We end our Canadian tour in Montréal, the largest city in Québec province and second largest French speaking city in the world. Set on the Saint Lawrence River and named after Mount Royal, the triple-peaked hill majestically rising up in the heart of the city from what it was named after. Montreal’s iconic green space at the base of the hill, Mount Royal Park, was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, of New York City's Central Park fame. This five-star city also has the highest number of restaurants per capita in Canada with a robust foodie scene that puts the world’s other food destinations to shame. From their French pastries to street cart poutine, to fine dining, the food in Montreal is eclectic, delicious and abundant. Pair this up with the most luxurious accommodations, and this week your Luxury Travel Consultants are celebrating Montreal!
W Hotel Montreal
Set at the crossroads of the downtown district and Old Montreal, is W Hotel Montreal. This modern and sexy hotel boasts 124 rooms and 28 suites with a chic black and white color scheme highlighted with pops of color. The W is your home away from home as you head to investigate your own culinary journey in Old Montreal curated for you by WIT. Start the morning at Jean-Talon Market, a European-style open market and a foodie’s dream come true. We will pair you up with a local chef as you discover flowers and plants, a vast array of fruits and vegetables, an oyster bar, live lobsters for the choosing, fresh sausage, tea, and more specialty goods. The market’s center is home to ready-made food stands and is the perfect place to have an international snack or lunch. Don’t miss out on the small shops outside the market for dry goods and unique culinary tools you can pack and take home with you. Upon return to the W, take a break at Bartizen, the hotel’s lounge inspired by Montreal’s 1949 social scene. Here you will discover craft cocktails and new flavors with “Gineology”, their specialty gin selections.
The Ritz-Carlton, Montréal
Known lovingly as “the Grande Dame of Sherbrooke Street”, The Ritz-Carlton, Montréal has set the bar for luxury hotels in North America since 1912. Following a recent $200 million transformation, the hotel’s 98 guest rooms and 31 suites have been reimagined for the most discerning, modern traveler with luxe comfort in mind. From the rooftop pool and full-service Spa St. James, to the romantic cuisine at Maison Boulud, and legendary afternoon tea at Palm Court, The Ritz is positioned for your enjoyment. Within steps of high-end boutiques, galleries, museums, and main attractions, such as Mount Royal Park, Old Montréal, and the Old Port, the city is your oyster. Upon return to the hotel, you can indulge with a curated cocktail menu in the newly renovated Dom Perignon Bar or the new Grand Marnier Lounge.
No trip to this city is complete without trying “Montreal smoked meat”, la viande fumée, and the world famous Schwartz’s, the classic deli to get your fill. You must try a Montreal bagel, which Quebecois insist is far superior to the New York bagel! We recommend you visit St. Viateur and decide for yourself. And of course, we must not forget Poutine! Many late nights in Montreal end with a plate of poutine (fries drenched in gravy and cheese curds). The good news is you can enjoy this decadent Canadian rite of passage anytime, and among the best is La Banquise in the Plateau neighborhood of Montreal.
Four Seasons Hotel Montreal
At the foot of Mount Royal, the bustling Golden Square Mile is known for its Victorian-era architecture, McGill University campus, the McCord Museum on Canadian history and culture, and the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. Amid this fantastic one-mile area, we find Four Seasons Hotel Montreal. This sleek 169 room and suite hotel is in an ideal location to explore the area any time of the year. You will love that Four Seasons is conveniently connected to Holt Renfrew Ogilvy, a high-end department store for all your shopping desires. After your retail therapy, we suggest you refresh in the Marcus Lounge + Bar or visit Marcus Restaurant + Terrace, both from trendsetting and celebrity Chef Marcus Samuelsson.
The Sofitel Montreal Golden Mile
To cast a wider net, Montreal has an amazing Underground City, which is a series of interconnected tunnels beneath the city that run for over 32km. The tunnels connect shopping malls, over 2000 stores, 7 metro stations, universities, banks, offices, museums, and restaurants. The Sofitel Montreal Golden Mile is another wonderful property inside the Golden Mile with access to the “underground”. Here you will have your pick from 239 elegant rooms and 17 suites that seamlessly blend “minimalist design and warm sophistication”. We love the amenities that include a collection of indulgent products from Lanvin and Hermès bath products.
Fairmont, The Queen Elizabeth
Also, in the Underground City is the totally reinvented and classic Fairmont, The Queen Elizabeth. This glamourous icon has 950 well-appointed rooms including 100 suites with the option to upgrade to Fairmont Gold and enjoy an exclusive lifestyle hotel, designed for exceptional, personalized service. This hotel is home to the legendary John Lennon and Yoko Ono suite, site of the 1969 “bed-in for peace” that has been completely renovated with a virtual reality experience and plenty of in-room surprises. We also love the 3,000-sq.-ft. Royal Suite, the largest in the city complete with a private panoramic elevator and stunning views of the downtown skyline. For another Montreal classic, let WIT plan a trip to visit a cabanes à sucre or Sugar Shack, the charming cabins in the woods outside of Montreal that are the traditional homes of maple sugar and syrup production. Plan a visit during “sugar time” (February through April) for the full range of activities. We love that the popular Montreal restaurant Au Pied du Cochon has its own sugar shack, slightly more chic than the family-owned ones where you can enjoy a fixed menu to share with the members of your group, inspired by their seasonal harvests. We also invite you to visit the restaurant in town for hearty Quebec dishes like poutine and pouding chômeur. You’ll be happy you did!
WIT has very close relationships with these properties, so we can extend exclusive perks and special amenities to our clients. Typically, you will receive complimentary breakfast for two daily, $100 or more resort credit to be utilized during your stay, room upgrade, either at the time of booking or arrival, and early check-in/late checkout, both subject to availability.
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