Andaz Ottawa Byward Market Large Suite Review
I’ve had my eye on the Andaz Ottawa Byward Market for a while now for a visit to the Canadian capital. The hotel exceeded my expectations, making me glad I’d picked it for a long weekend.
Booking the Andaz Ottawa
Andaz is a relatively rare brand within the World of Hyatt portfolio, and one that had eluded me until now. The only reasonably close property to where I live, the Andaz Napa, is way too costly.
The Andaz Ottawa Byward Market is a Category 3 hotel, requiring 12,000 points per night as a standard award. It can get as cheap as 9,000 Hyatt points if you can find off-peak dates, which is an excellent deal.
I ended up choosing to burn a Category 1-4 free night certificate plus 24,000 points for a total of three nights. Cash rates weren’t bad, at $220 CAD after taxes over the weekend. Not the best value for my points, but still decent.
Arriving in Ottawa
I landed in Ottawa in the late afternoon after a lengthy three-segment flight itinerary. The taxi ride to the Andaz took another 20 minutes or so and cost me $38 CAD.
I made it in before sundown, getting to see some of the city before the light faded. Ottawa makes a great first impression, with beautiful stone buildings, lovely rivers and canals cutting though the city, and many parks. I’d love to come back in summer. It’s surely far more green. The view from my room was lovely. But I’m getting ahead of myself.
I’d expected it to be a chilly November adventure, but my trip aligned with an unexpectedly lovely weekend of 70-degree weather. Not what I expected from Canada in late fall. I’ll gladly take it.
I couldn’t help but notice how lively the Byward Market neighborhood. This is the Canadian capital’s shopping, dining, and nightlife hub. The Andaz dominates the area, towering high above the restaurants, shops, and market below.
Andaz Ottawa Byward Market: First Impressions
I nearly missed the front desk because, well, it doesn’t look much like a front desk. But the cordial staff greeted me immediately. The lobby itself is rather compact. The, with just a small area beyond the front desk. The remainder of the first floor includes a small bar and the Feast + Revel restaurant.
Hyatt generally comes through with Globalist upgrades internationally, and the Andaz Ottawa was no exception. They’d assigned me a large suite. It is the nicest room type, aside from the presidential suite.
Andaz Ottawa Byward Market Large Suite
The suite entry was a bit ominous, especially entering into a rather dark room. I found the switch, which illuminated a canoe panel adorning the wall.
Once I turned the corner, though, it was clear I’d have a comfortable three days here. The room impressed. The Andaz Ottawa Large Suite offers a spacious living and dining area, with a table that seats up to six, and impressive corner views. The contemporary design style is simple and clean.
A welcome plate of macarons greeted me. Once I saw those sold by the French café in the ByWard Market just down the street, I knew where they’d gotten them.
The minibar, counter, and wet bar provide what you need to entertain guests, if that’s a need. Best part: all the snacks and beverages are free in the Andaz Ottawa Large Suite, alcoholic beverages being the notable exception.
Hidden around the corner is a half bath, making it easy to completely separate the bedroom area from the suite’s living space.
The bedroom offers lovely views of Byward Market below, Parliament Hill, and the river beyond. Like the living room, it is a simple but tasteful style.
The large suite bathroom is excellent, offering both a deep soaking tub and separate shower. Bath amenities are Apotheke brand.
I was initially stumped by the strange shape printed on the paper coasters under the glasses. It’s nothing Hyatt. But I figured out what it must be, checking my guess later.
Just off the hall next to the bathroom is the large closet. There’s plenty of space if you are the type that unpacks during your trip. I typically don’t, although I’ve begun to when traveling with the kids. Makes it much easier to keep clean and dirty clothes separate.
The view. The view is certainly one of the finest features of the Andaz Ottawa Byward Market, and the large suite offers one of the most impressive. Placed on the corner, you look out over the Ottawa rooftops toward both Parliament and out across the river to the north.
On the whole, the Andaz Ottawa large suite is an excellent room. The fantastic views take it over the top.
But this. Just outside my suite was the one perplexing thing I noticed. If the walls need to be braced, this doesn’t seem to offer much strength. No idea what’s going on here.
Dining at the Andaz
Feast + Revel, the main restaurant at the Andaz Ottawa, is located on the ground floor adjacent to the lobby. It’s open for breakfast every day starting at 7:00 AM. You can enjoy dinner here as well, but only on Thursdays through Mondays. I ate breakfast here the first two mornings of my three-night stay.
Full breakfast options range in price from $12 to $22, with hot breakfast choices near the upper end. As a World of Hyatt Globalist, breakfast was included.
I ordered the eggs benedict the first morning. On the second I went with the avocado toast plus a side of peameal bacon. I’d never heard of peameal bacon before this trip and thought I’d give it a try. The food and presentation were both excellent, consistent with the service.
Taking the elevator to the top floor, you’ll find the Andaz’s second restaurant. Copper Spirits and Sights is a rooftop restaurant and bar that you don’t want to miss. City views meet delicious cocktails, complimented by hits from the 60s and 70s. Copper’s exterior patio is open when the weather allows.
I wandered up here to cap off my first night, well after dark, enjoying a couple drinks, a book, and the city lights. The negroni is the focus cocktail at Copper.
You may need reservations. The hostess barely squeezed me in on Saturday night. The bar only had one bartender, and I arrived just after several tables placed orders. It took over 20 minutes for my first cocktail, for which the server apologized by offering a free glass of sparkling wine. The are several seats at the bar, but these were especially popular. If you want to pop up here for a drink, it may not be quick.
On Sunday and Monday nights when Copper isn’t open, you can grab a drink at the lobby bar.
Hotel Features and Amenities
The Andaz Ottawa Byward Market has a nice fitness center but lacks a pool. The plus is that the fitness center is also on the top floor, and thus offers great city views.
The rooftop terrace is open as well even when Copper isn’t. It offers views of Parliament Hill and the Ottawa River.
I was curious what the “Studios” were on the second floor, so I took a peek the final day. Turns out they are just small, upscale meeting spaces. They won’t work for a large event but are available if you need to set up a smaller get-together.
Byward Market Area (and Ottawa Generally)
The location of the Andaz Ottawa Byward Market sets it apart. The Byward Market neighborhood is a happening place in the evenings, with a plethora of restaurant options. It has a much livelier feel that the downtown business district.
At the center of the Byward Market neighborhood is…the ByWard Market. The public market is nearly 200 years old, making it one of the oldest in the country. I recommend enjoying a snack or lunch at the French café on one end.
Just down the street is the Ottawa sign, which is illuminated at night.
Up the steps beyond the sign is Major’s Hill Park. If you want a river view, this is the spot. You can see Parliament, the Alexandra Bridge, and Hull Island across the water.
Just down the street are both the National Gallery and the Notre Dame Cathedral.
Between Major’s Hill Park and Parliament Hill you’ll find the beginning of the Rideau Canal, an impressive historic waterway constructed in the 1800s. The first section is a set of locks. The canal paths are popular for walking, jogging, and biking.
There is, of course, the Canadian Parliament, just a 10-minute walk from the Andaz Ottawa Byward Market.
Make sure you stop by the War Memorial, especially if you visit the Canadian War Museum and learn all about the Battle of Vimy Ridge.
My unexpected find of the trip was Île de Hull (Hull Island). Historically dominated by a working-class neighborhood and a match factory, it’s now an odd mashup of historic homes and new government buildings. There’s a great little café on the corner of Eddy Street and Rue Wright you should stop by.
Final Thoughts on the Andaz Ottawa Byward Market
The Andaz Ottawa Byward Market turned out to be a great choice for my visit to the Canadian capital. With comfortable rooms, excellent breakfast and dining options, pleasant staff, and great location, I don’t think you can go wrong by staying here. It’s often a great deal at just 12,000 World of Hyatt points per night.
The large suite was an unexpected pleasure. I’ll be sticking primarily with Hyatt yet again this coming year, as they prove over and over again that they will come through for their elite members.
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I park immediately next to the Andaz Ottawa Byward Market five days a week, since I work near there. I think Ottawa is best either in summer, or January-February, when you can skate on the canal. Also, the week it was in the 70s was the week I decided to go on vacation somewhere warm. Of course it got cold snowy right after I got back to Ottawa from the tropics.
Also, I’m glad you had a nice snack at the French café Le Moulin de Provence, but in my experience the food is generally mediocre there and relies on tourists who will eat there once and never return. There is a much better French bakery on Murray Street two blocks away, but out of the main tourist hub of Byward Market.
Thanks for the bakery recommendation! I lucked out with the weather. If I make it back, I think summer or early fall will be the choice.