Travel & Leisure


The Hotel W in Montreal: Colour and Design

Sure, Montréal’s renowned duality of Old World charm infused with North American energy lies at its very heart; however, it is the plurality of cultures that really makes this metropolis tick. Montreal is as romantically traditional as it is cutting-edge innovative, as cosmopolitan dynamic as it is small-town friendly. Many new projects have emerged like The W Hotel, one of the current jewels of Montreal, the second French-speaking city in the world. Montreal is a town visible from afar. With its architecture, its peaks, its landscapes, the Saint-Lawrence River that surrounds it, its museums, its festivals, its music and the diversity of its population, it is the symbol of an open and modern society. Between the old Montreal and the Quartier International, the inner city, it’s hard to choose!

The old Montreal

The Old Montreal, a dynamic and trendy neighbourhood, known for the diversity of its merchants, is one of the favourite historic neighbourhoods of North America. In the old port, where the first settlers arrived in 1642, you will still find some old houses with their grey facades and the towers of the Basilica Notre Dame, but just next to it you will enter the 21st century. Also don't miss to visit the Musée Pointe the Callière, which reconstitutes in an original manner the history of Quebec, the first French city. After the rue Saint-François, a stack of coloured glass pops up, it is the Palais des Congrès, the Canadian Beaubourg, the architects Tétreault, Parent, Languedoc et associates created it in 2003. Around the old town you will find the Quartier International with the W Hotel, one of the jewels of the Montreal design, as well as the restaurant the Toqué, member of the Relais Châteaux Chain, run by chef Norman Laprise and his partner Christine Lamarche, one of the best restaurants in town.

Design is everywhere

In Montreal, you will find design everywhere. This trend is partly due to the generation in its thirties, the first urban generation after their urban parents. It’s a very young design and attention to recycling, expressing great creativity and imagination at an affordable price. Another interesting place to try is "Scandinave Les Bains” in old Montreal. Opened in January 2009, they propose a concept based on the benefits of thermotherapy with alternating hot and cold baths. In a refined decorated hall you find a eucalyptus steam bath, a Finnish sauna, hydro jets, thermal waterfall and various rest areas.

Le W Hotel, implementation design

Like all the W’s from the group, Montreal is no exception to the rule: located in the heart of the Quartier International, near old Montreal, art galleries, shops and museums, it is ideally situated to discover the city. A sober façade, limit austerity, the W with its famous service "Whatever Whenever", claims to provide an impeccable quality of service, but which is not always the case. Symphony in black and red for the sofas, exceptional light fittings, waterfall on cubic rocks, the W says yes day and night to all styles of life.


Light shows and advanced technology

Centred around colour, the rooms and suites have some interesting details, including a silver telescope placed on the console. The 152 rooms are equipped with the latest technology and are decorated in black, grey and turquoise. The arty touch is to be felt everywhere from the lobby to the bar and restaurant spaces. An Italian restaurant, “Otto”, with Italian fusion cuisine, the Bartini, the Wunderbar, le Plateau Lounge and ultimately the "Away Spa", the hotel offers a whole range of services that will seduce you.
Janvier 2011
By Katya PELLEGRINO

My opinion:
A strategically well-located hotel between the business district and Old Montreal. It has direct access to the Palais des Congrès and the famous underground city. Great design but the service still needs some improvement. The rooms are spacious with open bathroom spaces in the category Mega, a good trendy Italian restaurant, a lounge bar and a bartini allowing night birds to fully benefit of their evening.

W Montreal Hotel
901 Square Victoria
Montreal Quebec
Canada H2Z IRI
T: + 514 395 3100
www.whotels.com/Montreal 
www.starwoodhotels.com

Restaurant Toqué
900 places Jean-Paul Riopelle
Montréal Quebec H2Z 2B2
T: 514 499 2084
www.restaurant-toque.com 

Koko restaurant and bar
Best concept design award in 2008 for its sophisticated theatrical décor.
T: + 514 657 5656
www.kokomontreal.com

Scandinave Les Bains
71 Commune West
Montréal QC H2Y 2 c 6
T: 514 288 2009
www.Scandinave.com 
Entrance fee, 42 Canadian $ for two hours ( € 1 = approx. 1$50 )
You can also opt for a Swedish package, containing baths and a 60 min. massage, duration: 3H: 108 € or for two persons 216 €

Information
DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM QUEBEC
# FREE connects directly to QUEBEC (7 days / 7, 3 pm to 11 pm)
0 800 90 77 77
www.bonjourquebec.com

How to go there: 
AIR CANADA: Tel.: 0 825 880 881
www.aircanada.com
 
Travellers to canada
Tel.: 0892 23 56 56
www.VDM.com
 
Check the agenda for the International Jazz Festival in Montréal
www.montrealjazzfest.com

The “ Just for Laughs” Festival
Humoristic Festival with comedians and street artists. It hosts approximately 700 international artists and counts more than two million festival-goers. No less than 1500 performances are scheduled, most outdoor and free.
www.hahaha.com
 
The Cirque du Soleil
www.cirquedusoleil.com