By Kylie MacKenzie
OTTAWA, ONTARIO
A little off the beaten track, next to the gallery on Slater Street, yet easily accessible on foot from “capital attractions”, Le Germain Ottawa is a member of a fast-growing family hotel group that’s definitely making it’s presence known in the Canadian hospitality scene.
Smartly curated, nicely appointed and favourably priced, it’s one of the group’s Germian Hotel family’s latest boutique style hotels. Known for her tenacious, inventive and entrepreneurial qualities, Christiane Germain co-presidents the group with her financier and Institut de tourisme de d’hôtellerie du Quebec trained brother, Jean-Yves Germain. Checking in, we almost expect to find the siblings behind the desk, there’s such a personal feel to all that’s welcoming. Since their parents began the business, the family has gone from strength to strength and their first Ottawa property, soon be joined by little sister Alt in the same city, is no exception.
Topping out at 115 rooms and suites, the most premium of which is the laid-back and lovely Prestige Suite, the building is a bastion of easy charm throughout. Bold design meets neutral hues, fabrics and hand-picked artwork. There’s ample lighting, with soft finishes and light wood in the Prestige Suite, vibes au Canada natural. Nice touches in the suite (on request) include hypoallergenic bedding, doggy essentials, DVDs, a humidifier and yoga gear. Impressive also are the “at our service” Lexus house car and driver for all guests, a Clefs d’Or Canada trained concierge and the group’s 100 per cent green philosophy.
All appreciated by guests like us, no doubt—just like our country’s iconic parliament buildings, which we managed to jump to the front of the line to see a few days before their long-term closure for major refurbishments.
The Inside Scoop: Group Germain Hotels is ranked among the 50 Best Managed Companies in Canada. It operates Le Germain Hotels, Alt and Alt+ Hotels across Canada and celebrated its 30th anniversary last year. Today the 20 hotel, 1250-employee company’s ultimate goal is to become the first independent, truly pan-Canadian hotel group.
