6 of us (three couples) would like to find "the best" hotel to stay in Montreal. We are all in late 20s early thirties, and married. We are thinking of the Ritz Carlton but I am wondering if this is truly the nicest place to stay. Is the Ritz near the old city? Is it nice? Would you suggest an alternative? We want a full-service hotel. Thanks!

Do a search on Ritz Carlton - I think there have been some real negative postings about it in the last few weeks.

Judith<BR>I have used the Novotel several times and have been quite happy with it. It is in city center with easy access to the old city area. I have also used the Hotel Vogue (a Loews hotel) and it is very nice. The Novotel is cheaper. There is also a hotel called Chateau Royal Hotel Suites on rue Crescent which has all suite type rooms. On one trip we shared this one room with another couple and it worked well since it has separate bedroom and the couch in the living room makes into a bed. Any of these would be fine. If you want to have a room for each couple check out the Novotel. Nice rooms, nice food service in the lobby cafe, underground parking, and close to metro line, etc.

For location, I would recommend the Crowne Plaza on Sherbrooke east. This is a very nice, large, upscale hotel in perhaps the most intersting part of the city. You are a short walk from all the restaurants and nightlife on St. Denis on one side, and a short walk to all the restaurants and nightlife on St. Laurent on the other side. You are also close to all the byob restaurants on Duluth and Prince Arthur, and the Metro is right below the hotel if you want to head to the large department stores and attractions downtown.

Ooops - I goofed - both St. Denis and St. Laurent are a few blocks to the west to the Crowne Plaza, but it is still the ideal spot. I need to go back to refresh my memory!

DEfining 'best" is pretty much impossible in Montreal because 1/ there are lots of excellent hotels and 2/ it depends on what you like.<BR><BR>Since you are in your twenties, I suggestyou might find the Ritz stuffy and overly formal. It's popu;lar with rich middle aged lawyers who used to be Prime Ministers, for instance.<BR><BR>The Loew's Vogue is the hotel I think of as the place for movie stars and directors who want more current style coupled with luxury.<BR><BR>The Intercontinental is part way to Old Montreal, and part way to the main shopping area; the Ritz is near the fancy high-end stores and the main museum / art gallery, and is a long but interesting walk to Old Montreal.<BR><BR>BAK<BR><BR>

In same age group as you and preferred the Omni, on Sherbrooke. It's not near the Old City but it's in a good location near elegant stores and restaurants a few blocks from the Ritz. Haven't stayed at the Ritz, but see the negative comments others have made. Have previously stayed at the Sheraton (OK , but too big and flled with groups), Renaissance (looks much nicer inside than outside, by the way, but a little out of the way) and Intercontinental<BR>(some rooms very nice, others so-so., location is walking distance to old city but actually quite dead on weekends since it's in the financial district)

The Ritz is really no longer the "best hotel" in Montreal and people in their twenties might find it old and stuffy.The Ritz has sort of been coasting on an old reputation for a while now...the new hotels that are European and elegant and luxurious are the Vogue,the Omni and the Le Germain..

My fiance and I really liked to Hotel de la Montagne on Rue de la Montagne. Very nice room and great service! Fun area as well.

The Loew's Vogue is a relatively small and indeed luxury hotel. It is refined and quietly elegant. For an extra splurge take the club or concierge level and you will be even happier. Great location on a quieter street than most of the other places.

Is the Vogue the hotel across the street from Eatons on some side street?

To BAK: I am a 'rich middle aged lawyer'<BR>& I must say that I find your comments offensive. Please answer the question w/o offering your socio-political comments.

Paula---<BR><BR>Just in case you were serious: Read what BAK wrote again "rich middle-aged lawyers who used to be prime ministers"...I *think* that BAK was referring to (making fun of?) former prime minister Kim Campbell.

Hi! The Vogue hotel is on Mountain Street across from Ogilvie's

That is it! Thank you Local ~

topping for Donna

Montreal Hotels<BR><BR>Check out Auberge Bonaparte & Hotel Gault in Old Montreal.<BR><BR>The Ritz is not near the Old City at all. !!!!<BR><BR>The Ritz is known to be the Hotel for whealty clients in the finance industry. Mostly an upscale "business man Hotel" & upscale rates.<BR><BR>cheers<BR><BR>Dan

Before deciding on the hotel you should decide on the area of Montreal you want to be near. My husband and I just stayed at the Hotel Intercontinental in the Old Montreal area and it was lovely. <BR>Full service, great location, rooms were spacious to say the least and we could easily walk to the Vieux Port area. Excellent restaurants abound in that area. Bon chance!

stayed at the Queen Elizabeth Summer of 2001. Great time, nice room, great staff. We walked the entire city so everything is as close or as far away as you make it. Mass transit easy to figure and utilize to ones advantage. Would go back in a second. Get a room and enjoy the city.