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We promise that a group stay at the HI-Ottawa Jail Hostel will be anything but confining!
 Nothing is more memorable then a night spent in jail. The HI-Ottawa Jail Hostel once housed some of the city’s toughest residents, but is now a cheerful home for visitors to the nation’s capital from around the world. Sleep with history right under your pillow, as the building has retained most of its prison layout and the rooms are former jail cells. Take a guided tour and find out what early prison life was like and which prisoners from the past might still be roaming the halls. We can’t wait to see you behind bars!
Group Confinement Facilities
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Dorm Cells
For the budget-minded, our Dorm Cells (refurbished prison cells) accommodate six people, with 3 bunk-beds per dorm. Our traditional hostel dorm rooms can accommodate anywhere from 4-8 people per room. |
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Twin Cells
For people looking for a little bit more privacy, while staying in an authentic twin jail cell. This room accommodates a max. 2 people and includes a desk with storage lockers. |
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Private Room
Larger traditional hostel style rooms. Most Private Rooms include two sets of bunks with one double bed. Some have other types of furniture available. |
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The Warden's Quarters (Apartment)
The Warden’s Apartment offers the largest of our accommodation options. The apartment includes: |
two rooms with a double bed in one and a separate bunk bed in the other; en-suite bathroom featuring an antique claw-foot tub/shower; kitchenette with fridge and microwave; table and chairs for meals and activities; and a couch to rest your tired feet.
Being our only room option with an en-suite bathroom and kitchen, it is often a good choice for group leaders or bus drivers who are accustomed to having private accommodations. |
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We have various accommodation options for you here at the hostel depending on your tastes and groups’ needs. They range from the true jail experience of sharing an old prison cell (yes, there are bars on the door!) with fellow prison mates, to the space and privacy of a traditional hostel private-room.
Our facility has been converted to meet the high Hostelling International quality standards while maintaining the integrity of this historical landmark. Prison guards have been replaced with friendly and knowledgeable hostel staff. Each cell or room has a modern lock, keeping your group and their belongings, safely inside. Refurbished cells that feature the original bars as doors have privacy panels, yet maintain their authentic prison cell character.
All of our accommodation options have shared bathrooms and showers. Showers are all in private cubicles and/or have changing space that can be locked. For the most part, the mens’ showers are separated from the ladies’ by different levels so you won’t share with the opposite sex.
All bed linens, pillows and blankets are provided for our guests. All guests have 24-hour access to our common areas including the TV lounge and a fully equipped self-catering kitchen. You might consider bringing a small lock as we have a large walk-in fridge with separated storage spaces that are available for your convenience. We welcome travelers of all ages from all corners of the globe whom you can exchange stories with while preparing your meal or hanging out in the TV lounge.
Internet access: For your convenience, the hostel offers free WiFi access for those bringing their own laptops, as well as pre-paid access terminals.
Educational Programs
Conveniently located in the heart of downtown Ottawa, you will find that all of Ottawa’s top attractions can be reached on foot within minutes from our front door. That said, the Ottawa Jail Hostel is an attraction in it’s own right and we have developed educational and fun programs to help your group have the ultimate ‘Jail Experience’! Programs offered range from 1 to 6 hours in length and include our award winning historical Crime and Punishment & Ghost and Gallows Tours.
Formerly, the Old Carleton County Jail was home to some of Ottawa’s worst criminals. Today, the history of this building and her former occupants is preserved in the Carleton County Heritage Centre located on Level 8 of the hostel.
Visit Death Row, where prisoners spent their last days, the gallows, and the depths of solitary confinement in the basement of the hostel.
Crime and Punishment Jail Tour (min. 20 people)
Tour the Old Carleton County Jail and learn about why Ottawa was once considered 'the most dangerous town in North America. Learn about early prison life, as you see the jail cells, death row and the last working gallows in Canada. Commentary presented by experienced tour guides from The Haunted Walk of Ottawa.
Ghosts and the Gallows Walking Tour (min. 20 people)
Visit death row and the gallows inside the Old Carleton County Jail and other haunted locations while your tour guide recounts more of Ottawa's supernatural encounters. Was the wrong man hanged for the murder of D'Arcy McGee? Does he haunt the jail today? May be frightening for young children. Presented by the Haunted Walk of Ottawa.
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Meal Menu
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| Meals are available to groups of 10 or more people and must be pre-ordered. Our kitchen is sensitive to allergies when notified. |
Prepared by our in-house caterers, Contemporary Cuisine, these meals are conveniently served in the Jail Dining Room and are guaranteed to get you going and keep you going throughout a busy day in the city.
Continental Breakfast: What a lovely way to start the day! The continental breakfast is served buffet style and includes muffin/pastry, fruit, coffee, tea and juice.
American Breakfast: Need something a little hardier? The American breakfast makes a great beginning and includes eggs, bacon/sausage, homefries, toast, fruit, coffee, tea and juice.
Boxed Lunch: Perfect for the group on the go! The boxed lunch includes everything that you need for a healthy lunch at the hostel or out on the road. Inside you’ll find salad, fruit, sandwich (choice of ham, chicken salad or peanut butter & jam), juice box and a fork and napkin.
Dinner Buffet: A delicious selection of nutritious entrees with something to satisfy all tastes. The dinner buffet includes bread, salad, dessert and the choice of 2 of the following:
- Lasagna
- Jambalaya and spicy rice
- Lemon chicken with curried couscous
- Szechuan beef with rice vermicelli and seared broccoli
- Blackened salmon with lemon rice
- Chickpea curry with sag paneer
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