Did you know that Montreal has 25,000 hotel rooms? So which ones to choose? Which ones are the best places to stay in Montreal? I have asked other travel bloggers to share their secrets with you! Since I’m a Montrealer, I haven’t stayed in many hotels but they have!

Best areas to stay in Montreal

Where are the best neighbourhoods in Montreal? What is the best part of Montreal to stay in? Here is my take.

Much like New York, Montreal has a variety of neighbourhoods that have their own vibe and personality.

In my opinion, here are the best and most popular neighbourhoods to stay in.

Old Montreal (& Old Port): The most touristy and historical area of Montreal. This is often the place that makes you feel in Europe without doing a transatlantic. Let the cobblestone streets, art galleries, and historical buildings seduce you. If you are a first-timer in the city, I would suggest staying here. It is also very centric with all the main attractions at a short distance.
Downtown: The downtown area is more of your typical North American city with Skyscrapers, and the hustle and bustle. This is where the majority of the museums and shopping are. It is also at the heart of the city and easy to access with public transportation. Close to downtown, you have Place des Arts where all the festivals take place.
Plateau Mont-Royal: This is the perfect mix of artsy and bohemian. The iconic outside stairs that characterize Montreal are here also. The Plateau is also close to the hipster Mile-End and Little Italy.
Griffintown: Once an industrial and blue-collar neighbourhood, Griffintown underwent a massive gentrification phase and in the span of 5 years, countless condo towers appeared. This is a central place near the beloved Canal and cooler and more local neighbourhoods like Saint-Henri.

So where you stay in Montréal boils down to which vibe you prefer.

What is the difference between Old Montreal and downtown Montreal? Old Montreal is more historical and has a lot of main attractions. It is also the prettiest part of the whole island. The downtown area is where a lot of the students and businesses happen. If you are undecided about the two, I would suggest Old Montreal, hands down. It has great restaurants and bars and it is also close to other areas of the city.

How many days should I stay in Montreal? Montreal can be easily visited in 3 days or longer. Here is my 3-day itinerary.

View of Montreal from the old port. The Old port is one of the best locations to stay in Montreal

Best places to stay in Montreal

The list below only has hotels, hostels and B&B. Note that this list does not have Airbnbs as most of them are illegal in the city (a permit has to be issued) and it is contributing to the housing crises that we have.

Hotel 10

by Hillary from Hillary Newman Photography

I personally love small boutique hotels. I search them out whenever I plan a city getaway. When I find one I love, I have to give it credit. Hotel 10 is one of those places I’m head over heels for.

So what does Hotel 10 have going for it, you ask? I’d say location, style and the cutest little coffee shop just next door. What more do you need?

Location: Ideally located near Boulevard St Laurent, there are a plethora of boutique shops and restaurants nearby. It’s an easy walk to downtown, where you can shop at the underground mall or attend one of Montreal’s many festivals. It’s also less than a 20-minute walk to Old Montreal, where you can visit Notre Dame Basilica and stroll down to the Old Port.

Style: What drew me to Hotel 10 initially was its hip and trendy style that truly celebrates Montreal’s creative and artistic side. I’m talking about clean lines and modern decor that are healthily mixed with pink neon lights and chandeliers. The place is the definition of glam! I can’t imagine a better place to spend a bachelorette weekend or a girls’ getaway.

The coffee shop I mentioned above is called Cafe Origine and it could not be cuter. I recommend stopping by if you stay here! In fact, there are many cafes in the area, if that’s something you’re into.

So, check out Hotel 10, especially if you’re travelling with the girls. But don’t count it out if you aren’t. I am certain you’ll love it!

You can follow her travels through her Instagram.

PSST: Mel here, Hotel 10 is located near the major street art hub in the city. It is a great location to start your street art hunt!

Hotel 10, one of the best hotels to stat in Montreal

Boxotel

by Scott & Megan from Bobo and Chichi

One of the best newer hotels and accommodations in Montreal to stay in while exploring the best of the city is Boxotel on a gorgeous tree-lined street in Downtown Montreal.

Your stay here will feel more like you’re at home than a hotel because this boutique hotel offers fully equipped rooms with a full kitchen, a washer and dryer for laundry, heated bathroom floors for those cold Montreal winter nights, automated curtains, bathtubs, and many have a gorgeous view of the city.

Better yet, this warehouse-chic boutique property proudly uses all locally sourced products from their toiletries to the food served in their restaurant. There’s a great rooftop terrace with a great view of the city featuring a spa and small workout center. The location is perfect because you’re just a short walk to the nearest subway and walking distance to the Old Port of Montreal, the Latin Quarter, and the famous colourful Saint Louis Square. Better yet, breakfast is included and complimentary to guests.

Boxohotel, one of the best hotels to stay in Montreal

The Residence Inn by Marriott

By Dr. Rachel from TheRxForTravel.com

The Residence Inn by Marriott in Downtown Montreal is where we stayed with our family. There are so many things to do in Montreal and this place is ideally located to do them all. Marriott as a brand is synonymous with quality and consistency. I love that you know what you are getting when you go and that’s so important when travelling to a new place.

A typical night stay here costs anywhere from $115 - $230 USD with the most expensive time of year being during the summer months. With that cost though comes so many amenities. Every room is equipped with a full kitchen, perfect for longer stays or stays with kids. If you don’t want to cook while on vacation, then don’t worry because a full hot breakfast is also complimentary with each stay. Free wi-fi and a 24-hour fitness center are also included.

The best part of this hotel is its location. Located right in front of the metro at peel station, it’s easy to access to get where you are going. Two blocks in one direction you are on the main street of Rene-Levesque Blvd with easy access to bus stops, shops, restaurants, and the grocery store. In the opposite direction, two blocks is the stairway leading up to Mount Royal Park. Surrounding the hotel, there are plenty of places to eat and shop and so many beautiful parks and historical buildings. Residence Inn by Marriott is an easy walking distance to all the places in Montreal where you want to be.

Keep up with this family’s adventure here

Fairmont Queen Elizabeth

by Palo from Moons & Roses

If you’re looking for the perfect luxury stay in Montreal, look no further than the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth. Located in the heart of downtown, it is one of the most prestigious hotels in Montreal, and for good reason! The Fairmont has welcomed many household names over the years, such as Queen Elizabeth II, Nelson Mandela, John Travolta, Charles de Gaulle, and more.

Fun fact: John Lennon and Yoko Ono recorded the hit song “Give Peace a Chance” in room 1742 of the hotel, during their stay in the summer of 1969. The famous suite is available to book nowadays for around USD2000$ a night.

Luckily, the typical price for a room at the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth isn’t as high! The nightly average ranges from USD220$ to USD450$. If you wish to witness the true heights of what the hotel has to offer, you can opt for the Fairmont Gold Experience: a stay in an executive suite with spectacular views of the city, which includes breakfast, dining & living rooms, a spa bathroom, and access to the Gold Lounge. No matter your room choice, the establishment’s professional and helpful staff always assures a pleasant stay by taking care of all basic guest needs - housekeeping, laundry services, concierge, etc.

Apart from its lavish ambiance, the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth gives their guests numerous other reasons to visit; access to a luxurious indoor pool, full-service spa (extra), and bars/restaurants that have become local favourites! The Rosélys restaurant is an especially great dining option as it serves happy hours, Sunday brunches, and afternoon teas in an elegant French setting with a touch of English flair. For a notable dining experience in Montreal, consider this popular fine Mediterranean restaurant as well!

Le Dauphin

by Laura from Laura no Esta

Le Dauphin Montréal Centre-Ville is a perfect hotel for your trip to Montreal. Located in the city center, within walking distance of the old city and the main shopping streets, this hotel will cover all the necessities you may have during your stay.

The bedrooms are quite modern, with facilities such as Apple TV, computer and mini-fridge. Besides that, the beds are super comfortable and cozy and the hotel, in general, is really quiet, everything will assure you a perfect sleep. The bathroom was also really modern, with nice water pressure and hot water.

Another great advantage of Le Dauphin is that the reception is open 24/7 so you can arrive at any time and there will be someone to help you. They also have a microwave in the reception. Perfect if you wanna have a quick soup during the harsh winter days of Montreal.

One other thing that is good about this hotel is that breakfast is included in the price. They don’t have a big variety of food but you can find several kinds of juices, some pastry, eggs and fruits. All that you need before going outside.

Last but not least, the hotel is always perfectly clean and the employees are really helpful. Extra tip: try to get a room on the higher floors so you can have some view!

Le Dauphin, one of the best hotels to stay in Montreal

Auberge Saint-Paul

by Amanda from My Backpacker Life

If you're travelling on a budget and are looking for somewhere to stay in Montréal, you'll quickly find out that this vibrant city has heaps of budget accommodations to offer - so how do you choose where to stay? I've tried several different hostels in Montréal, but there is one I keep returning to - Auberge Saint Paul.

This hostel offers both dormitories and private rooms for very reasonable prices. Staying in a dormitory is a perfect choice if you're looking for making some new friends. However, if you want to meet people but prefer some privacy at night, you can always book a private room and meet potential new friends in the common area.

One of the main reasons why I love Auberge Saint Paul is because of its location, it's perfect! You'll be within walking distance to all the major attractions and must-sees in Montréal. The hostel also offers free access to a shared kitchen, it has a 24-hour reception and there's even the possibility to do your laundry.

To sum it up, I'd choose this hostel based on three important factors: the price, the location and - perhaps most importantly - the free breakfast (bagels!) that's offered every morning!

You can follow her adventures on her Insta

PSST: Mel here, the Old Port is one of the most beautiful neighbourhoods in the city and near the clock tower you have one of the best views of the summer fireworks.

Auberge St-Paul, one of the best hotels to stay in Montreal

M Montreal hostel

by Tiana from Passport to Memories

I was blown away when I stepped into the M Montreal hostel! The hostel is located in the Gay Village and a short walk away from Old Town and downtown. This was by far one of my favourite hostels I have ever stayed in and I have stayed in a lot in the past 2 years!

The staff are so friendly and accommodating when you first check-in, they have one of the staff members show you to your room and the common areas plus a brief overview of what's happening at the hostel and things to do in Montreal.

The rooms are super spacious and designed as pods with dorms for females and mixed with washrooms adjoining. They include charging sockets, curtains, shelves, a hanger and a large locker underneath for belongings and your luggage.

Every night in the common area they host events and one of the most popular is live music night, definitely recommend it! They have great local bands and great priced drinks and snacks.

They offer a basic breakfast every morning for guests which is a great way to meet others. Also, you can use the kitchen to cook your own meals for lunch or dinner. If you aren't up to that they have a cafe for grab-and-go meals.

The best part about the hostel is the amazing rooftop deck with 2 hot tubs! The deck has great views over the city and is the perfect spot to read, do some yoga or chat with new friends.

We have another recommendation for M Montreal, it seems like the place to be if you like hostels!

by Mikaela from Voyageur Tripper

My favourite hostel in Montreal is M Montreal. Located in the Le Plateau-Mont-Royal neighbourhood, M Montreal is near dozens of cute French cafes and a 20-minute walk to Notre-Dame Basilica. Lying just north is the Gay Village, which features a pedestrian-only cobblestone street with twinkling lights strung overhead, a great bar scene and a high concentration of LGBTQ+ owned and operated businesses.

Each bunk has its own curtain you can close while you sleep, a shelf for small items and an outlet for charging your phone. Underneath the bottom bunk, there are two lockers so you can secure your luggage while out on the town. Dorms beds start at $29 CAD and private rooms start at $99 CAD. I paid an extra $10 for a bed in an all-female dorm. Most of the dorms have just 4 or 6 beds in them, so it isn't too rowdy.

Outside the privacy of the dorms, you’ll find warm and welcoming common spaces. The communal kitchen is simply massive with four separate stovetops and multiple industrial-sized fridges. (Though I didn't use the kitchen much because the food in Montreal is just so good.) The long stretch of tables makes it easy to strike up a conversation with the group next to you.

The bar was my favourite part of the hostel. The entrance is an old brick archway; inside you'll find dim lighting, exposed stone and wooden furnishings. Add in the neon light illuminating the bar itself and it feels like a rustic-meets-techno tavern. The drinks are reasonably priced and there is a pool table for challenging new arrivals. The hostel even has a rooftop patio with hot tubs.

Overall, my stay at M Montreal was wonderful and I’d definitely recommend this hostel to any traveller!

Keep up with her crazy outdoor adventures here.

Auberge du Plateau

Submitted by Shireen from The Happy Days Travels

Auberge du Plateau is an urban hostel in a historical building located in Plateau Mont-Royal and the perfect option for a budget-friendly trip to Montreal. The price range for the hostel is between $45 for a dorm bed to $180 for a private room sleeping up to three guests.

The hostel is a very sociable place with a large sitting area, kitchen and dining area and activities to meet other people, learn what is going on in the city and enjoy the culture that is Montreal. They offer breakfast every day which includes freshly-made pancakes, cereal, toast and hot beverages. There’s also all the facilities to cook for yourself.

You can choose to have a private room or a shared dormitory and all rooms have multiple shared bathrooms on every floor which is convenient for everyone. The rooms are spacious, and contain a small sink, bedside tables, floor-length mirrors, windows with curtains (some with great views of the city) and comfortable bedding.

The location of this hostel is perfect if you want to do the main things in Montreal as it’s within walking distance to the city centre, the old town, the markets, museums and close to the Mont Royal hike for scenic views of Montreal’s skyline.

For the price, location and friendliness of the staff, I would stay here every time I visit Montreal and can highly recommend it to others.

Let me know which hotal are you choosing below in the comments!

BRB acknowledges that Montreal is located on unceded Indigenous lands. The Kanien’kehá:ka Nation is recognized as the custodian of the lands and waters on which we gather today. Tiohtià:ke/Montréal is historically known as a gathering place for many First Nations. Today, it is home to a diverse population of Indigenous and other peoples.