Pet-Friendly Hotels in Ottawa, Ontario, by Area
If you are bringing a dog to Ottawa, sleep downtown for walks along the Rideau Canal and around Parliament Hill, or in the west end and Kanata if you are driving and want quick access to the Greenbelt's off-leash areas. Fifteen of the 29 Ottawa hotels on this site accept pets, and this page lists all of them: eight in the core, from the Fairmont Chateau Laurier beside the canal locks to SOHO Residences Lisgar in Centretown, and seven along the highways, near the airport and near the train station. Together they average 8.7 out of 10 across more than 11,000 guest reviews. What booking sites rarely tell you is how the city treats dogs once you leave the room: OC Transpo only takes small pets in a carrier, Gatineau Park closes most of its trails to dogs from December to mid-April, and Ontario's food rules let restaurants admit dogs on outdoor patios, not in an ordinary dining room.
Ottawa is a capital of pathways: the Rideau Canal, the Ottawa River and the Greenbelt put more green space within a dog's reach than most Canadian downtowns, but the National Capital Commission and the City enforce leash and trail rules closely, and the long winter shrinks the list of trails a dog may use.
Downtown or the suburbs with a dog
Ottawa is easier with a dog than its government-town image suggests. Pathways follow the Rideau Canal and the Ottawa River right through downtown, the National Capital Commission keeps off-leash land in the Greenbelt, and Gatineau Park starts just across the river in Quebec. The catch is the rules: leash length, seasonal trail closures and transit carriers are all enforced, and they change with the season and with the side of the river you are on.
Eight of the fifteen hotels sit in the core, and they suit a dog that needs a walk before breakfast rather than a car ride. The Fairmont Chateau Laurier stands beside the Rideau Canal locks with Major's Hill Park behind it; The Westin Ottawa is next to the Rideau Centre and the Shaw Centre, facing the canal; The Keon Hotel is on Clarence Street in the ByWard Market. Alt Hotel on Slater Street sits 400 metres from Parliament Hill, the Metcalfe Hotel a short walk from it, and Le Germain is close to the Rideau Centre. For a weekend without a car, I would stay here.
If you are staying a week or more with a pet, three hotels give you a full kitchen, which matters when your dog eats fresh food or on a strict schedule. SOHO Residences Lisgar rents apartments in Centretown and has a seasonal outdoor pool; Homewood Suites by Hilton Ottawa Downtown has kitchens in its rooms and an indoor pool; Residence Inn by Marriott Ottawa Airport has kitchens in its suites, five minutes by car from the airport. SOHO has the best rating of the three, 9.1 out of 10, and Homewood the most reviews, 1,669. Hampton Inn & Suites Ottawa West stops at a fridge and a microwave.
With a car, the west and south hotels put you closer to the National Capital Commission's off-leash areas: Bruce Pit and Conroy Pit in the Greenbelt, open all year, and Hampton Park in Westboro. In winter, dogs are barred from the Greenbelt's natural trails, even leashed. Hyatt Place Ottawa West is on Moodie Drive in Nepean, Hampton Inn & Suites Ottawa West on Lusk Street in Barrhaven, and Holiday Inn & Suites Ottawa Kanata off Highway 417. Holiday Inn Express & Suites Ottawa East-Orleans, off Highway 174, suits you if you are driving in from the east (Montreal side).
Three hotels serve arrivals. Residence Inn sits five minutes by car from Macdonald-Cartier International Airport; Hampton by Hilton Ottawa, with 2,412 reviews the most reviewed hotel on this page, is about a kilometre from the VIA Rail station according to most listings; the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa is in the south end, attached to its casino. The Hard Rock is the strictest here: dogs only, up to 50 lb each, in designated rooms you request by phone, and listings vary between one and two dogs per stay. Its rooms are adults-only, and I would not bring a nervous dog into a casino resort's corridors.
The rules are where visiting dog owners slip up. In Gatineau Park, leashed dogs may use most marked trails from April 15 to November 30, but from December 1 to April 14 only Sugarbush, Lauriault, Pioneers and the Capital Pathway in the Hull sector allow them. Pink Lake, King Mountain and Luskville Falls are closed to dogs, as are beaches, picnic areas, campgrounds and the park shuttle. Leashes are capped at two metres, with two pets per person. In Ottawa itself, a dog stays leashed outside designated parks and five metres away from play structures, wading pools and splash pads.
A traveler's takeI would book the Fairmont Chateau Laurier or Le Germain for a short city break with a calm, small dog: the canal pathway and Major's Hill Park are minutes away, and you will not need OC Transpo, which only takes pets in a carrier. With a large dog downtown, I would choose The Westin Ottawa, which Marriott says takes dogs of all sizes, two at most. With a car and an energetic dog, Hyatt Place Ottawa West or Holiday Inn & Suites Ottawa Kanata make more sense, close to Bruce Pit and Conroy Pit. I would skip the Hard Rock with a dog over 50 lb, and The Keon Hotel if you need certainty: with 10 reviews, it is the least documented hotel here.
4.6SOHO Residences Lisgar
Pet-Friendly · 306 reviewsDowntown Ottawa apartments with seasonal pool and full kitchens
Why guests love itEvery unit at SOHO Residences Lisgar is an apartment with a fully equipped kitchen and a private bathroom, which gives families room to spread out and lets breakfasts and early dinners happen on their own schedule. The seasonal outdoor pool comes with city views and is the obvious reward after a day downtown, though it only opens in the warmer months. Guests rate it 9.1 across 306 reviews, and pets are welcome too.
4.6Le Germain Hotel Ottawa
Pet-Friendly · 475 reviewsModern comfort in downtown Ottawa with spa and pet-friendly amenities
Why guests love itLe Germain Hotel Ottawa is a modern, central hotel that welcomes families and pets alike, with major attractions close by for short walks with children. Dining is available on site, which keeps evenings simple after a busy day, and there is a bar for parents. A fitness centre and a spa and wellness focus give adults some time for themselves. Getting to the airport is easy. Guests rate it 9.1/10 from more than 470 reviews.
4.5Residence Inn by Marriott Ottawa Airport
Pet-Friendly · 663 reviewsSpacious suites with kitchens, an indoor pool, and airport convenience
Why guests love itSuites at the Residence Inn by Marriott Ottawa Airport have a fully equipped kitchen and separate living and dining areas, so families get real room to spread out. A hot breakfast is included every morning, the indoor pool and fitness centre cover the evenings, and a communal BBQ area with picnic tables suits summer dinners. Pets are welcome, and the airport is within a five-minute drive. Guests rate it 9.0 from 663 reviews.
4.4Hampton by Hilton Ottawa
Pet-Friendly · 2412 reviewsComfortable stays with an indoor pool and daily hot breakfast
Why guests love itA hot breakfast is included every morning at the Hampton by Hilton Ottawa, and coffee and tea are available around the clock, which helps on early starts with children. The indoor pool and exercise room fill the evenings, pets are welcome, and WiFi is free. ByWard Market and Parliament Hill are a short drive away rather than a walk. Guests rate it 8.8 from 2,412 reviews.
4.4Fairmont Chateau Laurier Gold Experience
Pet-Friendly · 95 reviewsFive-star luxury with an indoor pool and dedicated Gold Experience services
Why guests love itThe Gold Experience at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier is a premium way to stay in Ottawa with children. The hotel lists kids' meals and a child-friendly buffet, and the indoor swimming pool keeps everyone busy whatever the weather. Private check-in and check-out and a dedicated lounge take some of the stress out of arrival with luggage and tired kids. Pets are allowed too. It scores 8.8/10, though from a smaller pool of about 95 reviews.
4.4Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa
Pet-Friendly · 46 reviewsA 150-room casino hotel on Albion Road, built on the former Rideau Carleton Raceway site in Ottawa's south end
Why guests love itHard Rock Ottawa is built for adults. The hotel requires the person checking in to be 19 or older, Ontario's gambling age, and may ask anyone who looks younger for two pieces of ID. Evenings revolve around Hard Rock Live shows, the gaming floor and the restaurants. The official hotel page lists no pool, and there is no children's programme. The south-end address also means every outing to the Canadian Museum of Nature, Parliament Hill or skating on the Rideau Canal starts with a drive. For a family trip to Ottawa, I would book downtown near the canal and the museums, and keep this hotel for a concert or an evening out without the children.
4.4Holiday Inn & Suites Ottawa Kanata by IHG
Pet-Friendly · 366 reviewsModern comfort with a saltwater pool and French brasserie near Ottawa
Why guests love itHoliday Inn & Suites Ottawa Kanata by IHG suits families who travel by car. The saltwater indoor pool is the main draw for children, and the on-site French brasserie saves a drive at dinner time. Pets are accepted, every room has free WiFi, and Highway 417 puts downtown Ottawa about 20 minutes away by car. Its 8.8 score from 366 reviews is reassuring for a suburban base in Kanata.
4.4Homewood Suites By Hilton Ottawa Downtown
Pet-Friendly · 1669 reviewsSpacious downtown suites with river views and an indoor pool
Why guests love itHomewood Suites by Hilton Ottawa Downtown is a three-star suite hotel in the city centre, and I would recommend it to families who want a kitchen in the room. Rooms are air-conditioned with free WiFi and a flat-screen TV, some have river views, and the indoor swimming pool and terrace give children and adults somewhere to go. A fitness centre, a restaurant and a bar are on site. Pets are welcome.
4.4Hyatt Place Ottawa West
Pet-Friendly · 1513 reviewsComfortable rooms, indoor pool, and pet-friendly amenities in Ottawa West
Why guests love itFamilies get a reliable west-end Ottawa base here: an indoor swimming pool, a buffet breakfast to start the day, hypoallergenic bedding and a terrace and outdoor seating area for summer evenings. An American restaurant and bar are on site, so dinner needs no drive. Pets are welcome. It is not downtown, so allow time to reach Parliament Hill or the ByWard Market by car. The 8.7 rating from more than 1,500 reviews is reassuring.
4.4Metcalfe Hotel Ottawa by Gray Collection
Pet-Friendly · 971 reviewsDowntown Ottawa hotel with a spa, fitness centre, and pet-friendly rooms
Why guests love itI would choose the Metcalfe Hotel Ottawa for a family city break built around Parliament Hill, a short walk away, so the main sights stay on foot. Rooms have flat-screen TVs and free WiFi, and the restaurant on site saves a search for dinner after a long day. The 24-hour fitness centre suits early risers, and pets are welcome. There is no pool listed, so children who need a swim will want another address.
4.3Alt Hotel Ottawa Downtown
Pet-Friendly · 957 reviewsModern downtown hotel with a fitness center and pet-friendly rooms
Why guests love itI would recommend the Alt Hotel Ottawa Downtown to families who want Parliament Hill on foot: the Federal Parliament Buildings are about 400 metres away, close enough for an easy walk with children. Rooms are modern and air-conditioned, with free WiFi, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom. The on-site restaurant saves a search for dinner, the front desk is open 24 hours, and pets are accepted. A fitness center completes the basics.
4.3Holiday Inn Express & Suites Ottawa East-Orleans by IHG
Pet-Friendly · 452 reviewsComfortable stay with an indoor pool and complimentary breakfast
Why guests love itHoliday Inn Express & Suites Ottawa East-Orleans is a practical family base just off Highway 174. The complimentary hot buffet breakfast gets everyone fed before setting out, and the indoor pool is a reliable treat for children after a day of sightseeing. Rooms have a microwave, mini-fridge and coffee machine, handy for snacks and simple meals, plus a 42-inch HDTV. WiFi and parking are free, and pets are accepted. Guests rate it 8.6/10.
4.3Hampton Inn & Suites Ottawa West, Ontario, Canada
Pet-Friendly · 698 reviewsComfortable rooms with an indoor pool and pet-friendly options
Why guests love itI would recommend the Hampton Inn & Suites Ottawa West to families travelling by car. Every room includes a sofa bed, so an extra child fits without a rollaway, and a refrigerator, microwave and tea and coffee maker make simple meals easy. The indoor swimming pool covers evenings, and the fitness room suits early risers. Parking is free, there is an EV charging station, and pets are accepted. Parliament Hill needs a drive from the west end.
4.2The Westin Ottawa
Pet-Friendly · 469 reviewsIndoor pool, spa and pet-friendly rooms beside the Rideau Centre
Why guests love itThe Westin Ottawa is a family-friendly downtown hotel right next to the Rideau Centre, so a rainy afternoon can turn into a shopping trip without a car. The indoor pool and hot tub keep children busy, and two on-site restaurants plus a bar make meals simple after a long day. Parents can use the spa and wellness facilities or the fitness centre. Pets are welcome. More than 450 guests rate it 8.3/10.
4.1The Keon Hotel
Pet-Friendly · 10 reviewsFamily-friendly comfort with easy access to Ottawa's sights
Why guests love itThe Keon Hotel suits families who want to explore Ottawa on foot: its family rooms are air-conditioned, with private bathrooms, a TV and a tea and coffee maker, and the main sights are close by. Private and express check-in shortens the wait with tired children, and the hotel accepts pets, which helps if the dog travels too. There is an outdoor seating area but no pool or restaurant listed. Guests rate it 8.1 on ten reviews.
Local tips
- 1Ride OC Transpo buses and the O-Train only with a small pet in a carrier: it stays on your lap or at your feet, never on a seat or in the aisle.
- 2Plan Gatineau Park by season: from December 1 to April 14, only Sugarbush, Lauriault, Pioneers and the Capital Pathway in the Hull sector accept leashed dogs.
- 3Leave Pink Lake, King Mountain and Luskville Falls off a dog walk: the National Capital Commission bans dogs on those trails, on its beaches and on the park shuttle.
- 4For off-leash running, drive to Bruce Pit or Conroy Pit in the Greenbelt, open all year, or Hampton Park in Westboro, all run by the National Capital Commission; Gatineau Park has no off-leash area.
- 5Downtown, Minto Park on Elgin Street is a designated off-leash park within walking distance of SOHO Residences Lisgar, the Metcalfe Hotel and Alt Hotel; check the City's dog park map first.
- 6Ontario's food premises regulation allows dogs on outdoor patios where no food is prepared, but each restaurant decides, so ask at the host stand before sitting down in the ByWard Market.
- 7At the Fairmont Chateau Laurier, a pet may not stay alone in the room or enter the restaurants and lounge; the hotel recommends bringing your dog's vaccination record.
- 8At the Hard Rock, dogs go in designated rooms only, up to 50 lb each: call the hotel with your confirmation number after booking, and confirm whether one or two dogs are allowed.
- 9Keep your dog five metres from play structures, wading pools and splash pads in any Ottawa park, a by-law rule that applies even where dogs are otherwise allowed.
- 10Expect a pet fee on top of the room at most of these hotels: the Fairmont Chateau Laurier charges one per stay, the Hard Rock a pet fee plus a cleaning fee, so check the pet line before you pay.