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Description of HI-Ottawa Jail Hostel
The HI-Ottawa Jail Hostel
A great place to hang
NEW BAR on Site! Introducing MUGSHOTS, serving drinks, food and good times at an affordable price. Free Wireless Interent throughout the whole building. Want to stay in and surf the web? No problem, now you can by using our complimentary wi-fi system available to all guests of the hostel. Have a unique and memorable trip to Ottawa that'll not only include its sights, attractions, and activities but your overnight sentence in jail as well! The HI-Ottawa Jail Hostel is the only hostel in North America located in a former prison that operated for over 100 years. During your stay in this Victorian-era architectural relic, you'll sleep in former jail cells, the prison hospital, or maybe even the governor's quarters! Take a tour to learn what life was like for the prison's inmates or find out if the jail really is haunted.Location, Location, Location
Located in the heart of downtown, the HI-Ottawa Jail Hostel is in an ideal location to explore the city's many nearby sights and attractions while on your prison day-pass. It's right across the street from shopping at the Rideau Centre, a mere 7 minute walk from the Byward Market and Parliament Hill, and a hop, skip and a jump away from many of the city's national and local museums, including the Museum of Civilization, the National Gallery of Canada, and the Canadian War Museum. Not to mention being close to the other necessities of life, groceries, beer and liquor stores. Our large walk-in fridge with individual lock spaces will make sure you are the only ones to eat your food.Inmate Facilities
As an inmate at the HI-Ottawa Jail Hostel we offer you many choices in accommodations, ranging from traditional dorm beds, to semi-private or private rooms carved out of old jail cells. Our friendly and experienced guards (i.e. staff) will be happy not only to incarcerate you for the night, but also to help you plan and get the most out of your visit. Behave, and maybe they'll even let you in on some of Ottawa's best-kept secrets (of which we're one!). We hope to see you soon - and remember: you don't have to commit a crime to do time! Please note: If you do not hold an HI membership card there will be an additional charge of $5 per night. All prices are subject to local sales tax.FROM:
US$30
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Reviews of HI-Ottawa Jail Hostel
HI-Ottawa Jail Hostel has a rating of 83% from a total of 294 reviews and ratings, below are some reviews of HI-Ottawa Jail Hostel
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mayvil8533 says:
“ My daughter and I enjoyed our overnight. Next time we hope to make use of the kitchen/buffet which we dicovered was available to us at a modest price. The location is excellent! ”
Posted: on Mar 10, 2010 // Rated: |
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paulsuwan says:
“ Pretty interesting place as hostels go. Very good location, near ByWard Market area and downtown. My only gripe was a lukewarm shower. ”
Posted: on Mar 3, 2010 // Rated: |
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ney-junior-528373 says:
“ If you want to stay in this hostel because it used to be a jail, then dont!!! Go there for a visit and nothing else. I DO NOT recommend it!! The bed had BED BUGS, and I woke up all bitten by it, itching like crazy and full of bumps all over my neck and face. It ruined the rest of my trip, I had... more ”
Posted: on Feb 21, 2010 // Rated: |
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clarke-34 says:
“ Excellent location, friendly/helpful staff, room was good. Free internet in the room was a bonus. The continental breakfast cost $4, I must've missed that in the reading. I don't mind a cold shower here and there and myself and my friend got one here on both days. The toilet wouldn't flush in our... more ”
Posted: on Feb 18, 2010 // Rated: |
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seeshells275 says:
“ LOVED it. Location was prime. The washroom smelled funky though. ”
Posted: on Jan 24, 2010 // Rated: |
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iainpmmaclean6019 says:
“ The tour is definitely worth it, breakfast is pretty nice too. ”
Posted: on Jan 4, 2010 // Rated: |
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blujeans138849 says:
“ Good points were the kitchen and the jail tour, the rooms were also nice and clean. No real bad points. ”
Posted: on Dec 6, 2009 // Rated: |
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mike03741262 says:
“ Well, I'm home again after 3 months eh.....I am biased.... ”
Posted: on Dec 4, 2009 // Rated: |
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allykay428 says:
“ For the price I think it would be good to include breakfast. ”
Posted: on Nov 9, 2009 // Rated: |
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pasofol4924 says:
“ Interesting place and concept. Worth staying just because of the history. ”
Posted: on Nov 5, 2009 // Rated: |
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chris-green19866194 says:
“ A really unique experience to stay in a former prison but be wary of the creepy atmosphere at night. ”
Posted: on Oct 20, 2009 // Rated: |
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fmerencio says:
“ A very interesting hostel. The location is very good! A excelent hostel for backpacker!! ”
Posted: on Oct 14, 2009 // Rated: |
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megmeg02 says:
“ This jail hostel is really fun and a guy staff is really kind and funny!! But there is a staff who wasn't nice. and don't expect "nice shower" there! ”
Posted: on Oct 8, 2009 // Rated: |
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christianriembauer5323 says:
“ Couples, be warned! We were ripped off. Originally we booked a double room, but we were located to a family room (space for 6 people) and charged for that-they claim it that they usually do that and "if you click on the double room description, the family room picture appears") - that's... more ”
Posted: on Sep 29, 2009 // Rated: |
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rs1944 says:
“ No free lockers available,which is normal in hostels ”
Posted: on Sep 21, 2009 // Rated: |
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holturner8779 says:
“ This is probably my favourite hostel that Ive ever stayed in (and i've stayed in a lot!) So much character, the staff are lovely and the ghost walks are good too. ”
Posted: on Sep 20, 2009 // Rated: |
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volcomchick says:
“ was super sweet! its right downtown.. the rooms are actual jail cells which is kinda creepy but super cool.. free breakfast rocks!! yayy.. there was tons of food.. great that they have posting for the tours. the ghost walks are awesome. also made it more creepy to stay there after hearing about... more ”
Posted: on Sep 17, 2009 // Rated: |
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forfamateusz6180 says:
“ Very special place, I can recomend. ”
Posted: on Sep 11, 2009 // Rated: |
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kristof-solomez5420 says:
“ I'd recommend anyone visiting Ottawa to stay there! The history of the place makes the hostel very unique. The prison theme is so cool! Comfortable beds and a very friendly staff. And also its location is very good. I enjoyed my time there! ”
Posted: on Sep 9, 2009 // Rated: |
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rdoualla604 says:
“ Although the hostel is cleaned every day, I woke up in bed with bedbugs! cost me all night cleaning all my clothes and bags. We did get compensation however: all the costs for washing and drying were covered and we were transferred to the biggest and nicest room in de hostel. ”
Posted: on Sep 5, 2009 // Rated: |
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fbuchanan says:
“ A great and original experience in the centre of beautiful Ottawa - only gripe is that the open cells and the incredibly creaky beds makes it hard to get a full night's sleep with all that twanging and pinging of bed springs when anyone moves. Would not have missed it though. ”
Posted: on Sep 3, 2009 // Rated: |
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bbungs7871 says:
“ The price was different. I didn't know why that was different between the internet and the hostel because I got a confirm mail that showed another price. I didn't know the hostel's membership. Anyway the hostel which was located in Ottawa was so awful. It wasn't resonable. ”
Posted: on Aug 29, 2009 // Rated: |
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sofis says:
“ The guys who received a our arrival we were not friendly. In the morning we needed to leave at the front desk the key Because nobody was there and was close the window. The place is very nice, and close to Parlament. Thank you ”
Posted: on Aug 25, 2009 // Rated: |
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micfrutiger591 says:
“ Great hostel and anyway the only hostel available. Therefore, prices unfortunately a bit high. ”
Posted: on Aug 2, 2009 // Rated: |
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gemmybabes17819 says:
“ we actually ended up visitng ottawa twice on our trip and stayed here both nights! we stayed in one of the twin cells and in one of the double rooms. the double was much better as it was bigger but its a great hostel for the novelty. only thing is the additional non-member charge meant that we... more ”
Posted: on Jul 19, 2009 // Rated: |
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cecarr says:
“ Excellent location. Staff not that helpful when comes the time to ask for bars, art galleries, alternatives nightlife, etc. Right next to the SAW Gallerie which is a must. Would definetly go back. ”
Posted: on Jul 13, 2009 // Rated: |
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Dedepa says:
“ very good hostel! Nice place, very funny staying in a comfortable real prison! centrally located!! very very recommended!!! perfect ”
Posted: on Jul 12, 2009 // Rated: |
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yoshikowada10093973 says:
“ I really enjoyed a stay there,but a roomdoor was hard to open.I thought that it was very convenient that there was a locker. ”
Posted: on Jun 26, 2009 // Rated: |
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mieks1 says:
“ Excellent hostel! The building itself is so unique, and all of the facilities (kitchen, lounge area, courtyard, and laundry) are really great. Extremely helpful staff as well! ”
Posted: on Jun 23, 2009 // Rated: |
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georgiemckay6528 says:
“ I had a great stay at the jail. Free walking tour wasn't that great but the tour of the jail was good. I would recommend staying here, great location. ”
Posted: on Jun 23, 2009 // Rated: |
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ben8111 says:
“ great hostel but loads of kids there on tours. they weren't too much trouble though. cool to stay in a jail, very clean, but very expensive. ”
Posted: on Jun 21, 2009 // Rated: |
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apedden5621 says:
“ Good room. Great atmosphere. Terrific history. Internet accessibility I found to be a bit spotty. ”
Posted: on Jun 18, 2009 // Rated: |
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r-fewster5580 says:
“ It was very much fun to stay here in the jail. Like others, I recommend the crime and punishment tour. ”
Posted: on Jun 13, 2009 // Rated: |
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cesar-lima6822 says:
“ Nice place, clean and organized. However if you go by car make sure that you didn't leave anything valuable inside becouse you may be robbed. ”
Posted: on Jun 2, 2009 // Rated: |
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Matt-Owen says:
“ The whole, Hostel in a jail thing is quite an experience, the staff seemed very friendly and helpful when approached, overall a good hostel... pity about the weather. ”
Posted: on May 31, 2009 // Rated: |
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jessi8221 says:
“ I was a great experience to sleep in a Jail!!! The staff is nice. They organize walking tours, dinners, pub crawl.. They only bad thing was that the showers were a bit dirty... ”
Posted: on May 30, 2009 // Rated: |
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danne2955 says:
“ There was a HUGE party of school kids taking tours of the jail and staying in the hostel while I was here. Some forewarning would have been nice, especially since they were occupying the entire kitchen and lounge areas at breakfast and just when I wanted to cook some dinner. ”
Posted: on May 21, 2009 // Rated: |
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Haydezz says:
“ Hostel was a different experience. Overall quite good, big kitchen, good chillout area. Though the amount they were charging for night time prison tours was a bit off ”
Posted: on May 20, 2009 // Rated: |
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gemmz497032 says:
“ standard HI... clean, expensive and make your own fun... and we did. In a great spot but don't recommend the breakfast. The jail was clean and a fun novelty - staff were helpful and friendly. End of the day though - standard HI ”
Posted: on May 11, 2009 // Rated: |
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willynelson894903 says:
“ Nice little hostel with all the facilities you could want. Unfortunately the corridor lights sometimes stay on all night, which can make it a little difficult to sleep in a cell with bars instead of solid walls. Beds pretty comfortable. Overall very good. ”
Posted: on May 5, 2009 // Rated: |
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Facilities at HI-Ottawa Jail Hostel
- Food & Drink
- Bar
- BBQ Area
- Guest Kitchen
- General
- Tax not included
- Iron/Ironing Board
- Hairdryer for Hire
- 24 Hour Security
- Washing Machine/Dryer
- 24 Hour Reception
- Luggage Storage
- Towels Hire
- Tours Desk
- Communications
- Card Phones
- Fax Service
- Sport & Leisure
- Games Room
- Common Room
- Cable TV
- Library
- In Room Facilities
- Linen Included
- Security Lockers
