FOR THE JUSTIN TRUDEAU SUPER - FAN

ANDA Z H OTEL , O TTAWA

We tend to forget about our fair capital as a weekend destination, but—due, in part, to Canada’s big birthday—Ottawa is having a moment. And there are a bunch of reasons why, from the exciting food scene (recommended: Riviera, for its Med-inspired fare in a gorgeous art-deco space) to a plethora of purveyors of from-scratch products, like coffee (all of Equator’s coffee is fresh roasted, organic and fair trade) and chocolate (in 2016, Hummingbird won “the Golden Bean”—basically an Oscar in the world of confectionery). In the thick of it all is the new Andaz hotel, right beside the much-loved historic ByWard Market and within walking distance of most of the city’s highlights. It’s the boutique brand’s first hotel in Canada, but you’d never know it—there’s enough Canadiana here to inspire some serious patriotism, with not a whiff of the usual kitsch that often comes with the theme. When you step off the elevator on each of the 16 floors, you’re greeted by a wall-size needle-felt map of a province or territory, and all the art on the floor is evocative of that part of the country. The well-thought-out decor incorporates lots of natural materials (wood, stone, metal), and the copper touches throughout add warmth. Rooms are spacious yet cozy, bathrooms are stocked with treats by local über-natural beauty brand Purple Urchin and the comfort of the beds is as effective as a sleeping pill. The hotel also boasts the highest rooftop bar in the city—and, thankfully, most of it is enclosed so you can enjoy the view all year round. We can attest that the bartenders’ mixology skills and a sunset over the Parliament Buildings are an excellent pairing.