro for boutiques, yummy baked goods, and the smell of coffee wafting from all of the local cafes.

You can easily spend a week in Westboro and never actually leave the neighbourhood.

On top of the great things to do inside, there are tons of outdoor benefits to the area.

Staying in Westboro gives you easy access to Westboro Beach, the Ottawa River Pathway, and Remic Rapids Park. These are the perfect outdoor spaces for anyone who is active or wants to soak up some sun.

Westboro is where to stay in Ottawa during the warm months, especially if you’re looking for some outdoor fun.

Best Places to Stay in Westboro:

• Chic Guest Suite with Private Sunroom, the best spot in Westboro to enjoy the summer sun and the autumn foliage.
• Beautiful 1 Bedroom Cottage in Hintonburg to feel cozy chic during your stay in Ottawa.
• Best Two-Bedroom in Westboro Beach to enjoy an exposed brick loft-style apartment. Where to stay in Ottawa to enjoy the beach in summer.
• Hintonburg School House Loft, to stay in the most unique accommodation in this unique area. This gorgeous apartment is in an old school house converted into these stunning apartments.
• Modern Central Hideaway where you can enjoy Westboro with a bright, large window to take in the adorable neighbourhood.

7. Hull

Technically, we’re leaving Ottawa for this one, but stay with me!

Ottawa butts right against Quebec. Across the Ottawa River, you’ll find Hull.

This Quebec city is more a part of Ottawa than Quebec in my mind, since so many people live in Hull and commute to Ottawa.

If you’re looking to save some money, I recommend staying in Hull. Prices are drastically cheaper than in Ottawa proper due to the different taxes in Quebec.

The only catch: you’ll need a car if you’re planning to go to Ottawa a lot. Or plan an Uber budget.

Unfortunately, there isn’t a great bus system to get you from the Quebec side to the Ontario side. It’s long and tedious waiting for that one bus.

Don’t waste your time: use your savings to pay for a car to help you get around more easily. Plus, it’ll let you take advantage of the gorgeous hiking in the Gatineau Hills.

Hull is very popular with young professionals and students looking to save some money. That means there’s lots of budget-friendly food in the area that tastes great but won’t break your budget.

Best Places to Stay in Hull:

• Les Suites, a lovely hotel to stay in Hull.
• Prince Eddy 1 Bedroom with a boho feel and a cozy kitchen.
• King Eddy for a great working location with exposed beam ceilings and a lovely loft-style bedroom.

Best Neighbourhoods to Stay in Outside of Downtown Ottawa

8. Nepean

Nepean is located west of Ottawa’s centre. Here you’ll find large suburban houses, populated by a diverse mix of people from different ethnicities and economic backgrounds.

Nepean is an amazing Ottawa neighbourhood where you can live very comfortably for far less than in most major Canadian cities.

You’ll love the large houses you can buy for the same price as an apartment in Ottawa’s downtown core.

Nepean has regular buses that service commuters to the Centretown offices of government employees.

Check out the Sandman Signature Ottawa Airport Hotel in Nepean for your trip!

9. Kanata

Kanata is a popular neighbourhood West of Ottawa, located along the edge of the Ottawa River. This area leaves behind the urban feel of the city for a more rural lifestyle.

You may even find some farms with cows!

Kanata is where I got my dog, so I spent a lot of time over there visiting him when he was a puppy. It’s got tons of open space with lower housing costs that make it very appealing to people who want some quieter days.

The only negative of Kanata is that it’s further from public transport. Some areas aren’t serviced by buses to Ottawa, so you’ll need a car to get to and from.

I moved to Kanata during my second year in Ottawa and it’s SO lovely. Just a 20 minute drive to downtown, it’s away from the noise. Plus it’s got tons of green areas if you’re traveling with your dog.

Brookstreet hotel is my #1 choice for where to stay in Kanata!

10. Orleans

Orleans is east of downtown Ottawa. This area is more suburban. I equate it to the suburban neighbourhood I grew up in, Etobicoke. It’s on the edge of the city life, but has a distinct slowness to it that makes it easier to live in.

Many people choose Orleans for similar reasons to Kanata: it has more space and a quieter feel.

But Orleans has the advantage of having more bus services ensuring that people can easily get to downtown if they need to.

I recommend the Holiday Inn in Orleans!

11. Vanier

Vanier is a popular location for cheaper accommodations in Ottawa.

Located across the Rideau River, just past Byward Market, lies this more industrial area.

Vanier is home to cheaper apartments, which attracts a lot of young professionals and students looking to save some money.

Vanier is very accessible by public transit. Almost everyone who lives in Vanier works or studies in downtown Ottawa. This makes it easy for them to get to work or school each day.

There’s not a lot happening in Vanier outside of housing and grocery stores. You won’t find the clubs that you will near Byward.

Check out Simply Stays for your visit to Vanier!

12. Barrhaven

Barrhaven is a suburban area outside of downtown Ottawa. It’s southwest of the city, putting you closer to the Ottawa airport.

However, you’re not directly under the flight path, so you don’t have to worry about overt noise.

Barrhaven is a fast growing suburban area that has become a very attractive place for young home buyers and immigrants looking for a nice house without the crazy downtown prices. These are often newer builds, which also offers more bang for your buck.

Barrhaven is like the up and coming Orleans, which makes it one of the best places to live in Ottawa with a family.

I recommend Bliss Home in Barrhavenen for the whole family!

13. Where to Stay by the Ottawa Airport

If you’re looking for a place to stay by the airport, these are your best options. But note that the airport is about 30 minutes away from the city center by car. This means that you shouldn’t stay at an airport hotel if you plan to spend every day downtown.

However, these hotels make great options when you’re leaving on an early flight or arriving late at night.

I recommend the Hilton Garden Inn Ottawa Airport!

How to Decide Where to Stay in Ottawa

With all these options of where to stay in Ottawa, it can be hard to decide what’s the best option for you.

With this helpful neighbourhood guide, you can see the different feels of each Ottawa neighbourhood and now you know the most popular areas to help you get an idea of what fits with your kind of trip.

For example, if you know you don’t want to rent a car, then Hull isn’t the best place for you to stay in Ottawa. Or if you know you want to go out at night, you’ll prefer Byward Market area.

To help you decide, I recommend focusing on these four points:

• What’s your budget? This will help figure out if certain areas are out of your price range. For example, there are only a few hostels in Ottawa and they’re near Byward, so you’ll have a more restrictive search pool.
• Will you have a car? This can rule out some further neighbourhoods.
• How long are you staying? Shorter trips make more sense if you stay in Centretown or the Glebe so you don’t have to commute every day.
• What are you looking to do in Ottawa? Hikers will prefer Westboro or Hull. Museum goers will love the Glebe for its central location. Skaters will prefer to stay in south Chinatown or Old Ottawa South to be near the entrances to the Rideau Canal.

Ultimately, the choice is yours!

Closing Thoughts: Best Neighbourhoods in Ottawa

There’s really no bad place when thinking of where to stay in Ottawa. It’s a very safe city that I always feel comfortable walking in alone.

Even at night alongside the canal, I’ve never had a problem or felt unsafe.

Whether you’re looking to find temporary or permanent accommodation in Ottawa, you can’t go wrong with these amazing neighbourhoods.

Enjoy your time in Canada’s capital!

FAQs

Where should I stay in Ottawa on a budget?

If you’re looking to save some money while visiting Ottawa, Vanier can be a great option. This area has cheaper housing and is only a short bus or car ride away from downtown. The neighbourhoods of Barhaven and Orleans are also great for finding affordable housing with easy access to the airport.

Where should I stay in Ottawa if I’m looking for nightlife?

The ByWard Market area is the best option if you’re looking for an active night life. The area is full of pubs, clubs and bars. Plus, you’ll be close to many other attractions in downtown Ottawa. Westboro is another great option with its unique mix of nightlife spots.

What is the nicest area in Ottawa?

The nicest area in Ottawa would have to be the Glebe. This is an upscale neighbourhood that’s full of Victorian-style homes and leafy streets. It’s one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Ottawa and has a strong sense of community. The Glebe is also close to many restaurants, parks and museums making it a great spot for tourists and locals alike!

Where to stay in Ottawa for the first time?

For a first time visit to Ottawa, I recommend you stay in Downtown/Centretown. This is the area closest to Parliament, the Rideau Canal, and a number of other attractions. This will minimize your need for public transport or taxis, allow you to see the best of Ottawa, and keep you close to the best restaurants.

Where to stay in Ottawa with family?

If you’re visiting Ottawa with your family, the neighbourhoods of Kanata and Barrhaven are great spots. These areas are close to shopping centres, parks, movie theatres and more – perfect for a day out with the whole family! They also offer better value for hotels than downtown Ottawa.

Are there slums in Ottawa?

No, there are no slums in Ottawa. The city is a safe and prosperous place with low crime rates. Even in the less affluent neighbourhoods, you are unlikely to encounter any serious levels of poverty or crime. Ottawa’s citizens are proud to call this city their home!

Is it easy to get around Ottawa without a car?

Yes, it’s easy to get around Ottawa without a car. Public transport is efficient and there are options for biking and walking as well. The OC Transpo bus system has an extensive network that covers the entire city and many of the attractions are close together making it easy to explore on foot or by bike. In addition, there are ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft that you can use to get around the city. So, no matter how you choose to explore Ottawa, you won’t have trouble getting around!

How far is downtown Ottawa from the airport?

The Ottawa International Airport is located approximately 20km away from downtown Ottawa. It takes around 25-30 minutes by car with no traffic, or you can take the express bus which will take about 40 minutes.

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