Name: HI- Ottawa Jail Hostel
Address: 75 Nicholas Street, K1N 7B9 Ottawa, Canada, 75 Nicholas Street, Ontario, K1N 7B9, Canada
Price range: Prices for upcoming dates start at $24 per night (We Price Match)
Rating: 8.1

Info & prices
Facilities
House rules
The fine print
Guest reviews (3,054)

Hostel HI- Ottawa Jail Hostel

75 Nicholas Street, K1N 7B9 Ottawa, Canada – Excellent location – show map

The building where the hostel is located

A bunk bed or bunk beds in a room at HI- Ottawa Jail Hostel

A bed or beds in a room at HI- Ottawa Jail Hostel

The floor plan of HI- Ottawa Jail Hostel

Guests staying at HI- Ottawa Jail Hostel

A kitchen or kitchenette at HI- Ottawa Jail Hostel

University of Ottawa: only 6 minutes away! (1,650 feet by foot)

*8.5* Rideau Mall: only 5 minutes away! (1,200 feet by foot)

*8.7* National Arts Center: only 5 minutes away! (1,300 feet by foot)

Carleton University: only 6 minutes away! (1,600 feet by foot)

Ottawa Convention Center: only 4 minutes away! (850 feet by foot)

Lock in a great price for HI- Ottawa Jail Hostel – rated 8.1 by recent guests!

to get started.

Very interesting hotel. Only spent one night there. Within walking distance of downtown Ottawa and cheap parking for the area. Comfortable and social communal area.

Peter

United Kingdom

The location was amazing. A perfect place for a small get away with friends for a very good price, with the Hostel being a minute away from a mall and a main street with tons of restaurants, bars, and gallerias. What is not to enjoy?

Travis

United States of America

The location of the hostel is spot on, the Rideau Centre is 5mins walk, all the good stuff and eateries are walking distances. It also has secured entry that gets updated with a code daily. The Internet was pretty effective too, no spotty connections.

Biyi

Canada

The staff is very welcoming and helpful. Theres many activities for solo travelers and the jail tour was interesting

Quan

Vietnam

The location was fantastic to downtown, the Market and the Parliament buildings. Keep in mind, this is a hostel and has those benefits and challenges rolled into one. The staff were very friendly and helpful and the facilities were exactly as billed.

Brent

Canada

It is a very interesting place with fascinating history. Good location and friendly staff.

Jorge

Chile

Excellent location, breakfast and ambiance experience.

Natasha

Brazil

What an amazing experience spending the night in an old jail’s cell. Believe it or not I had the best night of sleep in ages - probably because it is extremely quiet and dark at night and the bed is actually quite comfy. I would definitely come back.

Werter

Brazil

All the staff were really kind and helpful. I had problems with my credit card but they gave me the room that i had booked. Location was really good, it was located in downtown and you don’t need to take bus or train to go to the most if the attractions of Ottawa. By ward market was located steps away and you could get to Parliament hill and also national museums by walking. Kitchen was equipped with all the dishes and cutleries that you need to cook. Breakfast was good and fresh. I stayed two times in this hostel. First time i stayed for 5 nights and then i went to Toronto and Montreal and i stayed in 3 other hostels, compared to the hostels that i stayed i can say that HI-Ottawa was the best one. I asked them to keep my luggages in their luggage storage room for 2 hours after my check out and they accepted to do that with a friendly manner. I really appreciate it was a good stay in Ottawa

Askar

Iran

The staff was very cooperative and kind to me. It was my first experience to stay in travel hostels. I enjoyed it alot. It was a good stay with affordable money. Overall i like it

Danish

Canada

9.4

Excellent location!
Highly rated for:
Great neighborhood
Highly rated for:
Great neighborhood
Highly rated for:
Great neighborhood
Highly rated for:
Great neighborhood
Highly rated for:
Great check-in experience
Highly rated for:
Great check-in experience

What guests loved the most:
“Very interesting hotel. Only spent one night there. Within walking distance of downtown Ottawa and cheap parking for the area. Comfortable and social communal area.”

Peter United Kingdom
“The location was amazing. A perfect place for a small get away with friends for a very good price, with the Hostel being a minute away from a mall and a main street with tons of restaurants, bars, and...”

Travis United States of America
“The location of the hostel is spot on, the Rideau Centre is 5mins walk, all the good stuff and eateries are walking distances. It also has secured entry that gets updated with a code daily.”

Biyi Canada
“The staff is very welcoming and helpful. Theres many activities for solo travelers and the jail tour was interesting”

Quan Vietnam
“The location was fantastic to downtown, the Market and the Parliament buildings. Keep in mind, this is a hostel and has those benefits and challenges rolled into one.”

Brent Canada
“It is a very interesting place with fascinating history. Good location and friendly staff.”

Jorge Chile
“Excellent location, breakfast and ambiance experience.”

Natasha Brazil
“What an amazing experience spending the night in an old jail’s cell.”

Werter Brazil
“All the staff were really kind and helpful. I had problems with my credit card but they gave me the room that i had booked.”

Askar Iran
“The staff was very cooperative and kind to me. It was my first experience to stay in travel hostels. I enjoyed it alot. It was a good stay with affordable money. Overall i like it”

Danish Canada

Set in a restored jailhouse, this Ottawa hostel is adjacent to the Ottawa Convention Center and Rideau Center Mall. It features rooms with free Wi-Fi and serves a daily continental breakfast.

With unique styles and hardwood floors, all rooms at HI Ottawa Jail Hostel have access to shared bathrooms.

Each morning guests can enjoy a breakfast consisting of fruits, cereal, bagels, milk, coffee, tea and juice.

Lockers and linens/towels are provided at HI Ottawa Jail Hostel. Guests can relax in the common lounge and watch cable TV or read a book from the on-site library.

The University of Ottawa and Chateau Des Charmes Wines are both 1.2 mi from the hostel. Casino du Lac Leamy is 10 minutes’ drive away.

This is our guests' favorite part of Ottawa, according to independent reviews.

Couples in particular like the location – they rated it 9.3 for a two-person trip.

We speak your language!

HI- Ottawa Jail Hostel has been welcoming Booking.com guests since Dec 5, 2011
Hotel chain/brand: Hostelling International

Missing some information?

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Most popular facilities

Parking

Free WiFi

Non-smoking rooms

24-hour front desk

ATM: Need cash? This property has an ATM on site.

Bookers love...

“friendly staff”
108 related reviews

“breakfast included”
70 related reviews

“excellent location”
62 related reviews

“boutique style”

Located in the top-rated area in Ottawa, this property has an excellent location score of 9.4!

Breakfast Info

Continental, Vegetarian, Vegan, Buffet

Free WiFi
Guests consistently rate the WiFi as excellent

Private Parking Available On Site

Checkin day

Checkin month

Checkout day

Checkout month

Availability

When would you like to stay at HI- Ottawa Jail Hostel?

Check-in date

Check-out date

Rooms

Adults

Children

Sleeps	Room Type
Max adults: 2	Double Cell Room 1 full bed	Show prices
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Max adults: 2	Twin Cell Room 2 twin beds	Show prices
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Max adults: 1	Single Cell Room 1 twin bed	Show prices
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Max adults: 1	Single Bed in 8-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room 1 twin bed	Show prices
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Max adults: 1	Single Bed in 4-Bed Female Dormitory Room 1 twin bed	Show prices
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Max adults: 1	Bed in 4-Bed Male Dormitory Room 1 twin bed	Show prices
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Max adults: 1	Bed in 6-Bed Female Dormitory Room 1 twin bed	Show prices
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Max adults: 2	Historic Double Cell Room 1 full bed	Show prices
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Max adults: 2	Double Room with Private Bathroom 1 full bed	Show prices
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1 property in Ottawa like HI- Ottawa Jail Hostel was booked in the last 12 hours

4 reasons to choose HI- Ottawa Jail Hostel

Why book with us?

Manage your bookings online

The staff speaks English

Booking is safe

An Inside Look at HI- Ottawa Jail Hostel

That's right, we are housed in a 150 year old former Carleton County Gaol - steeped in history and built on fun, we guarantee that you'll agree that the Jail is the best place to Hang! There is no other hostel like this in North America. The walls are made of stone and brick, and you'll love the architecture especially while staying in some of our authentic jail cells.

Area Info

–

Closest Landmarks *

Ottawa Art Gallery
0 miles
Rideau Mall
0.2 miles
National Arts Center
0.2 miles
Art Mode Gallery
0.3 miles
Carleton University
0.3 miles
University of Ottawa
0.3 miles
Rideau Locks
0.3 miles
Sparks Street Mall
0.4 miles
Embassy of Denmark
0.4 miles
Major's Hill Park
0.4 miles

Restaurants & Markets *

Albion Rooms Restaurant
0.1 miles
Byward Market Market
0.2 miles
Metro Supermarket
0.3 miles
Chateau Lafayette Cafe/Bar
0.4 miles

Closest Airports *

Macdonald Cartier Airport
7.2 miles
Ogdensburg Airport
52.5 miles
Massena International Airport (Richards Field)
53.1 miles

What Travelers Love About This Location

“location, price, free jail trip, staff; breakfast was ok. the atmosphere of sleeping in a jail cell is something rare, but probably not for everybody.”

Smoothlove

Canada

7.5

“Personnel is nice. Location of the hostel is great. Overall, I booked the hostel for its climate and was cool and interesting. Impressions guaranteed. Washroom...”

Kiryl

Poland

9.1

“great location and good breakfast, chill vibe and peaceful”

Darshil

India

9.5

Are you missing any information about this area?

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House rules HI- Ottawa Jail Hostel takes special requests – add in the next step!

Check-in

3:00 PM - 12:00 AM

Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card at check-in

Check-out

4:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Cancellation/
prepayment

Cancellation and prepayment policies vary according to accommodations type. Please enter the dates of your stay and check what conditions apply to your preferred room.

Children & Beds

Children of all ages are welcome.

To see correct prices and occupancy info, add the number and ages of children in your group to your search.

There's no capacity for cribs at this property.

This property doesn't offer extra beds.

No age restriction

There's no age requirement for check-in

Pets

Pets are not allowed.

Groups

When booking for more than 10 people, different policies and additional supplements may apply.

American Express Visa Mastercard Discover UnionPay credit card HI- Ottawa Jail Hostel accepts these cards and reserves the right to temporarily hold an amount prior to arrival.

The fine print

Birth certificates, SIN cards and Ontario Health Cards are not accepted as valid ID upon check-in.

Please note this property does not allow third party bookings.

The credit card used at the time of the booking must be presented by the cardholder upon check in.

Please note that HI/YHA discounts are not available as part of this booking.

Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.

“The location was amazing. A perfect place for a small get away with friends for a very good price, with the Hostel being a minute away from a mall and a main street with tons of restaurants, bars, and gallerias. What is not to enjoy?”

“The location of the hostel is spot on, the Rideau Centre is 5mins walk, all the good stuff and eateries are walking distances. It also has secured entry that gets updated with a code daily. The Internet was pretty effective too, no spotty connections.”

“The location was fantastic to downtown, the Market and the Parliament buildings. Keep in mind, this is a hostel and has those benefits and challenges rolled into one. The staff were very friendly and helpful and the facilities were exactly as billed.”

“What an amazing experience spending the night in an old jail’s cell. Believe it or not I had the best night of sleep in ages - probably because it is extremely quiet and dark at night and the bed is actually quite comfy. I would definitely come back.”

“All the staff were really kind and helpful. I had problems with my credit card but they gave me the room that i had booked. Location was really good, it was located in downtown and you don’t need to take bus or train to go to the most if the attractions of Ottawa. By ward market was located steps away and you could get to Parliament hill and also national museums by walking. Kitchen was equipped with all the dishes and cutleries that you need to cook. Breakfast was good and fresh. I stayed two times in this hostel. First time i stayed for 5 nights and then i went to Toronto and Montreal and i stayed in 3 other hostels, compared to the hostels that i stayed i can say that HI-Ottawa was the best one. I asked them to keep my luggages in their luggage storage room for 2 hours after my check out and they accepted to do that with a friendly manner. I really appreciate it was a good stay in Ottawa”

“The staff was very cooperative and kind to me. It was my first experience to stay in travel hostels. I enjoyed it alot. It was a good stay with affordable money. Overall i like it”

See all guest reviews for HI- Ottawa Jail Hostel

Newest Reviews for HI- Ottawa Jail Hostel

Reviewed: November 19, 2019

Peter
United Kingdom

3 helpful votes
8.0

“Interesting and informative stay. Can recommend for the novelty.”
- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Stayed 1 night
Floor boards are a bit creaky, and the doors have gaps so no sound proof. As one might expect in jail ;) Nothing to complain about =P
Very interesting hotel. Only spent one night there. Within walking distance of downtown Ottawa and cheap parking for the area. Comfortable and social communal area.

Stayed in October 2019
Reviewed: November 18, 2019

Travis
United States of America
9.0

“Absolutely perfect.”
- • Leisure trip
- • Group
- • Stayed 2 nights
The location was amazing. A perfect place for a small get away with friends for a very good price, with the Hostel being a minute away from a mall and a main street with tons of restaurants, bars, and gallerias. What is not to enjoy?

Stayed in November 2019
Reviewed: November 17, 2019

Biyi
Canada

3 helpful votes
9.6

“Interesting”
- • Business trip
- • Solo traveler
- • Stayed 2 nights
- • Submitted from a mobile device
Breakfast can be improved on.
The location of the hostel is spot on, the Rideau Centre is 5mins walk, all the good stuff and eateries are walking distances. It also has secured entry that gets updated with a code daily. The Internet was pretty effective too, no spotty connections.

Stayed in November 2019
Reviewed: November 17, 2019

Obed
Canada
8.0

“So far so good”
- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveler
- • Stayed 4 nights
The both room was far from the room and no lift in the facility
I really enjoyed my stay

Stayed in November 2019
Reviewed: November 16, 2019

Quan
Vietnam
8.3

“Great experience. Super friendly and helpful staff”
- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveler
- • Stayed 2 nights
- • Submitted from a mobile device
At first the cell felt small but after a while its a fun experience getting around in the cell
The staff is very welcoming and helpful. Theres many activities for solo travelers and the jail tour was interesting

Stayed in November 2019
Reviewed: November 15, 2019

Anonymous
Canada
7.0

Good
- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Stayed 2 nights
Breakfast is very simple. If you like to eat well in the morning, I recommend going to Farm Boy and getting yourself a $5 breakfast instead.

Stayed in November 2019
Reviewed: November 14, 2019

Karolina
Poland

6 helpful votes
9.6

“Very interesting stay ”
- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveler
- • Stayed 2 nights
- • Submitted from a mobile device
U can hear everything cuz of the ceiling.
The prison vibes are really strong. Not recommended checking in after 2 am- kinda scary... Clean bathrooms, very nice staff, especially the tour is fun, nice breakfast with many options as for a hostel. Great location. Couldn’t be better!

Stayed in November 2019
Reviewed: November 13, 2019

Brent
Canada
8.0

“Very much what I expected.”
- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveler
- • Stayed 4 nights
The location was fantastic to downtown, the Market and the Parliament buildings. Keep in mind, this is a hostel and has those benefits and challenges rolled into one. The staff were very friendly and helpful and the facilities were exactly as billed.

Stayed in November 2019
Reviewed: November 13, 2019

Pablo
Canada
8.8

Excellent
- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveler
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted from a mobile device
The staff and facilities ,
The place, and the people around is nice

Stayed in November 2019
Reviewed: November 12, 2019

Anonymous
Canada
9.2

Awesome
- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveler
- • Stayed 2 nights
- • Submitted from a mobile device
Nicr
The place, the people

Stayed in November 2019
Reviewed: November 12, 2019

Nataliia
Ukraine
9.0

Awesome
- • Business trip
- • Solo traveler
- • Stayed 1 night
Unique place, worth to experience!

Stayed in November 2019
Reviewed: November 11, 2019

David
Canada
9.6

“Great experience and value ”
- • Business trip
- • Solo traveler
- • Stayed 2 nights
- • Submitted from a mobile device
I have to use the bathroom in the middle of the night. There is no bathroom in the room. Should have requested a room closer to bathroom. Also lack of soap in the showers. Found out later soap is available for purchase at front counter
Location, experience, breakfast, staff, no tv distraction, value, safety/security

Stayed in November 2019
Reviewed: November 10, 2019

Jorge
Chile
9.2

Awesome
- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveler
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted from a mobile device
It is a very interesting place with fascinating history. Good location and friendly staff.

Stayed in October 2019
Reviewed: November 10, 2019

Chimpchimp
Canada

5 helpful votes
7.9

Good
- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveler
- • Stayed 6 nights
- • Submitted from a mobile device
Staff seem to be putting a particular race into 1 dormitory. Most of the time, I was the only female in the room, I am alright with it though. Ventilation not so good, even with the window open. Had to crack the door open using the dustbin to let the air flow otherwise especially with male odour, it can tend to hang around in the room.
The bunk beds are alright, mattress is better than typical hostels. Pillow is alright, and so is the duvet. Breakfast is great, at least hard boiled eggs are provided. Coffee is really good.

Stayed in November 2019
Reviewed: November 9, 2019

Максим
Canada
5.0

Fair
- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Stayed 1 night
Too noisy at night

Stayed in October 2019

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Hostel HI- Ottawa Jail Hostel

HI- Ottawa Jail Hostel

Most popular facilities

Bookers love...

Breakfast Info

Availability

4 reasons to choose HI- Ottawa Jail Hostel

Why book with us?

Area Info

Closest Landmarks *

Restaurants & Markets *

Closest Airports *

Most Popular Landmarks *

What Travelers Love About This Location

See availability Facilities of HI- Ottawa Jail Hostel

Most popular facilities

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Kitchen

Pets

Activities

Internet

Parking

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See availability House rules HI- Ottawa Jail Hostel takes special requests – add in the next step!

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Facilities of HI- Ottawa Jail Hostel

House rules HI- Ottawa Jail Hostel takes special requests – add in the next step!

The fine print