Quirky Places to Stay in Ottawa: Where Canadian Hospitality Gets Wonderfully Weird

Six Genuinely Quirky Places to Stay in Ottawa That’ll Make Your Friends Jealous

The truly distinguished Ottawa visitor knows that where you lay your head at night matters almost as much as which museums you photograph by day. These six establishments aren’t merely places to stay; they’re full-fledged characters in your Ottawa story, ready to upstage even Parliament Hill in your vacation slideshows. Each of these quirky places to stay in Ottawa combines practical lodging with theatrical flair—proof that Canadian innovation extends well beyond insulin and the snowmobile.

HI Ottawa Jail Hostel: Incarceration Without Incrimination

For those who’ve always wondered about prison life but preferred to avoid actual felonies, the HI Ottawa Jail Hostel delivers captivating accommodations in the former Carleton County Gaol. Built in 1862 when punishment meant punishment, this imposing limestone structure operated as a working prison until 1972. Today, budget travelers can sleep in authentic jail cells for $50-85 per night in dormitory accommodation, or splurge on private “cells” at $90-140 that offer marginally more space than what the original residents endured.

The gallows—site of the jail’s last execution in 1946—remain intact, now part of a small museum section that guests can tour between anxious nighttime bathroom trips down haunted corridors. Located just 0.3 miles from the vibrant Byward Market and 0.7 miles from Parliament Hill, this hostel provides both historical immersion and geographic convenience. Think of it as Canada’s answer to Alcatraz, except here you can actually spend the night without a felony conviction or daring escape plan.

Former guests report strange noises, unexplained cold spots, and the occasional spectral sighting—amenities not mentioned on the website but delivered free of charge. The communal kitchen and common areas provide ample opportunity to swap ghost stories with fellow travelers, creating bonds that only shared potential haunting can forge. Breakfast is included, serving as proof that Canadian prison reform has indeed come a long way.

Treehouse Suite at Fairmont Château Laurier: Childhood Dreams with Adult Amenities

For the traveler whose taste runs more to luxury than incarceration, the Fairmont Château Laurier offers a treehouse-themed suite that combines childhood fantasy with adult comforts. Perched at $450-500 per night, this whimsical accommodation transforms a room in the historic château (opened 1912) into an upscale arboreal retreat overlooking the Rideau Canal.

The designers somehow managed to incorporate tree-inspired elements—branch-like fixtures, bark textures, and leafy motifs—without sacrificing an ounce of luxury. The effect is less “summer camp” and more “enchanted forest as interpreted by someone with an unlimited decorating budget.” The floor-to-ceiling windows frame views of the canal that would make even the most jaded traveler pause mid-Instagram post.

Located a mere 5-minute walk from Parliament Hill and 10 minutes from the National Gallery of Canada, this treehouse offers the ultimate Ottawa juxtaposition: childlike wonder amidst stately government buildings and world-class art. While America has its share of treehouse accommodations like The Mohicans in Ohio, none offer views of Gothic Revival architecture housing robust democratic institutions.

Alt Hotel’s “Shipping Container” Rooms: Industrial Chic Meets Canadian Practicality

Canadians excel at making practical things unexpectedly delightful, a national talent on full display at Alt Hotel’s shipping container-inspired rooms. Priced reasonably at $130-220 depending on how many Ottawans are currently escaping winter, these accommodations transform utilitarian design into something worth photographing for social media.

The hotel doesn’t actually use shipping containers—a practical concession to building codes and Ottawa’s extreme temperature fluctuations—but rather cleverly mimics their industrial aesthetic. The result is rooms featuring exposed ducts, metal finishes, and modular furniture that suggest you’re sleeping in a designer’s reimagining of global commerce. The eco-friendly elements extend beyond aesthetics to include energy-efficient systems and sustainable materials, allowing guests to feel environmentally virtuous while enjoying hot showers.

Located in the trendy ByWard Market district with restaurants and shops within a 0.2-mile radius, Alt Hotel positions visitors perfectly for exploration. The shipping container concept may remind Americans of similar boutique hotels in Portland, Oregon, but with distinctly Canadian touches—namely better heating systems and staff who apologize even when you’re clearly at fault.

Rideau Canal Houseboat Rental: Floating Accommodation on a UNESCO Wonder

For the traveler who finds stationary accommodation too predictable, Ottawa offers houseboat rentals on the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that winds through the city like a liquid main street. At $275-350 per night (minimum two-night stay because learning boat operations takes time), these floating accommodations provide both shelter and transportation in one efficient Canadian package.

The houseboats feature practical amenities including compact kitchens, bathrooms with surprisingly effective marine toilets, sleeping quarters for 4-6 people, and upper decks perfect for watching government employees hurry home at precisely 4:59 PM. Most rentals include driving privileges after a brief operation tutorial, allowing guests to explore Ottawa’s waterways at a stately 5 mph—approximately the same speed as downtown traffic during construction season (also known as “summer”).

Winter visitors might be disappointed to find these vessels unavailable—not because Canadians fear the cold, but because the canal transforms into the world’s largest skating rink (4.8 miles of ice). However, summer visitors enjoy unparalleled access to urban exploration from the water, offering perspectives of Parliament Hill and other landmarks that land-bound tourists miss. It’s comparable to Mississippi houseboat rentals but with significantly fewer banjos and considerably more bilingual safety instructions.

Andaz Ottawa ByWard Market’s “Copper Rooms”: Mining History as Design Aesthetic

The Andaz Ottawa’s copper-themed rooms transform Canada’s mining heritage into a design statement that’s simultaneously educational and luxurious. Priced between $180-280 nightly, these accommodations feature copper elements throughout—from fixtures to accent walls to subtle design touches—creating spaces that gleam with metallic warmth. The inspiration comes from Canada’s copper mining industry, giving guests a tactile connection to national history without the inconvenience of actually descending into a mine shaft.

Beyond the rooms themselves, the hotel boasts a 16th-floor rooftop bar offering panoramic views of Canada’s capital—a perfect setting to contemplate the nation’s resource-based economy while sipping craft cocktails made with local ingredients. The rooms feature installations by Ottawa artists, creating spaces that feel more like curated galleries than standard hotel accommodations.

Located within easy walking distance of the National Gallery of Canada (0.4 miles) and a slightly more ambitious stroll to the Canadian Museum of History (1.2 miles), the Andaz positions visitors perfectly for cultural exploration. While New York may have its share of art hotels, only in Ottawa can guests experience Canadian mining heritage reinterpreted through luxury accommodations, all while within earshot of politicians debating resource management policies.

À la Carte BandB: Culinary Themes from Bathroom to Breakfast Table

For travelers whose interests skew gastronomic, the À la Carte BandB offers a deliciously quirky concept: themed rooms based on different cuisines, with matching breakfast experiences. Priced reasonably at $120-180 per night (including the themed morning meal), this establishment takes the standard BandB concept and seasons it generously with conceptual consistency.

Each room immerses guests in a different culinary tradition—from the Mediterranean Room with its azure blues and ceramic accents to the Spice Route Suite featuring rich colors and trade-inspired décor. The commitment to theme extends to bathroom amenities (curry-scented soaps in the Indian room) and in-room décor (pasta-shaped light fixtures in the Italian chamber). What elevates this beyond gimmickry is the morning meal, where breakfast is tailored to match your room’s culinary geography.

Located in Ottawa’s historic Sandy Hill neighborhood, just 0.3 miles from the University of Ottawa and 0.5 miles from Laurier House National Historic Site, this BandB sits at the intersection of convenient and conceptual. While America has its share of food-focused accommodations, the À la Carte adds distinctly Canadian touches—locally sourced maple products appear across all culinary themes, and the hosts display that particular Canadian talent for being simultaneously friendly and respectful of personal space.

These quirky places to stay in Ottawa share one common feature beyond their unconventionality: they book up surprisingly fast. The jail cells sell out during summer months faster than pardons on a governor’s last day in office, while the treehouse suite often requires booking six months in advance. Evidently, the appetite for peculiar accommodations transcends nationality, uniting Americans and Canadians in the pursuit of memorable overnight experiences.