Le Centre Sheraton Montreal Hotel

Le Centre Sheraton Montreal Hotel occupies a gray cement high-rise in downtown Montreal. Inside, the fast-paced vibe is immediately evident, with business travelers bustling around in the large lobby and tons of tourists in the summer. Gold carpeting combines with beige marble floors, dark leather couches, and a statement chandelier for an elegant yet austere aesthetic. Le Cafe Bar, the lobby bar, is a stylish place for casual meetings, with bright blue vinyl chairs at high tables next to orange velour chairs and dark leather banquettes underneath numerous lanterns, all surrounded by dark-wood bookshelves with stacks of artfully arranged books. The bar has several flat-screen TVs, and floor-to-ceiling windows illuminate the lively space during the day. The Parisian style Bistro Le Boulevard is low-lit and decorated in deep reds and dark wood. The majority of guests are mature business travelers, though the hotel also draws families and couples. Starwood Preferred Guests and those who are staying in Club Level rooms or suites have access to the Club Lounge on the 37th floor, offering incredible views over the city. 

The hotel is located on Boulevard Rene-Levesque, a busy downtown Montreal street lined with tall buildings in the commercial heart of the city. The shops of Underground City are within a 10-minute walk, and the vibrant Quartier des Spectacles, home to many of the city's arts and performance venues as well as the shops around Rue St. Catherine Ouest, take about 15 minutes to reach on foot. Place du Canada is a five-minute walk for those needing a jolt of green amid all of the concrete. Further out is Old Montreal, a 30-minute walk for those feeling up to it, though the trip takes about 20 minutes by metro from the Bonaventure station, which is a five-minute walk from the hotel. Trips to the Plateau, home to tons of trendy eateries and boutiques, take about 20 minutes by metro, while Jean Talon Market, a sprawling produce and foodie paradise, is 30 minutes away by metro. The 747 Aeroport bus stops at René-Lévesque de la Montagne -- a two-minute walk from the hotel -- and provides direct access to the airport in about half an hour; it's otherwise a 15-minute taxi ride. 

Rooms have straightforward, upscale chain-style decor, with brown patterned carpeting, dark leather headboards, basic wood furniture, and white duvets atop the hotel's own excellent brand of beds. Most room categories have red chairs next to the windows, adding a much need pop of color that complements the bright, if generic, leaf photographs on the walls. Traditional Rooms start at 202 square feet (or 19 square meters), which is a bit compact for North American hotels, but Deluxe Rooms and Suites offer far more space, starting at 310 square feet (or 29 square meters). All rooms have coffeemakers with free tea and coffee, oversized work desks with ergonomic chairs, large flat-screen TVs, safes, and ironing facilities. Bathrooms are modern and clean, with wood vanities and beige mica countertops, swivel makeup mirrors, and tan marble bathtub/shower combos. Guests should keep in mind that only Starwood Preferred Guests, Club Level Guest Rooms, and Junior and Executive Suites have free in-room Wi-Fi access and these higher level bookings are also entitled to a host of other on-site perks, detailed below. 

Like most Sheraton's there are benefits to be had by paying for higher level bookings, and Sheraton Club Level guests get free continental breakfast and evening hors d'oeuvres in the 37th-floor Club Lounge, which has views out over the Montreal skyline. Bistro Le Boulevard restaurant serves French bistro-style cuisine for breakfast and weekday lunch -- lunch is also served "on demand" on weekends depending on the season. Le Cafe Bar in the lobby serves Starbucks coffee in the morning, stiff drinks in the evening, and light meals throughout the day. The hotel has a beautiful, modern fitness center with plenty of cardio and weight equipment, but there's a fee to use it for most non-suite guests. The lovely indoor pool gets lots of natural light and has a hot tub with city views, and the hotel offers a small massage center near the pool area as well as a landscaped rooftop terrace with several lounge chairs overlooking the city. Valet and self-parking are available on-site for a fee. The hotel also has a business center and 44 meeting rooms, as well as a concierge, though guests have reported fees for baggage storage during the day. Pets are allowed at this hotel with certain restrictions and are subject to various agreements at check-in, and laundry and dry cleaning services are also available.