A Place To Lay Your Head

I recommend that if you know you are coming to the wedding or even think you might that you book accommodations soon. The Canadian Tulip Festival takes place in Ottawa from May 2nd to May 19th, 2008 and it will be hard to find rooms if you leave it too late.

The places I am recommending are all centrally located around the Byward Market and Downtown.

It would be nice if everyone stays in the same couple hotels, I have contacted Courtyard by Marriott, Albert at Bay Suite Hotel and Arc regarding group rates and I will post the information when I receive it. Once I hear from the 3 hotels I will let everyone know what the best deal is.

All the prices I mention below are before taxes.

HOTELS:

Courtyard by Marriot (located in the market)
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/yowcy-courtyard-ottawa-downtown/

This hotel is in a great location. The rooms range from $150.00 to $200.00 a night.

*There is an online only deal for $134.25 per night for 2 queen beds, this is a good deal but non-refundable.

I have contacted the Courtyard about group rates - I will post the information when I get it from the hotel.

The Albert at Bay Suite Hotel (located downtown)
http://www.albertatbay.com/

Cordell's parents are staying here and they have apartment style rooms with kitchens.

This is a good option for small groups of people who want to share a hotel, 1 to 2 bedroom suites range from $118.00 to $200.00.

I have a group quote from this hotel - they will give us 1 bedroom suites for $129.00 a night (1 bedrooms can have 1 or 2 queen beds).

Bostonia Executive Suites (located downtown)

http://www.thebostonian.ca/index.html

Breakfast is included with some of the rooms. $98.00 for studio suites, $132.00 for one bedroom suites and $108.00 for 2 doubles.

Arc (located downtown)

http://www.arcthehotel.com/

This is a beautiful hotel and a nice choice for couples. It is where Cordell and I are going to stay for 2 nights. It is expensive but if you are only coming for the weekend they do offer a 'weekend rate' if you check online, $165.00 per night for 1 queen. There is also a special called 'on a whim' for $125.00 a night!

I am also checking on group rates at this hotel.


BED AND BREAKFASTS:

Albert Inn
http://www.albertinn.com/

Rooms here range from $118.00 to $178.00.

Benner's Bed and Breakfast
http://www.bennersbnb.com/
This is a modern style B&B perfect for those who don't like the old, Victorian look of many B&B's. There are only 3 rooms at this place so if some of you are interested we could book all 3 rooms for the wedding.

The rooms are a great deal ranging from $95.00 to $130.00 per night.

Auberge McGee's Inn
http://www.mcgeesinn.com/

This is a nice looking place, the rooms range from $118.00 to $198.00 a night.


DORM ROOMS:

University of Ottawa (located in the market)

Here is an interesting option, the University of Ottawa Student Residences operate as accommodations starting in May. Apparently rooms are available in in a variety of residences but the one that is recommended is at 90 rue Universite (it was recently built and has all suites).
The suites have 2 bedrooms (with 1 double bed in each room), as well as kitchens and ensuite bathrooms. You can have access to a pool and exercise room for an extra fee. The University of Ottawa is located right in the market area. $99.00 for a 2-bedroom suite / max 4 people.

http://www.blogger.com/www.uottawa.ca




OTHER HOTELS - (if nothing above works for you)

Lord Elgin (located downtown)
http://www.lordelginhotel.ca/

Hotel Indigo Ottawa (located downtown)
http://www.ottawadowntownhotel.com/

Fairmont Chateau Laurier (located in the market)
http://www.fairmont.com/Laurier/?cm_mmc=icppc-_-Branded-CLH%20-%20Chateau%20Laurier%20-%20Canada-_-google-_-chateau+laurier

Ottawa Marriott (located downtown)
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/yowmc-ottawa-marriott/

Sheraton Ottawa Hotel (located downtown)
http://specialoffers.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton_ottawa/so.htm?PS=PS_aa_NE_Google_Sheraton_Ottawa_072506_NAD_FM

The Westin Ottawa (located in the market)
http://specialoffers.starwoodhotels.com/westinottawa/so.htm?PS=PS_aa_NE_Google_ottawa_westin_072506_NAD_FM

Eat, Drink And Be Merry!

Approximately an hour after the ceremony the reception will be taking place in our neighbourhood, Lower Town (or the Byward Market).

Time: 7:00 p.m.

Location: Courtyard Restaurant located at 21 George Street

Parking: Their are two large pay public parking garages located beside the Courtyard, with access from George Street or York Street. Metered public parking is also available throughout the Byward Market

See the link for the exact location of the restaurant:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=21+George+Street+Ottawa&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=33.214763,59.765625&ie=UTF8&ll=45.432069,-75.693312&spn=0.014365,0.029182&z=15&om=0

It is a 5 minute drive between the ceremony site and reception site. While we have pictures taken there are various watering holes one can visit before the reception begins. I will trust that the locals attending will take care of the visitors during this time! Or weather permitting the Market area is a lovely place to take a walk.

Once the ceremony is over most of you will be able to walk back to your hotels or homes.

We Do!

The ceremony will be held at Rockcliffe Park Pavilion

Time: If all goes according to plan the ceremony will begin at
5:00 p.m.

Location: The Pavilion is located along the Rockcliffe Parkway, looking over the Ottawa River, approximately 1.1 kilometres east of the Prime Minister’s residence.

Parking: Parking is free

Follow Sussex Drive, then take the Rockcliffe Parkway and make a left hand turn to reach the pavilion (there are marked signs showing the turn).

See the link below to a view a map:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=Ottawa+Rockcliffe+parkway&sll=37.09024,-95.712891&sspn=33.214763,59.765625&ie=UTF8&ll=45.444295,-75.677862&spn=0.028724,0.058365&z=14&om=0

Getting Here

There are 3 options for making your way to Ottawa:

Option 1 - Plane

Your two options for flying are Air Canada or West Jet.

• Check the airline websites diligently and wait for a good deal
• It is a good idea to buy your ticket online so you can keep checking for seat sales
• Keep in mind that you may have to book your departure and return tickets separately to get a good deal
• Remember travel insurance – I know this can seem like a waste of money but it is always a good idea if you have to change your travel dates for some unforeseen reason or have to cancel your flight (you just never know what may happen)

The flight to Ottawa is quick (only 3.5 hours) if you get a direct flight.

If you do have to stop off in Toronto, there is a lot to do in the airport there.

Option 2 - Car

Ever wanted to drive from Alberta to Ontario? Here’s your chance. There is approximately 3,600 km between Edmonton/Calagary and Ottawa (which would take around 3 days, depending how often you stop along the way).

This option is good for those with time who want to see some sights along the way. Maybe some of you have friends and relatives you could visit along the way. But don’t forget, you have to drive back!

Option 3 - Train

VIA Rail is another option but it is expensive and takes some time. VIA Rail is good for those who have always wanted to take a great train journey.

VIA Rail Edmonton to Toronto & then Toronto to Ottawa takes about 2.5 days and costs $1,098 for a seat in comfort class (if you want a bed, it will cost more).

Welcome, Willkommen, Bienvenue

Hello family and friends! If you’ve found your way to this blog it’s most likely because you have been invited to Barbara and Cordell’s wedding. Yes, after 12 years together we’ve decided to make it official.

I had always thought we’d elope . . . maybe Vegas, Hawaii or some Caribbean island. After careful consideration we decided that having a wedding would be a wonderful opportunity to get together with close family and friends we rarely see and to celebrate with new friends before moving to Germany.

The current purpose of this blog is to post information for those attending the wedding, especially you folks coming from Alberta – yahoo!

We’ll post details about:

• the ceremony & reception,
• travel methods,
• accommodation options,
• things to do &
• anything else that pops into my head.

After the wedding my plan is to maintain this blog while Cordell and I are living in Germany, as a way to let everyone know what we are up to and to use you all as guinea pigs while I practice my travel writing.

Love B