klam

Heading to the great place of Montreal over the July 4th weekend (5 days). We booked the Sheraton (on Rene Levesque & Stanley). I could not find many current reviews of this hotel. Any comments on this hotel and/or its location? Any recommendations for food or things to do in the area?<BR><BR>We're visiting primarily for the fireworks and jazz festival. Any tips for either of these?<BR><BR>Thanx a mint in advance!

Brian Kilgore

It's a big chain-run convention hotel, and as such will be fine.<BR>It's central enough that its location will be acceptable.<BR><BR>You are close to Dominion Square, where there's a Quebec / Montreeal toruism office with lots of folders, brochures, etc. A short walk gets you to St. Catherine's street, full of stores and some good restaurants. On Guy St., just west, near St. Catherine's, is Chez la Mere Michel, one of the great old Montreal restaurants. Just north of there is a modern shopping complex at Guy and St. Cahterines. Go to the west end of it, and buy bagels and some cream cheese, to solve hunger problems back at the hotel.<BR><BR>You are a reasonably short walk from the main museum, from fancy shopping opn Shrebrooke Street, and only a medium long, but quite interesting, walk to Old Montreal. and you are close to the Metro, the Montreal subway system. All in all, you'll be fine.<BR><BR>BAK<BR><BR>

Daniel

The hotel itself is quite good and has recently been renovated. The club floor rooms are magnificant and the lounge has a great view of Montreal. The location is quite good as well and you are close to all of the main downtown attractions.

klam

Brian and Daniel, thanx a mint for your info. I was curious about the Sheraton cuz there aren't a lot of reviews and I was hoping it wasn't a rundown one cuz I scored it at a really low price...you know how sometime the middle-end chains run the gamut!<BR><BR>Brian, I've copied your suggestions and am looking forward to the ambiance of Montreal!<BR><BR>I've visited the fireworks website, but we'd prefer to see the fireworks in an open area, rather than their bleachers. Any suggestions on from where is a good place to see them, and how early in the day do we have to arrive to secure a spot? Are there food vendors around there or do we bring a picnic? <BR><BR>I also noticed the Art Fest is happening that week, and that it's held in the Village. I know anyone can go, but is it specifically geared to the gay community?<BR><BR>Thanx again...

Syl

The best seat in the house for the fireworks is either on the rooftop of your downtown Montreal hotel or drive east on the Ville Marie Expressway and exit just after the Jacques Cartier bridge.Bring a lawn chair as you relax on a grassy area facing La Ronde on the river.You may have to shell out around $6 for parking but the view's great.Get there about 1 hr.before the fireworks are scheduled to begin.

BOB

Hit Cresent street and party. Hard rock and other great restaurants.

RK

I'm not a big fan of the Sheraton your staying at - for the money your likely paying, the best location in Montreal is the OMNI Mont-Royal on Sherbrooke street (just a couple of blocks north of the Sheraton). The OMNI also has great weekend rates, making this former Four Seasons property a real deal.<BR><BR>In terms of restaurants, Montreal has plenty to fill anyone's palete. Some of my favourites include:<BR><BR>Japanese - Mikado (Laurier Street)<BR>French - Le Club de Pins (Laurier) or L'Express (St-Denis Street)<BR>Chinese - Zen (under the OMNI hotel)<BR>Portugese - Ferreira (Peel Street)<BR>California - Mediterraneo (St-Laurent) <BR><BR>Montreal is one of the few cities in the world that the majority of restaurants are better then good!<BR><BR>In terms of things to do, Old Montreal is a favourite (from where you can also view the fireworks), Museum of Fine Arts, and then just walk, walk, and walk exploring the city streets, McGill University's (the Harvard of Canada) campus and its beautiful architecture, and the cities many wonderful churches. If it gets too hot or starts to rain, simply go underground and you will discover an entire new city!<BR><BR>As for the Jazz festival, pace yourselves, be patient of the crowds (especially if the weather is good), and enjoy.<BR><BR>Hope this helps and have fun!<BR><BR>

Lani

Check the Fodor's website. Besides their own report, tourists who have stayed in each hotel rate them as well including text of their personal experiences. It of of great value.

klam

This is a great board!<BR><BR>Syl, thanx a mint for the specific details you provided for watching the fireworks. We'll def do that. I'll be sure to pack a picnic blanket!<BR><BR>RK, WOW! You rock! Thanx for taking the time to type all that out. It's not gone to waste as I've already copied it into my Montreal folder for further research!<BR><BR>Lani, thanx for the tip. I did check the site before I posted, but there were only two travellers' reviews. One gave it 5's across the board, and the other one an overall rating of 3.6 (not very good IMHO), but that one was over a year old. Travelocity's site didn't have any reviews. I feel confident about this place now from Daniel's comment about the recent renovation. And since I didn't pay very much for it, I'll have nothing to complain about!<BR><BR>Thanx a mint to all!

Daniel Williams

One Fireworks Festival tip: the fireworks are set to music. If you're at La Ronde, the amusement park where the fireworks take place, you can hear it there. Otherwise, you might find it enjoyable to bring a hand-held radio along with you; one of the Montreal radio stations will be playing the music. If not, you could try to stand near someone around you who brought theirs (quite a few people do). <BR><BR>Have a blast in Montreal, my favorite North American city.

Kurt

I just stayed at the Sheraton 3/25-27. It was nice enough(I got the room on priceline for $40.US/night plus taxes etc. The indoor pool was a hit with the kids and the health club was large. The only complaint was the college kids leaving the Bars on Cresent woke me up every evening/morning at 3am when they left. Its hard to believe they can be that loud, I was on the 19th fl! Again the hotel was fine, not luxurious but real serviceable.

klam

Kurt, thanx a mint for the the feedback.<BR><BR>Does the hotel have a better side to stay on (e.g., for less noise, or better view)? If so, we'll try our luck with a request when we check in.

Misty

Hi Klam! We went to Montreal last June and had a splendid time. We did not stay at the Sheraton but from the outside it looked really nice. I recommend getting Fodor's pocket guide for Montreal, very handy and it lists the best attractions to visit. Also has a city map. We went to the Biodome and really enjoyed it, especially the penquins display. Montreal has some beautiful churches as well. We went to the Basilique Notre Dame Church, absolutely beautiful inside. Also enjoyed visiting Musee Des Beaux-Arts. Visited several other attractions as well and had a really good time. We stayed at the Holiday Inn on Sherbrooke, the rooms were on the small size but they were nice and clean. Delicious breakfast but the food everywhere we ate at was really good. I also recommend getting a week pass for the metro (the underground subway), very reasonable and it will take you all across the city. Hope you have a good time!

Dino

We will also be in town for the Jazz Fest. It is simply my favorite city and vaction annually. Try the nightly Jam sessions at the Wyndham Hotel around 11 pm in the lounge. You never know who will show. Must visit Prince Arthur St. for food and sights.

Myer

I used to live in Montreal (left 10 years ago). While I'm not up on the latest hot restaurants, I do have my favorites that I go to on each return visit.<BR><BR>These may not be at the same touristy level as the others posted but here goes.<BR><BR>Steak.<BR>Moishes on the Main (St Laurent) or Gibby's (also in Ft Lauderdale and north of Montreal).<BR><BR>Smoked Meat (Corn Beef sort of)<BR>Schwartz's (on the Main) or Moe's on the West Island Behind Fairview Shoppinbg Center (need a car for this place)<BR><BR>BBQ Long Ribs - The best in the world!!<BR>Bar B Barn - downtown on Guy between Dorchester (oops Rene Levesque) and St Catherine.<BR><BR>For a strange experience go to Wolensky's for a 'special' (lunch) on the corner of Fairmount one block west of the Main. This is the restaurant in the 'Doodie Kravitz' movie. I went to school a couple of blocks from there.<BR><BR>Unlike many cities, in Montreal you want to be downtown.<BR>

Iowa Tom

You miss out on 1/3 of the fireworks (the low stuff) if you are not in LaRonde. Spend the money, fight the crowds and smell the smoke! Be front and center in LaRonde.