Exclusive | Montreal Where to Stay

Gay-run B&Bs, guesthouses, and auberges are abundant and recommended for a real taste of gay Montr?al. Downtown is home to some stylish hotels, where luxury is more affordable than in other major cities.

BEST 4: GAY
La Conciergerie Guest House (1019 rue Saint-Hubert; 514-289-9297, fax 514-289-0845; C$99+) is an Editor's Choice award winner and consistently popular with especially gay male travelers. Situated in a 120-year-old Victorian home, La Conciergerie offers 17 rooms and has such amenities as parking, laundry, gym, hot tub and massage (by appointment), and serves a continental breakfast. Some rooms that do not share a bath have the shower and toilet within the room, much to the surprise of some guests. Be sure to inquire when you reserve whether the bathroom is inside or separate from the bedroom. Also note that free parking is on the street and may require moving your car each day.

The top-rated Alexandre Logan (1631 Alexandre DeS?ve; 514-598-0555 or 866-895-0555, fax 514-598-5055; C$75+) is a beautifully restored gay-owned property with five rooms (three with private bath) that attracts a mix of gay/straight clientele. It's located in a quiet residential neighborhood only a couple of blocks from the Village. Hot breakfasts are prepared each morning by a French chef.

Also convenient to the gay scene is Aubergell.com (1641 Amherst; 514-597-0878, fax 514-597-0812; C$95+), a gay B&B with stylish appointments reminiscent of a boutique hotel in its six rooms and three apartments. Oversized mirrors and white linens against dark wood make for ambiance that's both contemporary and cozy. Gay Gotha Lounge (see below) is located downstairs and draws a lively happy hour crowd.

Lindsey's B&B (3974 Laval Ave; phone/fax 514-843-4869 or 888-655-8655; C$75+) is a popular women-only lodging, offering three rooms (one with private bath), and a full vegetarian breakfast in an 1887 Victorian home on a tree-lined street. Lindsey and Augusta have been in business for more than 20 years. Make sure to check out the four-poster bathtub!

MAINSTREAM
Montr?al's mainstream hotels offer luxury and convenience in a full range of styles. Many are connected to the underground city, facilitating midwinter and hot, sticky summer access to downtown stores, theaters, and restaurants.

BEST 4: LUXURY
Fairmont Le Reine Elizabeth (The Queen Elizabeth, 900 rue Ren? Levesque Ouest; 514-861-3511 or 800-441-1414, fax 514-954-2296; C$169+) was where John Lennon and Yoko Ono recorded "Give Peace a Chance" during their "Make Love Not War" bed-in in 1969. It is located (noiselessly and conveniently) right above the Gare Centrale, the central train station.

The Ritz-Carlton Montr?al (1228 rue Sherbrooke Ouest; 514-842-4212 or 800-363-0366, fax 514-842-3383; C$199+) is luxurious, with a fashionable address and 230 rooms. It is the luxury choice for conservative, well-heeled types.

Bask in the old-world glory of the H?tel XIXe Si?cle (262 rue Saint-Jacques; 877-553-0019 or 514-985-0019, fax 514-985-0059; C$150+), on the verge of Vieux-Montr?al and downtown. With large, high-ceilinged rooms, heavy brocade drapery and stately furniture, it's vaguely reminiscent of staying in a bank, but is certainly more than comfortable. It's also conveniently located and a relative bargain for the sheer opulence of the place.

The Loews Hotel Vogue (1425 rue de la Montagne; 514-285-5555 or 800-465-6654, fax 514-849-8903; C$159-699) vies with the Omni and Ritz-Carlton for best-in-town honors, but edges them out for hip gay travelers, with slick style ? la New York's Royalton Hotel. Luxurious appointments, formally dressed staff and a jet-set style make this the "in" place to stay for those who appreciate cool and sleek.

Part One | Part Two

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Montreal: Introduction
Montreal: Where to Eat
Montreal: Where to Play/Meet
Montreal: What to See & Do
Montreal: Where to Shop
Montreal: Resources