7 Quirky Bed and Breakfasts in Montreal | Fun and Culture in the City of Saints

With its three heritage houses styled in a romantic, country aesthetic, the Auberge Le Bons Matins is the ideal place to stay during your love affair with Montreal. This artsy home balances vibrant colours and quirky art pieces with rustic elements for a distinctively cool vibe—just picture pulling back the dramatic red drapes in your roomy guest space to let the sun stream in on abstract paintings hung on exposed brick walls. You’ll also find exotic woven rugs and working wood stoves to really dial up the coziness. And to brighten up your mornings even more, you’ll find downright “eggcelent” options for breakfast. Try the Eggs Benedict with ham, bacon or salmon, or just have your eggs fried, scrambled, boiled or poached with a classic a side order of maple smoked bacon.

When it comes to exploring the urban playground that is Montreal, know that you’re conveniently located next to the Bell Centre, Crescent Street and the Griffintown neighbourhood. Wander the streets to take in the urban clash of sparkling skyscrapers and converted warehouses ornamented with graffiti-style street art. If you you’re not sure where to go, just ask at the front desk of the B&B for helpful tips on the latest contemporary art shows or the nearest joint for a famous Montreal smoked meat sandwich.

The Maisons Des Jardins almost sounds too good to be true. It’s set in a quiet neighbourhood, but is minutes away from the centre of Montreal. If you’ve arrived by car, park outside on the street for free and head inside to the cozy living room—think plush green wingback chairs, hardwood floors and cabin-esque plaid drapes. Bring your swimsuit, because there’s an outdoor hot tub great for soothing away stresses after a long drive. And to amp up the heavenly treatment some more, you can even book a knot-busting massage from co-owner Luc Desjardins, who’s been a certified message therapist (a.k.a. magic worker) since 1996.

In your nature-themed room, feel like a forest nymph among elegant landscape paintings or even a full-wall mural of birch trees. Don your in-room bathrobe and cuddle up in your freshly dressed queen-size bed to catch up on your favourite show with the multi-channel cable TV. In the morning, you’ll get a star greeting downstairs by arguably the fluffiest dogs in the world, Gimauve and Gaia. Resist their puppy-dog eyes as you dig into breakfasts that other guests have described as “giant”. And if you can’t get enough of your hosts’ culinary creations, you can find their recipes on their website. Everything’s worth a nibble, though you might just find yourself partial to the ultra-gooey banana bread.

Follow the sign of the rainbow and it’ll lead you to the Gîte Touristique L’Escogriffe, an adorable B&B in the heart of Montreal’s Gay Village catering exclusively to men. There are four comfortable bedrooms here, with duvet-covered double beds just waiting for you to crawl into after a day’s hike through the city. L’Escogriffe has two shared bathrooms, too (because sharing is caring), so bring your bathroom slippers along. After a restful night’s sleep, drop into the common dining areas, where you can expect to mingle with open-minded guests over breakfast of fruit-covered gaufres (French waffles), toast or an omelette.

When you’re not exploring the surrounding downtown, take in a dose of Vitamin D on the sunny rooftop terrace. Stretch out your limbs in the lounge chairs and breathe in the fragrance of roses and sunflowers. And if you feel something soft and furry rubbing against your fingers, don’t be alarmed! It’s just the resident cat making your acquaintance. Feel free to talk to him—we suspect he speaks both English and French, much like Denis, the owner, who’s always at your disposal should you need any anything.

Hospitality is the name of the game at the Bed & Breakfast Du Village. This gay-friendly B&B offers a range of rooms, from twin bed arrangements to a maisonette all to yourself. Toss your bags in your chic, contemporary space and admire your surroundings of stone or brick tiling, crisp white bedding accented with uber-soft fleecy blankets and tasteful, minimalist art pieces. Your hosts, who are truly passionate about their city, will gladly provide you with the information you need to experience the typical Montrealer’s “au-jour-le-jour”—and they’ll do it in English, French, or Spanish.

The B&B is in a quiet area of the city, just two kilometres from the city centre with its museums, shops, restaurants and monuments. It takes only 13 minutes to get to the colourful Latin Quarter, so you can easily access the city’s famous nightlife or catch a cool, off-beat show at an indie theatre. Whatever your fancy, you’ll get to return to the B&B’s private terrace, great for ending the night with a late-order poutine and Montreal craft beer—or just for breakfast with a side of sunshine in the morning.

Studio Living is right in the heart of the city, tucked sweetly in the Village area and just minutes away from the subway. It’s just a few steps from many of Montréal’s attractions, like the Latin Quarter or the Plateau Mont-Royal. You’ll want to stop in for a night or two if music is what you’re after, as the Place des Festivals is practically right outside the door and hosts some legendary music festivals.

Book your own 500 square feet of studio space and luxuriate in your private bathroom and queen-size bed all for yourself. Contemporary aesthetics, shiplap accents, mood lighting, soft cotton sheets, ornamental crockery—everything comes together to really give you that homey, comfortable feeling but with some urban flair to remind you of the super trendy city you’re in. Should you opt for a night in with dinner made in your own kitchenette or a bubbly soak in your tub, you won’t even have to think about cleanup—daily housekeeping keeps the place spick and span. And speaking of daily, your breakfast will include cereal, fruit and assorted pastries, which you can enjoy inside your studio or at a picnic-style table in the garden surrounded by hedges and the perfume of orange day lilies. Who can say no to a good croissant in the morning?

If the name doesn’t give it away, the impressive greystone facade will: Hotel Gault is a high-class establishment in Montreal, a heartbeat away from the city centre. The Gault is packed right up to its ornamental tile ceilings with amenity-heavy stylish spaces, from luxurious suites to lofts with airy views. Check into your ultra cool room decked out in exposed brick, with high industrial ceilings, raw cement accents and cool wire frame furniture. Select rooms even have their own iron balconies for a swanky martini with a view as night falls. If you’re in Montreal on an intimate trip for two, it’s worth splurging on a private, deluxe apartment for an extra dash of romance—like taking a couple’s bath in your freestanding round bathtub.

When you feel like having a bite to eat, the Gault Restaurant is open for breakfast, brunch and lunch. Indulge in salmon gravlax in the Gault’s lounge, or a grilled beef bib by the fireplace in the library. Breakfast in bed is a popular choice among couples and late risers, or anyone who just likes the comfort of their own room for a meal. If hunger strikes you during the day or late into the night, don’t worry: the Gault’s kitchen service works 24 hours.

Some people say that Montreal is a little piece of Europe here in Canada, and you’ll be sure to agree when you see the Victorian, old-world aesthetic of the Gîte Le Simone B&B. There’s even a queen in each of the nine rooms (a bed, that is), or you can book the three-bed apartment if you want the real royal treatment. And if that isn’t European enough for you, you’ll get your dose of the Continent when you wake up to the warm aromas of coffee, toast and croissants from the all-you-can-eat continental breakfast available from 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

The owners like to say, “we are near everything”. And they’re right! The bed and breakfast is 250 metres away from the Latin Quarter, the Village and a metro station to the underground city. And for general browsing, you’ll find endless streets of restaurants, bars, local grocers and boutiques to help you feel like you’ve really gotten into the daily scene of the City of Saints. If you’re a culture-minded person, we recommend a little jaunt to the Place des Arts or the Jazz Festival if you’re visiting in summer, both within walking distance.