The Lord Elgin Hotel is Ottawa’s iconic treasure. It’s where old-world luxury meets sublime elegance. Born of a World War II-era plan to create an inviting capital city and to alleviate the demand for more hotel rooms, this elegant limestone landmark has stood proudly in downtown Ottawa since 1941. It has welcomed many notable guests over the years including Sir Winston Churchill, the Dalai Lama and U2’s Bono. Its facade is accented with a steep copper roof, said to reflect the Parliament Buildings, and two eight-story towers that were added to the north and south sides of the original structure in 2004. The expansion accommodated more rooms and created a location for what eventually became a street-level restaurant.
Lord Elgin Hotel
Commemorating the Lord Elgin’s opening in 1941, Forty One Restaurant and Bar features locally sourced, classic Canadian and continental cuisine. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner (and available as room service) the salmon benedict and avocado on sourdough toast are must-have items to start your day.
Forty One Restaurant and Bar
Upon entering the lavishly furnished first-floor lobby, the restaurant is on the right and to the left, an enchanting seating area with a fireplace – currently being renovated to have a new look by early 2026. Upstairs await accommodations ranging from Classic and Parkview rooms to the Churchill Suite. Elgin-Class rooms occupy the corners of the hotel, offering lots of space, extra luxuries, and spectacular views. The amenities include a mini refrigerator, Lavazza espresso machine, robes, slippers, umbrella and more. Onsite amenities include a round-the-clock Fitness Club, expansive lap pool, whirlpool and sauna.
The Lord Elgin Hotel
Drenched in History
The Lord Elgin Hotel houses more than eighty years of history, linking to Canada’s longest-serving prime minister, William Lyon Mackenzie King and to the hotel’s aristocratic namesake, the 8th Earl of Elgin, Queen Victoria’s top representative in Canada from 1847 to 1854.
After the outbreak of World War II, the Lord Elgin’s conception and construction began. The cornerstone ceremony took place on a freezing February day in 1941. But warm light was burgeoning from this hotel which was becoming a beacon – a sign that freedom would prevail over tyranny in the war.
The Lord Elgin’s purpose in being erected was to ease the shortage of accommodation during wartime, and in turn, contributed to Ottawa’s transformation into a thriving cosmopolitan capital.
Lord Elgin Hotel
It took only 18 months to get the Lord Elgin Hotel approved, built and officially open. This magnificent piece of architecture, designed by Architects Ross & Macdonald (known for the Chateau Laurier in Ottawa and Royal York in Toronto) and constructed from Canadian limestone – chosen by Prime Minister Mackenzie King from a quarry in the Niagara region – officially opened its doors on July 19, 1941. Days after opening, the hotel saw its first royal visitor: Princess Alice, the granddaughter of Queen Victoria.
Soldiers from across the country en route to Halifax and Europe stayed at the hotel frequently, prompting the hotel to state that it was “helping maintain a smoothly working centre in Canada’s war effort.” For the full history on the Lord Elgin Hotel, check out: The Lord Elgin: Mackenzie King’s capital vision and the birth of a landmark.
Location, location, location
The Lord Elgin sits in a prime location in downtown Ottawa, placing guests within walking distance of museums, such as the Canadian War Museum (aptly placed since the hotel’s design was born from a WWII plan), the National Arts Gallery, restaurants, shops, seasonal festivals, and some of the city’s most iconic landmarks and attractions. Confederation Park is steps from Elgin’s front door, and a short walk from the Rideau Canal, Parliament Hill and Sparks Street, Ottawa’s pedestrian mall. In the winter, the Rink of Dreams is the place to go ice skating and grab a BeaverTail. VIA Rail is a ten-minute drive from the property. In Ottawa’s trendy Elgin Street district, be transported to Italy for dinner at Johnny Farina, housed in a former movie theatre. Whether guests are visiting for business, leisure, or a family getaway, the Lord Elgin provides a perfect home base.
Need to Know:
On-site amenities
✓ Forty One Restaurant & Bar
✓ Room Service
✓ Valet parking
✓ Valet dry-cleaning
✓ First-floor lobby with fireplace
✓ Complimentary WiFi throughout the hotel
✓ Business center dedicated for guest use
✓ On-site catering service
✓ Hourly meeting rates
Health & Fitness amenities
✓ Fitness Club
✓ Expansive lap pool
✓ Whirlpool
✓ Sauna
In-room amenities
✓ High-speed WiFi
✓ 49″ flatscreen HDTVs
✓ Complimentary local phone calls
✓ Complimentary Coffee & tea (Keurig Pods)
✓ Windows that open for fresh air
✓ Marble-tiled bathrooms
✓ Truterra toiletries (natural Canadian bath products)
✓ Robes, slippers, umbrella, and tea kettle (Elgin-class rooms and suites)
✓ Bathtubs on request and as available (most rooms feature showers)
✓ Canadian-made furniture
