3407 Peel St, Montreal, Canada | (618) 248-8274
Excellent downtown location
Five-minute walk to the shopping district of Saint-Catherine
Large, clean, standard rooms with comfortable beds
Free Wi-Fi
Large fitness center
Bus to the airport stops a few blocks away
A Lebanese restaurant, and a cafe
Old building, aesthetics, and plumbing
Tired, chain hotel-style decor
Some guests complain of thin walls between rooms
No in-room safes
Fee for parking
Location is a big draw for the Best Western Ville-Marie Hotel & Suites, which is situated in downtown Montreal, next to McGill University, and adjacent to the shops, cafes, and shopping centers of Saint-Catherine, one of the city’s largest commercial districts. The heart of downtown is just a short walk away. There's a Lebanese restaurant downstairs as well as a lunch cafe, popular with locals who work in the area for a quick sandwich or Wi-Fi. The large rooms are possibly in need of a mechanical update; some guests have complained of noisy plumbing. Overall, though, it's an affordable and well-situated option for those who aren't looking for a distinctive aesthetic experience.
Scene
Standard commercial hotel downtown, popular with tourists and business travelers
The Best Western Ville-Marie Hotel & Suites' building won’t win prizes for aesthetics; its bunker-like concrete facade is bland at best. Its lobby lounge, a little on the dark side, is a bit homier, with some high-backed armchairs in striped '80s textiles; the lobby itself is tiled in white with black diamonds and is hung with chandeliers for a more elegant air. Overall, the combination of styles is eclectic and seems a bit dated, and doesn't attract much lounging from guests. Guests range from those visiting adjacent McGill University to business travelers and tourists on a budget. The cafe and restaurant are more popular with locals who work in the area, but neither are especially lively.
Location
Next to McGill University, five minutes from Saint-Catherine and a 25-minute walk to Old Montreal
The Best Western Ville-Marie Hotel & Suites is located on a major avenue next to downtown Montreal. The pedestrian-friendly area of Saint-Catherine, whose shops include the Apple Store and independent clothing boutiques, begins a few blocks away from the hotel, which also happens to abut McGill University. The Musée des Beaux-Arts is a 10-minute walk away. The closest bus stop is two blocks from the hotel, and the closest metro stop is just around the corner. The airport is a 20-minute drive away; bus service is also available.
Rooms
Simple and tired chain style decor, with updated beds and wall-to-wall carpeting
The recently refurbished rooms at the Best Western Ville-Marie Hotel & Suites have wall-to-wall industrial gray carpeting, modern wooden headboards, and dark wood lacquer furniture typical of a chain hotel. Beds are updated and comfortable; bedding consists of white duvets and a single accent blanket. Bathrooms are basic and standard, with combination shower-tubs. Some guests complain of thin walls and the resultant noise between rooms. All rooms have air-conditioning -- which may be noisy because of its age -- as well as a mini-fridge, coffeemaker, iron, flat-screen TV, and hairdryer.
Features
Basic and utilitarian: restaurant, cafe, fitness center, souvenir shop, some meeting rooms
The hotel has a Lebanese restaurant downstairs, which is a good spot for guests to grab a bite, but doesn't seem to be especially busy. There's also a cafe which is popular with locals who work in the area for a cheap sandwich or coffee. A windowless fitness center provides access to weight machines, treadmills, elliptical machines, and stationary bikes. There are two conference rooms, as well.