Montreal is one of Canada’s largest cities. With its many museums, monuments and shows, it attracts nearly 10 million visitors every year. But it’s a very large city, so choosing where to stay in Montreal is important to ensure you’re well located and close to all the must-sees.
In this guide, we’ll look at the most important things you need to know about the different neighborhoods that make up this city, such as their location, the general atmosphere, how to get around and the types of accommodation on offer. A selection of hotels and essential points for your stay will also be presented.
Main information
Before going into the description of the neighborhoods to target when selecting accommodations in Montreal, here are the essentials to know about tourism.
Our favorite places to stay
First of all, if you’re in a hurry, here are our favorite places to stay in Montreal:
- $ this youth hostel located in the heart of Old Montreal.
- $$ this hotel, in a rather central location near the Bell Centre.
- $$$ this luxury establishment, in the heart of the historic center. One of the best places to stay in Montreal, budget permitting.
Map of different areas to stay in Montreal
We’re now sharing the map on which you can find all our recommendations for hotels and apartments where to stay in Montreal. This map will also enable you to locate the different geographical areas we’ll cover in this guide.
We’ve used the following color code: green for budget hotels, blue for mid-range hotels and red for luxury hotels.
Montreal accommodation essentials
Here’s some information to help you get a feel for the city:
Places to stay in and around Montreal
Let’s get to the heart of the matter with a review of the main areas where we recommend staying in Montreal.
Accommodation in Old Montreal, authentic and lively
A tourist area and the very heart of the metropolis, the historic part of Old Montreal is the ideal place to stay close to the must-sees. Located near the docks, it's the hub of all the city's activity and has a picturesque atmosphere.
This part of Montreal is the most traditional and authentic. Here you'll find the Notre Dame Basilica with its splendid interior, the Science Centre, the Pointe-à-Callière archeological museum and the Ferris Wheel... Stroll through the boutiques, historic monuments and cafés of little squares like Jacques Cartier Square, or take a stroll through the Old Port.
To get around, public transport is very practical. Old Montreal has several metro stations, with green, yellow and orange lines. In any case, buses pass through the area regularly. The distance between the two ends of the district can be covered on foot in around 15 minutes.
As far as accommodation is concerned, the area is very popular with travellers. There are more quality hotels here, so rates inevitably rise. So make sure you book well in advance.
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An ideal address for small budgets: this youth hostel is located in the heart of Montreal, less than 10 minutes' walk from the Basilica. Modern decor and a warm, friendly atmosphere.
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Located a stone's throw from the Basilica and the Place d'Armes metro station, it offers a range of room sizes, including family rooms. With its spa service, 2 restaurants, bar and parking at an additional cost, it's a great place to stay in the heart of Montreal.
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A hotel with a modern, stylish decor and an excellent location in the heart of the historic center. There's a gym, restaurant and bar. Parking is also available. It's a great place to stay if you're on a budget.
Stay in the city center, for the entertainment
Downtown has a lively, dynamic atmosphere, whatever the season. That's why it's always worth staying there. Although relatively expensive, it's an opportunity to be in the heart of the metropolis. Located right next to the historic part of the city, this area is full of assets.
Among the must-sees are Christ Church Cathedral, the Musée d'Art Contemporain (MAC), the McCord Museum of Montreal History and, last but not least, the Beaux-Arts. While Sainte-Catherine Street is home to department stores and shopping malls, Crescent Street is filled with bars and restaurants.
As with Old Montreal, you can also take the green and orange metro lines, although it's not necessary to use them as everything can be done on foot. To give you an idea, it takes less than 20 minutes to walk from one end to the other. Useful information for nomads: the Central Station is located here.
As for accommodation, there are plenty of quality hotels, many of them prestigious. Rates are high, as this is one of the most sought-after areas. If you can, plan ahead as soon as possible to find a suitable room in which to stay.
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A good place to stay on a budget with double rooms, ideal for couples or duos. This friendly hostel is conveniently located and offers a free breakfast.
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A pleasant, well-located Novotel. This establishment has a restaurant, bar and gym. A nearby public parking lot is also available.
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This prestigious establishment is a true experience. The hotel boasts a chic, refined decor, spacious rooms, three restaurants, a gym, a business center and an indoor swimming pool. Parking is available at an additional cost.
Lodging further north: the right compromise between location and entertainment
Staying in more northerly areas such as Chinatown, the entertainment district or the Red Light District is a great way to stay close to the must-sees while saving money on your accommodation budget. North of downtown, all three are worth considering. Conveniently, they can be reached in less than 15 minutes by metro (orange line) from the Basilica.
You should also know that this area of Montreal is popular with young Canadians, as it's home to a number of universities.
Opera, cabarets, and concert halls await you in this cultural area, where Place des Arts is the epicenter. A wide range of entertainment takes place here. A museum of contemporary art is also located here. Depending on when you come, you can take part in festivals and events. These are held throughout the year.
Much more affordable in terms of price, this area is made up of many hotels for smaller budgets. But there are also some more luxurious establishments where to stay and apartments where to stay. As before, take a look in advance to guarantee the best rooms.
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Youth hostel with double rooms, ideal for couples. Enjoy the small, friendly terrace and bar. The metro station is just a few minutes away.
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This establishment offers spacious rooms and a Chinese à la carte restaurant. The swimming pool and spa are very pleasant. Public parking is available nearby.
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Very good location in the "quartier des Spectacles" for this tastefully decorated accommodation. It also features a restaurant, swimming pool and underground parking (surcharge).
Accommodation on the Mont Royal plateau, out of the way and relatively expensive
Last but not least is the Plateau Mont-Royal, where to stay. It's a great place to visit, but staying there isn't necessarily the best option. In this case, you'll be very far from the center of town, and will spend a lot of time commuting. For example, it takes around 40 minutes to get from the furthest point in this district to the Basilica.
A student district with a relaxed, friendly atmosphere, it is home to a number of residential alleys. Galleries, theaters and restaurants make this a lively area. Rue Saint Denis is lined with bookshops and cafés.
A number of parks offer nature breaks, the most popular of which is Parc de La Fontaine. Further south on the plateau, don't miss Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal, one of Montreal's must-sees.
Budget-wise, the area is quite expensive. In terms of accommodation, you'll find B&Bs, youth hostels and classic hotels. However,as supply is limited, prices can rise in places.
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One of the few inexpensive addresses. This gîte offers an apartment with garden and barbecue. It is located in a quiet street.
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The hotel is close to the park of the same name, as well as numerous stores and restaurants. Including La Banquise, the most famous place to eat poutine, Quebec's culinary specialty!
Le Village and Centre Sud, interesting alternatives where to stay?
The next-to-last area where to stay in Montreal: Le Village and, a little further away, Centre-Sud. Being further north, they are even further from the major points of interest. On the other hand, they offer a different, friendly atmosphere, with affordable accommodation.
The Village is Montreal's gay district. It's very pleasant to stroll through its warm, colorful alleys. It's home to some excellent restaurants and bars. The area is also known for its lively nightlife, especially in this part of Saint Catherine Street, the artery that runs through the entire metropolis.
Staying in Centre-Sud is more peaceful, as it's a residential area. The advantage is that you'll be sleeping in peace and quiet, and saving money at the same time. But even so, don't forget that you're only a 30-minute bus ride from the city center. Staying here is therefore a compromise.
As far as accommodation is concerned, there are far fewer hotels in the area than apartments for rent. The latter are plentiful and suitable for average budgets.
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Budget-friendly, this bed & breakfast offers comfortable, well-equipped rooms. Free parking is available nearby, and the establishment is right next to a metro station.
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Bed & Breakfast with terrace and family rooms. Nearby restaurants, stores and bus stops. Excellent breakfast (included).
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With its indoor swimming pool, stylish decor, gym and sauna, this Hyatt establishment has a lot going for it. LGBTQ friendly & breakfast included. A great place to stay if you can afford it.
Summary
You now know the ideal places to stay in Montreal, including the main areas such as the Old Port, downtown, Chinatown, the entertainment district and the Red Light District.
If getting away from the points of interest isn’t a problem for you, you can head for the Village, the best compromise. Or even further afield. In this case, you’ll have to take more public transport, but in return you’ll be staying in quieter areas that are generally more affordable.