Hotels in Montreal

Staying in Montreal

Montreal is the great French-speaking city of North America and one of the most familiar destinations for Moroccans: a large diaspora, direct flights from Casablanca and a daily life where French is enough. The island is easy to get around by metro and bus, and the neighbourhoods that interest visitors almost touch: downtown and its towers, Old Montreal and the Old Port by the river, the Plateau and its residential streets at the foot of Mount Royal.

The season changes everything. Summer is short, lively and full of festivals; downtown hotels fill up and you need to book early. Winter is long and very cold, with snow for months: the city then lives indoors, in the underground network that links the metro, malls and offices. A hotel close to a metro station or connected to that network makes the days far more pleasant. In between, autumn brings the colours and a gentler crowd. The airport is linked to downtown by an express bus line and by taxis.

Where to stay in Montreal

• Downtown

  The practical heart: chain and business hotels, the shops of Sainte-Catherine Street, railway stations and metro stops, direct access to the underground network. The right choice in winter and for a first visit.

• Old Montreal and the Old Port

  Cobbled streets, stone buildings, boutique hotels in former warehouses, walks along the river. Plenty of charm, but little parking and a steady tourist bustle in summer.

• Plateau-Mont-Royal and Mile End

  Residential neighbourhoods with outdoor staircases, cafés, parks and Mount Royal close by. Mostly inns, small hotels and apartments: ideal for a longer or family stay, with the metro to reach downtown.

• Near the airport (Dorval)

  Functional hotels for a late arrival or an early departure, or a stopover on the way to another city. No interest for sightseeing, but with parking and shuttles.

Good to know before you book

• In winter, look at the map before booking: a metro station a few steps away, or access to the underground network, spares you long walks in the cold.
• Big festival weekends and the Grand Prix fill the centre: book early and ask for a room away from the street if noise worries you.
• If you rent a car to drive out to Quebec City or the Laurentians, check that the hotel has parking and ask about its cost: downtown it is rarely free.

Questions about Montreal

Frequently asked questions