Renaissance Montreal Downtown Hotel

Though the Marriott brand can sometimes evoke images of comfortable yet run-of-the-mill business hotels, the Renaissance Montreal Downtown is one of the chain’s funkier, more fashionable properties. Interiors have a design-conscious approach, with street art-inspired murals in common spaces and rooms, and a trendy feel throughout. The lobby is decorated in an eclectic style that combines huge wall artworks with chic touches such as leather couches, retro lamps, and a dark palette offset by bold pops of primary colors and a variety of patterns. This modern, design-forward style draws a young clientele, and its happening restaurants and bars make it popular among locals as well. While the hotel is mostly quiet during the day, the restaurant and bar off the lobby fill with non-guests in the evening, as does the rooftop lounge in the warmer months. Rates are average for the area.

As its name suggests, the Renaissance is located in the heart of Downtown Montreal. There are plenty of shops, office buildings, restaurants, and bars within a few blocks of the hotel, and the area is generally busy until well into the night, especially on weekends. McGill and Concordia universities are both in the neighborhood, as are Sainte-Catherine Street and the Bell Centre, two major shopping destinations. Place Ville-Marie is just across the street from the hotel. Major attractions in Old Montreal can be reached in about a 15-minute walk. This location is also convenient for those looking to explore other parts of town via public transport, as the hotel is within a three-minute walk of McGill metro station and eight minutes from Station Peel. Gare Centrale, the city’s main train station, is also just about a five-minute walk away. The hotel is a 20-minute drive from Montreal’s international airport.

The hotel’s 144 rooms all have a similar style and feel as common spaces. They’re designed with street art in mind and feature funky black-and-white murals that curve up to the ceiling above the bed. Soft lines and neutral and gray hues are combined with bold pops of green, orange, and pink to create sleek, contemporary spaces that feel upscale yet playful. Rooms come in different sizes depending on their category and bed configuration, but all are spacious and have big windows offering street views. However, there have been complaints of dim lighting. Entry-level Standard Rooms start at 420 square feet and have either a king bed or two queens, while the largest suite offers 650 square feet of space and has a living area and a terrace with a hot tub. All rooms come with an array of great amenities, including multiple USB outlets, free Wi-Fi, minibars, Nespresso machines, iPod docks, Bose sound systems, and 48-inch flat-screen TVs. Soundproof windows keep city noise at bay, and all rooms have blackout curtains. Bottled water is provided daily free of charge, but there is an extra fee for use of the in-room safes. Modern bathrooms feature large backlit mirrors, big walk-in showers, Aveda toiletries, ample counter space, and robes. Turndown service is only standard in suites.  

The Renaissance Montreal Downtown Hotel is known among young locals for its fun dining and drinking venues. East is the hotel’s only restaurant, serving up Asian cuisine in a stylish space off the lobby. It is open for all three main meals, but it is particularly busy in the evening, when the bar area fills with young professionals for after-work drinks. The seasonal rooftop lounge, complete with a heated plunge pool and a full food and drink menu, is also a popular hangout spot for locals when the weather is nice. During the colder months, the space can be turned into an indoor venue for private events. The gym is small but has enough cardio and strength-training machines for a quick workout, including a couple of treadmills, stationary bikes, and free weights. The hotel also offers three versatile rooms for corporate events and weddings, including a larger hall for up to 112 guests. A couple of computers and printing services are available in the lobby. Though the hotel lacks its own private parking garage, valet parking with in-and-out privileges is provided for a daily fee. The property allows two pets (cats and dogs only) per room for a fee.