Where to Stay in Downtown Montreal, Montreal

Good for

• Luxury travelers
• First-time visitors
• Architecture lovers

Travelers who want a full-service, historic luxury hotel in the most central possible Downtown location, directly connected to the train station and metro.

Why we like it

• Sits directly above Central Station, with underground access to two metro stations and the RESO tunnel network
• Close to a thousand rooms and a full range of on-site dining, so there's rarely a wait for a table or a check-in line
• A significant piece of Montreal's 20th-century history, having hosted countless public figures since opening in 1958
• Large fitness centre and spa, more extensive than most Downtown hotels of any size

What to know

• A hotel of this size can feel less intimate than a boutique property — it suits travelers who prioritize location and facilities over a small-hotel feel
• Boulevard René-Lévesque traffic is audible on lower floors with street-facing windows
• Some room categories are compact relative to the rate, typical of a large legacy hotel in a prime location

Good for

• Families
• First-time visitors

Families and anyone who wants a quiet outdoor space to relax in without leaving a central Downtown hotel.

Why we like it

• A rooftop garden with streams and green space, unusual for a Downtown Montreal hotel of this size
• A heated outdoor pool that stays open through the winter, with steam rising off the water against the snow
• Being built above Place Bonaventure keeps the hotel itself set back from street noise
• Direct underground access to Bonaventure metro station and the RESO network

What to know

• The hotel sits above a large commercial complex, so the approach and lobby involve more walking than a standalone building
• Room decor is comfortable rather than boutique-style, in keeping with a large full-service hotel
• The rooftop garden's appeal is strongest in warmer months, though the pool itself runs year-round

Good for

• First-time visitors
• Families

First-time visitors and families who want a dependable, well-located Downtown hotel with an indoor pool, without paying boutique-hotel rates.

Why we like it

• An indoor pool and large fitness centre, useful for families or longer stays
• Straightforward, consistent rooms across a large property, with fewer surprises than a smaller boutique hotel
• A short walk to Sainte-Catherine Street shopping and the Bell Centre
• Competitive rates for a Downtown location this close to the metro

What to know

• Furnishings and design are functional rather than stylish, typical of a large chain hotel
• The hotel's size means lobby and elevator areas can be busy during conference or event periods
• Being on René-Lévesque Boulevard, some street noise reaches lower floors with traffic-facing windows