Continuing on my city tours extravaganza, I chose one that promised to take us to three different hotels in Old Montreal.
It was extremely cold that day, the sidewalks were deserted and slippery…but I was happy to be guided by a friend who is one of the better guides in the city.
We started with the “XIXième siècle” hotel. It is located in an old bank and has retained some of the original woodwork and paneling in the lobby. I was not overly impressed.
http://www.hotelxixsiecle.com/
Next we visited the “Hotel Gault”. This building used to be a department store and has retained little of its original decor, instead it now welcomes gusts in a funky lobby. I liked the rooms, modern and elegant…and the employee who showed us around was enthusiastic and pleasant.
The third hotel was the “W”. It belongs to a chain under the Starwoods umbrella, and the concept is that you can get whatever, whenever wherever. The theme is “indulge the sense” so the minute you walk in you are asailled by music that follows you everywhere. The lighting is irritating, everything seems red with jarring blasts of neon , the materials used on the furniture are kitch and cheap looking. We were told that there is a smell pumped into the air vents…but mostly what totally turned me off was the barby doll who showed us around…totally artificial, no substance. This place is not for me.
Our guide had us stop in two art galleries that would be worth a return visit. (as soon as I can recall their names I will add them in). So it was a worthwhile afternoon which would have been nicer if one of the properties had offered drinks or tea…but you can’t in them all…