I recently returned from a fall trip to Montreal to visit my daughter who is a junior at McGill University. Why she choose Montreal vs staying in Berkeley, California, is beyond me! But it does give me the chance to visit and explore this wonderful city on an island in the St Lawrence River.
Why visit Montreal? Well, Montreal is a city of festivals – any time of year! With the winter months fast approaching there are a number of upcoming festivals to warrant a trip to Montreal!
Fêtes des Neiges –January 15 to February 15, 2014 For Family Fun!
Igloofest – January 16 to February 8, 2014 with dancing in the open air at the Quays of Old Town Montreal on a cold winter evening;
Snow Village – January 17 to March 23, 2014, where every year they make a replica of a city (last year it was NYC); the
Montreal en Luminere – February 20 to March 2, 2014, one of the largest outdoor culinary & lighting winter festivals in the world.
Just be sure to pack those warm winter coats and boots, though expect the crowds to keep you warm!
We stayed at the Ritz Carlton Montreal located in the Golden Squared Mile on Sherbrooke Avenue very near Montreal’s high end boutiques, galleries and museums. It has been the most elegant address in the city since its opening on New Year’s Eve in 1912. In fact, it is the first Ritz Carlton Hotel in the world! After undergoing an extensive $200 million restoration to preserve the historic Grand Dame of Montreal, the hotel reopened in October 2012. The building’s façade was preserved and restored, public spaces were renovated and enhanced, and rooms were redesigned with the utmost in luxury and comfort in mind. Careful attention was paid to ensure the character and charm of the iconic hotel was preserved.
The hotel has 98 guest rooms and 31 suites and the Royal Suite, at 4700sf, is the largest suite in Montreal.
We stayed in a spacious Junior Suite, 630 sf in size with an open sitting area, working desk with dataport & wi fi. The lead in room is a Deluxe King room at 393 sf; then the Signature King or 2 Queen, at 512 sf then the suite categories. The guest rooms feature high tech amenities such as motion sensors that activate lights to guide guests in darkened rooms and a fabulous modern bathroom to die for, each with a deep lounging tub and separate shower with the floor tiled with the Ritz Carlton’s lion head mascot in cream & beige Italian tiles. The best was the toilet/bidet with heated seat – definitely a bit of a learning curve there but once I got the hang of it is was a treat!
I especially loved the roof top salt water pool with stunning views of the all of Montreal from inside or on the terrace. It is heated with reclaimed energy from the hotels’s kitchen.
The Ritz Carlton Montreal is a Virtuoso property offering our clients these amenities:
- Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
- Daily full breakfast, for up to two in room guests
- $100 USD Resort or Hotel credit, to be utilized during stay
- (not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
- Early check-in/late check-out subject to availability
Take advantage of their Complimentary 3rd night for travel between January 1 through April 30, combinable with Virtuoso amenities. Email [email protected] for more information.
