Last week I made a reservation at Hotel le Germain, but two days later the concierge I spoke to, emailed me that the rate for the last night would be $70Can more because of a car race. I emailed back that he should honor the rate he quoted and I accepted, but I haven't heard back yet. Now I am unsure whether I still want to stay there, even if they do honor the original rate, but everyone who's posted has raved about it while no one seems to have stayed at my backup, Hotel Nelligan, where I just made a reservation. Also, the Germain spa package, which I reserved for the first two nights, includes dinner at Le Prelude, which does not seem to be reviewed anywhere. <BR><BR>How have other people dealt with this kind of reservation problem? Also, any input about Hotel Nelligan would be appreciated. I think we'll leave lunch open, but reserve dinner at Bonaparte, Guy & Dodo Morali, and Les Caprices des Nicholas. By the way, how does the car race affect traffic, etc.?<BR> <BR>

Sophie: when is your reservation for?? The only "car race" that seems to affect hotel prices/availability is the Grand Prix and that has already passed. Prices can also go up for hotels near the village during the Divers-Cit&eacute; celebrations the first week-end in August.

Montrealer: The car race in question is a the CART Montreal Indy on August 25.<BR>

Dilemma, a situation that requires a choice between options that are or seem equally unfavorable or mutually exclusive or, a problem that seems to defy a satisfactory solution. Frankly, the choice between two luxury hotels does not seem to fit these definitions. Why don’t you live dangerously and take the HUGE risk of staying at the Nelligan without a favourable review from this board.<BR><BR>As for the price increase at the other hotel, why don’t you just accept that an honest mistake was made in the original price quote. <BR><BR>This is the first time the CART race is being held in Montreal; since it is taking place at circuit Gilles Villeneuve, the race itself won't affect traffic. I doubt that visitors/attendees would much affect city traffic.

Cart race, OK, not car race. Yes, I realize this is a minor dilemna, but we have had unpleasant stays at "luxury" hotels and we would rather keep the number down. I suppose it might have been an honest mistake, but would you be happy if, two days after accepting the terms and giving your credit card information, you were informed of a steep increase in price (plus a change of room and an extra day's cancellation notice)? Not an auspicious beginning. I would still like to know about Le Prelude. Also, are the three restaurants too similar or too much of a good thing? We are not big meat eaters (I eat fish sometimes), and we prefer lighter meals. Thanks.

Sophie:<BR>CART is a car race. Stands for Championship Auto Racing Teams. It's similar to Formula 1. (i.e. Indianapolis 500).<BR><BR>I have never heard of Le Pr&eacute;lude. The other 3 are good French restaurants. If you would like to add some variety:<BR><BR>- Chez Delmo (Notre-Dame, near St-Fran&ccedil;ois-Xavier): fish and seafood<BR><BR>- Le Muscadin (Notre-Dame, near McGill): Italian<BR><BR>- Ferreira (Peel, near de Maisonneuve): Portugese (mostly fish)<BR>

i have a friend who stayed at the Hotel Nelligan and liked it very much. She said it was very nice. I believe it is in the old part of the city,not downtown, if this makes a difference. i can't give you my opinion, but thought I would share this information. How is the Hotel St. Germain? The pictures on their web-site are kind of skimpy so it's hard to tell what the hotel looks like. Thanks. Good luck.

If you have documentation to support the original rate quoted, I'd go ahead and stay there and dispute the increased rate when your credit card statement arrives. Otherwise, it's up to you whether to pay the higher rate or stay elsewhere. OR, you could pick up the phone and speak directly with the hotel manager and attempt to reinstate the original rate quoted. You could mention that business at an otherwise unknown hotel has undoubtedly picked up recently due to "exposure" here on this forum and that negative comments would impact their business as well. We dine at Guy & Dodo every time we visit Montreal, and each visit is better than the last!

Sophie,<BR>The same 'mistake' happened to us last summer in Montreal (not Hotel Germain).<BR>I phoned the toll free number and spoke with a different concierge and explained the hotel error. Our rate reverted to what was originally quoted.<BR>Note: we have stayed in Quebec City (at Hotel Dominion, also a Germain property). The family owners actually take time to work the front desk. I have a hunch they would be horrified to learn of your quoted rate discrepency.<BR>Since you have documentation (original confirmation), I would pursue this with another concierge at Hotel Germain. If ineffective, I would speak with Christine Germain (I think she may manage their Montreal property).

I just got back from Montreal and had a great time at Hotel Nelligan. We wanted to stay at Auberge du Vieux-Port,like we do every summer, but called too late. They were sold out so they recommended we stay at their new property which was also in Old Montreal. Wise recommendation. The room was large and had the most comfortable bed. The service was excellent. Luc, the concierge who was transfered from the Auberge du Vieux-Port, was helpful like always. We even had a fabulous dinner one night at Restaurant Verses (the hotel's new restaurant). I highly recommend Hotel Nelligan.

Louis: we may well try one of your recommended restaurants.<BR><BR>Donna & Elaine: I had planned to call the hotel, as I still haven't had a reply, but I had to decide whether it would be to insist on the original rate or to cancel. Hotel le Germain seems to be a wonderful hotel, but I think we're going to try Hotel Nelligan. However, we do have a reservation at Germain's sister, Hotel Dominion, when we go to Quebec. We now look forward even more to Guy & Dodo Morali.<BR><BR>Robbie & Greg: I'm so glad that you (or your friends) enjoyed Hotel Nelligan, as I think we will be staying there as well. I appreciate knowing that it has a good restaurant too. What sort of cuisine does it serve? Would you recommend any particular room, floor, or view? Robbie, I don't know what Germain really looks like, but perhaps we'll swing by during our visit, and I'll let you know.<BR><BR>Thank you all so much for your helpful (and polite) comments. Merci.

Hello,Sophie,<BR>Call the hotel and ask to speak to Valentine.He is the manager.<BR>If that is a problem,you should contact Christine StGermain.She is very careful about what goes on in her hotels and how happy the people are that stay there.<BR>The Prelude just opened last November.The hotel is excellent, the service is outstanding and I would not stay anywhere else.<BR>Good luck,CF

SOPHIE<BR>DID YOU READ THIS?<BR>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<BR><BR>RESERVATION/CANCELLATION POLICIES<BR><BR>Your reservation and the applicable rate will be confirmed by our customer service department within 24 hours. For further information or immediate confirmation, contact us directly at (514) 849-2050 or toll-free at 1-877-333-2050.<BR><BR>All reservations that have not been guaranteed by credit card or by a deposit equivalent to one night’s stay plus tax will be automatically canceled at 4:00 p.m. on the expected day of arrival.<BR><BR>The credit card number can be transmitted by phone, fax (514-849-1437) or emailed with the reservation form. No cancellation fees will be levied if we are informed of the cancellation before 4:00 p.m. on the expected day of arrival. If you do cancel your stay, please ask for a cancellation number.<BR><BR>These policies apply to individual reservations only, and not to special packages, group reservations or during special events in the area.<BR>

CF: you seem to be one of many fans of Hotel Germain. No doubt, it is a wonderful place, but right now Hotel Nelligan looks better to me.<BR><BR>X: I'm not sure how this applies. I did not email my reservation. I talked to the concierge. He told me what the total would be, then I said OK and gave him my credit card information. <BR><BR>Perhaps he made a mistake in quoting me the initial rate. But after I accepted the terms, he shouldn't have changed them (e.g. higher rate, different room), much less without any sort of apology. It is also disturbing that I still have not received any response. People rely on concierges to solve problems, not create or perpetuate them.

Sophie, enjoy your vacation! Please post a trip report upon your return.<BR>Greg: in the past, we have been repeat guests at Auberge du Vieux Port. Since you recently stayed at Hotel Nelligan, given the choice when returning to Montreal, which accommodation would you choose?