Hotel Nelligan

This charming boutique hotel is housed in four mid-19th-century buildings that have been combined. The main entrance of the five-story stone building sits on a narrow cobblestone street. Inside, the lobby is cozy and welcoming, with exposed brick and stone walls and rugs atop wood floors. Leather sofas and chairs provide comfortable places for guests to hang out, giving everything a bit of that chateau-in-the-mountains effect found in many of the hotels that we've seen in Old Montreal. The hotel was named for poet Emile Nelligan, and his photos and framed poems hang throughout. The atrium just off the lobby is a lovely space to plot a day exploring the city, with large potted plants and cafe seating. The hotel has a relaxed, romantic vibe that is especially appealing to couples, but it also attracts business travelers given its setting near the business heart of the city.

The hotel is located in Old Montreal, one of the prettiest and most historic parts of the city. Its cobblestone streets are full of charming boutiques, restaurants, and galleries as well as attractions like Basilique Notre-Dame, the Montreal Science Center, Cirque du Soleil, and Promenade du Vieux-Port, all of which are a five- to 10-minute walk from the hotel. Although there are plenty of restaurants to choose from nearby, visitors should beware of tourist traps offering low-quality food at outrageous prices as well. The Fonderie Darling, one of the city's best contemporary art centers, is a 10-minute walk away, while it's a 15-minute walk to the Quartier de Spectacles, which is home to the city's main contemporary art museum. For a more authentic, modern take on life in Montreal, The sprawling Plateau  -- a sprawling district that's home to foodie restaurants, lively bars, and trendy everything -- is a 15-minute taxi ride from the hotel. Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport is about a 25-minute drive from the hotel or 50 minutes by public transportation. 

Rooms feature modern furniture and lighting combined with historic details such as exposed brick walls to create spaces that are cozy. Colors are mostly neutral grays, blues, and beiges, making the white bedding and duvets pop. The look is fairly plush, with velvet seating and dark carpets in all rooms, though some higher-category rooms do have wood floors as well. There's a bit of generic wall art -- abstract, floral-inspired prints in the rooms we saw -- though decorative extras are a bit spare overall. Standard features include flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi-, stereos, air-conditioning, minibars, and safes. Daily turndown service is a nice extra for a hotel in this category, and free bottled water is provided. Bathrooms have a homey look, and feature granite countertops, magnifying mirrors, hairdryers, and bespoke toiletries. Some have showers only, and some have jetted tubs. Robes and slippers are provided. Suites add more space, with a separate living and dining area plus a fully stocked kitchen. The Romance Suite has a fireplace in the living area and a jetted tub in the bedroom. Some rooms have large furnished balconies with beautiful views of the city, though some rooms will pick up city noise.

Though this is a boutique property in the city's oldest area -- two factors that often limit what a hotel can offer -- the Hotel Nelligan provides a good number of features for its guests. The well-regarded Verses Restaurant serves French fare in a charming, cozy setting with exposed brick walls, white tablecloths, and a wood floor. Guests also can opt to dine in the lovely Atrium Garden. Mechant Boeuf bar and brasserie serves dinner nightly, with live music some nights, a raw bar, and late-night menu on select weekend nights. Open in the warmer months, Terrasse Nelligan is a popular rooftop spot overlooking the Old Port and St. Paul Street. Room service is available. A small, windowless fitness center offers cardio and weight training equipment as well as free weights and exercise balls. Water and towels are provided, and a flat-screen TV helps entertain. It's fine for a simple workout. There is no spa on-site, but massage services can be arranged in guest rooms. The hotel offers 7,000 square feet of events space, including four conference rooms and a ballroom that can accommodate up to 200 people. Event planners can take care of all the details. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property, and one-day laundry services can be arranged, helpful for the many business travelers that pass through the Nelligan.