Amy Adejokun
Section editor
A chic hotel hidden away in a charmless building. People come here to sleep and enjoy the great comfort of the rooms or to eat. Le Germain boasts one of the best restaurants in Montreal. All it needs is a well-being area to compete with the other 4-stars hotels in the city.
Hotel Le Germain - © Igor Lubinetsky
Hotel Le Germain - © Igor Lubinetsky
The hotel is a good 30-minute walk from the Old Port, but the Quartier des Spectacles entertainment district is just a few blocks away, and Mount Royal Park can be easily reached by bus or on foot. The hotel is near the Peel underground station.
The hotel has 101 guest rooms spread across 16 floors designed by Marie Saint Pierre. There are several categories based on room and bed size and the bathroom amenities (shower and/or bathtub). The Italian showers, like the bathtubs, have glass partitions fitted with a shutter for greater privacy and are truly delightful! The spacious room with black carpet features dark wood furniture, an ultra-comfortable bed, and all the amenities you could hope for in this class of hotel (fully stocked minibar, flat-screen television, an iPod docking station, automatic lights in the cupboards, etc.). Molton Brown toiletries, a luxury brand, are provided in the bathrooms.
Windows cover almost the entire width of the room, and even this is not always enough to let in the light, particularly on the lower floors. As the adjacent buildings are too close, you often find yourself with a view of the neighbouring offices.
This imposing concrete building without much charm boasts a very modern interior: a large fireplace, Chesterfield sofas, colourful seats, etc. Everything is clean and was fully renovated in 2009. Still the space is quite cramped. There is a coffee area with a Nespresso machine where guests can enjoy a cappuccino and a selection of teas free of charge. A few steps higher up are the shops, where the chef's products and other utensils are on sale.
Overlooking reception, the Laurie Raphael, one of the most exquisite gourmet restaurants in Montreal, contributes to the hotel's reputation. The restaurant motto is: "The difference between a gourmand and a gourmet is appetite". With stunning and at times bold combinations of flavours, chef Daniel Vezina has succeeded in creating a unique ambiance in this restaurant, in particular by offering a mystery menu in which you do not know what will be served, but also with a 10-course menu for $120 (£75). For this sort of quality, the price is very affordable: ?22 to ?28 (£14-£18) per dish.
The wine selection is huge, while the decoration is modern yet elegant: black leather chairs, a large smooth velvet bench and some of the most original curtains in front of the large window, the overall effect is appealing, even when the restaurant is full and a little noisy. Like any good cook, the chef uses only fresh products and the more curious can have a look in the kitchen which opens onto the dining room.
Breakfast, served as a continental buffet, is included in the room price.
massage, beauty salon, sauna, keep fit, spa, Turkish bath
tennis, gym, aerobics, fitness
Very modern, this Novotel stands out because of its contemporary style and well-deserved 4 stars. The very comfortable rooms and the tasty albeit expensive cuisine served at the restaurant are just two of the hotels advantages in addition to its ideal location: opposite the ice-rink where the hockey matches take place! Puck lovers will be delighted!
This hotel has two different aspects: on one side, the basic-standard rooms, the reception and amenities, all of which is a little outdated and of simple comfort, on the other side, Deluxe bedrooms and ultra-modern suites, stylish and contemporary, worthy of a top hotel. Make your choice! And whichever it is, make the most of the ideal location, a few streets away from Vieux Montreal.
This Sofitel hotel, which is part of the chain's new generation of hotels, offers stylish interiors. Opened in 2002, it really does deserve its excellent reputation and its business and upmarket clientele does it justice.
Note for those who are broke and have nowhere to stay. If all the hotels are full and it is minus 30° C outside, choose the Econolodge, which has the advantage of being not too far from the centre on foot.
The Place d'Armes is a beautiful and sophisticated central hotel, with a clientele which mainly consists of guests travelling for business in winter, and for leisure in summer. Modernity and authenticity come together here to create an impeccable result. The hotel will also afford much easier access when the road works in the street are complete.
Rather than going to a hotel, why not rent an apartment that has all the advantages of a hotel. This is what the Clarion offers, with its former studio flats converted into suites. You can cook here, the suites are large and you are not far from the city centre. These are ideal for families and those wishing to entertain guests.
As its name suggests, 'Le Petit Hotel' (The Small Hotel) is not very big, however it could just as easily have been called 'Le Petit Hotel Design' (The Small Design Hotel). Situated in the heart of Old Montreal, this hotel is ideal for young holiday makers who want to be at the heart of activity and are looking for extra comfort.
A charming little place, located on a very small street, the Saint-André will take your breath away. Despite the impression that it gives of being a small hotel for young penniless people, this hotel conceals a stylish and trendy interior blending originality and comfort. A hotel which you will enjoy coming back to, and where you're likely to become a regular.
One of the best hotels in Montreal, the Ritz-Carlton was entirely renovated in 2013 and probably has the most comfortable and best equipped guest rooms in the city. A great hotel for fans of old buildings and classic decor which leaves nothing wanting in terms of comfort.
The Queen Elisabeth deserves its reputation as one of the most legendary hotels in Montreal. A part of the famous Fairmont chain, it caters to an elegant clientèle in a luxurious decor. Welcome to excessiveness and gilded ornamentation!
With an exterior dating from the 19th century, a contemporary interior and a relaxed ambience, the Gault is an atypical hotel where you will quickly feel at home. A hotel that makes you want to make the most of your room and the nice bourgeois-bohemian district, without getting bored or wanting to go any further.
Overlooking the Place des Arts, the Hyatt has a great location for the festival season. Those familiar with the hotel chain will not be disappointed by this hotel, which offers all the services and amenities you'd expect from a Hyatt. For the rest, this luxury hotel may certainly not have a lot of charm, but comfort is guaranteed. The hotel is very popular with business travellers, while families will appreciate the swimming pool!
The Place d'Armes is a beautiful and sophisticated central hotel, with a clientele which mainly consists of guests travelling for business in winter, and for leisure in summer. Modernity and authenticity come together here to create an impeccable result. The hotel will also afford much easier access when the road works in the street are complete.
This Sofitel hotel, which is part of the chain's new generation of hotels, offers stylish interiors. Opened in 2002, it really does deserve its excellent reputation and its business and upmarket clientele does it justice.
As its name suggests, 'Le Petit Hotel' (The Small Hotel) is not very big, however it could just as easily have been called 'Le Petit Hotel Design' (The Small Design Hotel). Situated in the heart of Old Montreal, this hotel is ideal for young holiday makers who want to be at the heart of activity and are looking for extra comfort.
In pure Montreal spirit, contemporary art merges with a historical touch in this hotel located slightly out of the centre. Whether businessmen or tourists, the lively evenings and the arty spirit will surely delight young fans of contemporary art and comfort.