Hotels

Montréal hoteliers go the extra mile to make guests feel welcome, at least in part because there are proportionally more hotel rooms here than in other North American cities of similar size, still more are constructed every year, and all these hotels are hoping to have their rooms filled throughout the year. With high competition, the diminished exchange rate of the U.S. dollar, and the relative strength of the British pound, this is the place to step up in class.

Accommodations options range from soaring glass skyscrapers to grand boulevard hotels to converted row houses. Stylish inns and boutique luxury hotels appear in ever-increasing numbers, especially in Vieux-Montréal, and several of them are recommended in this guide. Except in bed-and-breakfasts, visitors can almost always count on discounts and package deals, especially on weekends, when the hotels' business clients have packed their bags and gone home.

Though they don't usually offer discounts, B&Bs boast cozier settings than many hotels, often (but not always) at lower prices than comparable hotels. B&Bs also give visitors the opportunity to get to know a Montréaler or two. By the nature of the trade, bed-and-breakfast owners are among the most outgoing and knowledgeable guides one might want. For information about downtown B&Bs, contact Bed & Breakfast Downtown Network, 3458 av. Laval (at rue Sherbrooke), Montréal, PQ H2X 3C8 (tel. 800/267-5180 or 514/289-9749; www.bbmontreal.qc.ca). As a referral agency for homeowners who have one or more rooms available for guests, this company represents about 30 properties with 46 guest rooms. Doubles range from C$65 to C$150 (US$57-US$130/£28-£65). Rooms with private bathrooms are more expensive than those that share facilities. Accommodations and the rules of individual homeowners vary significantly, so it's wise to ask all pertinent questions upfront, such as if children are welcome or if all guests share bathrooms. Deposits are usually required, with the balance payable upon arrival. American Express, MasterCard, and Visa are accepted.

Star System -- The tourist authorities in Québec province have a six-level rating system (zero to five stars) for all establishments offering six or more rooms to travelers. An ocher-and-brown shield bearing the assigned rating is found near the entrance to most hotels and inns. The Québec system is based on quantitative measures such as the range of services and amenities. No star is assigned to hotels or inns meeting only basic minimum standards, and five stars are reserved for establishments that are deemed exceptional. Most of the recommendations listed have gotten at least three stars from the state system.

The stars you see in the reviews in this section are based on Frommer's own rating system, which assigns between zero and three stars. The Frommer's ratings are more subjective than the state's, taking into account such considerations as price-to-value ratios, quality of service, location, helpfulness of staff, and the presence of such facilities as spas and exercise rooms.

Rates -- The rates quoted in the listings in this section are "rack rates" -- the maximum rates that a hotel charges for rooms for double occupancy. The lowest room rate listed here is for off-season months, the highest for summer, major festivals, and holidays. These rates are used to divide the hotels into four price categories, ranging from "Very Expensive" to "Inexpensive," for easy reference. But rack rates are only guidelines, and most people end up paying less, often much less.

You'll find the highest hotel rates during the region's busiest times, from May to October, reaching a peak in July and August. High rates also pop up during the frequent summer festivals, annual holidays (Canadian or American), Grand Prix days in Montréal in June, and winter carnivals in January and February. For those periods, reserve well in advance, especially if you're looking for special rates or packages. Most other times, expect to find plenty of available rooms.

Categories -- The hotels listed are near most city attractions, in downtown and Vieux-Montréal. The listings are categorized first by neighborhood, then by price.

All rooms have private bathrooms unless otherwise noted. Many of the more luxurious hotels have stopped providing coffeemakers in their rooms, so check if this feature is important to you. Many hotels are also in the process of adding Wi-Fi to either parts of or all of their facilities; ask about availability when reserving a room.

Most of the hotels in Montréal are entirely nonsmoking. Those that aren't have a limited number of smoking rooms available; check with the hotel before booking.

Taxes -- Unless specifically noted, prices given here do not include taxes.