I'm thinking about going to Montreal for a honeymoon in mid-November. Cost is not much of an issue-- and I would like to stay somewhere in our outside the city that is luxurious, private, and may offer spa services. Please let me know if you have any suggestions. thx

Hello Wally, <BR> I grew up in Montreal, maybe that's why I don't think of it as romantic, because you are willing to travel outside the city, I find Quebcec City to be very romantic. <BR> In Mtl. the Ritz and the Vogue are excellent (stayed in both) expensive hotels. Hotel de Montagne is unique.(also stayed there). Old Montreal, I'm sure, has some wonderful romantic small hotels, others can offer specifics. <BR> I am not familiar with any spas. <BR>Best Wishes, <BR>A.M. <BR>

Ah A.M. <BR> <BR>I lived in Montreal for 5 years and made a number of friends who didn't understand similar to you why some people find the city romantic. All too many Montrealers I find regularly trash their city and really don't appreciate the wealth of things they do have. <BR> <BR>One must not forget that Montreal is quite an old city by North American standards (1642), with world-class restaurants, great nightlife, some truly spectacular architecture (which most Montrealers sniff at), a lively downtown, boulangeries, bucheries, patisseries at many corners, a very fashion-conscious populace, a passion for living, and a unique linguistic mix that many (particularly USA citizens) find romantic. (There are a number of people who equate French language with romance interestingly enough.) I know it's natural living there to take what you have for granted but there really is nowhere on the continent or the world for that matter quite like Montreal. <BR> <BR>Wally--I know there's a spa in Saint Sauveur that very picky French friends of mine have raved about. I never could afford such things, so have no personal experience in this. <BR> <BR>Good luck! DAN

My daughter got married Oct.6th and went to two different hotels in Canada. They were both Fairmont and are on their website. They first stayed at Montebello which they raved over the food and the hotel which is built like to be a huge log cabin. From there they drove 2 hours from Quebec city and stayed at Manor Richilieu which had a huge spa and indoor and outdoor salt water pools which they loved. Forgot to mention that Montebello is also midway between Montreal and Ontario. They preferred the first but would go back to both. Hope this helps a bit.

Hello Daniel, <BR> It is true I have an insider's view of the city and therefore a more realistic one. Please do not infer that I am "trashing" a hometown that I love. I have also lived in Quebec City and I do find it more romantic than Montreal. <BR>A.M.

Hey A.M. <BR> <BR>No inference intended regarding you...I just meant that some of my Montreal friends do talk trash about the city someimes. I too consider Montreal very much my home, even though I don't live there now. Certainly there were days in Montreal that I was not having the most positive let alone romantic thoughts about the city. But then there would be others when it would just seem magical and quite romantic...walking down Saint-Denis St. on the first day of spring, ice-skating on Parc Lafontaine, eating at a superlative restaurant, happening upon a veritable fashion show of citizenry on Avenue Mont-Royal, etc. I've lived quite a number of places and found Montreal's energy very special, even my 5th year there and return visits! <BR> <BR>I understand the sentiment behind your feeling that you have a realistic view of Montreal, but could it be that as a native, you've lost sight of the romance and passion that surrounds you in the city? <BR> <BR>BTW I too love the energy of Quebec City. That said, I find Q.C. and Montreal equally magical/romantic, although the two cities are quite different. <BR> <BR>All the best, DAN