Whether spending time in Ottawa for business meetings, conferences or to take in the sights and sounds of the nation’s capital during the ongoing Canada 150 celebrations, the luxurious ARC The Hotel offers stylish and comfortable accommodations in the heart of the city.

A huge advantage of the ARC is its location—this European-style boutique property, designed by celebrity design team at Yabu Pushelberg, is conveniently placed just blocks from Parliament Hill, the Rideau Canal, convention centre, central business district, and the trendy restaurants and bars of nearby Elgin Street and the ByWard Market, allowing you maximum freedom to explore the city. The ARC is also extremely easy to get to from the airport and train station by taxi, Uber or transit.

Hotel’s entrance is colourful, trendy and welcoming.

Upon arrival, you will be greeted by the ARC’s friendly bilingual staff with a glass of wine. It’s a pretty solid start to any stay—be it a business trip or vacation.

The rooms at the hotel are elegant and spacious, with a touch of funky (for example, you may see butterfly art hanging on the walls). If you are a person on the go, like us, you will find a variety of handy items here, such as iHome docks and Keurig coffee systems. Most importantly, ARC’s beds and linens are soft, luxurious and perfectly conducive to getting a good night’s sleep. We went to bed really late during our stay, and couldn’t have gotten a better sleep that night, waking up fully refreshed and re-energized.

Majestic King room at the ARC.

Romantic luxury bathroom is featured in some of the rooms at the property.

In the early morning, we headed downstairs for a hearty breakfast at The ARC restaurant. Born in Canada but raised in Louisiana, chef Andrew Willis has prepared a menu that highlights local ingredients and Canadian favourites, along with creole and French influences drawn from his work in New Orleans. Willis is a graduate of the renowned Le Cordon Bleu culinary institute, so his creations are both adventurous and well-presented.

Modern décor can be seen all throughout the hotel, including its restaurant.

In terms of what to select from the menu if you are dining in the morning like us, we recommend the Daily Frittata. Accompanied by breakfast potatoes, toast, butter and preserves, it’s a large portion whose ingredients vary from day to day, and can feature fun combinations like goat cheese paired with spinach and various spices.

The Daily Frittata during our visit.

The restaurant is also a lovely option for dinner. Before a meal, you can relax and sip cocktails or Canadian wines in the chic nearby lounge space. Or, after a day of exploring, sit for a moment in the hotel’s colourful main lobby, at once modern and rustic in its decoration, and enjoy a complimentary coffee or apple. The ARC also includes a private dining space, as well as in-room dining.

Healthy snacks ordered via room service.

ARC The Hotel is a popular spot with not just the city visitors, but locals as well. It’s often the go-to for fashion and art events, weddings and date nights. It’s a place you will enjoy coming back to.

Insider tip: during your stay, take a walk in the evening before heading back to the ARC for a cocktail. If you are new to the city, you’ll discover its best spots within minutes of casually wondering around because of the ARC’s location. And if you have been to the city before, you will smile once again as you experience those beautiful things that make Ottawa the prettiest and coziest city in Canada.