Andaz Ottawa Byward Market

We ate breakfast once in the hotel; the cold buffet was heavy on croissants and danish but lacked variety in fruit and/or cheese/cold meat; we ordered from the menu as a result. The staff were pleasant and helpful offering a substitution of an eggs benedict for the special egg dish on the menu. We did enjoy the dinner we had in the dining room although initially we thought it odd to be placed so near the kitchen -- but the kitchen turned out to be an interesting place and we appreciated the professionalism of the kitchen staff. We really liked the walk-in shower.

We didn't like the light fixtures in our room -- a flickering light over the bed, an odd light which was not placed where it could provide a source of reading light when in the armchair -- actually a poor excuse for an armchair and the bench was no substitute for a sofa. We also found the bathroom door to be a really bad design decision since opening and closing it cost several fingernails (please, there are door handles which would have been easy to add and use even for a pocket door being used as a sliding "barn-door" substitute). We did leave full details with the front desk. We didn't like having our callers told we had cancelled our reservation or were not staying at the Andaz. Once the Chateau Laurier called to confirm a restaurant reservation and was told we had checked out (which we hadn't) and on at least one other occasion a friend we had hoped to meet was told we weren't expected (when in fact we were already checked in and were in our room awaiting calls). The front desk was also not obviously open for business and friends who came to meet us were not sure who the "kids" were and what they were doing in the bar vicinity.

Excellent food, altough drinks were priced on the high side. Fabulous location, within walking distance of all must-sees.

Plumbing. Rain shower would cut-off about half-dozen times when having a shower, due to loss of water pressure, likely from other guests in the hotel turning water on/off. It was impossible to have warm water in the bathroom sink. The hot water tap was scalding and always overrode any cold water. So either boiling or cold water only.