Exclusive | Montreal Where to Stay Part Two

BEST 4: STYLE
Formerly Hotel Godin, the architectural landmark on the corner of Sherbrooke and "the Main," as the vibrant St. Laurent is known, has been reborn as Opus Montreal (10 Sherbrooke Ouest, Latin Quarter; 514-843-6000; C$179+). Attracting a similar stellar celebrity set as its Vancouver sibling, the 136-room hipster haven features a sleek lobby with a circular caramel velvet couch and sliding wood panels. The bar Suco opened at the end of September 2007, a thrilling den of metal lattice, crimson and dramatic crimson lighting. Guest rooms feature five distinctive color schemes, including leaf and cornflower, and varnished concrete, loft-chic ceilings in the newer part of the building. Rooms also boast Egyptian cotton sheets, down duvets, Gilchrist and Soames amenities and ambient low level lighting in the shower. Thoughtful extras, such as turn down service that includes locally made chocolates, bottled water and a filled ice bucket, add to the experience. As in Vancouver, Opus staff members stop at nothing to ensure guests are looked after. The exciting restaurants, bars and stores of Boulevard Saint Laurent and the Plateau are within minutes? walk north from the hotel. Old Montreal and the Gay Village are five minutes in a cab or fifteen to twenty minutes on foot.

Check into Montr?al's sexy boutique hotel, the 101-room Le Germain (2050 rue Mansfield; 514-849-2050 or 877-333-2050, fax 514-849-1437; C$210+) where the stylish and warm contemporary d?cor and sensuous furnishings will make it hard to leave the room. Some of the bathrooms have floor-to-ceiling glass windows into the bedroom. Its convenient central downtown location is great for shopping, with Ogilvy (1307 rue Sainte-Catherine Ouest; 514/842-7711), a fabulous designer department store and the classy Holt Renfrew (1300 rue Sherbrooke Ouest; 514/842-5111) a 10-minute walk away.

Another boutique property, Hotel St Paul (355 McGill; 514/380-2222 or 866/380-2202, fax 514/380-2200; C$179+), has attracted its share of gay fans with its chic, elegant rooms and suites and acclaimed restaurant, Cube. It's located near Vieux Montreal and the port.

A haven of contemporary design amid Old Montreal?s cobbles and charm, Hotel Gault (449 rue St. Helene; 514-904-1616; C$190+) offers just 30 luxurious guest rooms, as well as a library and restaurant-bar. Exposed brick and cement contrast with five soothing room color schemes.

BEST 4: VALUE
Extremely generous guest rooms beckon at budget boutique gem, Auberge Le Pomerol (819 blvd. de maisonneuve Est; 514-526-5511; C$80+). Some rooms feature Jacuzzi tubs and all boast wireless internet access, slick Panasonic CD radio systems, mini fridges and utterly comfortable beds. Friendly auberge staff members go out of their way to make guests feel welcome, and extra touches, such as the delivery of continental breakfast baskets and daily weather reports add to the enjoyment of stays at this 27-room, contemporary inn. It's only a few blocks from the Gay Village, directly across the street from the Metro and within easy walking distance of Old Montreal and Boulevard St. Laurent's restaurants. If you didn't bring your laptop, computer terminals are available in the conference room or near the hearty fireplace in the Petrus Lounge.

A good value choice in the gayborhood, Ruta Bagage (1345 rue Sainte-Rose; 514-598-1586; C$85+) is a quaint gay B&B just a half-block from the thick of Montr?al's gay life on rue Sainte-Catherine. Situated on a quiet corner, you might not notice that you're mere steps from Le Drugstore nightclub. The four guestrooms, with shared bath, are decorated in an eclectic style, melding classic Victorian and contemporary Tuscan elements. The hearty, homemade breakfast will fortify you for a long day's sightseeing, and the owner's standard poodle, William, will make sure you're made welcome.

Le Houseboy (1281 rue Beaudry; 866-525-1459 or 514-525-1459; C$55+) is a convenient, bright and fun bed and breakfast with five attractive and colorful rooms and two shared bathrooms. The smoke-free property also has an Internet station and outdoor spa with room for five.

From mid-May through mid-August, the best accommodation deals are to be found at McGill Student Residences (3935 rue University; 514-398-5200; C$40+). The four student residences, situated right in the McGill Ghetto, adjacent to Sherbrooke's shops and Mont Royal's trails, offer over 1000 rooms that range from basic to luxurious, many in separate gender-divided buildings. Rooms offer free internet access and mini fridges.

Part One | Part Two

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