Saintlo Ottawa Jail Hostel: A Unique Stay in a Former Prison

Few travel experiences double as a history lesson and a ghost story waiting to happen. Saintlo Ottawa Jail Hostel offers exactly that: a chance to sleep behind original iron bars in a former 19th-century prison, and this guide lays out what you actually get—the real cells, the haunted reputation, the amenities, and the price tag—so you can decide if this one-of-a-kind stay is worth your money.

Address: 75 Nicholas Street, Ottawa, ON ·
Building originally: Carleton County Jail (1862) ·
Converted to hostel: 1973 ·
Operated by: Saintlo Hostels ·
Walk to Parliament Hill: 5 minutes

Six key details sum up the hostel’s basic profile.

What makes Saintlo Ottawa Jail Hostel unique?

Sleeping in a real jail cell

• Guests sleep in original jail cells with iron doors and stone walls dating back over 150 years (Hostelworld (booking platform)).
• Saintlo’s website promotes the experience with the tagline “Sleep in a real prison cell” (Saintlo (hostel operator)).
• Room categories include dormitory beds, single cells, and double cells (Hotel Scoop (travel publication)).

Historical significance of the building

• The building served as Carleton County Jail from 1862 until 1972, more than a century of continuous use as a correctional facility (Hotel Scoop).
• After closing, it sat empty for one year before being converted into a youth hostel in 1973 (Saintlo).
• The property has been operated under the Hostelling International banner and later rebranded to Saintlo in 2023 (Hotel Scoop).

Location near Parliament and Byward Market

• The hostel sits at 75 Nicholas Street, a five‑minute walk from Parliament Hill and the ByWard Market district (Saintlo).
• Rideau Canal, Ottawa’s UNESCO World Heritage site, is within easy walking distance (Saintlo).
• Guests can reach the National Gallery of Canada and the Ottawa Convention Centre in under 15 minutes on foot.

The implication: the jail’s location makes it a practical base for sightseeing, even if the accommodation itself is far from ordinary.

Is the Ottawa jail hostel haunted?

Reported ghost sightings

• Guest reviews on platforms like Tripadvisor and Hostelworld frequently mention a creepy atmosphere and unexplained noises (Tripadvisor (review aggregator)).
• Several online travel guides include the property on lists of haunted hotels in Canada.
• Saintlo itself does not formally advertise the hostel as haunted—the official website focuses on the historical jail experience rather than paranormal claims (Saintlo).

Historical context of jail hauntings

• The Carleton County Jail housed prisoners for 110 years, a period that included executions, though specific details are not confirmed by the hostel’s operator.
• Old prisons frequently attract ghost stories because of their history of violence and isolation.
• No official investigation by a recognized paranormal society has been published for this site.

Guests’ experiences

“The atmosphere is definitely eerie—you can feel the history. We heard footsteps in the corridor at night, but it was probably just other guests.”

— Aggregated guest sentiment from multiple Tripadvisor reviews

The pattern: while many visitors report a spooky vibe, there is no verified evidence of actual hauntings. The jail’s history alone creates enough unease to fuel the legend.

What amenities and room types does Saintlo offer?

Dormitory vs private rooms

• The hostel offers shared dormitories (beds in a multi‑person room) as well as private single and double cells (Hotel Scoop).
• Private rooms are fully enclosed cells with solid doors and windows, unlike the open dormitory layout.
• All rooms share communal bathroom and shower facilities (Tripadvisor (feature page)).

Free Wi‑Fi and common areas

• Free Wi‑Fi is provided throughout the property (Saintlo).
• Common lounge areas give guests space to relax, work, or socialise.
• A shared kitchen is available for self‑catering (Hostelworld).

Kitchen and laundry facilities

• The fully equipped communal kitchen allows guests to prepare their own meals.
• Laundry facilities (coin‑operated) are on site.
• Baggage storage is offered for early arrivals or late departures (Saintlo).

How much does it cost to stay at the Ottawa Jail Hostel?

Average dorm bed price

• According to typical rates on booking platforms, a dormitory bed ranges from $30 to $60 per night depending on the season.
• Hostelworld lists taxes not included—an additional 13% HST plus a 5% municipal accommodation tax apply (Hostelworld).
• Advance booking and mid‑week stays often secure lower rates.

Private room rates

• Private single or double cell rooms typically cost between $80 and $150 per night.
• These rooms offer more privacy but still use shared bathrooms.
• Prices fluctuate significantly during Ottawa’s peak tourism months (May–September) and during major events like Canada Day.

Seasonal variations and fees

• A 24‑hour cancellation policy applies—cancel less than 24 hours before arrival and you risk being charged the first night (Hostelworld).
• Breakfast is included in the rate (Saintlo).
• Parking is available but charged separately (Saintlo).

What this means: the headline price is attractive, but add‑ons (taxes, parking) can push the total 20‑25% higher. Budget accordingly.

Can couples stay together at the hostel?

Private rooms for couples

• Couples can book a private double cell for their exclusive use, allowing them to stay together in one room.
• These rooms sleep two people and offer a door that locks from the inside.
• No additional partner restrictions are mentioned on the hostel’s booking pages (Saintlo).

Shared dorm policies

• In shared dormitories, standard hostel rules apply: guests sleep in separate beds and must respect others’ privacy.
• The property requires all guests to be at least 18 years old with government‑issued photo ID (Hostelworld).
• No specific rule prohibits couples from staying in the same dorm, but behaviour must be respectful of other guests.

Sleeping with partner in jail cell context

• A double cell is essentially a small room with two beds or a double bed (configuration varies).
• It is not a romantic setting in the traditional sense—expect stone walls, iron fixtures, and a distinct jail atmosphere.
• For couples who enjoy quirky travel experiences, it can be a memorable option.

The catch: if you want total privacy as a couple, book a private double cell. Shared dorms are fine for budget travel but offer no space for intimacy.

Room specifications

Four room types, one pattern: the accommodation trades modern comfort for historical authenticity. The table below shows what each type includes.

Pros and cons of staying at Saintlo Ottawa Jail Hostel

What’s confirmed and what’s still unclear

Based on available evidence, these facts are solid, while others remain unverified.

Confirmed facts

• Hostel is located in the former Carleton County Jail built in 1862 (Hotel Scoop (travel publication)).
• It opened as a hostel in 1973 (Saintlo (hostel operator)).
• Address is 75 Nicholas Street, Ottawa (Saintlo).
• Offers both dormitory and private rooms (Hostelworld (booking platform)).

What’s unclear

• Exact number of beds in the hostel.
• Specific ghost stories verified by official sources.
• Current nightly rates are not fixed and vary by season.
• Whether all private rooms have windows.
• Exact check‑in and check‑out times may vary by booking channel.
• Age restrictions may differ on some booking platforms.

“Sleep in a real prison cell.”

— Saintlo.ca (hostel operator) – promotional tagline

“The building originally served as the Carleton County Jail from 1862 to 1972, after which it was converted into a hostel in 1973.”

— Hotel Scoop (travel publication)

“Guests say the hostel is clean, cozy, quiet, and friendly, but the cell‑room experience is what sets it apart.”

— Aggregated reviews from Tripadvisor

For budget travellers visiting Ottawa, the Saintlo Ottawa Jail Hostel offers a genuinely unique place to sleep—but the quirks of a former prison (no en‑suite, thin walls, occasional eerie vibes) aren’t for everyone. The price is right for a dorm bed, and the location can’t be beat. If you’re after a standard hotel experience, look elsewhere. If you want a story to tell, this is it.

For those planning a visit, the city is easily accessible via train from Toronto and offers a range of unique accommodations like the Saintlo Ottawa Jail Hostel.

Frequently asked questions