Reviews of HI-Ottawa Jail Hostel

01 June 2010

Liked: Characterful old building in a central location with a novel charm. Breakfast not being included and taxes on top of list prices make this a pricey stay without great value for money, however your options are limited in Ottawa.

Disliked: Customer left no negative feedback.

12 March 2010 Charlotte would recommend this property

Liked: Great location. Right by bus stop! Unique place! Slept well!

Disliked: Charlotte left no negative feedback.

17 February 2010 WEI would recommend this property

Liked: I'm just here for one night, and just got my first "hunted" experience in my life. It's 3:18 am and I am locked in the reception as I forgot the password in my cell, but even I got it I would prefer to stay here instead of going back to the cell. I arrived here almost mid-night and went to bed at about 0:20 and woke up at 2 am as I felt someone/something climbing from the lower bed to mine. I wanted to shout but just couldn't make a sound. I am the only person in that cell tonight. I didn't know whether I was dreaming or not as I was quite tired these days travelling around, but it felt so real. I was so scared that I couldn't fall asleep again. I am a non-religious person, but I started to think whether I should say some prayer. However, if I did, did it mean that I admit it does exist? I did nothing, but put on my coat and went to the reception desk. The guy was very nice and gave me a lamp to put in the cell, but I still want to stay here. After he left I found that I forgot the password for today and couldn't get out. Now I can only surf on the internet and chat with my friend in China about my experience.If you want something special, it's a good place to stay. I heard that there is a hunted walk tour here. Now I experience it for free. I need to leave at 8:30 am and go to Quebec city by train. I may come back again for the jail tour which is only at 7 pm each night as I will come back and stay in Ottawa for a week, but I definitely will not stay a night here.

Disliked: WEI left no negative feedback.

21 January 2010 Customer would recommend this property

Liked: the only place to stay in Ottawa,

Disliked: Customer left no negative feedback.

17 December 2009 Customer would recommend this property

Liked: Jail setting is really cool. The tour that is available to go on is great.

Disliked: Customer left no negative feedback.

10 December 2009 Customer would recommend this property

Liked: It's very original place

Disliked: Customer left no negative feedback.

24 November 2009 Customer would recommend this property

Liked: The property accepts credit/debit cards.

Disliked: Customer left no negative feedback.

13 November 2009

Liked: Atmosphere.

Disliked: Customer left no negative feedback.

09 November 2009

Liked: I don't like this place at all.

Disliked: Customer left no negative feedback.

05 November 2009 Michael would recommend this property

Liked: It is a great place to stay! the atmosphere and the caracter of staying in an ancient prison is really great. you should do the evening jail tour if you have time - it is nice to know what happened at this palce just some 40y ago. the stuff is friendly and helpfullthe hostel is located right in the center of ottawa just some minutes away of parliament hill. there are also many pubs and restaurants in walking distance (5-10min) around the hostel.i really enjoyed my stay there

Disliked: Michael left no negative feedback.

28 October 2009 Raymond would recommend this property

Liked: Good location.Friendliness of the staff. Very special character of the hostel.

Disliked: Raymond left no negative feedback.

25 October 2009 Emily would recommend this property

Liked: This was a really fun place to stay, with lots of character and it's theme was carried out through the entire building. But please note that you can hear everything that's going on because the private "cell" doors are not entirely closed on the top and bottom, so if you're a light sleeper, like me, don't forget your earplugs!

Disliked: Emily left no negative feedback.

22 October 2009 ERICKA would recommend this property

Liked: the staff

Disliked: ERICKA left no negative feedback.

28 September 2009 Michael would recommend this property

Liked: nothing, the hostel was dead..

Disliked: Michael left no negative feedback.

20 September 2009 Customer would recommend this property

Liked: Clean and access to internet from the bedroom

Disliked: Customer left no negative feedback.

18 September 2009 antonio would recommend this property

Liked: location

Disliked: antonio left no negative feedback.

16 September 2009 Customer would recommend this property

Liked: A real old jail -- and one can even discover its history at ones own pace. Lovely and exciting

Disliked: Customer left no negative feedback.

07 September 2009 Fergus would recommend this property

Liked: Really comfortable, surprising since it was a jail.The staff were really helpful and friendly and the breakfast in the morning has lots of fruit, yogurt, cereal and toast with OJ and coffee.Really good and great location!

Disliked: Fergus left no negative feedback.

06 September 2009 Customer would recommend this property

Liked: Really cool place to stay. The location is off set and I missed the drive way 2-3 times but over all was very nice and a neat experince.

Disliked: Customer left no negative feedback.

04 September 2009 Customer would recommend this property

Liked: The location is very central -- across the street is the Rideau Centre (mall). Parliament Hill is only 10-15 minute walk away. Also, staying in a jail is a very unique experience.

Disliked: Customer left no negative feedback.

24 August 2009 David would recommend this property

Liked: Nothing special. Also, expensive for what you're getting but it's the only hostel in Ottawa, so what are you going to do?

Disliked: David left no negative feedback.

19 August 2009 Customer would recommend this property

Liked: Gorgeous place, nice atmosphere, well placed, It's a real JAIL!!!!

Disliked: Customer left no negative feedback.

14 June 2009 Customer would recommend this property

Liked: Good novelty hostel. I lasted about 2 nights before I moved on to my next location !Not really much to do in Ottawa, for me anyhow but good experience staying in the Hostel. Good location though.I didn't think this place was good for socialising especially as my dorm was made up of people studying in Ottawa and not travellers !

Disliked: Customer left no negative feedback.

11 June 2009 Customer would recommend this property

Liked: Good location, facilities & breakfast.Helpful staff.

Disliked: Customer left no negative feedback.

02 June 2009 Sarah would recommend this property

Liked: Staff were friendly and rooms were clean, but there is an open space above the door that makes rooms very noisy.

Disliked: Sarah left no negative feedback.