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Hotel Indigo – reviews, photos

3.5 of 5
123 Metcalfe Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5L9 , Canada
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Hotel Indigo
Ranked #15 of 62 hotels in Ottawa
4.0 of 5 stars 281 Reviews
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281 reviews from our community

What travellers say about this hotel
  • Great location(12)
  • Byward Market(11)
  • Parliament building(10)
  • Parking garage(8)
  • Very clean(8)
  • Front desk staff(7)
  • Hardwood floors(6)
  • Would definitely stay(5)
  • Room service(5)
  • Not sure(5)
Traveller rating
    103
    119
    40
    13
    6
Only show reviews for Family (46) | Couples (114) | Business (75)
Date Rating
Bucharest, Romania
Senior Contributor
24 reviews 24 reviews
Reviews in 23 cities Reviews in 23 cities
12 helpful votes 12 helpful votes
“Unbelivable poor services and policies but very good location”
2 of 5 stars Reviewed 30 December 2011
4
people found this review helpful

We wanted to spend one night in Ottawa and we have chosen for Indigo Hotel. The location is very good for visiting purposes: 5 min walk to the Parliament or the restaurant area. Also the rooms are ok in size and equipment/furniture, but half of them (including mine) have no outside windows (the windows lead to the interior hallway of the hotel).

The bad experience however started when we wanted to check in: they have asked for 350 CAD guarantee although we were spending 1 night and the room was already paid for. I hate to give my credit card for this as they block the money for 1 month. Therefore I wanted to pay in cash but I found the amount ridiculous high (at Marriott chain for example it is about 100 USD to cover the possible extras). Their ATM (from the lobby) was not working, it was night and heavily raining outside and I was coming from a long trip by car. I have told the receptionist that we have around 200 CAD cash and ask her to take this as a guarantee. Now she became very rude and refused to check us in, clearly stating: "I am checking you in if you don't give me 350 CAD guarantee. These are the policies". I said that I would like to check in, then go out to dinner and give her the 150 difference when I come back. She still refused rudely. Therefore, I had to walk out in the heavy rain to find an ATM.

Of course, 8 hours later, she gave the guarantee back so all was for nothing.

Concluding, if you want to stay in the center of Ottawa, but be treated disrespectful and like a criminal, Indigo is for you. If you like to be treated like a customer (for a 150 USD hotel room) try another hotel.

I will not stay here again, as their policies are stupid and the staff I met is rude and inflexible.

  • Stayed December 2011, travelled as a couple
    • 3 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 2 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 3 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 1 of 5 stars Service
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Indigo08, General Manager at Hotel Indigo, responded to this review
20 January 2012
Thank you for choosing Hotel Indigo during your recent trip to Ottawa and for providing your feedback regarding your stay with us. It is the feedback we receive from our guests that allows us to continuously improve upon the product and services.

Please accept my sincere apologies for the less than satisfactory experience you had while checking into the hotel. Although it is our policy, as it is at most hotels, to obtain a deposit at checkin either through a credit card authorization or a cash deposit it sounds like your situation could have been handled in a very different manner. We will conduct training with our staff to review alternate options and solutions for these types of situations.

I would be happy to discuss your situation with you in more detail should you wish to contact me directly at the hotel by phone or by email.

Again, please accept my sincere apologies.

In hospitality,

Kim Jones
General Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Christchurch, New Zealand
Reviewer
4 reviews 4 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
“A charming and friendly boutique hotel”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 29 December 2011
2
people found this review helpful

I was in Ottawa for a business trip last month, and I decided to stay at Hotel Indigo due to its location and exceptional reviews. My domestic flight from Vancouver was delayed, so I didn't arrive at the hotel until 2am. I was totally exhausted, and the last thing I wanted at that time was a cumbersome check-in. Fortunately, I was greeted by a friendly receptionist named Randy, who was very efficient and well prepared. He placed me in a room on the lower level, which had better WiFi reception. The room was not very big, but it was clean and tidy. I agree with the previous review that the hotel could have done something with the closet door and perhaps with some of the lightings. I should confess that the WiFi was not fantastic, but there was internet cable available for my laptop. Overall, I really enjoyed my stay at Hotel Indigo, and I would certainly stay at this hotel again when I next visit Ottawa.

  • Stayed November 2011, travelled on business
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Indigo08, General Manager at Hotel Indigo, responded to this review
20 January 2012
Thank you for choosing Hotel Indigo for your recent stay in Ottawa and for taking the time to write about your experience on Tripadvisor. The feedback received from our guests is invaluable to us.

I am so pleased Randy made you feel so welcome after a long trip here from Vancouver. He is certainly one of our stars and we made sure he saw your comments.

With regards to the internet reception, we currently only have wired internet in our guest rooms with wireless in the public spaces. We are looking at changing this in 2012 so keep an eye out for that change.

Again, thank you for your feedback and we look forward to inviting you back to Hotel Indigo on your next trip to Ottawa.

In hospitality,

Kim Jones
General Manager
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Senior Reviewer
7 reviews 7 reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
“Below average Hotel Indigo, good downtown location”
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 22 December 2011
3
people found this review helpful

The hotel is in downtown Ottawa in the business district. I was there for 5+ days in a king sized room. This is my 3rd Hotel Indigo stay in ~ 2yrs across the US.

Pros:
* Excellent location if you want to be downtown or close to the Canadian parliament.
* Decent proximity to many eateries [still a 15+ minute walk], shopping areas, etc.
* Friendly staff
* Wired internet in rooms [was included in price for me]
* Phone was decent enough for long conference calls.
* The closet space is decent and bathroom is nice [shower was very sensitive and could go from luke-warm to scalding in a minute turn!!]
* Underground parking keeps your car clean and warm in winter.

Cons:
* The room I got was ** tiny ** by most standards. There was barely any space in the room with a king bed, table and drawers. Perhaps the double bed rooms are better but these were tiny. I spent quite some time in the room and found it a bit claustrophobic after some time.

* Wired internet?!! In a business hotel and in the area [and this era], this is just plain silly. If you have a tablet, etc. that can connect only via wifi, then you are out of luck or need to go to the lobby. I found this to be the biggest nuisance and would not return just for this.

* They forgot a wake-up call I'd set up one morning. Luckily the room had a decent clock [that for a change was easy to set up]. Still, not good.

* While location is convenient if you need to go nearby [and buses to other areas abound], the area is relatively dead during the weekends in winter. You will need to walk 15-30 min to come to an area with enough restaurants to meet all tastes & budgets. Nothing really close.

* Cleaning staff can be pretty noisy between 9 am -- 8pm. They need to get it done by 5.30pm if you ask me. Can become a pain when you are trying to work, talk on phone or relax.

* Parking costs are ~ CAD 20/day --> pretty steep but not unusual compared to other hotels in the area.

* Even local calls can cost you money; check to see if you are going to be charged or not [Pririty club members get it free]

Overall: I give it average due to location but was sorely disappointed with the room and the internet amenities in it. Subpar compared to my other Hotel Indigo stays.

Room Tip: They have started cleaning the atrium in December 2011 [not sure when it gets done]; make sure you g...
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  • Stayed December 2011, travelled on business
    • 3 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 2 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
IHGCare, ihgcare at Hotel Indigo, responded to this review
26 December 2011
Dear Atulrr,

Thank you for your review regarding your recent stay at Hotel Indigo Ottawa. It is regrettable you were not satisfied with the service you received. We strive to exceed our guests’ expectations and create memorable experiences. We take all feedback seriously and sincerely regret that we did not meet your expectations. I have taken note. I appreciate your feedback as this is our best resource for improving guest services.

Respectfully,
Brenda J.
IHGCare
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Mount Forest, Canada
Contributor
12 reviews 12 reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
8 helpful votes 8 helpful votes
“A refreshing Hotel”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 19 December 2011
3
people found this review helpful

I stayed at Hotel Indigo in Ottawa last week. I loved it. If Ikea had a hotel this would be it. Bright colors, funky decor in rooms, no wall to wall carpet....it was fresh and clean. They have a great little cafe in the lobby. Breakfast was great and very inexpensive. They also serve Starbucks coffee. Free WiFi.
I will use this hotel from now on when I am in Ottawa for either business or leisure travel. The location was great too.

  • Stayed December 2011, travelled on business
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Washington DC, District of Columbia
Contributor
20 reviews 20 reviews
Reviews in 11 cities Reviews in 11 cities
13 helpful votes 13 helpful votes
“Fine but it has much more potential”
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 4 December 2011
3
people found this review helpful

One night at the Indigo was pleasant but the hotel has a lot more potential then it delivered. It was clean, quiet, with good service, but the lobby's beauty doesn't quite translate in the rooms. My room was on the second floor right above the main entrance and it felt a bit like I was right on the street especially with the flags waving in the wind just outside my window. The room was nicely decorated but the bathroom was tiny and cramped. It seemed like they decided to save some renovation money and kept the bathroom and closet doors as it. They should have been changed to allow more space and to modernize the place. The shower has a nice glass enclosure but the set up for the controls get you soaked with cold water as you try to set the temperature. One thing that always bugs me -- $3 for the bottle of water they have set out on an inviting tray. I'm a priority club member and stay at IHG properties all the time...do they really need to nickle and dime me for a $3 bottle of warm water? I'll try the Westin next time.

Room Tip: Not too many restaurants around here. Try Colonnade Pizza about 5 blocks down the street. Ask for...
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  • Stayed December 2011, travelled on business
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 3 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 3 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Additional Information about Hotel Indigo

  • Ottawa Hotel Indigo
Address: 123 Metcalfe Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5L9 , Canada
Price range (per night):* INR8,081 - 14,601

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