
5-star hotel
FAIRMONT CHATEAU LAURIER OTTAWA
If the walls of the Fairmont Château Laurier could talk, they’d likely whisper state secrets over a dry martini. This limestone fortress isn’t just near Ottawa’s attractions—it is the attraction. While the standard rooms can feel a bit like a time capsule (and not always in the chic way), the hotel has pulled an ace from its sleeve: the Fairmont Gold floor recently earned a coveted Michelin Key. This ‘hotel within a hotel’ solves the 'tired room' dilemma with dedicated concierge service and modernized suites that actually match the lobby's Edwardian grandeur. Downstairs, the vibe is pure power-broker. Skip the tourist traps and head straight to Zoe’s for the ‘The Statesman’ cocktail; the room buzzes with enough political energy to power the Parliament buildings next door. For a detox, the 1929 Art Deco pool is a non-negotiable visit—swimming laps beneath pink marble columns feels remarkably cinematic. Dining at Wilfrid’s remains a staple for its Duck Confit, but the real buzz is the impending arrival of Chef Akira Back, adding a razor-sharp modern edge to this historic dame. Verdict? Book Gold, or risk feeling like a commoner in the castle.






