Formerly a Howard Johnson, this downtown Ottawa spot has been reborn as a smart boutique hotel, with a sleek, current look from Toronto design house Yabu Pushelberg. Sedate shades of grey, beige and brown predominate—even in the glass-encased mounted butterflies that adorn the walls of each of the 112 guest rooms. Creature comforts include oversized Roman bathtubs (in the luxury rooms), high-end toiletries from Gilchrist & Soames, fine linens, mohair throws and a complimentary glass of sparkling wine on arrival—these help take the sting out of the hipper-than-thou service.