Intercontinental Montreal--trip report

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Just thought I would report on my recent stay in Montreal, at the Intercontinental last weekend. We were in Montreal for a family wedding, trained there from Toronto, and the whole thing was very pleasant.

 

We stayed in the Intercontinental on St. Ambroise, just on the edge of Old Montreal. Fabulous location. Walking distance to a number of the countless wonderful Montreal restaurants and bistros.

 

The hotel itself is very modern and upscale--we were upgraded to Club rooms on the 24th floor, not sure what regular rooms would be like, but ours was spacious, and our son's was huge. Very well appointed, wonderful comfortable bed, lots of plugs for electronics, all the amenities you could wish. Only downside is that they charge for wifi, common in the big hotels in Montreal apparently--but they had a special on for $10 a day.

 

We used the concierge to find us a restaurant. I had googled a bunch of places, but it was 7:30 on a Friday night and we realized that just walking into one of these places would be foolish. So I sat with the concierge while he eliminated a couple of choices that he knew were full up, but then got us a ressie for 8 at a really great place called L'Orignal, which turned out to be literally a 5 minute walk from the hotel. Very nice service.

 

There is a gym and a salt-water pool as well, which we didn't get to use because we were too busy hoofing our way around Montreal, eating fabulous food, and primping for the wedding, which was held in the hotel.

 

Some tips about Old Montreal-the ships dock down at the old Port area. There is a main boulevard (Place Jacques Cartier) which leads up from the port area. Lined with restaurants and patios on both sides (in good weather, of course.) Reminds me very much of Cours Saleya in Vieux Nice. The restaurants are tourist traps--there are much better restaurants elsewhere if you want to experience Montreal cuisine, although I guess if you just want to sit and watch the world go by, you couldn't go wrong.

 

We couldn't sightsee as much as we wanted because of the heat, it was exhausting, but in the fall, on a leaf-peeper cruise, it should be wonderful just to wander.

 

Do try to do some research and eat a meal in Montreal if you can, pre- or post-cruise, or lunch off the ship. Quebec is known for it's great food, and it's irrestible. Montreal bagels are famous, Montreal smoked meat is even more famous (we had lunch at Dunn's). And of course, for the glutonous who don't have to watch their cholesterol, there's poutine.

 

But a huge number of fine dining establishments, some of which are very hard to get into. So do your research and book ahead. Some are BYOW restaurants, so pay attention. But in Quebec you can buy wine in convenience and grocery stores.

 

L'Orignal was the restaurant we did on Friday night. Unpretentious but upscale. Fine bistro-style dining with an accent on game (a common theme in Montreal.) We had a fabulous meal for four people, risotto with shrimp, pork ribs, delicate roasted chicken, all the touches you expect. Pleasant service, no attitude. I think we dropped about $250 or so, we a glass or two of wine or a cocktail.

 

On attitude--we sensed NO anti-English attitude on this trip at all. Gone. None. Of course, we were in the tourist areas. We also did not hear or see any sign of protesters.

[Keith1010]

Glad you enjoyed the Hotel and the City.

 

We too enjoyed Montreal on our last visit and found the people to be great.

 

Thanks for taking the time to write and post this.

 

Keith

[alexandra cruiser]

just booked my cruise for next Sept..will plan on staying in Old town area near port. Just 1 nite but sounds great.Will look at IC hotel,but may be too expensive since not planning on using extra things,,like pool,etc.Also good to hear about attitude toward English.

When we lived in Detroit,we went to Toronto every yr.(loved it) but avoided Montreal due to above negative attitudes at time.Glad its changed.PS..ended up on Oceania,,due to itinerary.Wanted longer (12) days and one visiting St.Johns.:)