Are you thinking about travelling to Ottawa, the capital city of Canada? If so, good choice! This city, built up around the Rideau Canal is a pretty awesome place to visit, whatever time of year it is! Visit in summer for loads of outdoor activities like hiking and biking, before the leaves change colour in fall. However, it’s winter when Ottawa really comes into its own. The temperature is below zero between December and March, meaning you can ice-skate from A to B on the Rideau Canal!
There are lots of unique accommodation choices in Ottawa, but which one is right for you? Well, cottages are a great way to escape into nature, while bed and breakfasts are a perfect way to stay somewhere cheap with plenty of charm and character!
In this post, we’ll not only take a look at the coolest bed and breakfasts in Ottawa, but the best cottages in Ottawa too. We’ve taken lots of different aspects into account that will help you effectively plan your holiday, including travel style, personality, but above all – budget!
In a Hurry? Here’s Where to Stay in Ottawa for One Night
Domaine Dufresne
This awesome unique accommodation in Ottawa is a cottage with space for 6 guests in the Gatineau District. You can enjoy peace and tranquillity here, or you can have an awesome gathering with your closest friends and family!
- Eat at the famous Restaurant Le Rituel
- Play 18 holes at Le Sorcier Golf Club
- 15 minutes from Downtown Ottawa
Is this amazing Ottawa Bed and Breakfasts and Cottages booked for your dates? We’ve got your back with our other favorite properties below!
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Unique Accommodation in Ottawa
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When you’re staying in such a cool and charming destination as Ottawa, do you really want to be in a grey hotel with no character or a noisy and smelly dorm in a hostel? Of course not, but that’s all you can get on a budget, right?! Wrong… If you think outside the box, you can definitely get some unique accommodation in Ottawa.
For example, if you’re a backpacker on a budget, you might fancy a centrally located family-run B&B. That way, you’ll get home comforts (and breakfast made for you) while being close to all the top attractions and nightlife of the Canadian capital! Got a big family occasion coming up? Then check out the cool cottages near Ottawa’s natural beauty. You won’t be disappointed!
Whether you’re going to be in a bed and breakfast or a cottage probably will depend on your budget. Just remember that if you’re travelling in a big group of family or friends, those cottages for 6 or 8 people aren’t as expensive as they seem at first glance if you’re splitting that cost!
Staying in a Bed and Breakfast in Ottawa
There are some brilliant bed and breakfasts in Ottawa. They’re best suited to solo travellers, couples, and digital nomads. However, there’s nothing to say they won’t be able to accommodate a small group of friends or family in a large room or across an entire floor!
They offer a homely and characterful alternative to a hotel, and you won’t be kept up with the noise that you get in a hostel. And the clue is in the name, but you’ll be invited to enjoy a fabulous and tasty breakfast too! Think tea, coffee, and maybe a fry-up if you’re lucky… Or maybe a continental if you’re a little more health-conscious!
But how do you sort the best bed and breakfasts from the not so great ones? Well, that depends on what you want. Location is important – and it’s possible to find ones in the centre. However, if it seems a trek from Ottawa, it’s probably so you can make the most of the nearby great outdoors, so don’t immediately write it off!
Keep your eyes peeled for cosy rooms with double, queen or king beds, entertainment like Wi-Fi and televisions, and a friendly welcome from your hosts! That’s how you know you’ve got yourself a top Ottawa B&B!
Staying in a Cottage in Ottawa
When it comes to staying in Ottawa, a cottage is perhaps the most desirable option. You won’t find them in the city centre, but at least in the metropolitan area. They’ll allow you to make the most of the Rideau canal, the forests and green spaces nearby, and even some of the beaches!
What to expect from an Ottawa cottage depends entirely on your budget. At the lower end of the scale, you can still hope for wood-burning stoves, four to six beds, and big cushy sofas that are a delight to come home to after a long day of exploring the city or the nearby surroundings! Maybe even a fully-equipped kitchen so you can prepare a delicious breakfast and dinner.
If your purse strings are a little looser, then the sky is the limit with what you can get from a cottage in Ottawa! Think hot tubs, swimming pools, and beachfront locations.
Obviously, if you’re travelling solo, a cottage might be a little out of your range when it comes to budget. Unless you’re a digital nomad earning serious coin! However, cottages are well suited to couples looking for a special romantic trip away, or family and groups of friends who want a home away from home!
Domaine Dufresne
- > $$$
- > 6 Guests
- > Free parking
- > Indoor Fireplace
Cottage Near Nordik & Wakefield
- > $
- > 3 Guests
- > Free parking
- > Fully equipped kitchen
Queen Bed with private bathroom
- > $$
- > 2 Guests
- > Free breakfast
- > Queen bed
Constance Bay Sandy Beach Paradise
- > $$
- > 6 Guests
- > Hot Tub
- > Sandy beach on the doorstep!
Chalet le Cozy – Luskville
- > $$$$$
- > 9 Guests
- > Swimming Pool
- > Outdoor fireplace
Springwater Cove Cottage
- > $$$$
- > 8 Guests
- > Fully equipped kitchen
- > Hot Tub
Water Sprite down by the canal
- > $
- > 2 Guests
- > Continental Breakfast
- > Downtown location
Looking for other types of accommodation? Check out our guide to Where to Stay in Ottawa!
The #10 Top Bed and Breakfasts and Cottages in Ottawa
Overall Best Value Cottage in Ottawa – Domaine Dufresne
Let’s kick off our list with an Ottawa cottage that offers an awesome location, value for money, and is just an all-round awesome place to stay.
In the Gatineau District, it’s just 15 minutes from downtown Ottawa by car. More good news if you have your own car – Domaine Dufresne offers free parking. It can fit up to 6 guests, so it’s perfect for family gatherings with family or friends. Thanks to such a reasonable price, it’s within the range of a couple too! Whoever you are, you won’t be disappointed when you’re sitting by the fire in this peaceful home away from home!
Want to save money on accommodation?
We got you. For reals.
Best Budget Cottage in Ottawa – Cottage Near Nordik & Wakefield
This awesome spot near Nordik and Wakefield is perfect for a couple or a very small group of friends. But at this price, even a backpacker or solo traveller could stretch to a home away from home!
It may not offer the glamour and glitz that some of the other offerings on this list do, but you’ll still get a quiet escape into nature, plus a full kitchen, free parking and a wood stove. Who says you can’t ball out on a budget?
Budget Tip: Dorms in Ottawa start from $10USD per bed. They’re the cheapest accommodation in the city. Search for hostels in the area!
Best Bed and Breakfast in Ottawa for Couples – Queen Bed with private bathroom
Now, to our first bed and breakfast in Ottawa. Just a stone’s throw from the river, you’re only 30 minutes from central Ottawa by public transport, and less than 15 away driving!
Not only do you get a big, comfy queen bed in your room, but you’ve also got a sofa and a coffee table where you can chill with a hot drink when you arrive back from a bracing walk in the Gatineau area. As you’d expect from a B&B, there is a complimentary breakfast, and you’re sure to enjoy that before heading out for the day!
Best Cottage for a Group of Friends – Constance Bay Sandy Beach Paradise
If you’re travelling with friends, take a look at one of the best overall cottage in Ottawa! Although that price may look a bit expensive at first, take another look at how many guests it can host. Now divide that by six and it looks a lot more affordable, doesn’t it?!
You get a lot of bang for your buck too – think a hot tub and being just steps away from a sandy beach where you can top up your tan and take a dip to cool off! When it comes to mealtime, all of you can whip something up together in the awesome fully equipped kitchen, before retiring to the large deck for a few beers and dinner around the fire pit!
We’ve tested countless backpacks over the years, but there’s one that has always been the best and remains the best buy for adventurers: the broke backpacker-approved Osprey Aether and Ariel series.
Want more deetz on why these packs are so damn perfect? Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop!
View on Osprey View on REIOver-the-Top Luxury Cottage – Chalet le Cozy – Luskville
Money no object? Then check out this awesome Ottawa cottage. You’ve got an in-ground pool that you can use during the summer, two kayaks, and an outdoor fireplace!
To cap it all off, you’re just a two-minute walk from a private beach. We’re really not sure what more you could want from a cottage than everything on offer to you here! This isn’t just a property to rent in summer though – it boasts a beautiful open plan living room and kitchen, as well as an indoor terrace with lots of light, a lovely place to sit with a book or challenge a member of your group to a game on the foosball table.
Best Cottage for Families visiting Ottawa – Springwater Cove Cottage
Do you and your family want your own private jetty down to the lake? For families that love the water, this cottage is the perfect choice.
This stunning cottage in Ottawa can accommodate up to 8 guests, so it’s perfect for that big birthday or just a few weeks away in the summer. Although you’re on vacation, it’s still a home away from home, so you can make a delicious meal in the fully equipped kitchen before enjoying it all together around the wooden dining table. After that, enjoy either a soak in the hot tub or playing a board game in front of the wood-burning stove.
Best Bed and Breakfast for Backpackers – Water Sprite down by the canal
Backpackers in Ottawa might see that their budget won’t stretch all the way to a cottage, but they’ll find a few B&Bs that are highly budget friendly – like this one!
The continental breakfast on offer here includes yoghurt, muffins, fruit, juice, tea, coffee, and more. It’s right in the centre of town too, so you can use the money you’ve saved toward attractions, bars, and restaurants here on your doorstep.
Amazing Luxury Cottage in Ottawa – Chic Cottage & Spa by river
There are so many luxury cottages in Ottawa that we just had to show you another one. This chic cottage and spa by the river is hidden among the trees in Gatineau, and is the perfect retreat where you can escape the hustle and bustle of the city.
We love the clean and modern decor, amenities (indoor and outdoor), and treehouse vibe on the top floor – you’ll be sleeping among the treetops!
The Absolute Cheapest Bed and Breakfast in Ottawa – East Wind Winter Refuge
The budget cottage and backpacker bed and breakfast weren’t enough for you? Fine then, here is the absolute best bed and breakfast in Ottawa on a budget… you won’t find anything cheaper than this!
Winter refuge is a great place to stay if you want to be near the airport. Although you’re not breaking the bank by staying here, you’ll still have plenty of features to enjoy, including a patio, a backyard, and a swimming pool!
Great Bed and Breakfast for LGBTQIA+ Travelers – Progressive, Eco-friendly room
To close our list of unique accommodation in Ottawa, take a look at this bed and breakfast. Of course, anyone can stay here, but this spot is calls out their progressive and LGBTQIA+ friendly nature – if you like to stay with like-minded individuals, or maybe you’re in town for Pride, you’ll love this spot.
It’s also an eco-friendly option, so you can be safe in the knowledge that your trip here is good for the environment too. The property uses renewable energy and avoids toxic cleansers and non-renewable consumption.
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FAQ about Bed and Breakfasts and Cottages in Ottawa
Here’s what people usually ask us when they look for vacation homes in Ottawa.
Don’t Forget Your Ottawa Travel Insurance
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.
Final Thoughts on Bed and Breakfasts and Cottages in Ottawa
So, that concludes our list of the best bed and breakfasts and cottages in Ottawa. Seen something we like? We sure hope so – and we’ve given you plenty to pick from, if we do say so ourselves! Remember, if you just want a budget B&B in the Canadian capital, or a cottage perfect for a big gathering, there’s somewhere to stay in Ottawa for you!
We know we’ve given you a lot of choice in this list, but if you’re still scratching your head about the best place to stay, let us give you one last bit of help. Just go for our overall favourite cottage in Ottawa – Domaine Dufresne. If you can split this with a few friends or family members, it suits most budgets and you’re sure to have an unforgettable vacation!
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