Plan the ultimate girls’ weekend in Ottawa with our guide to the best spots for relaxation, dining, and fun in Canada’s capital. From luxurious stays at the Andaz Ottawa to indulgent spa experiences at Nordik Spa-Nature, discover how to make the most of your getaway.
Planning a quick getaway for some much-needed pampering? Make sure you put our nation’s capital on your list of must-visit destinations. Ottawa is a fantastic option. It is easily accessible by car, airplane, or train, and it has all you need for a fun and relaxing weekend staycation.
Getting away from it all doesn’t have to mean a long and arduous journey. Living in Ontario, we have a wealth of amazing places to explore, and Ottawa ranks high on the list with a unique mixture of cultural attractions, culinary delights, inviting accommodations, and of course – a premium Nordik spa nearby.
Ready to plan your next trip to the capital? Here are my recommendations for how to enjoy an unforgettable girl’s weekend in Ottawa.
How to get to Ottawa
When planning a quick getaway, you want to maximize the short amount of time that you have. I live in the Greater Toronto Area, so there are a plethora of options when it comes to getting to Ottawa – whether it’s planes, trains or automobiles, you have your pick depending on your budget and lifestyle.
Each option has its pros and cons, but this time, my travel companion and I opted for VIA Rail. I recently travelled using VIA Rail for a business trip and was impressed with the low-stress option for getting from A to B. We also didn’t relish the idea of driving for that distance or having to deal with the airport, so we were on board with getting aboard!
Given that this was a girl’s trip, we didn’t mind the 4.5-hour train ride because it gave us the perfect opportunity to catch up while riding in style. With food and drink options, the opportunity to get up and stretch our legs, and a smooth boarding experience, the train was a wonderful way to travel to Ottawa.
Reservations were also easy to make online as VIA Rail recently updated their online booking system. Be sure to check their website every Tuesday for discounts on various routes.
Where to Stay in Ottawa
There are some great places to stay in Ottawa, such as the famous Chateau Laurier and the Westin Ottawa Hotel. For our Ottawa girl’s weekend, we wanted to stay in the heart of the action in Ottawa, so Andaz Ottawa ByWard Market, located in the Byward Market neighbourhood, was the perfect option. Andaz Ottawa ByWard Market is a contemporary, luxurious hotel that features Canadian-designed rooms.
Upon entering the bright lobby with chic furnishings, we noticed there was a short queue for check-in. We were pleasantly surprised by the team circulating the line with complimentary glasses of wine, which made our short wait for check-in a breeze.
This was just one example of the high level of service the hotel prides itself on. Another instance of the wonderful hospitality was when we had to leave our luggage in storage after checking out the next day, and the front desk team was accommodating, helpful and friendly.
The room itself was clean and modern and had excellent amenities. Some amenities of note were the rain-head shower, in-room Keurig, mini fridge and large-screen TV. Each room in the Andaz is designed by Canadian interior design firm Mason Studio and includes locally inspired touches.
With a minimalist vibe and a great view of the market (floor-to-ceiling windows), it was the ideal landing pad for a weekend of fun. The hotel has an on-site restaurant, Feast + Revel, and Ottawa’s highest rooftop lounge, Copper Spirits & Sights, which my girlfriend had visited on another occasion and enjoyed a fun night of cocktails and music.
The hotel amenities also include free WI-FI, room service, digital check-in/out, and a fitness centre, to name a few.
When it comes to location, Andaz Ottawa can’t be beaten. It is located within steps of shopping (Byward Market or the CF Rideau Centre), restaurants, and cultural attractions. Walk a little further, and you’ll be at Parliament Hill or the National Gallery of Canada, two places we explored during our stay at the Andaz Ottawa.
Where to Dine in Ottawa
Being there for just a weekend girl’s getaway meant curating our dining experiences so that we could experience the best experiences that the city has to offer. You’re in luck because I’ve done the hard (and delicious) job of finding some of the best places to eat in Ottawa!
A well-known iconic dining experience in Ottawa is the Afternoon Tea at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier, so this was on the top of our list for our girls’ getaway. When arriving at the gorgeous Fairmont, take a moment to enjoy the beautiful architecture before stepping into the bustling lobby of one of the busiest hotels in the city.
The Afternoon Tea dining option takes place in Zoe Restaurant, and there are a few seating times you can choose from. We opted for the earlier seating and treated the meal as our lunch.
The meal comes as a set menu with an option to select your tea. I added one of my favourite cocktails, a French 75, to my meal since I have a soft spot for a bubbly beverage with sweets.
The menu is consistent with typical afternoon teas and is served on a 3-tiered tower – starting with the savouries at the bottom, including freshly baked scones, clotted cream and fruit preserves and heading up to a selection of exquisite desserts. Key standouts of this particular Afternoon Tea were the Coronation Chicken croissant and the Chamomile and Vanilla teacake.
Another wonderful part of the Afternoon Tea experience was the people-watching. It was so lovely to see couples on dates, groups of ladies enjoying bridal showers, and multi-generational families having special moments together.
A memorable restaurant that comes highly recommended is Ember. We enjoyed a late dinner at this hip spot within walking distance from the hotel and right in the heart of the Byward Market area. The restaurant has a cool, modern and fun vibe.
I was impressed by the options for both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options – my cocktail came garnished with homemade fruit leather, which was a quirky (and tasty) touch.
When it comes to food, you can expect many delicious moments throughout your meal. The Spicy Crispy Tuna trio, Smoky Eggplant Dip, Salmon Crudo and Summer Pesto Pappardelle were all excellent, and despite being full, we couldn’t resist ordering the pavlova for dessert, which we loved. With a stunning menu coupled with energetic and attentive service, Ember is an absolute must-try for your next Ottawa trip.
Our gourmet experiences were topped off with lunch at the Nordik Spa-Nature Chelsea. After a relaxing and rejuvenating spa experience (more on that below), we had lunch at the on-site restaurant. You can expect a tranquil, relaxing atmosphere that permeates the restaurant as many of the diners mill about in their fluffy spa robes. The scenery is lush with plants, and the restaurant has options to sit outside, in between, or indoors.
The menu offers an array of dishes featuring locally sourced, seasonal ingredients and is known for its modern twist on classic favourites.
I enjoyed a refreshing Blackberry Lavender Collins, and my friend opted for their iced tea. The menu options all looked so delicious, so we asked for recommendations and ended up with the tastiest bruschetta I’ve ever had, a lovely duck dish and a beautifully prepared salmon course. Of course, no meal is complete without dessert, so we had to try the creme brulee, which featured a ginger and bergamot flavour and was, predictably, divine.
The Nordik Spa Experience
Now, to the highlight of our getaway. The Nordik Spa-Nature Chelsea is a short 15-minute drive from the ByWard Market area that we were staying in. The walk up to the spa front desk prepared us for a relaxing, restful break from the everyday stresses of life – with the sound of gently burbling water and chimes, we knew we were going to embark on a peaceful retreat, if only for a few hours.
The front desk team greeted us with our spa bracelets, which would give us access to our lockers and the various saunas and pools on the property and would enable us to purchase any meals and drinks by tapping – removing the need to carry anything extraneous around with us. Each spa guest receives a robe and towel to use for their time. The property itself is sprawling, but there are friendly and attentive staff around to answer any questions or direct you to where you want to go.
The Kalla treatment was our first stop. The large saltwater pool is housed underground on the property, dug 5 meters deep into the rock and containing 10 tons of Epsom salt in 10 cubic feet of water. The lighting is dimmed in this area of the property, and the steps and ground are wet, so be warned to tread carefully and slowly as you make your way down to the Kalla area.
We took advantage of head pillows that helped further the experience as we floated weightlessly around the pool. As someone fairly high-strung all the time, I found the experience truly relaxing. I was in awe of being able to freely float around the pool with no effort, and the dim lighting and relaxing music really created an immersive relaxation experience.
Next, we wanted to try the thermal cycle as there were many various saunas and pools around the property. The recommended thermotherapy cycle, based on a 2000-year-old Nordic tradition, is to complete a cycle of hot and cold, then rest three times in a row.
I preferred the hot to the cold (I could barely last the recommended 15 seconds in some of the plunge pools!), and my favourite relaxation chalet was the room that had hot stone beds where I practically fell asleep. Another favourite was the Eucalyptus steam room. The waterfall with cold water was also a highlight! Throughout the property, there were spots where you could grab a drink and a scenic view of the infinity pool.
We had booked massage treatments, so we headed over to the massage area after experiencing the thermal cycle pools. The massages we booked were ‘in nature,’ which meant heading to massage huts located outside where we could hear the sounds of the water in the background. It was the perfect way to cap off a unique and relaxing experience.
We were well rested by the time we headed home on the train, with memories of a fun-filled and restful weekend, and we promised to come back to Ottawa again with the rest of the girls.
Are You Ready For Your Girl’s Weekend In Ottawa, Ontario?
In today’s busy world, we all know how important it is to take some time to relax – save this post for when you want to get away for a girl’s weekend in Ottawa and indulge in a unique spa experience, delicious dining and fun things to do in Ottawa.
Disclosure – I humbly thank Tourism Ottawa for hosting the hotel and spa experience. All opinions are my own.
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Jessica Gedge is a marketing, communications and PR professional who has worked in arts and culture, tourism and film and has a passion for writing. Jessica loves to explore and is always on the search for the best cup of coffee. She documents some of her adventures on her Instagram channel _letsgoxo_.