anyone else have anything to say about Hotel St. Paul? I have a reso there for the film festival, and now i'm scared! I prefer the ultra modern rooms that it appears to have to some of the old style overly decorated ones. I also want to be in the old part of Montreal. Any suggestions? I looked into Hotel Gault, but it seems too new for review. Hotel Nelligan's location didn't seem right for me either. Thanks in advance.

Don't know about Hotel St. Paul. We really like the Auberge Bonaparte on old port.

In response to the Q's about Hotel Nelligan and Le St-James. Howard, I personally don't like being right on a busy (and touristy) street like St. Paul, which is where the Hotel Nelligan is. (The Hotel St. Paul is several blocks further from the center) Saying that, the Nelligan Hotel looks very nice and had a good looking bar and, as someone else pointed out, may have good rates because it is new. The Hotel Le-St. James I think is a great location. <BR><BR>The action in the Vieux Port sort of radiates from this central point on the water. Le-St. James is close enough to enjoy it but far enough to have some peace and quiet and also to get to the other parts of the city (namely the Plateau--for food!) Also, the Hotel Le. St. James is defiantely going to be nicer in terms of luxury. I didn't see the rooms at the Nelligan, but based on the price range and the hotel group that owns it, I think this is a fair assumption. I did see the rooms at the St. James and they are what you would expect at a luxury hotel, with a few unique extras.<BR><BR>To Intrepid, I would recommend the Hotel Gault over the St. Paul. It is more expensive, but caters to trendy business types as opposed to, to my impression, trendy wannabes.

oops, Howard I think you may have left already.

Hi Alee-<BR>Actually I'm leaving Thursday night.Your post really helped me make the decision to cancel the Nelligan and stay @ LeStJames. The concierge, Dominique, has been fabulous in getting us reservations for dinner and a car rental. Have you eaten at Toque?<BR>Thanks, again, for all your help. I'll post a report when we return.

Hi Howard, glad you haven't left<BR>Yes, we've eaten at Toque twice. I think we liked it better the first time (2 years ago). We had the tasting menu two weeks ago and, altohugh it is still very good, it has fallen from its lofty perch just a bit. The service is still very nice (the waiter for the front looks like Kevin Spacey). It is relatively informal considering the level of food (the waiters wear lime green asymetrical shirts), which is nice. Although it is not as good as it used to be, the food can be inspiring. Every other course of the tasting menu reminded us why we give Montreal so much credit for its food. I would definately go, but I can't decide whether to recommend the tasting menu or a la carte. <BR><BR>I think I enjoyed our meal at the new restaurant Area a little better(and half of the $350US price of a full meal at Toque). We were expecting a very trendy atmosphere at Area but were pleasantly suprised when the food turned out to be very fresh and deftly and creatively prepared. Try it. Be sure to make a reservation. It's on Rue Amherst between Rue st. Catherine and Maisonneuve. It's fusion, but very good fusion. try the seaweed wrapped scallops and the salmon. The appetizers were great, I would order lots of them to share.<BR><BR>But I guess I would eat at both Toque and Area if you can.<BR><BR>Please don't forget to get a Schwartz's "spiced meat" sandwich. They are open from around 8am to 11pm. (on Blvd. St. Laurent)<BR><BR>Also, if you are able to and are so inclined, sneak some cheese in your luggage. The fromageries are very good and they are very helpful. Unlike the rushed and abrupt fromagers in Paris, they will really take time in telling you about the cheeses and letting you taste them.<BR><BR>I agree about the concierge at Le-St. James. He showed us the rooms and we thought hew was very nice and eager to please.

Howard et al,<BR>I'm jumping into this posting late, but I just had to tell you that TOQUE is by far, without a doubt, our most favorite restaurant in the entire world. I can still remember vividly BOTH meals we've had there over the years. We are heading back for our 15th anniversary in September and you can bet that I will be reserving at TOQUE before I do anything else. The food, the service and the ambiance, in that order, are all wonderful. They let you linger over your meal, savoring every bite. It's the kind of restaurant that surprises you with a little tasty morsel before the meal, and serves a grapefruit ice to cleanse your palate. They offer a prix fixe menu, which was $90 Canadian when we were last there, and with the strong US$, it was quite reasonable, I thought. Anyway, if you can get a reservation, enjoy!!

Alee,<BR>Our posts crossed in cyberspace. I have made note of all you wrote about Toque. We will still go back. Maybe the prices have gone up, because I know we didn't spend that much for two! Or maybe my husband was just very discrete and didn't show me the bill.

We spent $400 US on dinner at Toque last September. We were expecting a large bill because my husband likes to have a bottle of wine and every course, including brandy and cheese. The food was very good. However, it was not as good as we expected with all the great reviews. Maybe we expected too much. We would probably not return.

To Alee: You mentioned fromageries -- were there any in particular that you could recommend?

I would recommend Fromagerie Hamel at Jean-Talon market, and also the one at Atwater Market (don't know the name). There is also a great patisserie called Premier Moisson on Sherbrooke next to the Beaux-Arts Musuem. They also have an outpost at the Atwater Market. At the market location they sell pastries, bread, ready to eat foods, and jams and preserves, etc.

Alee -- thanks for all the great tips

Hello!<BR>Has anyone ever stayed at the Delta Montreal on President Kennedy Avenue or heard any comments good or bad about it? I just used Priceline.com to book 3 nights in Montreal. I paid $85 a night and I'm wondering if that was a good deal. It's listed in Fodors and it sounds nice, so I am hoping I hit the jack pot here. What is the going rate for a nice hotel in Montreal? Thanks to anyone who replies!<BR>Julia<BR>

I've stayed at this Delta several times. It's a nice 3* hotel in a great central, safe location. $85 a night (US?) is a good price for this place, I usually pay about $95 US to stay there.

Howard or Colleen? Any trip reports to share? How was staying at the Hotel Le St. James?

For those of us who don't eat at the Torque, Schwartz's will do just fine. They also blintzs if you are not into spiced meat sandwiches.<BR><BR>Any new hotel will be great as they are trying hard to please. A good modern hotel that has good service and is well situated is the Inter-Continental in the Old Port. It's very good and reasonably priced for the quality. Boutique hotels are nice but they do not have parking and other amenities. <BR><BR>Get a tour of the city so you don't have to drive everywhere and take a boat trip up the St. Lawrence river to Quebec City. If you like eating good food, then go to the Eastern Townships. There are mainly restaurants and wineries in that area. Magog and that are okay but there is more to see in Quebec City and in Charlevoix. The farther North the more beautiful Quebec is. Ottawa is about 2 hours away and there is a train from Montreal. Do check it out if you have time.

La Premiere Moisson is a fantastic bakery/charcuterie. Supposed to have the best baguettes in town. Probably has the best of many other deli products as well. There is another branch in Central Station, also on the West Island, in the big food market (Marche de l'ouest) on boul. des Sources. Why do so many people suggest Schwartz's for smoked meat sandwiches? I think it's a dive. There are many nicer places to get smoked meat. We like Moe's, on de la Montagne, which has a full menu which the whole family would like. Finally, the Delta on Pres. Kennedy is a very good value, compared with other downtown hotels. Delta is a good quality chain.

Lois, you're right about Premi&egrave;re Moisson. It IS the best baguette in town. BTW, They also have a store at Atwater market and one on Sherbrooke St, near Bishop.<BR><BR>You're also right about Schwartz. Sometimes, Montreal dining recommendations on this board sound like they have been taken from guidebooks from the 1950s or 1970s, at best.<BR><BR>

Hi Alee et al; <BR> Just returned Sunday night from a whirlwind week-Quebec City/Mont Tremblant/Montreal. The highlights of the trip, as expected, turned out to be the Hotels and the food.<BR>Quebec City-Hotel Dominion 1912. What a great property. The rate was $205 CAD<BR>and included a fabulous continental breakfast and a machine serving coffee, capuccino, espresso all day long. We found no need to have desert in the restaurant, we just came back to the hotel lobby and had a decaf cap and some great conversation with other guests.<BR>Mont Tremblant-Westin-great room, and hotel was right in the village. Hiking, bike trails , golf. Would have liked an extra day here. Great meal @ CocoPazzo.<BR>Montreal-Hotel LeStJames-The ultimate in boutique hotels. It didn't hurt that the hotel has only been open for three months and we were the first people to stay in our room.A Spa (steam & Sauna) and a few pieces of equipment added to our enjoyment. Great personnel and service. Had dinner @ Gibby's (steak) and Il Sole (Italian), both were excellent.<BR>Sorry to ramble, but if anyone wants more specifics, ask away.<BR> <BR>Howard

I just returned from a week trip in Montreal/Quebec City. I highly recommend Loft E'scale in Montreal. Phone: (514) 219 - 4619. Four of us stayed in the two bedroom apartment located two blocks from the Mont Royal metro stop. The apartment was wonderful. Each bedroom had a queen bed; there were two bathrooms, a living room and full kitchen. The host brought us something to eat each morning: bagels or croissants, cereal, fruit,etc. He kept the refrigerator stocked with juices, milk, bottled water. The price was extremely reasonable - $120 Canadian per night for the two-bedroom. JDC