Amy Adejokun
Section editor
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.
Le Place D'Armes - © Igor Lubninetsky
Le Place D'Armes - © Igor Lubninetsky
The hotel is situated in the Old Montreal, a stone's throw from the port and the streets full of shops and restaurants. This location is both ideal for going out partying, and for guests here on business, since many businesses are situated in the surrounding area.
The hotel's 133 guest rooms make it one of the city centre's bigger hotels. Among these rooms, 40 are situated in the old part of the building. These rooms have retained the character of the old establishment but have additional modern features providing them with extra comfort, and although they are smaller than the others, they are very charming. Upon arrival you will be greeted by classical music in a space adorned with wooden furniture and floorboards, in addition to period paintings, making for a simple yet chic ambience. The bathrooms, meanwhile, equipped with a shower or a bathtub, are decorated in black and white chequered tiles that make them look rather stylish.
As for the modern rooms, they are almost identically equipped, but the wooden furniture has given way to black furniture, and some of them have an imitation fireplace in one corner. They also all feature large windows looking out to the street, meaning they benefit from plenty of natural light. In terms of amenities, there is definitely nothing to complain about: the beds are soft, the rooms are equipped with a DVD player and a stocked mini-bar, and the bathrooms come provided with numerous hospitality products. As for the bathrooms, the size of the showers is impressive, and there are plenty of products provided, but our good first impressions were ruined slightly by the little defects, such as the leaking flush and the loose showerheads.
The period façade is superb, and offers two entrances; one leading to the brasserie-style restaurant, and the other, more discreet but much prettier one, to the hotel part. The suit-clad car valet on the lookout for arriving guests sets the tone, along with the reception area, which is efficient, except when it comes to checking in (which takes far too much time). This hotel has high standards! The hotel is made up of 3 buildings and the ground floor of each is reserved to its common areas, composed of various lounges, one with computers connected to the Internet, another with a pool table and a giant screen to watch sports matches or films. These areas are all furnished with taste and class. Their atmosphere is sophisticated in every way, and although there are a few paintings to remind us of the time when the hotel was built, the modern fireplace and its artificial flames remind us that this is the 21st century. Those who fancy a bit of relaxation will be able to unwind at the gym equipped with quality apparatus, or at the spa, which is tastefully decorated, although rather small. However, there is a fee to access it, even for its hammam! Guests can enjoy massages and treatments here, in small rooms spread across 2 levels.
Two restaurants, with two different atmospheres, on two floors, one on top of the other. The bar-brasserie benefits from plenty of natural light and has direct access to the street and a terrace in summer. Just like everywhere else in the hotel, it boasts a tasteful mixture of styles, with its modern furniture and ceiling mouldings. The meals served here are simple but very tasty and the service is impeccable. The hotel is popular with locals who tend to come here after work, so you will have to be ready to face the crowd if you want to enjoy Happy Hour. Remember to book a table! Underneath the brasserie, the Restaurant Aix is open for lunch and dinner, or as the Quebecois say, for 'dinner' and 'supper'. The menu features a scallop crumble with maple nuts or wapiti tartare (£10) and bison flank (£18), and the dishes are prepared with 80% local produce. On the 'table d'hôtes' menu, there is soup, a starter, a main course and dessert for £30. As for the decor, it is chic, with shades of beige creating a calm and luxurious ambience, although it all lacks a little vitality!
Coffee is at the guests' disposal in the lobby, but it is authentic American-style coffee, and not like the espresso Europeans might be used to.
massage, beauty salon, sauna, keep fit, spa, Turkish bath, wellness
tennis, gym, fitness, sports
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.