Curator’s statement
Montreal is a wonderful blend of history, culture and modernity with a stellar food and cocktail/mocktail scene. It is great for a trip with friends or a solo trip and is safe and very walkable.
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Where to stay in Montreal
Four Seasons Hotel Montreal
Chic and sleekly modern hotel situated in the epicenter of the Golden Square Mile featuring several stellar restaurants.
Fora Perks
- ★
When you book Four Seasons through Fora, you will enjoy exclusive Four Seasons Preferred Partner benefits. Your advisor will be pleased to give you more details.
Le Mount Stephen
Former mansion turned luxury Montreal hotel combining contemporary and classic design with comfortable amenities.
Fora Perks
- ★
$100 food / beverage credit.
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Breakfast daily.
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Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth
Contemporary lodgings just a block away from the legendary Sainte-Catherine street, offering a quiet repose while still situated in the center of the city.
Fora Perks
- ★
$100 hotel / resort credit.
- ★
Breakfast daily.
- ★
Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Hotel Gault
Immerse yourself in contemporary luxury and artistic ambiance at Hôtel Gault, where sleek design, spacious accommodations, and personalized service create a sophisticated and memorable stay in the heart of Old Montreal.
Fora Perks
- ★
$100 hotel / resort credit.
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Breakfast daily.
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Welcome amenity.
Unlock perks by contacting Kara to book your trip.
Things to do in Montreal
Spa time:
Guerlain Spa at the Four Seasons: Walk on the rock bed, do the pools reflexology circuit (hurts so good!) and check out the one-of-a-kind massage experiences (try the Whispers of Ouessant)
Spa St. James at the Ritz Carlton for microcurrent facials that work like magic
Bota Bota Spa, on a boat in the water with water circuit, massages, restaurant and more — plan on spending several hours here
Montreal Museum of Fine Arts: Known for innovative exhibits and always worth a visit
Old Town/Old Port Montreal: No visit would be complete without at least a walk through the area
Chinatown, next to Old Town, for tea stores, gift shops and Dragon's Beard Candy, a very unusual confection that must be tried
Marguerite Bourgeoys Museum/Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel: Learn about Marguerite Bourgeoys, a progressive woman of the 17th century, and visit the pilgrimage site of the chapel
Lingerie Underworld, a store in the underground shopping center, where we can set up a shopping party for your group
Montreal Botanical Garden, a jewel of Montreal with over 22,000 plant species and 30 thematic gardens
Day Trips
Quebec City is an easy day trip (there are bus tour options) if you have an extra day.
Places to eat & drink in Montreal
Cocktails/mocktails
Cocktail/mocktail culture is a big deal in Montreal, with many great places to try unique concoctions.
A favorite is The Cloakroom, a 25-seat cocktail spot inside a tailor shop, where there are no menus. A conversation with the server/mixologist leads to a drink creation; we have never been let down by anything they have served us.
Other favorite cocktail experiences:
Atwater Cocktail Club and Milky Way Cocktail Bar, both helmed by Kate Boushel, an award-winning mixologist
Bar George at Le Mount Stephen: Historical setting with creative cocktails and bar bites
Food markets & food halls
Montreal has several:
Jean Talon Market: A large outdoor food market with multiple restaurants and food stands:
La Boite Aux Huitres is an oyster lover's dream with a wide variety of fresh oysters
Les Sucreries De L’Erable offers all things maple, a must when in Canada — try the maple sugar pie
Crêperie du Marché brings sweet and savory crepes to the market; there are dozens more places to sample
Time Out Market and Le Central Market are two options to try local fare
Montreal Bagels are legendary — the two most famous are Fairmount Bagel and St-Viateur. According to a local, the difference is that Fairmount bagels are chewy and St-Viateur's are crispy — try both and see which you prefer as they are just around the corner from each other. When in the neighborhood, don’t miss Kem Coba for some of the best ice cream in town.
Restaurants
L’Express: A classic for French bistro fare
Damas: Upscale Syrian cuisine
Vin Mon Lapin: Farm-fresh, French-inflected food with shareable-sized plates
Chez Tousignant: Quebec-style diner for poutine, cheeseburgers and house-made hot dogs
Fleurs & Cadeaux: Japanese snack and sake bar for a casual dinner. After dinner, head downstairs to vinyl bar Sans Soleil
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Travel Advisor
Kara Kassuba
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This guide is part of our ongoing series on travel to Montreal. Looking for more travel inspiration? Check out my guide, Sicily in April.