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Sonder The O’Connor, in Ottawa, Canada’s capital city
Can you stay in Canada’s capital without spending a fortune? I recently returned to Ottawa and tested out several mid-priced accommodations. My first stop: Sonder The O’Connor.
Here’s the scoop:
Limited Service with Style
Sonder has been buying and renovating properties in many different cities. Their primary model is to open limited-service hotels that substitute automation for personal service, while offering enough of a “cool factor” to attract a younger demographic. They’re competing as much with vacation rental sites, such as Airbnb, as with traditional hotels.
The O’Connor, one of two Ottawa properties that they operate so far, follows that model. It’s located in an eight-story building, a former Best Western in the Centretown district, a neighborhood of cafés, restaurants, and local shops about a 20-minute walk or 10-minute bus ride from Parliament Hill and Ottawa’s tourist heart. It’s around the corner from the Canadian Museum of Nature.
A few days before check in, guests receive an access code via email, allowing them to enter both the building and their individual room. They’re encouraged to download the Sonder app to communicate with staff, if necessary, and learn more about the property. The app also allows you to set up a mobile key for easier access to both the building and your room. I found the mobile key a little temperamental at the exterior door, but I had no issues getting into my own unit.
A studio suite at Sonder The O’Connor
Guest Rooms and Amenities
The O’Connor rooms are all apartment-style units, including studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom options. All come with a well-equipped kitchen with a full-sized refrigerator, a cooktop and oven, a microwave, a coffeemaker, and even a tiny dishwasher. They’re stocked with enough dishes, glassware, pots, and pans that you could prepare simple meals.
The rooms are efficiently designed, so even the studio units, at just over 300 square feet, feel comfortable, though the cheapest units — optimistically described on their website as “mural view” — face the wall of an adjacent building. Other units look out onto the surrounding streets.
As you’d expect in a tech-forward lodging, the Wi-fi connected right away and was amply fast.
Rooms aren’t especially soundproof; I was able to hear voices from an adjacent room. Both earplugs and a white noise machine are provided, though, if you want to tune out your neighbors.
Planning to cook? The O’Connor rooms have full kitchens.
Facilities and Services
The O’Connor has multiple guest lounges and an outdoor terrace, where you can work, read, or relax. On the second floor, the spacious fitness room has a wall of windows, and the adjacent games room has a ping pong table. There are multiple laundry rooms for guest to use, especially nice if you’re on an extended trip.
One of the guest lounges at Sonder The O’Connor
In a small office adjacent to the front door, a staff person was on site and was able to answer questions if you’d prefer talking to a human in person, rather than interacting with the app. A cabinet near the entrance is stocked with help-yourself “essentials,” including extra towels and toiletries.
The property also has a complimentary locker-equipped luggage storage room near the front door where you can leave your bags if you arrive before check-in time or need storage for a little extra time after checkout.
The bright and airy fitness room
The Sonder properties will never have the panache of a historic lodging like the grand Fairmont Chateau Laurier, the subtle style of ARC (Ottawa’s first boutique hotel), the views of the Andaz Ottawa ByWard Market, or even the efficient design of the Alt Hotels.
But if you’re tech savvy, don’t need a lot of personal service, and enjoy staying in a somewhat less touristy neighborhood, within walking distance of good restaurants and cafés, Sonder The O’Connor may be a good- value choice in Ottawa, Canada’s capital city.
The Canadian Museum of Nature is a short walk from Sonder The O’Connor.
Rates
Double room rates at Sonder The O’Connor start at CAD$122-144/night for studios and CAD$147-191/night for one-bedroom units. Rates include Wi-Fi. You can also compare rates and book your stay at Booking.com.
Parking is available (for a fee) in an adjacent garage, although you might leave the car behind if you can. You can get around Ottawa on foot and by public transit. Several OCTranspo public buses stop within two blocks of the hotel.
Hotel feature by Vancouver-based travel, food, and feature writer Carolyn B. Heller. Photos © Carolyn B. Heller.
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