Having not stayed in a youth hostel before we decided on our visit to Ottawa to try out the Jail Hostel for 2 nights. The cost was £31.05 per night have not sure if this was more expensive than normal for hostels and you would get it cheaper if you had Hi Hostel membership. However for the ... Read review
Advantages: Unique place to stay, OK price, in centre of Ottawa easy walk to attractions, good fun Disadvantages: Light being left on in corridor all night, no good if you want 'quiet' place to sleep
Having not stayed in a youth hostel before we decided on our visit to Ottawa to try out the Jail Hostel for 2 nights. The cost was £31.05 per night have not sure if this was more expensive than normal for hostels and you would get it cheaper if you had Hi Hostel membership. However for the experience of staying in a haunted jail we thought it was worth it and would be fun!
On arrival we checked in and were given our bed sheets and ... ...to our 'cell' yes we stayed in a room that was a prison cell. Bunk Beds in one corner, wardrobe and a sink then we had a shared shower room and toilets. Not much room in there so you better get on with who you are staying with but all a bit different and good fun. The floor we were on had cells down both sides of the floor and was mixed with men and women staying. You can also book dorm rooms on different floors and private rooms or family rooms ... more
Having not stayed in a youth hostel before we decided on our visit to Ottawa to try out the Jail Hostel for 2 nights. The cost was £31.05 per night have not sure if this was more expensive than normal for hostels and you would get it cheaper if you had Hi Hostel membership. However for the experience of staying in a haunted jail we thought it was worth it and would be fun!
On arrival we checked in and were given our bed sheets and towels by a very friendly receptionist and off we went to our 'cell' yes we stayed in a room that was a prison cell. Bunk Beds in one corner, wardrobe and a sink then we had a shared shower room and toilets. Not much room in there so you better get on with who you are staying with but all a bit different and good fun. The floor we were on had cells down both sides of the floor and was mixed with men and women staying. You can also book dorm rooms on different floors and private rooms or family rooms with private showers and toilets.
After it was chosen I was to stay on the top bunk (note its a bit of a way up so be careful getting up & down) we booked to do a tour of the jail. The hostel actually ran as a jail as recently as 1972 so it is meant to be haunted by prisoners. The tour takes you to the top of the jail where you are shown where they waited on death row, where they were hanged and told stories of daring escapes and hauntings which happen now in the hostel. It was closed as a jail in 1972 as the conditions were inhumane!!
The next day we ate breakfast which was in with our price, self service of cereal and toast etc, more than adequate to start your day. We also noticed there was a mix of people and age ranges, from younger travellers, to older ladies travelling alone own to families with children. All in all a place for anyone. There is also a kitchen and TV room and internet connection for 'inmates'.
Why stay there, would I recomend it?
If you want to stay somewhere with a bit of atmosphere and have a totally unique experience if your young or old or with your family then in my opinion I would say give this place a try. OK so the bunk beds were maybe not the most comfortable and was in a very small cell but if you can get past this then go for it. We did wait to get spooked but the ghosts left us alone. Its very safe, the code on the door to get in is changed every day and you certainly won't stay in a place quite like it anywhere else so its something to talk about to your friends when your home!
The only downside I would say is sleeping in the top bunk you get the light from outside shining in during the night, so maybe have an eye mask and we could hear noise from cars outside. Oh and if your wanting a quiet nights sleep, remember its a youth hostel and people will be noisey at odd times of the night. We did get told off by a man staying next door, OK we were slightly drunk & laughing but you have to expect that in a youth hostel if its going to annoy you then book a hotel room!
