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THE 5 BEST Ottawa Traveller Resources
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What travellers are saying
- PookyCakeVictoria, Canada14,832 contributionsI know – shame on me for revealing my politics in this review, but there’s just no way around it seeing as I attended Ottawa’s Shaw Centre for the above-named event! I will try to keep this review short and address it in two parts: 1) The convention; and, 2) The venue.
THE CONVENTION: I attended my first Liberal Convention in 2016 @ Winnipeg. Being new and ignorant to the formal process back then, I dutifully attended various of the plenaries, policy “work sessions,” regional caucuses and keynote addresses. I quickly learned, back then, that unless you’re a hard-core ideologue (which I am not) the only sessions really worthwhile are the keynote speakers. The workshops are kind of a waste of time. As such, I basically just attended future conventions because it offered discounted rates and allowed me to visit places in this country that I haven’t been to before. Ottawa is a case in point! As for this convention, I registered and then left to play tourist until the keynote addresses from Prime Minister Trudeau and, later, Jean Chretien. The latter’s speech was particularly good, highlighting 90-60-30!
THE VENUE: Ottawa’s Shaw Centre opened in 2011, following the demolition of the Ottawa Congress Centre in 2009. In operation for 12 years, the Centre is ideally located in the heart of downtown and, thus, if you’re here for a conference or some other event, it’s within easy walking distance of most hotels. It’s also situated next to the iconic Rideau Canal. There are photo-ops a-plenty! The all-glass façade looks particularly stunning during the golden hour, set as it is alongside the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Indeed, it is little wonder the Shaw Centre won the APEX Award, in 2021, for “Best Convention Centre in the World.” The layout and design make for an enriching experience!Written September 11, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Rebby2kNew Castle, PA2,194 contributionsPretty much the only useful feature of this place is the dispensary for the free parliament tour tickets. On a weekday in the fall I waited until 15 minutes to 9am to join the line. There were about 50 people ahead of me by then. They opened up the doors a little after 9am. The doors lead right to desk that hands out the timed tickets. Even with the people ahead of me, I was able to get a ticket to the first tour of the day, 9:20. I had to scurry over across the street to the Centre Block entrance, but the rush was worth it. The system they have works well, cards with times boldly printed on a wall and you just pick from the times available on the wall. Tours available in French and English.Written September 23, 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- DowneastCornhuskerNebraska396 contributionsAll research is by appointment with prior requests with time admission for half days etc. You can't just show up.Written June 14, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- futtock21London, UK17,274 contributionsThis is the downtown site of the Ottawa Public Library at the corner of Metcalfe Street and Laurier Avenue West which has branches throughout the Ottawa Carleton region as well as two mobile libraries. It is on the site of the original Carnegie Library from which only a single stained glass window remains. It’s built in reinforced concrete a 1970s brutalist style. It currently has a small display of musical instruments.Written July 30, 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Domenico BCaledon, Canada26 contributionsGenerally not well laid out for a wedding. It may be okay for a convention. The ceremony was located on the second floor and was not very well placarded. Employees could not tell us where or if there were elevators to get to the second floor for handicapped people that couldn't climb the stairs. We finally were brought through back hallways and the kitchen to the service elevator. The first dinner course was a very poor penne and tomato sauce pasta. The Pasta was served white with a little scoop of sauce on top. The pasta was cold and overcooked. The second course was a winner the meat and vegetable dish was very good. Service was not up to par with other wedding venues. It seemed the employees did not have much training. Overall on the facilty I wood give a failure, and on the food just a pass.Written December 30, 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Margret2014Ottawa, Canada25 contributionsThe lounge is great but it closes at 6pm. This is typical of Ottawa who aspires to be a big city but remains a village. Travellers need a lounge to be available longer, minimum 10pm or even longer. It must be the only lounge in the airport to close at 6pm. Very very disappointedWritten April 12, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
