Centre-Ville/Downtown

Home of all the big chains that grew like weeds just before Expo 67, there is also a sprinkling of boutique hotels throughout the area.

Best For -- Travelers here on business or to enjoy any of the festivals that take place around the Quartier des Spectacles. Also, an ideal spot for shoppers since you're in the heart of retail heaven.

Drawbacks -- Most of the newest bars and restaurants are in the Old Montréal, so if that's your thing, you may find yourself in many a taxi.

Room Without a View, Please -- Some of the more popular areas in the city to stay in, including on or near rue de la Montagne in downtown or on or near rue St-Paul in Vieux-Montréal, have bars and nightlife close by. Bars are open until 3am in this city, so light sleepers might want to ask for rooms that face the back of the hotel or an inside courtyard. They might not have the most scenic views, but they could make the difference between a good night's sleep and a rocky one.

Vieux-Montréal (Old Montréal)

At the turn of the millennium, a fresh crop of boutique hotels invigorated the once-barren Old Montréal district that was at the time only a place for tourists. Today, it's one of the hottest areas for nightlife and trendy or avant-garde fashion boutiques.

Best For -- Jet-setters who need to check into "the Address."

Drawbacks -- The overabundance of pedestrians (particularly in summer) may be frustrating for some.

Local Players: The Antonopoulos Group -- Four of the hotels listed in the Vieux-Montréal neighborhood -- Auberge du Vieux-Port, Hôtel Nelligan, Place d'Armes Hôtel & Suites, and Le Petit Hôtel -- are owned by the Antonopoulos Group. Each property has a different personality, but all are consistently well run. The group also owns the restaurants Aix Cuisine de Terroir, Verses, Méchant Beouf, Vieux-Port Steakhouse, and Modavie. More information about the local powerhouse and its other bars and restaurants is at www.experienceoldmontreal.com.

Plateau Mont-Royal

A working-class area with an artsy bohemian feel, this is where many locals live, work, and play.

Best For -- The culturally curious who live the credo, "When in Montréal, do as the Montréalers do."

Drawbacks -- Not a great selection of hotels, and virtually nothing on par with the design or grandeur of downtown or Vieux-Montréal.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.