Trying to decide where to stay in Montreal? It’s not always easy. As the second-largest city in Canada, Montreal spreads far & wide. Choosing among the best hotels in Montreal can be a challenge for visitors.
The best areas to stay in Montreal ring around the downtown. Neighbourhoods like Old Montréal and Le Plateau-Mont-Royal offer a distinctive European feel. Others like Mile End and Rosemont-Le-Petite-Patrie are more residential. All show off unique styles & vibes and a strong French-Canadian heritage. In each, you’ll find a wide variety of lodgings. Accommodation options in Montreal include hotels, guesthouses, hostels, auberges, and holiday homes.
Ready to settle into one of the coolest neighbourhoods in Montreal, Canada? Find the perfect hotel with this complete Montreal accommodations guide. In it, you’ll find the top areas & neighbourhoods for travellers and all the best places to stay in Montreal.
Looking for more ideas for your trip? Check out our other hotel & accommodations guides and our Canada Travel Guide for recommendations on when to visit, where to go & what to do!
Best places to stay in Montreal
Visiting Montreal for the first time? Downtown and Old Montreal are the two most popular neighbourhoods to base yourself. These two city centre areas have the highest concentration of attractions. Most of the best things to do in Montreal are accessible from here. Historic churches, French colonial architecture, and a taste of Europe are a few of the top reasons to visit Montréal. You’ll find it all in the city centre.
Staying on the outskirts of downtown also has its benefits. Away from the busy downtown streets, you’ll discover parts of Montreal that most tourists overlook. Eclectic neighbourhoods like Le Plateau-Mont-Royal, Mile End, and Rosemont-Le-Petite-Patrie are great choices. They’ll give you a chance to see more of the “real” Montréal away from the tourist crowds.
No matter where you decide to lay down your head, you’ll discover a charming city full of its own distinct flair. This modern cosmopolitan city has many areas waiting for you to explore.
The best areas to stay in Montreal include:
- Downtown Montreal is the best area in Montreal for shopping & dining. It’s home to many of the best hotels in Montreal.
- Le Plateau-Mont-Royal is one of the coolest neighbourhoods in Montreal. This district is a fantastic place to stay to escape the buzz of the city centre. Staying here, you’ll enjoy a more relaxed local vibe. The area is also home to plenty of great local restaurants & bars.
- Old Montreal is the top district for first-time visitors. If you’re interested in historical sightseeing, Old Montreal is your best bet. Besides its attractive façades, you’ll also find excellent fine dining here.
- Quartier des Spectacles is the recommended neighbourhood for tackling Montreal’s diverse cultural scene. Travellers staying here will enjoy the city’s best nightlife, art galleries, museums & festivals.
- Mile End is a small hip & funky enclave of Le Plateau-Mont-Royal. Mile End is the top-rated place to stay in Montreal for foodies & hipsters. Staying here, you’ll enjoy Montreal’s café scene by day and its alternative music scene by night.
- Rosemont-Le-Petite-Patrie is another residential neighbourhood east of the centre. It’s the perfect place for a quiet stay away from the crowds.
- Underground City is home to some of the best Montreal hotels. This sub-section of downtown is the top district for shopping & entertainment. You’ll especially love staying around the Underground City in winter. The underground tunnels connect many of the area’s hotels and attractions. They’ll allow you to escape the blistering cold of winter in Montreal.
Downtown Montreal
✔ Best area to stay in Montreal for shopping & dining
Downtown Montreal is the business hub of the city. The area teems with towering skyscrapers and busy commercial plazas. It attracts first-time visitors, business travellers, and shoppers.
Many of the streets of Downtown Montreal are lined with shops and restaurants. High-end shops & designer boutiques selling big-name brands dominate the area. Several of Montreal’s biggest shopping centres call downtown home. Some are connected via an underground network of tunnels called the Underground City. It’s almost an entire neighbourhood itself. (More on that later!)
The downtown area also offers some of the top things to check out in Montréal. Climb to the top of Place Ville-Marie for panoramic views of the city. Tour the gothic-revival architecture of historic churches like St Patrick’s Basilica. Peruse the city’s largest modern art collection at Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. Or experience the unrivalled energy of a Montreal Canadiens game at the Bell Centre.
As one of the city’s most-visited areas, downtown Montreal also attracts top restauranteurs. It’s home to several Michelin-rated restaurants, offering all types of international cuisine.
Downtown Montreal is centrally located. Most of the other boroughs surround the area. It’s a convenient base of operations for your trip to Quebec’s largest city.
The quarter remains the most diverse modern part of the city. Downtown Montreal has less of the European style found in the older neighbourhoods. What the area lacks in history, it trades in for upscale shopping and fine dining.
Recommended hotels in Downtown
The downtown area has the greatest selection of hotels in Montreal. It’s also home to most of the top five-star hotels and budget business hotels in Montreal. Keep in mind that lodgings here tend to fill up first during the peak tourist seasons.
- Auberge Les Bons Matins charms with a feeling of staying in a European villa. This elegant five-star hotel features bright, vibrant décor, fireplaces & other unique touches. It’s located next to the Metro for your convenience.
- Courtyard by Marriott Montreal Downtown is a top-notch city centre 4-star hotel. The hotel combines reasonable rates with comfortable rooms. Staying here, you’ll also have a few reasons to enjoy a night in. It’s home to a cool indoor rooftop pool and an on-site restaurant with excellent city views.
- Hotel Ambrose is a lovely 3-star boutique hotel in the heart of the city. It’s located on a quiet side street next to a café. The hotel is a short walk from one of the entrances to the Underground City.
- Le Mount Stephen is one of the city’s highest-rated five-star hotels. Located inside a 19th-century building, this luxury hotel strives to deliver world-class service. Despite its historical façcade, rooms lean to the modern, featuring contemporary décor and furniture.
Le Plateau-Mont-Royal
✔ Best neighbourhood to stay in Montreal for a quieter local vibe and fantastic restaurants & bars
It’s hard to not recommend staying in Le Plateau-Mont-Royal. Undeniably, the area is one of the most interesting neighbourhoods in central Montreal.
Le Plateau-Mont-Royal is northwest of downtown in the shadows of Mont-Royal. Known to locals as “Le Plateau,” the neighbourhood is a fantastic choice for travellers visiting Montreal for the first time. Compared to other central areas, it’s got quieter, more laid-back local vibe.
Le Plateau-Mont-Royal is, arguably, the prettiest area in the city centre. It’s punctuated by colourful historic townhouses and tree-lined avenues. You’ll find parks like Parc Jeanne-Mance, Parc Lafontaine, and Sir Wilfrid Laurier Park. They’re perfect for unwinding amid your sightseeing journey.
The Le Plateau-Mont-Royal neighbourhood encompasses Montreal’s hip & laid-back Mile End. In the enclave, you’ll find a multitude of hipster-approved music venues and bars. Plenty of tasty local restaurants & eateries also dot the scene. The line-up includes St-Viateur Bagel and world-famous Schwartz’s Deli. The deli is hailed by many as the birthplace of the Montreal smoked meat sandwich.
Want to walk off your poutine and smoked meat indulgences during your Montreal trip? Scurry over to the hiking trails and power up Mount Royal. The city’s namesake hill sits upon the southern edge of the district. At the summit of Mont-Royal, you’ll enjoy superb views over the city.
Recommended hotels in Le Plateau-Mont-Royal
There’s a decent selection of hotels in Le Plateau spanning both the budget and mid-range. For luxury hotels, however, you’ll need to look elsewhere.
- Manoir Sherbrooke is a lovely historic manor. It’s the perfect embodiment of traditional Montreal hospitality. The guesthouse is located 5 minutes from Sherbrooke Station. The Latin Quarter, and Saint-Laurent Street are also nearby. Along these streets, you’ll find a host of superb eating & drinking options.
- Auberge de La Fontaine occupies a lovely stone house overlooking Parc Lafontaine. The auberge features spacious & clean rooms with private bathrooms. (Not always a given in Quebec.)
- Hotel Kutuma is one of the most luxurious hotels in Le Plateau. The hotel offers large rooms with a palpable African vibe in the decor. A huge bonus to staying here is to eat at The Blue Nile. This delicious Ethiopian restaurant happens to be a favourite place to eat in Montreal here at Treksplorer. (The bookstore next door, focusing on foreign language learning books, is sweet, too.)
- Accueil Chez Francois sits in a traditional Montreal townhouse across from La Fontaine Park. This beautiful B&B is an excellent choice in the Le Plateau area. It charms guests with modern rooms and superb hospitality. Only 5 rooms are available; book well ahead if you want to scoop one up.
Old Montreal
✔ Recommended area to stay in Montreal for history & culture
Old Montreal is the historic district of the city. It’s home to Montreal’s oldest buildings and some of its most famous landmarks. The neighbourhood stretches east of downtown up to the riverfront and old port area. Its main tourist area centres around Rue Saint-Paul (St Paul Street).
The cobblestone streets of Old Montreal and colonial architecture date back to the 17th century. In fact, Old Montreal is one of the oldest European settlements in Canada—and even in North America!
Sure, it’s a little touristy, but Old Montreal is the perfect spot to start your Montreal itinerary. For historical sightseeing, Old Montreal is the best place to stay in the city.
In the early morning, the Old Port of Montréal on the St. Lawrence River starts to come alive. Dozens of cafes open their doors and markets prepare to open. As the day wears on, Old Port (Vieux Port) grows more crowded. Tourists push into the inner neighbourhood via Place Jacques Cartier. Along Rue Saint-Paul, you’ll find several attractions including Bonsecours Market and Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel.
The blocks west of the waterfront teem with cobblestone streets lined by older buildings. This is where Old Montreal charms its visitors most. Along the narrow streets, you’ll stumble upon cafés, restaurants, boutiques, and markets. It’s a quainter shopping experience than the higher-end commercial strips in downtown.
Due to the location of Old Montreal, you’ll also be able to visit some nearby neighbourhoods & boroughs. Downtown Montreal, Little Burgundy, and Griffintown are close by.
Once you’ve explored Old Montreal, you can tackle more of the city centre. The lovely Notre-Dame Basilica of Montréal (Basilique Notre-Dame de Montréal) is south of the area on Place d’Armes. You’ll also find several museums nearby including the Montreal Science Centre. Head to Little Burgundy to check out the art-deco Atwater Market and Lachine Canal Park. In the evening, you can tie one on in the pubs & clubs in the nearby Latin Quarter around Rue St. Denis or the Gay Village.
Recommended hotels in Old Montreal
Most of the hotels in Old Montreal provide top-notch service, as they need to compete for visitors. No matter where you stay in Old Montreal, you’ll encounter friendly staff who are always ready to help.
- W Montreal is a modern 4.5-hotel located in Victoria Square, one of the city’s best locations. The rooms are snazzy & colourful and charm with views of the public square. W Montreal is one of the pricier options in the city though. You’ll pay a premium for the short walk to Old Montreal, Notre-Dame Basilica, and the World Trade Centre Montreal.
- Hotel Epik Montreal is a highly-rated boutique hotel housed inside a historic building. It’s one of the best places to stay in Old Montreal. Hotel Epik is a 10-minute walk from the Old Port, giving you access to some of the best restaurants in the city. It also has its own coffee shop to help fuel your trip.
- Hotel Nelligan is a 4-star hotel around the corner from Notre-Dame Basilica and Pointe-a-Calliere Museum. History lovers will love the location. Likewise, foodies will enjoy staying near the eateries on the waterfront. The rooftop terrace is quite spectacular.
Quartier des Spectacles
✔ Top neighbourhood in Montreal for art lovers & taking in local festivities
Located in the Ville-Marie borough, Quartier des Spectacles is the cultural centre of Montréal. The Quartier des Spectacles is home to the city’s top theatres, galleries, and cinemas. It also encompasses the Latin Quarter, known for its eclectic style and casual bars, and Montreal’s Gay Village.
The Quartier des Spectacles area feels like a party all year round. You’ll find various outdoor festivals and events throughout the year. Some festivities take over the streets during the daytime. Others remain contained in the neighbourhood’s performance halls.
If you’re looking for outdoor entertainment, walk to Place des Festivals. The large public square hosts numerous outdoor festivals throughout the year. You can even discover outdoor art exhibitions.
You’ll also find a few events indoors. Quartier des Spectacles only covers an area of about one-square kilometre. But the entertainment district of Montreal has almost 30 different performance halls. Major performing venues include Montreal Symphony House and Place des Arts.
Quartier des Spectacles also contains the area once known as the red-light district. In the past, the streets here were lined with strip clubs and seedy corners with—ahem!—”street workers.” Much of it centred around Rue Sainte-Catherine, now one of the main shopping streets in Montreal. As with many former red-light districts around the world, it’s much safer and cleaner today.
Recommended hotels in Quartier des Spectacles
As with the neighbourhood itself, accommodations in Quartier des Spectacles are diverse. You’ll find hotels to suit any style and budget. The district has several two-star hotels and a few three-star & four-star options near its outskirts.
- Le Relais Lyonnais sits near the BAnQ Grande Bibliothèque in the Latin Quarter. This 3-star hotel aims to please. Its friendly staff brings fresh breakfast in the morning and will help you find your way around. This charming little boutique hotel also has its own onsite restaurant.
- DoubleTree by Hilton Montreal delivers world-class service and some of the best views of the city. It’s one of the only four-star hotels in the quarter. The rooms feature sleek, modern décor, adding even more class to the hotel. In its price range, it’s one the best hotels in Montreal.
- Best Western Plus Hotel Montreal: For budget-conscious travellers, this hotel has great rates and comfortable beds. It’s not the fanciest location, but you’re located in the heart of Quartier des Spectacles and within walking distance of most of the sites.
- Loft Hotel Montreal is a unique boutique-style hotel housed inside an art deco building. The rooms here are spacious and beset with modern furniture. Some even offer fantastic views over the city. You’ll also enjoy the fully equipped kitchen for when you don’t want to venture outdoors.
Mile End
✔ Best neighbourhood to stay for café-hopping, live music, and nightlife
Mile End is one of Montreal’s hippest & funkiest neighbourhoods. For locals, it’s one of the most coveted places to live in Montreal. And once you check out this small enclave of Le Plateau-Mont-Royal, you’ll see why.
For travellers, Mile End is one of the best places to stay in Montreal. The neighbourhood offers an alternative vibe away from the typical tourist attractions. It’s chock-loaded with ethnic eateries and laid-back cafés. Mile End is also famous for its classic Montreal bagel joints. Be sure to try St-Viateur Bagel and Fairmont Bagel, two of the best in the city.
In the Mile End area, you’ll also find the city’s best live music venues, cocktail bars, and brewpubs. The area is a fantastic choice if you’re looking to indulge in nightlife on your visit.
Not far from Mile End, you’ll also find several great urban green spaces. Chill out in Saint-Viateur Park and Outremont Park to experience the city’s quieter moments.
Recommended hotels in Mile End
The Mile End neighbourhood only stretches a few major blocks in any direction. As you’d expect, accommodations in Mile End are limited to homestays and apartments.
- Montreal Mile-End Apartment #201 by Plateau Prime Suite is budget-friendly yet spacious. The two-bedroom apartment sits near the edge of the district.
- Parc Avenue Residences is a modern apartment complex offering bright & roomy units. It charms guests with a sleek contemporary style.
- Les Lofts du Plateau overlooks historic Park Avenue. This Mile End apartment is an excellent choice if you’re looking for more space during your stay.
Rosemont-Le Petite-Patrie
✔ Where to stay in Montreal for a quieter local experience
The small neighbourhood of Rosemont-Le Petite-Patrie sits northwest of Le Plateau-Mont-Royal. Rosemont-Le Petite-Patrie is one of the best places to stay in Montreal for a low-key visit to Quebec’s biggest urban centre.
Like many of the neighbourhoods in the vicinity, Rosemont-Le Petite-Patrie is mostly residential. It makes for a quiet stay with a super local vibe. Even so, there’s still a handful of small local restaurants, cafés, and bars in the area to keep things exciting.
The most famous attraction in the area is Jean-Talon Market. This large open-air market is one of the biggest markets in Montreal. It’s a great place to get a bite or pick up some fresh produce for a self-catering stay in Montreal.
The neighbourhood is also home to Montreal’s thriving Little Italy community. If you’ve got a craving for pizza or a strong espresso, this might be the place to do it!
There’s also a handful of relaxing parks in Rosemont-Le Petite-Patrie. The family-friendly Père-Marquette Park is a good place to start. It’s home to a ton of great sporting facilities for kids & adults alike. To see Montreal at its “greenest,” though, visit the Montreal Botanical Gardens. It’s on the northeastern edge of Rosemont-Le Petite-Patrie alongside Montreal Olympic Park.
Recommended hotels in Le Petite-Patrie
There isn’t a huge selection of accommodations in this area. Expect to find mostly homestays and apartments. It’s perfect for a more local experience on your visit to Montreal.
- The Wonderful Pink Studio By Den Stays dwells in the beating heart of Little Italy. This fantastic one-bedroom apartment sleeps 3 people and oozes cool modern Quebecois-style.
- Fun & Funky studio by Den Stays is almost identical to its sister property next door seen above. While it might not be as funky as a boutique art hotel, it’s a great place for a comfy stay in Montreal’s coolest area.
- Plaza Central Luxury Penthouse by Liv MTL: is the area’s top choice if your Montreal trip plans include living like royalty. You’ll check off all the boxes with this massive chic luxury apartment.
Underground City
✔ Best place to stay in Montreal for convenient shopping & entertainment
Staying in the Underground City, you’ll never need to set foot outdoors. This network of tunnels and subsurface complexes creeps under the centre of Montreal.
Over the years, Underground City has grown to include more shops, hotels, and restaurants. While some passageways remain desolate, much of the underground area is commercialized.
Underground City now has at least a dozen hotels and hundreds of restaurants and stores. In fact, the entire network now connects over 1,600 establishments. You’ll also find major office & shopping complexes like Place Ville-Marie and Complexe Desjardins.
It’s almost entirely underground, but a few of the connections remain above ground. When travelling between some of the buildings, you’ll walk through a few ground-level tunnels and even one sky bridge. This makes it an “indoor city,” instead of a true underground city.
The main entrances to Underground City are found throughout the city centre. You’ll also find over 120 exterior access points and about 60 Metro station entrances. From the Underground City, you can reach almost any part of Montreal.
This is an especially useful place to stay during the freezing cold Quebec winters. Instead of braving the cold weather, you can travel through various tunnels.
Recommended hotels in Underground City
Some of Montreal’s top hotels connect to the Underground City. While the hotels aren’t below ground, they have access points to the underground network. If you love to shop, you’ll enjoy staying at any of these accommodation options.
- Le Dauphin Montreal Centre-Ville is a quick four-minute walk from Bonaventure Station. Staying at this hotel, you’ll be able to cover more of the city in a flash. It’s a great location with friendly staff who cater to your every need.
- Renaissance Montreal Downtown Hotel sits in the centre of the city. The hotel is steps from Place Ville-Marie. Rooms here are spacious, comfortable, and stylish. The hotel also has its own rooftop bar. It’s a fantastic place for a nightcap after a long day of sightseeing. Book ahead during the high tourist season; the hotel is often packed.
- Hotel Monville caters to business travellers—as you might sense from its sleek, modern décor. The hotel offers a convenient location near the Museum of Contemporary Art and features its own onsite bar. Some of the rooms have views of the downtown area.
- Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth is a luxurious five-star hotel with direct access to the Underground City. 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. Today, guests can enjoy drinks from the onsite bar. You’ll also get convenient access to nearby metro stations.
