Michael’s 39th birthday was fast approaching, and I thought it would be fun to spend a romantic winter night at the new Hotel Le Germain Ottawa, located on Daly Avenue. I just got back from my Yoga retreat in Costa Rica the week before, and thought it would be a nice way to catch up and connect.
There was no need to step foot outside the hotel during our stay… that’s my definition of a winter staycation (STAY INSIDE!). We simply enjoyed views of the powdery rooftops from our hotel room on the 14th floor. I guess we could have taken a stroll in the Byward Market, gone skating on the canal, have a styling session at Rideau Shopping Centre or browsed the exhibits of the Ottawa Art Gallery next door, but we purposefully made no plans, other than our photoshoot. It was amazing and exactly what we needed.
I can’t attest to wether they do this for all guests, but my favourite part of the evening is when we got back to our room after dinner. Our bed was made for us, we each had a little rug and slippers at the sides of our bed and a little home made chocolate on our pillows. Michael and I particularly enjoyed the cozy bed and kept running our legs over the soft sheets. Le Germain has a collection with Simons apparently! PS- the sheets are on sale now!
Take advantage of these Hotel Le Germain perks during your stay!
- If you book directly with the hotel, you get better rates, no set checkout time and more flexible cancellation
- Free wifi, coffee and tea in your room
- Free DELUX CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST at Norca!!!
- Onsite parking and valet service
Norca Restaurant + Bar
NORthern cuisine, CAnadian ingredients
We had a lovely romantic dinner at the new Norca Restaurant and Bar, known for fine dining with a Canadian touch and located on the second floor of Hotel Le Germain Ottawa. Norca also prides themselves on only using Canadian ingredients in their dishes and sourcing from local suppliers.
We sat in a romantic corner and toasted with two delicious cocktails: Juliette and her Romeo’s and their play on a Gin and Tonic, made with Le Germain’s exclusive Romeo’s Gin.
Did you know? Hotel Le Germain Ottawa collaborated with muralist and Ottawa artist Ryan Smeeton to design the artwork on the Romeo’s bottle! Read this fun story!
To start, Michael and I shared oysters with house made sauces, and a house made charcuterie plater. We opted out of desert and shared the duck tartare and crab filled dumplings as our second course. For the main entree we shared a 16oz ribeye steak with seasonal veggies and duck fat fries.
It was of course way too much food, but not a challenge that would defeat my husbands ferocious appetite. We were both very happy with our dinner and felt that the crab dumplings stole the show! Although the steak was second runner up, this cut of meat is not always on the menu and dependant on the kitchen’s inventory, so I can’t tease you with it. The crab dumplings are on the regular menu though. PRO TIP- ask for bread to dip in the buttery broth!
In the morning, we took advantage of the free deluxe (not-so) continental breakfast! The oatmeal with maple yogurt was next level… just saying!
Thank you to Le Germain Hotel Ottawa for generously hosting us for one night and for providing our delicious meals. Your staff were exceptionally friendly and the service was excellent. Michael and I had a wonderful and relaxing stay.
Photography provided by Ottawa Photographer Marianne Rothbauer of Rothbauer Studio.