Hospitality is the icing on the cake of amenities. When staying at a hotel, we seek a comfortable bed to sink into, and really good water pressure in the shower. There is one more aspect of travel: we may not always remember each detail of the accommodation, but we never forget the service. Arriving at the Chateau-style Lord Elgin Hotel in Ottawa, we are immediately welcomed with a warm, gregarious spirit that makes us feel like we’ve just come home.
Family travel requires parents to fire on all cylinders. It is, therefore, such a welcome reprieve when the front desk staff are attuned to assist.
We have driven to Ottawa. I’m standing as though I’m still driving, and were it not for my son pulling me on one side, my bags would pull me right over on the other. Right away the front desk staff offer us bottle of water, and offer my son the remote control for him to relax on the couch and watch the hockey game in the lobby.
I ask for dining recommendations and the team instinctively enthuses about where we should go, and which museums we should visit during our stay, including the new exhibits popular with kids. That kind of sincerity and congeniality can’t be taught, and it is so appreciated.
The next day, we’re comfortable, well rested, and enjoying the fact that The Lord Elgin Hotel is perfectly situated in the heart of Ottawa, and within easy walking distance from everything on our itinerary. We’ve been looking forward to returning to the hotel to share with the staff about our adventures around Ottawa. As we enter the foyer, I carry my yawning son to the front desk to say hello. Mariyam and Stacey appear with a Teddy Bear wearing a Lord Elgin Hotel shirt on it for my son to cuddle with in his sleep. How darling of them? Clearly, they care, and want us enjoy staying at the Lord Elgin Hotel—and they have succeeded.
In all my travels I have never experienced this before. In addition to the cozy comforts of our suite, including luxurious Canadian-made furniture; easy access to the indoor pool, Jacuzzi and fitness club; the well-oiled valet parking; the safe and convenient location, walkable to all the museums, galleries, restaurants and shops we want to visit; it’s “hospitality” that is the distinguishing feature of this hotel.
On our final evening we return to the reception of beaming smiles from the front desk, as my son regales them with all that we’ve enjoyed on our visit to Ottawa. I whisper to one of them, Talia, that it’s my son’s birthday. Without missing a beat, she excitedly asks me to spell his name for her. Within minutes of arriving back in our suite, there is a knock on our door.
My son opens the door, and much to our surprise, the whole front of house team, Talia, Aleksa, Amanda and Shakeran, are standing in the hall with a candle-lit slice of cheese cake, and singing Happy Birthday. As an extra token of generosity, they hand him breakfast vouchers for a birthday breakfast at Forty One Restaurant on the main floor.
This is next-level teamwork. And this kind of care is one that we remember for the next time we plan a visit to Ottawa and decide where to stay. Without question, our decision is already made. Back in the room, my son looks up from his cheese cake and declares, “I love this hotel. We’re only staying here from now on.”
For more information about where to stay in Ottawa, go to: lordelginhotel.ca
