Two downtown hotels, the Westin and the Delta, to get $56M in upgrades and renos

The owners of The Westin Ottawa and the Delta Ottawa Hotel are investing more than $55 million to upgrade the two properties. Ross Meredith, the general manager of both hotels, said the investment is a reflection of the ownership groups’ confidence in the Ottawa market. “There’s confidence in the long-term dynamics of the city,” Meredith told OBJ Wednesday. “I think the ownership groups see value in these assets and investing in them. We are a market that remains very stable and hotels have a safety net because we’re a government town. We’ve got government business (and that) tends to protect against big swings in business.” An investment of $40 million will go toward revamping guest rooms and public areas, as well as installing a new room key system, at The Westin at 11 Colonel By Dr. Renovations are scheduled to begin in November and continue until the first quarter of 2027.  “(The Westin) is an exceptional asset with an unbelievable location, setting and building,” Meredith said. “It’s connected to the largest meeting space in the city, the Rogers Centre (Ottawa), and looks across at a UNESCO World Heritage Site (the Rideau Canal). So we are thrilled that the ownership group is demonstrating their commitment to the hotel.” An investment of $16 million will be used to renovate rooms, public areas and all meeting spaces at the Delta Ottawa at 101 Lyon St. N. Meredith said the property is ideally located in an area that he believes will continue to grow over the years.  “The Delta is in a location that is getting stronger every year,” he said. “The excitement about the investment down at LeBreton Flats is positioning that end of the city with more and more activation and more and more long-term investment. If you just look across the street from where the Delta is today, in the last year that’s probably close to a billion dollars worth of investments that’s taken place in highrises and major construction projects.” Meredith said investments in Ottawa as a tourism destination have made the capital more attractive, including flights from international destinations such as London and Paris that have helped to generate traffic.  Combined with the local market’s stability, Meredith said it’s no surprise to see additional investments being made by the private sector.  “We’re thrilled with the commitment of our two ownership groups and we’re thrilled with the timing, as we will very quickly be positioned to take on what the excitement of the Ottawa market has for us,” he said. “For an owner to make an investment decision like this — they feel comfortable with the belief and understanding that even in tough times, their asset will remain strong and viable. The confidence in the city of Ottawa as a G7 capital brings investment.” Local and out-of-town hotel owners told OBJ this summer that investors are keeping their eyes on the city as a growing market in the hospitality industry. In June, Jeff Cury, senior director of development for Hilton Canada based in Montreal, said cities like Ottawa draw in leisure travellers with tourist attractions and bring in the corporate crowd with large conference centres. Large-scale developments are also a draw, he said, referencing LeBreton Flats as one project that has attracted the attention of hoteliers due to its many planned demand generators. “It’s really about identifying the area,” said Cury. “What the needs of that area are relative to the market. You look at the underdeveloped market centres and see, what are you going to do to add new inventory to a market? You should complement the market with what’s missing. I think that’s where the future lies for expansion and growth.”