Hi, My husband and I love visiting Montreal and Quebec City. Now we are thinking of going to Ottawa for a long weekend. Does anyone have any suggestions for places to stay, things to do and good restaurants? I have heard about the Arc Hotel, any comments? Thank you, M

I, too, would like to try The Arc. <BR> <BR>Ottawa is a city for smart tourists; great museums and art galleries. <BR> <BR>I used to be there once a week for a while and once a month for several years, but can't recommend the new, smallhotels, because it has been a while. The Westin and the Chateau Laurier are big, excellent, and well located, and they are the onces I've stayed at. Close to Byward market, where there are lots of good mid-range restaurants. When I needed high-end dining using company money, I just went to the dining rooms in the Westin and Chateau, which we excellent. <BR> <BR>Depending on your interests, pick your museums. <BR> <BR>For me, I'd start with the National Gallery (paintings, sculpture) if it was featuring an artist I was interested in, them the Photography museum next tot he Chateau, and then, because I have not been there in years, the airplane nmuseum, then the museum of civilazation in Hull, and then the war museum, <BR> <BR>BAK <BR> <BR>

Brian- Thank you! I was beginning to think no one went to Ottawa anymore I had heard about the Chateau Laurier, and having spent a week at a great boutique hotel in Montreal, thought something like the Arc would be good-unless something else better was recommended. <BR>Your suggestions will go on my list-thanks again~M

I agree with Brian and I think Ottawa is one of the most undersold destinations in North America. Here is a link to my travel notes on Ottawa: <BR> <BR>http://www.igougo.com/planning/journ...JournalID=1963 <BR> <BR>A long weekend in Ottawa is a wonderful trip. You might want to consider the tulip festival in May, but really, you don't need anything special going on there to have a great time. Happy contrails.

Ottawa is absolutely wonderful and a great city to visit. Being the National Capitol of Canada it offers a wide range of musuems and historical sites to visit. Great places to eat all over the city, and it just a beautiful city, one of the prettiest I have ever been to. We used the Courtyard by Marriott right in the Byward Market and it is very good. Great location, close to everything. If you are there in summer you can enjoy the very, very British style changing of the guard, complete with bagpipes, bearskin hats, red tunics, etc. I actually thought it was as good if not better than the ones I have seen in London, UK.<BR><BR>There are also some nice countryside drives to take from Ottawa along the canal. Scenic and some really neat small towns to stop and browse in. <BR><BR>All in all, the Ottawa area is a great place for a vacation and I am sure you will enjoy it very much

Mia, I walk past ARC the.hotel most everyday after work. It's a converted Howard Johnson's into an ‘oh so cool and trendy' Ian Schrager-type boutique hotel. I have no comments on the rooms, but there was a recent rave review of the restaurant in the local paper. The menu is so over the top that people actually go there, look at the menu, don't recognize anything on it and walk out. I sounded way too pretentious for me, but I trust the reviewer about food quality.<BR>Here is a link to the review: http://www.canada.com/ottawa/features/restaurants/story.html?id={7EB4B7E9-813F-4AC5-B0B8-63252F5A73D

Thank all of you for the reviews and making Ottawa sound so appealing! Ron, I read a review about the Arc and it sounded good, but in one of those reviews I read about the Le Germain Hotel in Montreal, I think they were comparing Boutique hotel style.We stayed at the Germain in Oct. and it was fabulous...so if the Arc is as good, we would be very happy. I heard about riding boats on the canals? We are going to start figuring out when we can get up there, I would like to make it before there is too much snow, driving from NYC..thanks again...M

Mia, no boats on the canal until after the May 24th weekend. The canal is partly drained in October so that it will freeze into an ice rink for January and February and Winterlude.

I thought no one was going to mention skating on the canal! That was the highlight of our long weekend last winter, and would highly recommend it. We stayed at the Westin, a really nice hotel right on the canal so you can just walk out the door and go skating. Great location -- lots of good restaurants nearby, as well as Byward Market which was great for breakfast and/or lunch; also fairly close to museums and shopping. Would definitely recommend Ottawa and the Westin and especially skating on the canal. I wouldn't wait for summer, it doesn't get any better than this! Can't wait to go again this winter!

My note covers a lot of the same territory as other posters, but reinforcement of opinions is always a good sign, right ?<BR><BR>I'd certainly recommend a stay at the Arc Hotel or the dowager & established Chateau Laurier. <BR><BR>Visit the Parliament Buildings (something Canadians rarely do). <BR><BR>Go skating on the canal.<BR><BR>Take a run out to the Gatineau Hills and go cross-country skiing. <BR><BR>You can rent both skis and skates easily in Ottawa - the hotel should be able to advise. <BR><BR>Visit the Byward market. Go to the Mercury Lounge for a elegant martini<BR><BR>Check out the national museums in both Ottawa and Hull (now renamed Gatineau)or for a change of pace, go to a couple of community-run history museums - Bytown or Billings Estate. <BR><BR><BR>Have lunch or dinner on the Quebec side - Henri Berger if you're rich, John Sebastian Bach, Tartuffe, La Soupi&egrave;re (can't remember its new name)Mon Oncle Tom, Laurier sur Montcalm and a ton of others for more moderate prices. <BR><BR>The Chateau Laurier dining room chef is excellent - a hidden treasure not too well known in the city (perhaps it's the prices which are, um, high). <BR><BR>Also great Thai food in Ottawa these days. <BR><BR>Remember that all Ottawa restaurants and bars are smoke free these days. The same is not true in Hull (Gatineau).<BR><BR>If you have time, drive an hour or so out of the City and stay or have Sunday brunch at the Chateau Montebello. It's the largest log cabin in the world (formerly the very private and exclusive Seigneury Club), with beautiful trails, caleche rides, curling rinks, a spa and like that. <BR><BR>I know this is too much to do in one long weekend - so maybe you'll have to stay longer !<BR>

Thank you all so much-I have copied everything, and we will now just decide when to go! As long as our car can make it through the Adirondacks and (over the river & through the woods ..I have never skated ,hate falling down,but maybe I will be persuaded this time..I do love Thai food and an elegant martini sounds just right~Thanks again for your helpfulness~

Mia, some great advice provided. For wonderful views and all the real vs. Arc luxury try the brand new Casino Hilton Lac Leamy. Great restaurants internally and seperate from the Casino complex. Just a hop and skip across the river from the parliament with much better views than other buildings in downtown Ottawa. If you wish to just walk out into the downtown core go for the Westin (westin.com) and ask for a canal view. Restos are also good there but if elegance is what you are after you can have an unforgettable menu gastronomique at the Baccarat Casino (one of only three 5 star restos in Canada) about $120 (Can) each but the seven courses each come with complimenting wines or portos or champagnes...Truly dont miss this opportunity regardless of where you stay. Reserve ahead though and ask for a window view if possible.Plan to spend at least 3 hours being wined and dined with exceptional service.

Thank you Alex M