The Fairmont Chateau Laurier, Ottawa, is experiencing a significant decline and feels much more like a faded “old grand dame” than a true luxury property—three stars at best. During a recent stay, the sheets, shower curtain, and towels all had visible blood droplets, suggesting the maid may have had a cut hand, raising serious concerns about housekeeping standards and hygiene. The bathroom tap was leaking, likely due to a worn seal that clearly needed a timely repair, and the room safe was never fixed despite reporting the issue. Breakfast at Zoe’s is good, but only if you arrive before 9:45am, as service stops strictly at 10am and staff are quick to deny late entries. For cocktail hour, there were no clean tables, and staff warned it would take 20-30 minutes to bus them, prompting a decision to take business across the street and resulting in the hotel losing at least $500 in revenue. The chandeliers and general decor show years of neglect, with little of the old grandeur remaining. Staff do their best, but it is evident that the hotel is quietly dying, no longer living up to its luxury reputation.
Next visit, consider St. Germain instead—Fairmont Chateau Laurier is not currently worth the premium.