Montreal is like the love child of France and England, only it got both of their best qualities. Sometimes called the “Paris of Canada,” the proud, progressive Montreal has embraced LGBTQ culture and people with warm gusto. As we expected in any such progressive place, we found no problem finding a slew of amazing gay hotels in Montreal. And it’s no surprise that most of them are located in the Gay Village Montreal, which is one of the largest gay neighborhoods in North America. Besides the obviously amazing location, we also looked at other aspects of hotels when choosing them for this list. These include the price, the amenities, and the general friendliness of the staff. In fact, some hotels even organize LGBTQ-specific events.
So, it’s no surprise that Montreal hosts a smattering of gay events and festivals, including the Montreal Pride parade. It’s also where the very first World Outgames, a leading world LGBTQ sporting event, was held. In fact, we found that Montreal has more gay bathhouses than any other city in the whole of North America! It’s no surprise that Montreal is considered one of the world’s best gay-friendly places to live. Besides its gay scene, we loved exploring Montreal and the many top things to do here. Since we’re history buffs, we loved visiting the Notre Dame Basilica of Montreal and the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. Later, we followed it up with a visit to the Montreal Botanical Garden, Parc La Fontaine, Vieux-Port de Montreal. It’s no wonder that it’s one of Canada’s most visited cities. Thus, it’s time to pack your bags and head to Montreal, one of the most vibrant LGBTQ-friendly cities in North America.
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Auberge Le Pomerol
11
Not all accommodations in Gay Village are B&Bs; somehow, we ended up finding an utterly gorgeous hotel in the form of Auberge Le Pomerol. A chic, clear-glass entrance to a lovely Victorian-era brick building brings you to this intimate, cozy hotel on the fringes of Gay Village Montreal. This tranquil hotel is a member of the LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce. But what really wowed us was the location, with all the gay nightclubs and saunas sitting within walking distance.
Basically, staying here was the perfect cherry on top of our cozy Montreal vacation. Our days would begin with breakfast in bed. All rooms come with flat-screen TVs, ensuite bathrooms, and coffee facilities, but the Executive Queen Room we chose went a step further. Not only did it have a spa bath in the bathroom, but it even had a lounge and a fridge. So, we could literally hang out in our room at the end of the day.
However, the rest of the hotel was equally gorgeous and begged to explore. When we wanted to unwind, we’d sit by the fireplace in the intimate lounge and read books and drink wine. We didn’t even need to head out for meals, as the attached French bistro served even lunch and dinner.
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W Montreal
10
Did you know that W Montreal, along with the Gay Times, is the host of the original podcast “Queer Me Out: Chasing Tales”? Yes! This podcast, hosted by Harriet Rose, tells tales of epic destinations that are told through queer voices. Plus, some of the best gay bars and saunas in the Gay Village, such as Le Stud and Complexe Sky, are just three metro stations away. That, and many more things, make the W one of the friendliest gay hotels in Montreal.
For one, the accommodations are absolutely bombastic. We splurged on the bi-level WOW suite, which was, irrefutably, “wow.” So, we were able to enjoy the sweeping city and park views from our very own private terrace! Willowy beds, luxe bathrooms, and sophisticated yet sexy lighting made our stay all the more memorable and better.
Since it’s the W, we had no dearth of amenities to enjoy. Our days began with a power breakfast with both a hot and cold buffet and a la carte options. Later, a massage session at the Away Spa awaited. It would be foolish not to mention the hotel’s (in)famous 1940s-style bar, Bartizen. We loved sipping on the handcrafted concoctions and gin drinks while enjoying our partners’ company in the stunningly intimate environment.
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Hôtel William Gray
9
Best for luxurious romance. Located halfway between the Gay Village and Downtown Montreal, the boutique, luxury, spa-hotel of Hôtel William Gray is one of the best hideaways for romance in the city. We especially loved the gorgeous rooms, of which the best have balconies overlooking the river. That’s why we went for the Deluxe King Room, which has a wonderful balcony with alfresco seating – the entire setup literally screams ‘romance!’
The ambiance of romantic luxury extends to the amenities at William Gray. A particular highlight for us was the extremely gay-friendly Bota Bota Spa. We chose the couples-themed ‘Drift for 2’ package, which came with a layover water circuit and a 60-minute body treatment/massage. The indulging spa session was the perfect way to end the day with our partners. The splendid rooftop restaurant is the perfect place to end the day, along with your partner, and accompanied by stunning views.
The best bit? This extremely romantic gay friendly is just a 10-minute walk from William Gray. So, we’d head out to explore the gay scene after early dinners at the hotel.
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Sens Høtel
8
If you’re a culture buff like us looking to soak in Montreal’s culture, Sens Høtel in the heart of Downtown Montreal is just the place to stay. We could walk to a bunch of museums, including The Museum of Fine Arts, the Salle Bourgie concert hall, and the McCord Museum. Plus, Gay Village is just a five-minute ride away. It really couldn’t get any better staying here.
That said, the hotel is no less great. Since we wanted great views over Downtown, we chose the Junior Suite, which is a corner room. So, we had gorgeous views out of the wraparound windows. Add to that, the room was spacious and had a luxe bathroom, a separate seating area, and a minibar too. After a long day of exploring, it was the perfect place to unwind with our feet up.
Downstairs, the tour desk helped us with all our questions about the neighborhood and the city. Our day would begin with a delicious breakfast in the restaurant, which is also where we’d have pre-dinner drinks before heading out to explore the city’s gay scene.
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Le Cartier Bed and Breakfast
7
We wanted to stay for cheap in Gay Village Montreal, but not in a hostel. And then we found the inimitable Le Cartier Bed and Breakfast. Despite being in the heart of the action, this charming B&B is serene and quiet and made for a great stay for us. The best bit? The subway stop is right outside, making the rest of Montreal easily accessible to us too.
They have just two rooms, both on the ground floor, but they’re some of the most gorgeously furnished we’ve seen in the whole city. The one we chose had a comfy Queen bed, a swish ensuite bathroom, and even a living room with a sofa and a writing table! But the best bit is that both rooms had direct access to the lush backyard, which is easily the highlight of this property. It comprises a plant-filled garden and a patio with tables and chairs. It’s also where we had a delicious self-serve continental breakfast every morning, enjoying the serenity with one of Montreal’s most dynamic neighborhoods right out front.
“Staying at Le Cartier didn’t feel like we were in the Gay Village at all. The serenity and the romantic ambiance was perfect for our holiday.”
WOW Travel
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Bed&Breakfast du Village (BBV)
6
Most romantic. We were looking for romance in the heart of Montreal’s Gay Village, and we found it in the form of the Bed&Breakfast du Village. Run by an extremely friendly gay family, this quaint and homey B&B made us feel right at home. Since we love smaller and more intimate living, the fact that the place had just six choices for rooms was perfect for us. We chose the one-bedroom two-storied cottage that featured brick walls and was furnished in lovely pastel shades. Plus, it even came with its own kitchen, so we could whip up romantic meals at any time. Amorous indeed!
Even though we had our own kitchen, we loved the comfort of the full, homemade breakfast that was served in the spacious kitchen every morning. Later, we’d sit on one of the outdoor patios and enjoy a cup of coffee. The best bit? Montreal’s entire gay scene practically surrounds the B&B.
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M Montreal Hostel
5
Best value for money. M Hostel Montreal is one of the best hostels in the city and has been voted Canada’s number 1 hostel. In fact, it’s one of the most value-for-money hotels in Gay Village, Montreal. We had the choice of both dorms with shared bathrooms and private rooms, and we chose the former since we were traveling in a larger group. But even the dorm had so many perks that we were pleasantly surprised. For one, there was cable TV, which is unheard of in hostels. Plus, the hostel retained the original stone walls of the building and had hardwood floors in all the rooms. Upscale, indeed.
The fun, however, lay outside the four walls of the dorm. We’d begin the day with a daily paid breakfast that came with lots of options. There was a communal kitchen where we could whip up quick and light meals while mingling with other travelers. We loved that there were two bars on the property, with the rooftop one being our favorite, with entertainment and live music on most nights. And when we wanted to unwind, the rooftop hot tub beckoned.
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Hotel 10 Montreal
4
Most luxurious. Luxury didn’t get any better for us than at Hotel 10, which incidentally houses Montreal’s most sought-after penthouse suites. Staying here put us right in the center of cool on the fringes of both Downtown and Gay Village Montreal. Location-wise, this hotel checked a lot of boxes for us. For one, it was right across from the hotspots on the main and is a great place for celebrity spotting. But the best bit is its proximity to the gay scene, which is a short walk. Plus, the LGBTQ-central Bain Colonial Bath is just a 10-minute walk.
Coming to the digs, Hotel 10 was one the coolest ones we’d stayed at. The rooms and suites are done up in sexy gray shades with contrasting snazzy throw pillows and abstract art. But we upgraded to a suite, which was worth it for the spacious bathroom with a two-person bathtub.
We loved the lobby lounge downstairs, which was a great place to meet other travelers and plan explorations of Montreal. We’d start our evenings in the elegant wine bar before hopping into the free luxury car service that would ferry us to the Gay Village!
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Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth
3
Are you craving luxury in Montreal? Well, we didn’t have to look too far – and neither do you, given the presence of the Fairmont, The Queen Elizabeth. The origins of the hotel go way back to 1958, but it became famous in 1969. That’s when John Lennon and Yoko Ono staged a week-long, nonviolent protest in room 1742 against the Vietnam War.
One of the many reasons we love this gay-friendly hotel is that it lies right on the route of the Montreal Pride parade. So when we visited here in summer, we were able to see the celebrations up close. In fact, we chose the higher-up suite that’s not only spacious and gorgeously designed but has huge windows with views of the city. It’s where we caught a birds-eye view of the parade. What made our stay all the better are the modern trappings like Nespresso machines, along with timelessly comfortable bathrooms with Le Labo toiletries.
Perhaps the best bit about the hotel was the overflowing amenities. After a long day of traipsing around town, we found the indoor swimming pool and spa particularly soothing. There’s also a lounge area, a lively bistro, and a mixology bar, which is where we’d head for a pre-drink before hitting the gay scene of Montreal hard. But where we really struck gold is that the meeting point for the utterly fascinating Underground City Tour of Montreal is the hotel itself!
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Maison Des Jardins B & B
2
Best Gay Village B&B. We were looking for an intimate staying experience in the heart of Montreal’s gayborhood. And we found Maison Des Jardins B&B to be one of the loveliest hotels in the Gay Village, Montreal. Comfort and tranquility are the catchphrases at this cozy B&B which sits on a quiet street in the vibrant gayborhood. Not just that, but it’s also gay-owned and operated!
So, what did we like about this B&B? Everything! Firstly, we liked that there are choices of rooms with both shared and private bathrooms. We took the Deluxe Queen Room that came with a private bathroom, a very comfy bed, a TV, bespoke bath products, and even a fridge, robes, and slippers!
Even though it’s a B&B, there are a lot of things going on here. We loved using the outdoor hot tub when the weather got a bit chilly. Of course, our days began with a delicious spread of a hot breakfast. The best bit? The owner Luc even provided massage therapy services in the comfort of our room!
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Château Versailles
1
The historical, gorgeous Château Versailles prides itself on having been a long-sought-after place of stay by numerous LGBTQ couples, friends, and even families. In fact, part of the hotel’s charm is its blend of old-world vibe with modern amenities. We loved the 18th-century original architectural elements at this Downtown Montreal hotel. In fact, the exterior with the carved stone facade fits in perfectly amongst the historic mansions in the neighborhood. On the inside, details such as 13 fireplaces, hallways, and an original salon immensely appealed to us.
The vibe extends to the elegant rooms and suites, all of which have framed artwork and floral beds. Meanwhile, modern amenities like minibars, Keurig coffeemakers, and flatscreen TVs made our stay comfy, especially since we chose the Suite which had more space too. Even though the hotel is a walk-up with no elevator and all-stairs, we had no issues. However, it’s something that you should keep in mind.
Our days began with a complimentary continental breakfast with an excellent choice of bread, coffee, dips, cold cuts, and more. It was a great break from the usual “waffle bar” that many hotels have! Despite being a historical hotel, we liked that it had amenities like the 24-hour fitness center. And despite having no restaurant onsite, we could simply head to the restaurant across the street in its sister hotel, the Sens Hotel.
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Our Verdict!
While we love all of Montreal’s gay-friendly hotels, we loved some a bit more than the others for their specific features. We’ve listed them below:
- Best Gay Village B&B: Maison Des Jardins B & B
- Most luxurious: Hotel 10 Montreal
- Best value for money: M Montreal Hostel
- Most romantic: Bed&Breakfast Du Village (BBV)
- Best for luxurious romance: Hôtel William Gray
Just So You Know:
- Between May and September, a stunning art installation is hung over the main road of Gay Village Montreal. Comprising 170,000 suspended pink balls, it is aptly named “Pink Balls”. During the Fierte Canada Pride parade, the colors of the balls are changed to the rainbow flag’s 18 shades. It’s then called “18 Shades of Gay”!
- Montreal even has a few gay-friendly churches, one of them being Christ Church Cathedral in Old Montreal.
- Montreal has not one but two major week-long events that are gay-specific. One is the Divers/Cité arts and music festival in July end and the massive Montreal Pride in mid-August.
Get Some Culture in Montreal:
- Montreal Pride: The 11-day showcase that is Montreal Pride is a celebration of inclusion and equality. It has everything from a Community Day to panels and free shows. The celebrations end with a massive parade, the most touching moment of which is the “Moment of Silence.” At 1:30 pm, everything comes to a halt, and the moment pays homage to LGBTQ pioneers across the world.
Best Gay Bars / Clubs in Montreal:
- Bar Le Cocktail: This is Montreal’s best gay bar for drag shows and karaoke evenings, with a live DJ every day. The bar has an extremely welcoming, lively atmosphere. On Fridays, Happy Hours are till 10:30 pm!
- Bar Renard: This extremely stylish gay bar is highly recommended, patronized, and frequented by locals for its cocktails and cute boy crowd! During the day, it’s a restaurant as well.
- Complexe Sky: This four-floor hotspot for the LGBTQ public features a slew of spaces – a nightclub, a mini-restaurant, a spa, and a rooftop pool. As you go up each floor, the party atmosphere intensifies!
Best Gay Saunas in Montreal:
- Oasis: One of the most openly gay-friendly spas, the Oasis is open 24 hours and even has a sling room.
- GI Joe: This fetish-friendly, 24-hour gay sauna in Gay Village Montreal caters to those who are into fetishes.
- Bota Bota Spa: In the heart of Old Town Montreal, this “floating” gay-friendly spa housed in a historic-turned-upscale chic river ferry is the ultimate in relaxing luxury treatments.
