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.

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.

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.

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.