Wondering where to remain in Montreal? We`ve become deeply fond of Montreal, and are here to help you do the same. It`s a great city with everything we enjoy: a flourishing art and culture scene, a charming Old Town, and a great food and drink scene. Oh, and good public transportation!
The best part? Unlike other major Canadian cities such as Toronto and Vancouver, it’s somewhat cost effective! Which you’ll observe when starting to browse some of the hotel options and pricing.
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First, there are only a few locations where you’ll find hotels and guesthouses, mostly concentrated around Downtown Montreal and Old Montreal along the Saint Lawrence River.
I like the city so much that when considering my preferred travel spots for 2023, the answer is about as straightforward as can be.
It’s Montreal.
Montreal is a city that, truthfully, was never really on our radar until some friends who live in the Northeast mentioned to us that it brings them to mind of Portland in a lot of ways. As Portland residents who love our city, our ears perked up at that, and we found ourselves in Montreal less than a year later.
The text validates the point that both Montreal and Portland share important qualities. Perhaps the most notable is the thriving food and beverage scene, which the text attributes to a relative low cost of living that allows people more freedom to experiment with interesting culinary concepts and experiences without needing an excess of monetary funds.
It also has expansive green spaces, leafy streets and residential neighborhoods interspersed with commercial strips, and the river (or rivers, in this instance) passing through it.
In this guide to the best places to stay in Montreal, we’re going to use our encounters exploring the city to help you decide on the right neighborhood for your particular travel style and budget.
Each of the neighborhoods in this guide offers a different mix of vibes, prices, and pros and cons, and we’ll cover it all below so that you’re armed with all the information you need to figure out where to stay for your particular style and budget.
The goal here is providing the information needed to find the perfect lodging for your Montreal trip.
Sound good to you? Let’s get into it.
Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post, like hotel links, are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, we make a little bit of money if you click through and book. That being said, we would never recommend something to you that we don’t stand behind 100%.
Where to Stay in Montreal: The 4 Best Places to Stay for First Time Visitors
Let’s directly examine where to stay during your visit to Montreal.
Our approach when selecting where to lodge is to initially opt for the neighborhood, then seek out an excellent hotel, hostel or rental in that area
iOptron currently has two models of portable star trackers in its product line: the Skyguider Pro and the SkyTracker Pro. They are both intended to meet different needs.
At a high level, though Montreal expands across an entire island – Yes, Montreal is situated on an island – called “Montreal Island” that sits between the Saint Lawrence River to the south and the Prairies River to the north.
The south end of the island is where you’ll find Downtown and Old Montreal, which is the core of the city. It becomes residential fairly quickly as you head outwards from there.
While the city encompasses the entire island, the options for places to stay in Montreal are actually relatively limited for a few reasons.
First, there are only a few places where you’ll find hotels and guesthouses, mostly concentrated around Downtown Montreal and Old Montreal along the Saint Lawrence River.
Second, as of a few years ago, short term lodging rentals are basically illegal in Montreal unless it’s the owner’s primary residence, which is not the case for a vast majority of rentals. The city has been cracking down on illegal listings, and visitors need to be very careful if booking a short term rental here (we didn’t know this before our trip).
As a result, there are only four neighborhoods that really work for visitors.
The reality is that, depending on what one is seeking, there are other neighborhoods that likely satisfy your needs. However, these are the ones that we think are the best for 99% of travelers, and we’ve shown our work, doing our best to clarify why we think that is the case.
For each neighborhood examined below, we`ve implemented a structured approach to assist in determining suitability, with coverage of the following:
- An overview of the neighborhood and our experience there. We`ve been personally to and explored (more than once) all of the areas on this list, so we`ll try to give you a little of our perspective on what makes each area unique.
- A collection of a few lodging options that stood out to us. Sometimes it’ll be because they offer rooms with river views, sometimes it’s that the hotel presents great value given the location.
Advantages and drawbacks of staying in this area. The things you need to be aware of to make your decision.
In the guide underneath, we’ve composed a comprehensive little travel manual for each of the neighborhoods we’re covering, but we’re well aware that a few of you are currently wanting to toss your left shoe at the screen, declaring “I don’t have time to read all of that, JUST TELL ME THE BEST PLACE TO STAY!”
Here is a brief overview of the guide, though reading the full section for your area of interest is advised for some favorite dining and drinking spots in the neighborhood!
In reality, we believe that you’re essentially choosing between three areas for your trip, and which one you opt for relies on your own individual style and budget, and what you want your trip to resemble.
These three areas – and we’d actually argue that most people are really choosing between the first two – cover the needs of nearly all travelers, though each of them does offer different atmospheres.
- Should you be visiting Montreal for a short time and only have a couple days available, stay in Old Montreal. This segment of the city was built when it was founded and is replete with charming streets covered in cobblestone, distinctive architecture, and a lively atmosphere that is nearly intoxicating. Both the Auberge du Vieux Port, an upscale boutique hotel situated in a historic building with rooms featuring wonderful views overlooking the river (and a great rooftop bar), and Maison Sainte-Thérèse, a collection of comfortable, spacious apartments comprising kitchens, have been stayed at. I’d advocate both of them!
- For work stays in Montreal, reside in Downtown Montreal. While less warm than other areas on this listing, it provides convenience if visiting Montreal briefly (or McGill). Lodge at Hotel Le Germain, a lovely boutique hotel centrally located, or at Sonder Maisonneuve for comfortable apartment-style accommodations.
Those seeking to be near the heart of Montreal`s finest cuisine and beverages should take lodging in the Plateau district. This locale, in our view, was decidedly the most enjoyable section of the city, housing many exceptional eateries and drinking establishments. We resided here for the latter part of our recent trip, valuing the proximity to such delights while also being within a brief five-minute commute of the Orange subway line, providing access to Downtown, the Lachine Canal waterfront, and the Little Italy and Jean Talon Market areas. Consider lodging at Auberge de la Fontaine, a small guesthouse directly on the city`s premier park.
A map is provided to help visualize the neighborhoods we’ll discuss in this guide along with some important landmarks (marked by yellow stars) to better understand the geographical layout of the city.
Where We’ve Stayed in Montreal
As is typical, we like to commence our guides by mentioning where we`ve stayed in a city, since who doesn`t enjoy a personalized recommendation?
In Montreal’s case, we have three of them!
We participated in an exceptional cooking class in Mexico City that remains a fond memory, and we recommend taking a great paella making course in Barcelona as part of any Barcelona itinerary.
Half of the rooms offer views of the St. Lawrence River, and the other half overlook Rue Saint-Paul, the charming cobblestone street featured in images of Old Montreal.
We also previously lodged at Maison Sainte-Thérèse, an apartment-style hotel where rooms are apartments and incorporated current technology enabling a contactless check-in process, with many quarters outfitted with kitchen facilities, likely why we ended up there.
They own a sister facility around the corner called Maison Saint-Vincent, which carries a analogous vibe. Both receive high ratings, and we’d recommend them.
Our friends came to meet us in Montreal for a long weekend get-together, and we decided to stay in Plateau Mont-Royal, which turned out to be our absolute favorite part of the city.
Think pedestrian areas (in the summer, anyway), huge green spaces (Parc de la Fontaine is incredible, especially on a warm weekend evening), and the best food and drinks in the city.
Old Montreal: The Best Place to Stay for First Timers & Short Trips
Old Montreal – Vieux-Montréal in French – was the original city site when founded in the 17th century by the French as a fur trading hub. Over time, the boundaries expanded outward from this location along the Saint Lawrence River.
It retained its role as the most prominent part of the city owing to its port, which was positioned there. Of course, boats eventually grew too sizable to navigate the rivers as rail transportation turned into a more effective method for transporting goods.
Similar to Fisherman`s Wharf in San Francisco, the area had a lively atmosphere and was evidently constructed with tourists in mind, as evidenced by the presence of an amusement ride. While commercialized, exploration revealed several worth sights.
The neighborhood consists of brick structures and charming streets, some being pedestrian-only zones that are pleasant in summer when locals populate outdoor patios at bars and restaurants throughout the area.
Two of the major attractions that shouldn’t be missed are the Montreal Museum of Archaeology and History (at Pointe-à-Callière) and the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal.
I’m not usually a “go into every church person” but after a strong recommendation from a walking tour guide ( this is the walking tour of Old Montreal I did and I’d recommend it), I decided to explore it.
Additionally, the interior of the cathedral is magnificent and significantly overshadows the relatively plain exterior.
The downside of Old Montreal is that, as expected given my comparison to Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco, the best dining, drinking, and shopping can be found elsewhere.
Therefore, you`ll need to visit other neighborhoods to find the best eateries and bars in Montreal (which is easily done using the convenient bus and metro links).
Pros and Cons of Staying in Old Montreal
The following are the potential advantages and disadvantages of residing in Old Montreal as we have analyzed.
Pros of Staying in Old Montreal
- It’s centrally located. You’ll be able to walk to downtown, the southern end of the plateau, and along the Lachine canal along the St. Lawrence river, and everything else is a short metro, bus, or bike ride away.
- It has great transit connections. It’s a 5-7 minute walk to the Orange Line of the metro, which takes you Downtown, or up north to the Plateau and Mile End. Plus, there are buses that run out to the Lachine Canal and straight up Boulevard Saint-Laurent. I found it really, really easy to use this area as a home base.
- It has abundant vivacious energy. The liveliness pervades, with the picturesque cobbled roadways filled with people engaged in their daily routines, conversing animatedly. The charming sidewalk cafés lining the main streets also provide a pleasant European vibe.
Cons of Staying in Old Montreal
- Tourist Traffic. Between 10am and 8pm, visitors flock to experience the cultural mélange. Prepare for crowds and to hear various languages, especially weekends. Diversity colorful but bustling.
- Restaurants and bars are fairly average. Especially for the price. It’s much like eating and drinking in Times Square in NYC or Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco. The area is full of tourists, so eateries don’t HAVE to be amazing to be successful. We’d plan on eating most of your meals elsewhere.
- It’s expensive, comparatively speaking. While very few things in Montreal are truly expensive, this is arguably the most desirable place to stay in Montreal, and the prices here reflect that.
The Best Places to Stay in Old Montreal
Here are a few places to stay in Old Montreal that stood out to us.
Auberge du Vieux-Port (Where I’ve Stayed): A Beautiful Boutique Hotel in a Great Location
Excellent beachfront location on one of San Diego’s premier coastlines. Historic building with numerous fun shopping and dining establishments nearby. Two nice pools (one for families, the other adults only). But the beach is where the action primarily occurs.
I opted for the Auberge du Vieux-Port after thinking about several other nearby choices because the rooms seemed nice – spacious, comfortable, stylish – and it was literally across the street from the river.
It’s an older masonry building that used to be an industrial warehouse that has been completely renovated, keeping the essential structure of the building and its history at the forefront (like the exposed brick walls in the rooms) while also adding a more contemporary touch of luxury.
The cost was slightly higher than usual for me, but I opted to stay there for a couple nights before relocating to a more affordable place.
I would say that it’s worth splurging, especially for the riverfront rooms. My window looked out across the street to the south over the Saint Lawrence River.
As I have pointed out before, the lodging`s situation is unrivaled. On one side is a walkway along the riverfront. On the other is Rue St. Paul, the principal pedestrian avenue through the neighborhood lined with dining, drinking and retail establishments.
My room had a nice seating area, a desk that was ideal for work during downtimes between activities, and the washroom was stocked with some of the most luxurious bath products I’ve ever used in my life.
The front desk associates were friendly and helpful every day, and honestly were one of the highlights of the stay. If you know me, you know I have many questions. And they all received answers with a smile and an understanding that my French needed a few days to return.
In terms of comforts, you`ve got a very relaxing bed, a great bathing area, and robes available in the room. There`s a rooftop bar called Terrasse sur L’Auberge, but I didn’t make it up there because smoke from nearby forest fires in Quebec had filled the air in Montreal .
Parking is valet only, and is $38 a day.
No pets allowed here.
Maison Sainte-Thérèse (Where I’ve Stayed): A Comfortable Aparthotel in the Heart of Old Montreal
As we’ve traveled more extensively over the past several years – it is our full-time job now, after all – we’ve begun observing more “aparthotels” around the world with interest. And we support this concept.
An aparthotel combines aspects of an apartment and a hotel. It provides a front desk and housekeeping services similar to a hotel. Additionally, it gives more living space and a kitchen like an apartment would.
Given Matt`s need for a gluten-free diet, lodging with kitchen facilities is regularly important for us, so apartment-style hotels present a great option.
After spending a couple of nights at Auberge du Vieux-Port, I opted to reside at a different lodging with more space to spend a few days before my friends and Alysha came to Montreal to join me.
Maison Sainte-Thérèsewas rated as the top option in regards to consumer feedback and reviews, and upon realizing there are only 12 rooms in the entire establishment, I opted for it to be a tranquil place to spend a few nights.
The location is similar – it’s one block north of Rue St. Paul on a quieter street a few blocks from all the action.
My room – a studio – was spacious and comfortable, with a full kitchen, a dining island, and a comfortable bed.
Each space is somewhat divergent, even within the dissimilar classes, and all are decorated by regional designers and artists.
One point to note here is that the front desk is only staffed during check-in hours, and everything outside of that time will be virtual (by text). However, I will say that the responses were extremely helpful and prompt, which is not always the case in that scenario.
Maison Saint-Vincent: Another Stylish Aparthotel in a Good Location
Closely related to Maison Sainte-Thérèse, where we stayed, this stylishly designed short-term rental is located within a short distance, and offers a very similar value proposition.
Stylish guest rooms designed by local artists and designers – most include full kitchens, and check-in and check-out are handled through a streamlined self-service process.
I would say the rooms here have a bit more of a “boutique” quality and style compared to those at Maison Sainte-Thérèse, which lean towards an industrial-chic aesthetic.
Hôtel Uville Montréal: A Stylish Mid-Century Hotel
This boutique accommodation is purposely designed to evoke the 60’s and 70’s in Montreal, with decor that is somehow both dated and modern simultaneously. Think wood tones and wild wallpapers. It’s a nice blend of modern and classic styles.
The location is excellent – it’s across the street from the Museum of Archaeology and History and a few blocks from both the cathedral and the river.
Rooms come in two configurations; a single king bed or two queen beds. A surprisingly simple and comprehensible way of categorizing rooms, we believe.
Breakfast is provided in the spacious ground floor cafe, and amenities like mini fridges and streaming-capable TVs are available (bring your own device).
No onsite parking here – the staff will direct you to a couple of nearby lots to park there, for a fee (of course).
Pets are allowed, but I was unable to acquire more information on which rooms were pet-friendly and the applicable fee unless I was prepared to book a room (which seemed peculiar to me).
Downtown Montreal: The Most Convenient Area to Stay in Montreal
In regards to convenience, it’s rather difficult to debate Downtown Montreal as the most handy area to lodge in Montreal.
The transit connections – particularly the metro – are unrivaled (basically everything runs through Downtown), the walkability to Old Montreal, the Plateau, and up to Mont-Royal itself is nice, and the selection of hotels is about as good as it gets.
There are a virtually limitless number of lodging options in Downtown Montreal across a range of diverse budgets and styles.
The trade-off, as there inevitably is one, is that the central location means you`ll be sharing walkways with business professionals in suits and the occasional tourists, because residents of Montreal truly do not live Downtown.
However, its central location and role as the city`s effective Financial District (or Central Business District, take your choice) means it offers the best hotel selection in the city.
Like we said, pros and cons.
For your initial voyage that is brief (24-48 hours approximately), the greatest approach is to pick an area that places you in the center of actions to optimize your time, as you will not have much schedule to explore outside of the downtown region (like Mont-Royal and Old Montreal).
However, staying here for an extended trip could be a wise decision if you wish to have optimal connections via transit to the remainder of the city, including to and from the airport.
Pros and Cons of Staying in Downtown Montreal
Here are the pros and cons of staying in Downtown Montreal as we view them.
Pros of Staying in Downtown Montreal
- There are many places available to stay in. The small Downtown corridor has an extremely high concentration of lodging options, with hundreds of hotels. Additionally, choices are available for various budget levels – luxury, high-end hotels do not make up all the possibilities.
- Its central location is ideal. As expected, Downtown Montreal is centrally positioned, allowing easy access on foot to Old Montreal, the Plateau, and upward to the summit of Mont-Royal itself (the trail starts here featuring stair pathways).
- There are great ways to get around. Between the metro lines and stops for just about every bus route in Montreal, you’re really well connected to the rest of the city if you choose Downtown as your home base. It`s easy to navigate around town, and to get to and from the airport.
Cons of Staying in Downtown Montreal
- It lacks charm. This is a concrete jungle, and though there are a few green spaces spread throughout (we like Dorchester Square), it feels highly urban.
- Our favorite places to eat and drink are elsewhere. The bars and restaurants here cater to business people, which means they will not be as diverse and interesting as some of the places on the Plateau, in Mile End, or down near the Lachine Canal near Griffintown and Little Burgundy. Plan on eating and drinking elsewhere if you stay here.
The Best Places to Stay in Downtown Montreal
There are a nearly unlimited number of options for hotels in Downtown Montreal to choose from, including various lodging choices provided by most of the major hotel chains.
Here are a couple options that caught our eye.
Sonder Maisonneuve: Stylish Apartments in the Heart of Downtown Montreal
We`ve previously stayed at Sonder properties and found their modern apartments pleasant in a couple cities.
The home talked about is on the southwestern end of Downtown, precisely between Concordia University and the Museum of Fine Arts (and right next to the Guy-Concordia metro station, which is on metro line 1).
If you aren`t familiar with Sonder, we think of it as something between hotels and Airbnb. It’s similar to Airbnb in that you get your own space (usually apartments, though they’ve started offering hotel-style rooms at some properties), but it’s like a hotel in that Sonder actually owns the property (versus a random person).
As you might imagine, there are benefits and drawbacks to consider here.
The biggest thing to understand is that at many locations, staff are only virtually present – everything like check-in codes and room cleaning requests are managed online.
This predicts that if an issue develops, you are unable to simply go down to the front desk. And you cannot solicit guidance from the front desk team on nearby bars, how to ride the bus to the Lachine Canal, or any other functional questions you have.
However, if you’re looking for a nice place to stay that has modern comforts and accommodating rooms that, crucially, have a kitchen, this would be a great home base in Montreal.
Accommodations here range from studios to a few larger apartments with two and three bedrooms. Most units fall under studios and one bedroom, and many apartments include balconies. All apartments contain full kitchens consisting of stovetops and ovens.
There is an outdoor terrace on the 14th floor, a gym and sauna, and even an outdoor swimming pool (!!).
Hôtel Le Germain Montréal: A Beautifully Designed Hotel in Downtown Montreal
Centrally situated – directly across from McGill University and within walking distance of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts– this mid-century modern accommodation is easily recognizable thanks to its multicolored exterior.
I spotted it while wandering around exploring downtown and pinned its location on the map to return later and view the hotel`s interior.
It turns out this hotel has a rather appealing visual aesthetic! It clearly caters more towards discerning travelers (as opposed to budget-conscious ones), allocating quite spacious rooms furnished with mid-century modern details (subway tile within the shower area) and a contemporary sensibility.
Room types mainly consist of one king or queen bed or two queens (the latter being somewhat pricier), with different tiers (e.g. `superior`) within each configuration.
Germain Hotels is a brand with properties across eastern Canada, from Calgary to Quebec. They originated in Quebec – their first hotel opened in Quebec City in 1988 – and have since broadened outside the province.
Pets are permitted to stay, though there is a $30 additional charge for each visit. However, pets cannot be left unattended in the room and their presence must be disclosed prior to arrival.
Indoor parking is available onsite at the cost of $40 per day. Additionally, there is an onsite fitness facility (that appears rather well-equipped compared to other hotel gyms).
Le Plateau Mont Royal: Our Personal Pick for the Best Area to Stay in Montreal
’Le Plateau,’ referring to the flat section of the city northeast of the mountain, turned out to be where we spent most of our time on the trip to Montreal, even when we weren’t staying there.
It reminds us a lot of our neighborhood in Portland, Oregon, which we love. It’s largely residential, with several strips of commerce running through it with a variety of places to eat, drink, and shop (our favorite is Avenue du Mont-Royal).
It also happens to be fairly central, tucked between Mile End and Little Italy to the northwest, and the Downtown core (including Old Montreal) to the southeast, conveniently accessible via the metro and numerous bus lines passing through the neighborhood.
We repeatedly discovered ourselves exiting the subway at Mont Royal (or Sherbrooke) for one reason or another (mostly to eat or drink), and decided that it was undoubtedly our preferred section of the city.
This area has everything we appreciate in a neighborhood that blends urban amenities, like a great variety of dining, drinking, and shopping options, and a residential feel with nice green spaces (similar to our home in southeast Portland, for example).
The main challenge accompanying stays here involves relatively few lodging options in this mainly residential area due to tight regulations on short term rentals, as is suitable.
Because the Plateau is a long, narrow stretch running basically all the way from Downtown up to Mile End, it makes sense to discuss what area to stay in.
We would seek lodging somewhere in the vicinity between Avenue du Mont-Royal and Sherbrooke St, placing us within walking distance of either the Mont-Royal or Sherbrooke subway stations.
And being within a few blocks of Saint Laurent Boulevard will also give you access to the bus lines that run up and down that main thoroughfare.
For what it’s worth, the highest concentration of lodging options are going to be on the southeast end of the neighborhood, closer to Downtown and UQAM (the University of Quebec in Montreal), with a few nice guesthouses further north.
Pros and Cons of Staying in Plateau Mont Royal
Here are the pros and cons of living in the Plateau as we see them.
Pros of Staying in the Plateau
- There is a lot to do, eat, see, and drink. You could spend an entire weekend in Montreal just in this area consuming and imbibing and never exhaust all the delicious options. We have suggestions based on our own encounters below.
- Its location enables walking to Mile End and Little Italy. It’s a pleasant, easy walk – the terrain is flat – up Saint Laurent to both Mile End and Little Italy. Everything else is a short metro ride away, bringing us to our next pro…
- Convenient transit links. Depending on where you lodge, you’ll have use of the Orange Line of the metro (at either Sherbrooke or Mont Royal most likely) and the buses running up and down St. Denis and St. Laurent.
Cons of Staying in the Plateau
- Lodging options are more restricted. As expected in a residential section of the city, there are fewer accommodations on the Plateau. A couple hotels and guesthouses exist alongside a few rental apartment buildings, but choices are comparatively limited and scattered.
- Residing farther to the northeast results in an extended commute to metro/bus lines. The more east and north you travel within locations near Parc la Fontaine (our favorite park in the city), the greater the walking duration or additional transit ride to reach primary subway/bus routes. It can conveniently add 10-15 minutes on foot or another bus trip. We suggest taking advantage of the convenient Bixi bike network to streamline these connections, which are very user-friendly along Montreal`s comprehensive cycle paths.
- It can get loud and crowded. After 10pm or so, this area becomes one of the main nightlife spots in Montreal. Which can be fun if you want to party – we enjoyed some bars in the highlights section below – but it may disturb sleep (which we also value). Not a dealbreaker alone, but something to consider.
The Best Places to Stay in Plateau Mont-Royal
The following places to stay in the Plateau piqued our interest.
Auberge de La Fontaine: A Charming Guesthouse in a Great Plateau Location
Positioned directly on the northwestern edge of Parc La Fontaine, this charming guesthouse is one of the exceptionally few places to lodge on the Plateau.
The spot is wonderfully situated – it`s two lengthy blocks from the popular Rue Mont-Royal stretch, adjacent to the park (great for summer evenings with wine and snacks), and about a 15-minute walk from the subway station (at Mont-Royal Station).
There are only 21 rooms available in different layouts – mostly one queen bed or two queen beds – with a few larger suites.
Regretfully, there is no parking area on the premises here, so you’ll need to navigate the somewhat perplexing street parking scene (which they can help you with). For what limited information is available, our friends did so and came through unscathed with no parking tickets.
No pets allowed here.
François-Denis Apartments: Spacious Apartments in an Ideal Location
Located directly along Saint-Denis, one of the primary routes moving through the Plateau (it’s parallel to Blvd. Saint-Laurent), this compact lodging is an extra housing that we’ve added to our collection for long term stays to Montreal.
The location truly could not be more beneficial. It is a short distance of a few blocks from Avenue Mont-Royal, inclusive of the subway station (it is literally a three minute walk from the front entrance), and a ten minute stroll to Saint-Laurent Blvd, offering access to multiple bus routes operating to Little Italy and Mile End (among other parts of the city).
Accommodations here comprise apartment-style rooms, all including fully equipped kitchenettes (no ovens but stovetops and microwaves are provided), most in a studio configuration with a couple of one bedroom options.
Each room is a little different – some are full studios, some have a separator between the bedroom and the living area/kitchens – but they all feature a kitchen, a seating area, and a queen bed (some have balconies overlooking Rue Saint-Denis).
Parking is not available onsite here, and pets are not allowed either.
Auberge du Plateau: An Affordable Option on the Plateau
This affordable lodging option in Montreal combines aspects of both a hostel and guesthouse.
In terms of location, it’s on the southeastern end of the Plateau near Blvd. Saint Laurent. You’re roughly equidistant between two transit stations (serving two different lines), so navigating the city is straightforward.
There are dorm rooms containing 6-8 beds – including some rooms specifically for females only – and a mix of different private rooms, some of which have private bathrooms while others share facilities.
Like any hostel worth its salt, they have good common facilities, like a fully stocked shared kitchen and a pleasant terrace.
Griffintown: An Alternative with Access to Canals + Great Food & Drinks
Griffintown is a neighborhood to the southwest of Downtown Montreal that seems like a continuation of Old Montreal that, for various reasons, hadn’t experienced the same level of progress and investment.
Until recently, when revitalizing the formerly industrial area into a modern hub especially for technology, a plan was implemented.
The area has clearly been used for industrial purposes in the past, as evidenced by the warehouses and brick structures interspersed with more contemporary apartment and office buildings. This mix of old and new makes sense considering the location near the river and canal, which served as major transportation routes up until relatively recently.
While Old Montreal has become the prime tourist destination, Griffintown appears to be undergoing a cycle of gentrification that has transitioned the community from a haven for artists and creatives to an area predominantly inhabited by urban professionals and young couples.
Little Burgundy, which is right to the southwest of Griffintown, is a charming, more residential neighborhood where you’ll find some of the city’s finest food and drinks.
Notre Dame Street is the primary avenue that extends through these neighborhoods along the canal, jointly named “Les Quartiers de Canal,” and is where you’ll find most of the top places to eat, drink, and shop.
Staying here means you`ll be right alongside the Lachine Canal, one of our favorite parts of Montreal, and within a 15 minute metro ride of Downtown and Old Montreal (a little further to the Plateau).
Pros and Cons of Staying in Griffintown
Here are the pros and cons of staying in Griffintown, at least from our perspective.
Pros of Staying in Griffintown
- The Lachine Canal. Trust us, it’s excellent. Especially by bicycle, which you can rent via Bixi, Montreal’s bike-share program.
- Quality food and beverages nearby. Between the places actually in Griffintown and the places over in Little Burgundy (a few blocks southwest on Rue Notre Dame), you probably could simply eat and drink here and never leave (but that’s definitely not our recommendation).
- You`re near Downtown and Old Montreal. You`re within walking distance (or a brief metro ride) of both Downtown and Old Montreal, which will absolutely be on your Montreal itinerary.
Cons of Staying in Griffintown
- It’s around a ~15 minute walk to the closest metro station. To reach the nearest metro station servicing line 2, which is the most helpful one, it takes approximately a 15 minute walk.
- Accommodation choices are comparatively limited. Since the region has a dense, residential layout, hotel options there are not as plentiful. Most of the hotels located do exist at the area adjacent to Downtown, at the northeastern corner of the neighborhood.
- The alternatives here skew more extravagant (and pricey). Given the yuppie sentiments, this area’s hotels skew a little more costly and modern than other parts of the city. Though it’s worth noting that “costly” is all comparative (we’ve spent a reasonable amount of time in Vancouver in recent years, and even the most expensive parts of Montreal are downright affordable, comparatively).
- Staying in Griffintown places you farther away from highly regarded areas like the Plateau, Mile End, and Little Italy. The biggest drawback of Griffintown lodging is its location on the opposite side of downtown from locales such as the Plateau, Mile End, and Little Italy, which are personal favorites in Montreal. It`s a 30-40 minute metro journey to Jean Talon Market, probably the longest trek you`ll have within the city.
