Montreal is a bustling, fun-loving agglomeration in Canada’s Quebec province. The city, founded in 1642, lies on the Island of Montreal and a few much smaller peripheral islands. The major island acts as a cultural, political, and business hub of the metropolis. It is likewise home to most tourist attractions and the best hotels in Montreal.
Like Vancouver and Toronto, Montreal is a melting pot of cultures and languages. French is the dominant language, but approximately 60 percent of the population speaks English too. The city houses many financial and educational institutions, museums, art galleries, and parks. Among them are the splendid Notre-Dame Basilica, a world-famous botanical garden. There is also an enormous Underground City that links the whole downtown. Check out our top ten things to do in Montreal to learn more about the city wonders.
Where to stay in Montreal
Montreal comprises 19 boroughs containing smaller neighborhoods. Most districts lie in Ville Marie borough. Among them are the historic district of Old Montreal, Chinatown, the Gay Village, and the Golden Square Mile.
Unlike hotels in Quebec City, Montreal hotels usually stand in the historical parts, such as Old Montreal and Golden Square Mile. The first one is an old part of town with the Old Port and Notre-Dame Basilica. The latter is an affluent commercial area located in the shadow of Mount Royal. You will find here posh boutiques, fine-dining venues, and polished bars. Choosing between those two beautiful regions is not an easy feat. For this reason, we created our list of eleven best hotels in Montreal. Check it out to ensure you make the right accommodation choice.
Hotel Le St. James Montreal
11
Hotel Le St. James stands on a prominent St-Jacques Street in the heart of Old Montreal. The upscale property occupies the restored 1870 building of Merchants’ Bank. Many museums and galleries surround the hotel. Montreal’s famous Notre-Dame Basilica stands only five minutes away from the hotel.
Le St. James combines old-world charm with modern amenities. Elegant French-inspired rooms feature flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, minibars, and free Wi-Fi. If you travel will children, you can order babysitting services. You can also bring your pets.
Within the hotel premises, you will find a charming, on-site library. There is also a well-equipped gym and a spa in a former bank vault. The hotel’s XO Restaurant serves lovely seasonal dishes and an extensive choice of wines. Try dining out too. Many affluent, gourmet restaurants stand in the hotel’s proximity. And just down the street lies the starting point of the excellent Old Montreal Food Tour.
Four Seasons Hotel Montreal
10
Four Seasons stands in the heart of Montreal’s Golden Square Mile. The area is home to the main commercial artery of Downtown Montreal, Rue Sainte-Catherine. Countless boutiques, designer stores, and upscale restaurants crowd the neighborhood. Nearby lie also the ever-popular Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.
The hotel has a bright, contemporary decor. Elegant rooms are spacious and equipped in floor-to-ceiling windows. Inside await free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, and iPads to loan. The Four Seasons allows pets on the premises free of extra charge. There is an electric vehicle charging station too.
At Four Seasons, you have access to an extensive spa and fitness club. An indoor swimming pool, a sauna, and a steam room are at your disposal. In terms of food, the property boasts a lovely restaurant with a terrace. The venue serves a gourmet choice of seafood dishes. It’s affiliated with a chic bar offering cocktails, local beers, and late-night snacks. It’s a perfect place to finish your evening.
Hôtel Birks Montréal
9
This upscale property also stands near Rue Sainte-Catherine. It occupies a delightful 19th-century building, 400 meters away from the Museum of Contemporary Art. You can easily access from here the Mount Royal Park. Besides, the entrance to the bustling Underground City also lies nearby.
Hôtel Birks boasts elegant modern decor with large, bright guest rooms. Each room contains a flat-screen TV, a coffee machine, a minibar, and a safe. Free Wi-Fi is available in all spaces. The hotel has an electric vehicle charging station. Pets aren’t allowed.
If you aim to fit, try the hotel’s well-equipped gym and a spa with hammam. For refreshments, head to Birks’ restaurant, Henri Brasserie Française. The charming venue serves delicious French food with a Montreal twist. For cocktails and more potent drinks, drop at the on-site Bar Lounge Henri.
Le Mount Stephen
8
Le Mount Stephen stands barely 150 meters away from Rue Sainte-Catherine. The hotel occupies a restored 1880 mansion, joined with a contemporary glass tower of 90 suites. It’s lovely decor flawlessly blends old-world charm and innovative modern design. Guest rooms feature free Wi-Fi, coffee makers, minibars, and flat-screen TVs. In marble bathrooms, you will discover heated floors and rain forest showers. The hotel also houses a large fitness center and a spa.
If you wish to dine in the hotel, head to the on-site Bar George. The modern venue serves international cuisine and an excellent choice of drinks. It also has access to an expansive terrace ideal for summer meals. As for eating out, dozens of posh restaurants await you just behind the corner. You will surely find something to your liking among them.
Loews Hotel Vogue
7
Loews Hotel Vogue stands 50 meters from Rue Sainte-Catherine. It’s a perfect getaway to Rue Crescent – Montreal’s “Party Central” in a Victorian setting. The British Victoria, not the hotels in Victoria. The property’s contemporary decor blends with the affluent surrounding. Bright rooms feature calm colors and modern art. Inside, you will find flat-screen TVs and iPod docks. Marble bathrooms boats lavish whirlpool tubs.
The property is family-oriented and offers a variety of child services. It’s also one of the best hotels in Montreal downtown to stay with pets. When it comes to food, an on-site La Société Bistro is the best choice for French cuisine lovers. The venue posses a spectacular stained-glass dome ceiling and a sidewalk terrace. You also access a relaxed lobby bar serving handcrafted cocktails. As for other amenities, the hotel has a well-equipped gym. There’s also a rooftop terrace overlooking the neighborhood.
Hotel Le Crystal Montreal
6
Located a minute away from Rue Crescent, Hotel Le Crystal boasts comfort and simple elegance. Floor-to-ceiling windows ensure bright natural light. Contemporary guest rooms feature flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, coffee machines. You also have access to free Wi-Fi. Upgraded suites offer fireplaces and balconies overlooking the downtown. You may bring your pets, and there is an electric vehicle charging station on the site.
Le Crystal’s amenities include an indoor saltwater pool and a terrace with a hot tub. You will also find here a cozy fitness center and a spa featuring a Swedish sauna. For Asian food lovers, the hotel restaurant, Siam, has a wide choice of Thai dishes. It offers handcrafted cocktails too. If that doesn’t sound pleasant enough, there is gourmet heaven of Rue Cresent just behind the corner.
The Ritz-Carlton Montreal
5
This opulent Golden Square Mile hotel occupies a splendid 1912 mansion. The property stands 2 minutes’ walk from the Museum of Fine Arts and Rue Crescent. Upscale boutiques of Rue Sainte-Catherine are 400 meters away. The Ritz-Carlton blends with this affluent neighborhood. The guest rooms boast a mixture of European classics and contemporary design. Each suite has a flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, a coffee machine, and a minibar. In some, you will have a view on a lush inner garden.
To keep you fit, The Ritz – Carlton provides access to a fitness center and an indoor saltwater swimming pool. There is also an expansive, professional spa on the site. The hotel offers a variety of child and pet services so you can focus on your exercising routine. Once you finish, replenish calories at the French-inspired Maison Boulud. For afternoon tea and evening drinks, head to the Palm Court – the hotel’s glamorous lounge and bar. Or take a walk outside – you are only steps away from Montreal’s bustling night scene.
Sofitel Montreal Golden Mile
4
The upscale Sofitel Montreal stands a 5-minute walk from the Museum of Fine Arts and the Mount Royal Park. Hikers and fans of two wheels will find it a perfect place for escapades into nature. But the city lovers will be satisfied too. The property features contemporary decor that blends with the skyline of the Rue Sainte-Catherine. Free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, and minibars await in each room. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer a mix of cityscape and mountain view. You will also fall in love with modern art adorning the walls.
An on-site restaurant, Renoir, serves delectable French cuisine. In summer, you can have your meal served on a lovely terrace. There is also a chic cocktail bar here. And if you look to get some exercise, Sofitel provides a fitness center with a sauna. The hotel offers a variety of child and pet services. There is an on-site electric vehicle charging station too. Private parking on the hotel premises costs CAD 40 per day.
Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth
3
This opulent hotel stands above the central metro station, halfway between the Golden Square Mile and Montreal’s waterfront. It’s one of the top gay-friendly hotels in Montreal, with a long, iconic history. It was here that John Lennon and Yoko Ono held their Bed-In for Peace in 1969. The suite they stayed in is now a part of virtual reality experience.
Rooms in Fairmont are spacious and feature contemporary decor with an artistic twist. Each includes free Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV, and a coffee machine. You may bring your pet here or request a babysitting service. In addition, Fairmont boasts a lovely indoor swimming pool and a wellness center with a gym and a spa. On-site, you can dine in Rosélys – an elegant bistro serving international cuisine. You also have a cozy coffee lounge and cocktail bar at your disposal. And if you are up for exploring, this is a perfect starting point for all sorts of underground city tours. Countless restaurants and bars await you in the tunnels.
Hotel Bonaparte
2
Bonaparte stands at Montreal’s waterfront, a 2-minute walk from Pointe-à-Callière Complex. Basilica Notre-Dame is 100 meters away from the property. The hotel’s decor reflects the charms of Old Montreal. The cozy lodge occupies a late 19th-century mansion. Elegant rooms have classic wooden floors and exposed brick walls. In each, you will discover a flat-screen cable TV and free Wi-Fi. Upgraded suites offer whirlpool tubs and private balconies with a garden view. You cannot bring pets to the premises.
Breakfast is complimentary. A chic Restaurant Bonaparte serves delicacies of French cuisine. The hotel has a rooftop terrace, but you won’t find any gym here. No worries, though. The property’s location makes it a perfect getaway for a variety of active tours. Give it a go with Old Montréal Walking Tour.
Hotel Gault
1
Gault rises in the center of Old Montreal, a scant distance away from Basilica Notre – Dame and the Old Port. The sleek boutique occupies a renovated 1871 residence. Inside the building, classic rooms enthrall with an elegant, minimalistic design. Each suite provides a flat-screen TV with a Blu-ray player, a minibar, and free Wi-Fi.
The hotel offers a comfortable wellness center with a spa and a gym. There is a charming on-site library too. It sports a fireplace and a DVD rental to keep you occupied on long winter evenings. In terms of meals, Gault spoils for choice with its chic French bistro. Besides, the closeness of the harbor makes the property is an ideal getaway for such gourmet tours as 5-Course Dinner Cruise. Can you imagine a more delectable adventure?
Recommended Restaurants / Bars in Montreal:
- Jean-Talon Market – The market stands in the heart of Little Italy district. Inaugurated in 1933, it’s one of the oldest public markets in Montréal. Generations of merchants and customers have been coming here together to trade locally produced gastronomic treasures. The area is overflowing with local specialties, as well as discoveries from other places. Everyone will find here something to snack on!
- Fairmount Bagel – What started as a comfort food of the early 20th-century Jewish immigrants, is now an iconic element of Montreal’s culture. And Fairmont Bagel, with a history dating back to 1919, is the best bakery to indulge in those snacks.
- Swartz’s – When in Montreal, you absolutely shouldn’t miss out on Schwartz’s or the Montreal Hebrew Delicatessen. The established in 1928 restaurant specialized in smoked-meat sandwiches considered to be one of the essential elements of the culinary heritage of the city. Its long history and the quality of meals has led to Swartz’s being considered a cultural institution of Montreal.
Recommended Activities In Montreal:
- Montreal Botanical Garden – If you are in town, make sure to visit Jardin Botanique De Montreal. The site is known as one of the ten most beautiful botanical gardens in the world. It comprises 75 hectares of thematic installations and greenhouses. You will find here more than 22,000 species and varieties of plants.
- Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal – This spectacular Roman Catholic basilica is the largest church in Canada. It was founded in 1904 and brought alive through a construction process spanning six decades. Its monumental scale, Renaissance Revival facade, and Art Deco interior attract more than 2 million visitors each year.
- Cabaret Mado – If you are looking for an extravaganza, Mado is the right place for you. Allow an extravagant burlesque queen to take you on an adventure in Montreal’s entertainment district. Listen to the history of the former Red-Light District and learn about the golden days of the cabaret theaters.
