catch a Habs game, or sneak in a quick poutine between business meetings, you’ll want a hotel conveniently located right in the heart of Montreal.
These downtown Montreal hotels are ideally placed for easy access to the city’s sites such as the Notre-Dame Basilica in Old Montreal or the Botanical Gardens. They also have on-site amenities such as heated pools, indulgent spa treatments and fine dining options to make your stay one to remember.
The Hotel Bonaventure Montreal is a verdant oasis in the bustling downtown area. Listen to the calming trickle of a waterfall and say allô to a passing koi fish as you recline in an Adirondack chair in the hotel’s 2.5-acre rooftop gardens. Admire the swaths of native perennials nestled amid pine, oak and birch trees or take a swim in the clear blue waters of the year-round outdoor heated pool.
The city’s famed Underground City is easily accessible from the main floor without the need to step outside – useful on those days of high summer humidity or extreme winter cold.
If you’re feeling active, take a few laps on the skating rink at Atrium Le 1000, located opposite the hotel. Follow up with a gentle massage in the comfort of your own room courtesy of the hotel’s MiaSpa. At dinner time, watch the sky turn an orange glow as the sun sinks into the horizon from the rooftop terrace of Le Kube restaurant (complete with vegetarian and gluten-free options on the menu).
Business travellers will find everything they need to stay on top of work with ergonomic work areas in every room. Meeting rooms, office rentals and video conferencing equipment are also available.
The lobby of Hotel 10, with its three-tier chandelier and polished granite pillars, embraces Montreal’s thriving contemporary artistic and cultural scene. The hotel is set within both the 1914 Art Nouveau Godin Building and the 2004 post-modern expansion by architect Dan Hanganu.
Take advantage of the swish Mercedes car service that’ll whisk you in style to Old Montreal. Alternatively, it’s a two-minute walk to the historic and bustling Boulevard Saint-Laurent. Stop by for lunch at one of the many charming restaurants before trying a trio of local Quebec cheeses for dessert at the French-inspired Bouillon Bilk.
Back at the hotel, freshen up in your spa-style bathroom. Rooms are individually decorated with fun touches of purple and silver decor. After a busy day, wind down with an in-room massage through the concierge.
Looking to dance the night away? No need to even change into your outdoor shoes – you can head straight to the integrated BLVD 44 nightclub. Along with its sizeable dance floor, the club has a mezzanine from which you can view all the action and a laidback terrace. If you prefer a more serene vibe, sip a chilled glass of white wine at the hotel’s illustrious BAR20.
Everything from the poised doorman to the well-stocked library and complimentary shoe shining service will make you feel as if you’ve very elegantly stepped back in time at the Hotel Le St-James.
Originally built in 1870, this former Merchants Bank building still maintains an old-world charm. Owners Karen and Lucien Rémillard travelled the globe to hand pick the exquisite furnishings for the hotel, including Venetian dressers and 18th-century Russian armoires.
It’s ideally situated in Old Montreal and is a relaxed six-minute walk to the gothic Notre-Dame Basilica. Also easily accessible are the Underground City, which is directly connected to the hotel. The Palais des congrès de Montréal (Montreal Convention Centre), is only a four-minute walk away – it often hosts exhibitions and galas, although it’s worth a visit to admire its strikingly colourful modern design alone.
Soothe any tension or stiff muscles with a hot stone massage at the hotel’s Le Spa, or choose an exfoliating body wrap that uses natural Pevonia skincare products to treat your skin.
At the XO restaurant, chef Oleg Reznikov prepares a delectable tasting menu and delicious à la carte options that change seasonally, such as sea bass with edamame purée and shiitake mushrooms. On Friday evenings, watch a live jazz band with your favourite cocktail in hand. Back in your room, drift off into a peaceful night’s sleep under fine goose down comforters and cotton pique sheets.
Located in the vibrant Quartier des Spectacles, Montreal’s arts and festival district, this urban chic hotel has a distinct, contemporary vibe to suit. You’ll be welcomed by clean-lined modern furniture, rich lighting and eye-popping flower arrangements at Zero 1. Rooms are adorned with white chairs, tables and bed sheets to contrast with the dark walls.
The fifth-floor terrace is the perfect place to socialize against the backdrop of panoramic views of Montreal. If you’re in the mood for a workout, the fitness centre also has wraparound views of Downtown.
Whether you’re travelling with friends or solo, indulge in some much-deserved pampering time. In-room spa treatments are available through the hotel’s partnership with Appia Spa. The menu includes “The Landing” massage for a restful night’s sleep or “The Sparkle” facial to give you a radiant glow.
Head to the Z Tapas Lounge in the hotel for a lively dining experience. Choose from a wide selection of dishes, which range from the ‘Burger con todo’ (literally: ‘the burger with everything’) with cheese, guacamole, tartar sauce, bacon and tomatoes, to the regionally-inspired scallops with maple syrup plantain purée. Finish off the night by sipping on a Pan-Am or Pisco de Leche from Z’s signature cocktail menu.
Grab yourself a blue lounge chair to soak up the full view of downtown Montreal through the large windows of the Hilton Garden Inn’s rooftop pool area. The space houses a heated saltwater pool next to an inviting, blue-tiled whirlpool.
Take advantage of your room’s convenient “hospitality centre” with a small fridge, microwave and coffeemaker. Grab a ready-meal or snack from the hotel’s Pavillion Pantry, open 24 hours, and heat it up in the comfort of your own room.
Located on Rue Sherbrooke, the hotel is within walking distance of music, arts and culture venues at Place des Festivals. Step into the nearby MAC (Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal) to marvel at works by Quebec, Canadian and international artists. For a sweet treat, try local favourite Chocolat Favoris on nearby Rue Sainte-Catherine for a dipped ice cream or a dark chocolate bar with wild blueberries. Be warned: the “petit” size ice cream portion is on the generous side.
As for dining options, the hotel’s Circos Restaurant & Bar offers an internationally-influenced menu that reflects Montreal’s multicultural spirit. Try the signature dish, a marinated oven roasted turkey drumstick served with cranberry Porto sauce. Unwind with a dinner cocktail amid driftwood sculptures and tall grasses in the dining area. You could also choose to order room service from Circos if you want to dine from the comfort of your Serta Restful Garden bed.
Wake up in style each morning in one of Le Crystal’s sophisticated suites with a rejuvenating walk-in rain shower or a long soak in your separate bathtub. Freshen up by treating your body to all-natural Oneka toiletries, lovingly made in Frelighsburg, Quebec.
If you’re on a tight schedule, whip up lunch in your contemporary kitchen space. You can pick up fresh ingredients from the famed Middle Eastern and Mediterranean grocery store Adonis, a short 15-minute walk away on Rue Sainte-Catherine.
At the hotel’s Amerispa, you can choose from a comprehensive list of treatments such as the Valmont signature facial, warm pebble foot massage or Labrador tea foaming exfoliation. There’s also a “For You Gentlemen” menu, which offers an energizing facial or “Executive Pedicure” designed to leave men feeling smooth and well-groomed. Take a bit of light exercise in the indoor saltwater pool or warm your muscles in the year-round rooftop hot tub.
Housed in four 19th-century neoclassical buildings, the Place d’Armes is ideally located for exploring Old Montreal. Start by taking a stroll around the adjacent Notre-Dame Basilica. If you want a break from exploring on foot, you can take a ride with Bixi, Montreal’s bike sharing service. The Saint-Antoine/Saint-François-Xavier Bixi station is just a three-minute walk from the hotel on Rue Saint-Antoine.
After a day in the city, a visit to Rainspa will leave you feeling reinvigorated with its traditional Hammam steam bath or Vichy shower treatments and massages. When it’s time for dinner, you have three options. For an open-air experience, go for a delectable meal at the hotel’s rooftop restaurant, the Terrasse Place d’Armes, where you can try delicacies such as mushroom ravioli or the house specialty raspberry mojito. Linger over your meal as you watch the world go by in the iconic Place d’Armes below, where tourists and locals mingle. Alternatively, opt for an authentic French cuisine experience at on-site Brasserie 701. For a taste of the exotic, try one of over 25 varieties of sake at the Japanese Kyo Bar to accompany your sushi or bento box special.
Standard rooms feature a striking blend of brick walls and hardwood floors along with warm-toned furnishings. Dip into the mini-bar supply, or sit back in your armchair and enjoy a cup of Nespresso coffee.
At the InterContinental Hotel Montreal, dedicated service and a wide range of amenities come together to make for a luxurious stay. This downtown Montreal hotel’s health club invites you to invigorate yourself with a gentle swim in the indoor saltwater pool or a session in a dry sauna. Pamper yourself after a day of business or leisure and book a back rub with one of the on-site massage therapists.
The hotel is located above the architectural marvel World Trade Centre Montreal, a shopping centre and business complex. One of the building’s main attractions is a display featuring a piece of the Berlin Wall, gifted to the City of Montreal on its 350th birthday.
In the cozy, intimate absinthe bar, the Sarah B., choose from an intriguing cocktail list and try a tasty bite to eat from the menu. If you’re looking for a more traditional restaurant experience, dine at the hotel’s Osco! restaurant to experience local Quebec foods in a French Provençal style. It’s also home to an impressive wine cellar comprising over 600 hand-picked bottles.
Rooms have sumptuous decor, which features deep-red furnishings accompanied by pops of white. Slip into a soft bathrobe and use the premium Agraria bath products to end your day feeling fully restored.
Stylish decor and generously sized rooms characterize the contemporary boutique-style Courtyard by Marriott. This sleek glass-fronted high-rise welcomes you with an intimate courtyard entrance, followed by neatly potted ferns and modern plush seating in the lobby.
Work up a sweat in the spacious fitness centre, which has a range of commercial equipment from LifeFitness, or the rooftop saltwater pool, which has a panoramic view of downtown. Cool down in the calming whirlpool or one of two steam baths.
In the evening, savour a tender steak accompanied by a glass of wine in the laidback, homely atmosphere of the hotel’s Le Darlington restaurant and separate bar lounge.
When you’re ready to hit the town, Old Montreal is 10 minutes from the hotel while the Palais des congrès de Montréal is just one block away.