Hi-
My wife and I are thinking of driving to Ottawa in mid-May and staying for 4 days. I like to be able to leave the car and walk as much as possible to the major sites, Parliment, etc. I've already started to research hotels and b&b's, but would like some opinions and recommendations. Like to keep the price under 200/night. Thanks!

I've stayed at the Crowne Plaza and the Radisson. The Radisson's rooms are a good size. The Crowne Plaza has nicer views but the rooms are on the small side.

As for hotels, I do not spend much time in them and as long as the TV works, it's clean and the bed is compfy I'm a happy camper.

Both hotels are "up river" at the end of the Sparks street mall and it's a pleasant walk to the Elgin and the Cenotaph which for me is the centre of town.

The Westin is most central and offers views of the Cenotaph, Parliament building and Chateau Laurier hotel.
If price is not an issue, I'd stay at the Chateau Laurier.

For Breakfast, I walk over to eggspectation. Dinner in the Bytown area with a few beers at the end of the day at D'Arcy McGee's Irish Pub.

I've stayed at the Delta, which is near the Radisson and Crowne Plaza and it's somewhat tired.

I prefer to stay at the Westin or Chateau Laurier as I find them more central - as the previous poster said both are nearer the market area which has great restaurants and nice little shops. A less expensive option is the Novotel, which is located about a block away from the Westin (they're separated by the Rideau Centre - Ottawa's mall)

Hi-
Thanks for the comments. I haven't made any decisions yet, but the Westin or Chateau Laurier are on the list. Thanks!

If the Chateau and the Westin are within your budget, then either would be fine, but I would take the Chateau any time. Another downtown hotel in that price category is ARC The.Hotel, (the name is a trifle pretentious) a boutique hotel with an excellent restaurant.

If you are interested in a B&B, there was a useful thread a while ago http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34539518

If you are looking for a suite, there are a number of suite hotels right downtown including the Marriott Residence Inn and Les Suites.

I hope you don't get the wrong impression of Ottawa from camlec's description of the Rideau Centre as "Ottawa's mall", which is akin to referring to the Eaton Centre as "Toronto's mall"

We stayed at the Residence Inn -- Ottawa and were very pleased. It is very convenient (short walking distance) to the major sites, has a kitchen, and includes a continental breakfast in the AM. Only time we used the rental car was to/from the airport and when we went into Quebec province. Would definitely return.