Hotel Zero 1

The hotel's 10-story building is blanketed with a image of a women's face with edgy eyeliner, contrasting sharply with the somewhat staid brick-and-glass structure above. Inside, the stark lobby is ultra-modern, almost industrial
with concrete walls and exposed ductwork painted black. The deep red lobby carpet
contrasts the dark walls, as do yellow and red chairs nearby. Light strands
suspended from the ceiling cascade a soft glow on the dark front desk, which has
a bank of gray chairs and a long white coffee table adjacent to it. Other
comfortable seating areas are tucked away in secluded spots. The street-level
restaurant and bar is open, spacious and tastefully decorated with black wood
and white upholstered chairs in several size configurations. The rectangular
bar is against a back wall. A bright atrium just outside the lobby provides a
sheltered space to enjoy fresh air. The rooftop terrace is another airy oasis,
with several dark, comfortable couches and great views of downtown Montreal. 

Hotel Zero 1 is well
located in downtown Montreal, with Chinatown and its restaurants and shops just
across the street. It's a five-minute walk to the Saint-Laurent metro station. Notre-Dame Basilica and Old Montreal are just a
10-minute walk away. The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts is a 20-minute metro ride or 10-minute taxi ride away. Trudeau International Airport is a half-hour by train or about 25
minutes by car or taxi. Although safe, the hotel is located on a busy
intersection and the neighborhood is a bit gritty with a visible homeless
population. 

Formerly a student residence complex, rooms here are on the
small side with dark, minimalist, ultra-modern decor. Guests give the rooms
high marks for being clean with comfortable beds, but some find the dark wood
floors, black walls, and general lack of lighting too dim. The bed dominates the
Pop and Hip Rooms that contrast the black walls with light gray ottomans, white tables, mod chairs, nightstands, and drapes. Loft and Suite options
have the same decor, but offer small bedrooms and separate sitting areas with dark
gray upholstered couches and 32-inch flat-screen TVs in addition to the
wall-mounted flat-screen TVs in the bedrooms. All rooms have roll-out windows and
make heavy use of mirrors, with a large wall mirror adjacent to the bed and
even a mirror in the shower. Tiny kitchenettes in every room is a nice touch, with stainless
steel sinks, microwaves, mini-fridges, coffeemakers, and dishes. Free local calls
and Wi-Fi plus iPod/iPhone docking stations are also standard. Bathrooms are much brighter, with white tiles and vanities, and large mirrors dominating the design. Small but not cramped, the bathrooms have magnifying mirrors, Philosophy toiletries, and a shower separated by a half-door.

The restaurant, which has a full bar, is open for breakfast
daily and remains open through dinner. Some packages include breakfast, but most
rates do not. There is no on-site parking, but 24-hour valet service with in and
out privileges is offered, although some guests complain about long wait times.
There's a business center with computer station and printer, and several
meeting rooms are available. A small fitness center has cardio and weight
machines, and the rooftop terrace offers comfortable seating and great city
views. The street-level atrium hosts live entertainment on Thursday and Friday
evenings. The lobby has a shop selling a wide variety of snacks and drinks
including beer and wine. There's also an ATM in the lobby and free coffee and
water. Free Wi-Fi is accessible throughout the property. Concierge, laundry, and
dry-cleaning services are available.