The Hotel
It's not outstanding. I'll take some photos. The furniture is cheap self-aseemble particle board painted with with faux wood trim. The television is a CRT with some non-functional buttons on the remote and on the set. The bed is hard (but much more comfortable than a futon matress with two broken springs). There is no alarm clock (good thing I always bring my travel alarm) and there are always a different numberr of towels. As about half the towels are not the standard white, I'm ceretain the towels are being changed. The bed sheets are yellow, which I rather like. The window is small with blinds rather than the black-out curtains. The lighting is inssufficent in some parts and harsh in others. However, I get breakfast delivered to my room so it's all good.
Where is it? Leave the palais des congrès de Montréal and turn your back on the fancy hotels. Go past Chinatown (quatier chinois) and keep walking past the second rate hotels, AAA/CAA recommended hotels, hospital, bureau of disabled, bureaur for social services, condos, and take a left. Technically, I'm in the Latin Quarter (quatier latin) but just barely. I'm not quite north of Old Montreal (vieux-Montréal). Parts of the buildings are the same age as those in Old Montreal, but not the entire buildings, hence not officially part of Old Montreal.
It's rather funny, in a way. On the corner where I would turn to head toward downtown (centre-ville), there is a brick apartment building with a stone face made to fit the character of Old Montreal. The actual building is from the late 18th century, but across the street is a building from the 17th. The original building is from the 17th, at any rate. The building had been added onto over the centuries. Immediately behind the original building is an 18th century building, but much that is hidden from view is obviously mid-20th. It's someone in a mask having a face-off with Joan Rivers.
Technically, I'm in the gay section of town (gaie dans la ville). So I've been told and so it seems from the free circulars about gay life in Montreal. However, I think it's the boundary between the gay and poor. The three story appartments are divided into three apartments. One building stands abandoned and for sale. Had I the money and lived here, I would buy it, rennovate it, and have a lovely place.
All in all, I'm glad of this hotel. It's not in great shape, but not horrible in compared to those about $200/night more. Considering I'm primarily here to sleep (and blog) I don't feel put out. The conceierge is nice and the building has a good feeling. Going into the hotels of others, I felt lost in the massive lobbies and claustrophobic in the halls with low ceilings. Also, breakfast in complimentary for me. Talking with my co-workers this morning, they've been paying about $25 for breakfast (Canadian dollars, not that they're horribly different from USD right now).
I did notice that many of the rooms have hardwood floors. Maybe next time. At least the red carpet in this room is relatively new.
Where is it? Leave the palais des congrès de Montréal and turn your back on the fancy hotels. Go past Chinatown (quatier chinois) and keep walking past the second rate hotels, AAA/CAA recommended hotels, hospital, bureau of disabled, bureaur for social services, condos, and take a left. Technically, I'm in the Latin Quarter (quatier latin) but just barely. I'm not quite north of Old Montreal (vieux-Montréal). Parts of the buildings are the same age as those in Old Montreal, but not the entire buildings, hence not officially part of Old Montreal.
It's rather funny, in a way. On the corner where I would turn to head toward downtown (centre-ville), there is a brick apartment building with a stone face made to fit the character of Old Montreal. The actual building is from the late 18th century, but across the street is a building from the 17th. The original building is from the 17th, at any rate. The building had been added onto over the centuries. Immediately behind the original building is an 18th century building, but much that is hidden from view is obviously mid-20th. It's someone in a mask having a face-off with Joan Rivers.
Technically, I'm in the gay section of town (gaie dans la ville). So I've been told and so it seems from the free circulars about gay life in Montreal. However, I think it's the boundary between the gay and poor. The three story appartments are divided into three apartments. One building stands abandoned and for sale. Had I the money and lived here, I would buy it, rennovate it, and have a lovely place.
All in all, I'm glad of this hotel. It's not in great shape, but not horrible in compared to those about $200/night more. Considering I'm primarily here to sleep (and blog) I don't feel put out. The conceierge is nice and the building has a good feeling. Going into the hotels of others, I felt lost in the massive lobbies and claustrophobic in the halls with low ceilings. Also, breakfast in complimentary for me. Talking with my co-workers this morning, they've been paying about $25 for breakfast (Canadian dollars, not that they're horribly different from USD right now).
I did notice that many of the rooms have hardwood floors. Maybe next time. At least the red carpet in this room is relatively new.