Where to Stay in Montreal: Best Areas & Hotel Guide

One of the trickiest things when planning a first visit to any new city is deciding where to stay, and Montreal is no different. Canada’s 2nd largest city has 19 different and distinct neighbourhoods so it can be a challenge to choose just one, let alone pick a single hotel or vacation rental. But don’t worry, I’m here to help!

Some things you’ll want to consider when deciding on where to stay in Montreal include access to transit, nearby restaurants and entertainment, overall aesthetic, and neighbourhood personality.

Whether you’re visiting for the first time or a repeat visitor, I’ll help you decide where to base yourself depending on what you want to see and experience.

Quick Montreal Neighbourhood Guide

• Where to stay in Montreal for your first time – Old Montreal
• Where to stay in Montreal on a budget – Downtown Montreal
• The best area to stay in Montreal for nightlife – The Village
• Best neighbourhood in Montreal for families – Downtown Montreal
• Best neighbourhood for cafes and culture – Le Plateau and Mile End

The Best Areas to Stay in Montreal

Old Montreal

Charming, historic, and touristy. Arguably, Old Montreal (Vieux Montreal) is the best neighbourhood to stay in for your first visit to Montreal. It’s very walkable and is full of that old world French charm, historic buildings, galleries, antique shops, the tallest observation wheel in Canada, and an amazing Nordic spa on the river. It’s also the neighbourhood most likely to make you forget that you’re in Canada.

The main attractions in this neighbourhood is Grand Notre Dame Cathedral along with window shopping on Saint Paul Street and browsing Bonsecours Market. Several walking tours also depart from Old Montreal.

Hand-picked Hotels in Old Montreal

• Hotel Nelligan – historic 19th-century building, around the corner from Notre-Dame Basilica and Pointe-a-Calliere Museum in Old Montreal. Named after Poet Laureate of Québec, Émile Nelligan, this boutique luxury hotel captures the essence of Old Montréal.
• Auberge du Vieux-Port – Formerly a 19th-century warehouse, a charming boutique inn within walking distance of the Old Port. Intimate & comfortable rooms that combine contemporary style with antique decor. 
• Hôtel William Gray – a family-friendly boutique hotel choice right on the Place Jacques-Cartier in Old Montreal’s heart. The hotel features comfy rooms and suites, with custom art hanging from walls and luxe amenities. Families will love the suites with separate living space.
• Hôtel Uville Montréal – in a prime location between a small park and a majestic river. It includes a free breakfast, turntables with vinyl, a curated selection of NFB films, and a hip, retro 60s/70s design.
• Hotel Épik Montréal – Modern designed boutique hotel housed in a historic building with a coffee shop and roomy lounge. A 10-minute walk from the Old Port, giving you access to some of the best restaurants in the city.

See All Hotels in Old Montreal

Downtown Montreal

Skyscrapers, entertainment, and shopping. If you’re looking for vibrant energy and modern architecture, downtown Montreal is your spot. It’s also home to the Bell  Centre (home of the Canadiens), and the Au Summit (the 2nd tallest skyscraper in the city where you can get great city views), and Places des Arts (where you can find Broadway shows, dance, opera and more all year round).  Be sure to check out the Underground City, over 33km of connected buildings, shopping centres, and metro stations. Perfect in winter.

Downtown Montreal has a sophistication that attracts high-end hotels, designer shops, and several Michelin-rated restaurants. If you want to live the high life, downtown Montreal is for you.

Hand-picked Hotels in Downtown Montreal

• Hotel Bonaventure Montreal – offering 2.5 acres of beautiful gardens and streams, Montreal Bonaventure Hotel provides stunning views of the city from the year-round rooftop pool and terrace. Close to shopping and connected to the metro and Underground City.
• Fairmont the Queen Elizabeth Montreal – perfectly located in the heart of downtown, Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth has a fascinating history that unravels through a “for Montrealers, by Montrealers” concept featuring a restaurant, a bar, an urban market and a coffee shop where local products and talents take the center stage. The hotel is also a part of history; it was the site of John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s bed-in for peace in 1969.
• Sofitel Montréal Le Carré Doré – ideal for business travelers and art lovers – at the foot of lush Mount Royal Park, next to the renowned McGill University and Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. Enjoy the blend of minimalist design and warm sophistication, embellished with Victorian accents from the estate of North American railroad pioneer William Cornelius Van Horne.
• Hotel Zero 1 Montreal – This modern hotel features an outdoor terrace offering panoramic views of downtown Montréal’s Quartier des Spectacles. A kitchenette is featured in all guest rooms. This contemporary high-rise is near the world’s largest jazz festival (Guinness ranked), new Montréal Symphony House (at Place des Arts), and legendary live music venues Club Soda, Metropolis, and Monument Nationale.
• Le St-Martin Hotel Centre-ville – Discover the calm and comfort of a boutique hotel located in the heart of a vibrant downtown Montreal setting. Rising 16 storeys above the city, this 4-Diamond luxury boutique hotel offers a rare combination of warmth, sophistication, and modern urban style that sets it amongst the finest hotels in Montreal.

See All Hotels in Downtown Montreal

Le Plateau and Mile End

Trendy, spiral staircases, and amazing bagels. If you’re looking for a more laid back, creative neighbourhood, look to Mile End and Le Plateau. This is a very Francophone part of town and you’ll find colourful murals and lots of artisanal shops between Victorian homes with those classic wrought iron spiral staircases. Much like Brooklyn, what was once a working class area has become the trendiest burrough in Montreal. It’s also home to some iconic restaurants like La Banquise, Schwartz’ Deli, and St-Viateur Bagels. The quieter, local vibe of Le Plateau and Mile End make it a particularly good place to stay in Montreal with a family.

Hand-picked Hotels in Mile End

• Parc Avenue Lofts – this is a great option if you’re looking for more space or a kitchen during your visit. All units have air conditioning and at leats one bedroom with separate sitting area.
• Hotel Kutuma – Spacious suites with full kitchens and daily continental breakfast.  There’s a definite African vibe in the rooms with an on-site Ethiopian restaurant, only a 5-minute walk from Sherbrooke Metro.
• Auberge de la Fontaine – located directly across the street from Parc LaFontaine, this cozy stone house features spacious & clean rooms with private bathrooms.
• Accueil Chez Francois – with only 5 rooms, this inn across from Parc LaFontaine charms guests with modern rooms and superb hospitality.

See All Hotels in Le Plateau & Mile End

The Village

Nightlife, gay district, and patios. One of the largest LGBT communities in North America, the Gay Village in Montreal is where you’ll find some of the best nightlife spots in the city. The Village is lively and vibrant, filled with bars, restaurants, and nightclubs. From May until September, the main thoroughfare of Sainte Catherine St. E. is completely car-free, which really creates a sense of community with all the open air patios and great people watching. If you want to dance the night away and witness Montreal’s open-minded and cosmopolitan nature first hand, the Village is your neighbourhood.

Hand-picked Hotels in The Village

• Hyatt Place Montreal Downtown – Connected to the largest metro station in Montreal, this is a perfect choice for ease of transit. There is a gym and pool on site with easy access to the Montréal Convention Centre as well as many other attractions.
• Alexandrie Hostel – Featuring bold décor elements such as graffiti walls and old art, each room is uniquely styled. Dormitory rooms and private rooms are available. A common area is available for guests to cook meals, do laundry or enjoy a drink. Free coffee is served all day.
• Econo Lodge – Located only 20m from the Berri UQAM metro station, this is a good budget option in Montreal. In the morning, guests can enjoy croissants, muffins, coffee and orange juice.
• Maison des Jardins B&B – Causal luxury option. The rooms have either a private or a shared bathroom, and there is a garden-terrace, communal hot tub, and kitchen for all the guests to use.

See All Hotels in The Village