Hotel St. Paul

One of the first of Montreal's high rises, the Canadian Express building built in 1900 by architect Alexander Hutchinson, now houses one of the cities best boutique hotels, the Hotel St. Paul. Perched on the border of the Old Port and a stone throw away from downtown, this hotel contrasts its stunning beaux arts facade with utterly modern interior design, and makes a great option for a romantic weekend retreat or cool getaway with friends.

Opened in 2001, the St. Paul showcases 140 rooms including 24 suites with modern decor inspired by the elements; the "earth" rooms are furnished with solid, grounded pieces, while the "sky" rooms feature soft draping and minimalist accents to create an airy, ethereal effect (think Delano Miami). While I find the regular rooms to be a bit stark compared to the well endowed suites, the high ceilings and large windows throughout make up for it with great views of the cities skyline to the north and the picturesque Historic district in the southeast backdrop.

If you walk down rue McGill in this lively and up-and-coming neighbourhood, you'll see that the St. Paul could not be better situated; it is steps away from some great restaurants (Olive and Gourmando, le Cartet, Da Emma, Barroco), walking distance from downtown, and housed at the base of the postcard worthy Rue St. Paul, the principal street that winds romantically right into the heart of Old Montreal.

Rates from $170/night.

Hotel St. Paul   |   355 McGill Street   |   Montreal, QC H2Y 2E8   |

(514) 380-2222

www.hotelstpaul.com

Hotel le St-James

 

For five star, old world opulence, Hotel Le St-James in Old Montreal comes highly recommended. Nestled fittingly on the second oldest street in the Montreal (coined Rue St. Jacques or St. James by 17th century French and English citizens, respectively), it is one of the most classic and refined boutique hotels of the city.     

photo credit: www.hotellestjames.com

In the 19th century, the original Hotel Le St-James is said to have accommodated the Prince of Wales and Edward VII during an official visit to the country. Now, it ranks highly among the likes of established and dignified guests who enjoy its 18th century classic decor, complete with Venetian dressers, Russian armoires, and Victorian paintings which fill their spacious suites.

For me, staying at such a property is on the "later-in-life" to do list, as I currently tend to opt for slightly more modern (slash budget!) hotels in lively areas. However, I think Le St-James would be perfect for any seasoned traveller who is looking for timeless elegance during their stay in Montreal, or even a quintessentially young couple who want to whisk themselves away from a busy household for a romantic weekend together.

If you're a local in the city and not looking for accomodations, you can still take advantage of the hotel's beautiful interior by booking an appointment at their spa. Their treatment room - housed in the vault of this former Merchants bank building - is absolutely stunning and makes for an amazing experience. (I've been on two separate occasions and each required an exceptional amount of restraint to conceal my giddiness and excitement with the space! I felt so lucky to be there and was happy as a lark during my entire treatment session...and there was, of course, some day dreaming involved about discovering some secret vault within the vault... but I digress).

Rates from $340/night.

Hotel le St-James   |   355 Rue Saint-Jacques O   |    Montreal, Quebec   |   H2Y 1N9   |

(514) 841-3111

www.hotellestjames.com

Hotel Gault

        

   

The Hotel Gault is a great option for those who love refined, minimalist design in a secluded setting. This modern boutique hotel houses thirty different loft style rooms from $196-$373 (breakfast included), making it perfect for a quiet weekend getaway. I've had many friends stay here who've offered nothing but praise for its service and convenient location (on the border of Old Montreal, but close to downtown).

photo credit: Malina Corpadean, egodesign.ca

Nestled on to what I believe is the most serene street in Old Montreal, Rue Ste. Helene is picturesque yet completely removed from the touristy areas you'd ascribe to the neighbourhood. Unfortunately, this can make the hotel a bit of a tricky find, though I promise the beauty of the street makes up for the frustration.  In fact, in the late eighteen hundreds, this was the center of Victorian business district, where warehouse-shops would hold and showcase both imported and domestic products.

 photo credit: Malina Corpadean, egodesign.ca 

Hotel Gault   |   449 Rue Ste Helene   |   Montreal, QC, H2Y 2K9   |

(514) 904-1616

http://www.hotelgault.com/

W hotel

This ultra chic hotel has been one of the best in Montreal since its opening in 2004. The lobby, or "living room," feels more like a posh lounge where you'll find books, candles and waterfalls, as well as Montreal's trendy set, who happen to stroll through late at night en route to Wunderbar.

 

Having stayed at W a few times this year, I can attest to the sheets being soft and comfy (something I consider very important) and the rooms, clean and hip. If you are staying in a Wonderful (traditional) room, see if number 1002 is available. Its the same price and size as all the others, but being on the top floor gives it the advantage of sky high ceilings, a private terrace and a spectacular view of the city.

W montreal   |   901 Square Victoria   |   Montreal, QC, H2Z 1R1‎ 

(514) 395-3100‎ 

www.whotels.com