2 days ago
Hotel boom igniting tourism and economic growth in Ottawa, experts say
The Alt Hotel at the Ottawa Airport is expected to make its launch in fall 2025. (Kimberley Fowler/CTV News Ottawa)
The City of Ottawa is gearing up for a hotel boom over the next several years. Five major international hotel brands are expanding in the city, putting Ottawa on track to become a premier Canadian destination for tourists and business.
AC Hotel by Marriott Ottawa Downtown opened on Rideau Street in April. The location is ideal for travellers staying and exploring the heart of the city. Two other Marriott-branded hotels are coming to Ottawa. The Moxy Ottawa downtown is expected to open in the ByWard Market in 2026, followed by a Renaissance Hotel opening on Slater Street in 2027.
The grand opening of the highly anticipated Hard Rock Hotel and Casino at the Rideau Carleton Raceway is on July 3, and in the fall of 2025 The Alt Hotel Ottawa Airport is expected to make its launch, designed with a connection directly into the airport's terminal.
Hard Rock Hotel and Casino
The future Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Ottawa is set to open July 3, 2025. (Kimberley Fowler/CTV News Ottawa)
'It's great news when we have investors decide to choose Ottawa for their investments,' says Jérôme Miousse, Ottawa Tourism director of public affairs. 'That's a good show of confidence in our destination and it's an even better show of confidence in our local economy.'
Alex Forrester is visiting Ottawa for a conference and brought his family along for a mini vacation. 'Typically, with children, we are staying at hotels,' says Forrester. 'We're staying at the Fairmont, so it's a short walk to everything downtown, which has been convenient for us.'
Alexander Thomas, visiting from the UK, used websites to help him find the perfect place to stay while in the capital. 'On we got the option to see the map which is close to the attractions. So, I liked that. I booked the hotel,' he said.
Local businesses are also excited for the boom, especially as the city continues to rebuild after the pandemic.
'We're now back to more or less normal levels of tourism and we are growing. We're now looking at growing our tourism, our visitor's industry, and hotels are aware,' says Miousse.
With the Hard Rock's brand recognition and The Alt Hotel's proximity to the airport, Miousse says, 'It's really good for business in general because it just brings people out there to enjoy the surroundings of these hotels as well.'
The new hotels also support the city's goal of growing conference and corporate events, with amenities tailored to business and leisure travellers.
