We recently took a short trip to Montreal and had the opportunity to stay at the gorgeous Hotel Le Crystal Montreal. The Dutchman was traveling for business and I decided to tag along as Montreal has been on my list for a long time. As you probably read on my previous post, I was instantly enamored by this city. I think one of the things that got me the most was the friendly service.
Review of Hotel Le Crystal Montreal:
The Location: Le Crystal Hotel is located in the city center of Montreal. If you’re a business traveler, this is a great location to be as it is walking distance to many of the conference centers and large businesses in the city. Despite its central location, it’s located on Rue de la Montagne which is a quiet side street. Also has quick access to the metro and bus lines. If you love to walk like I do, it will take you 30 minutes to get to Old Montreal. Dining Traveler Tip: Have a drink nearby at Bier Markt.
The Scene: As you enter the hotel, you immediately know why it has the name “Le Crystal Hotel”. There are several shimmering chandeliers with one main crystal structure which sits at the end of the lobby. The staff is young, friendly, and stylish with its front desk staff sporting sharp black suits and bright red lipstick.
The Rooms: We had a suite room with a separate sitting area, kitchenette, and bedroom. The suite was pretty compact yet comfortable. The décor is modern with a neutral palette. I always enjoy a room with a kitchenette area in which you can bring drinks and snacks from the outside, it’s always more affordable than the minibar. The bathroom area was large and it had toiletries from Amerispa to include bath salts and loofah sponges. It’s all about the little things! The one point of improvement is that the last day I asked for a late room cleaning from housekeeping and they never showed up. I told the front desk and also pressed the “make up room” button on when I left the room to no avail. Aside from that, everything in the room was worked just fine.
The Food: In true Montreal foodie fashion, the food at Le Crystal Hotel Montreal was great! Our first morning at the hotel, we had room service breakfast. It was a colorful platter of delicious breads, fruit, and yogurt. The continental breakfast included with the room rate was delicious as well. I loved the modern rustic décor of the La Coupole, the property’s restaurant with its black walls and rustic white plates nailed to the walls.
We also had dinner at La Copule. The vibe was relaxed yet elegant. The restaurant was moderately busy with a combination of locals and hotel guests. The restaurant focuses on local and seasonal products of the Quebec region. We enjoyed the cheese platter of local cheese as a starter. I then devoured the duck confit which was served with spaetzle and sweet potatoes.
The Amenities: Although the hotel has a boutique feel to it, it has plenty of amenities to choose from. As a new digital nomad, I appreciate good wi-fi. The wi-fi connection was great. I was able to upload photos and make a few skype calls flawlessly. We also took advantage of the gym on the top floor of the hotel with a great view of the city, which had a beautiful view of Mont Royal. There is also a full size indoor pool, outdoor hot tub, and spa on the top floor of the hotel.
The Verdict: Despite the housekeeping snafu, I am happy we choose Le Crystal Hotel Montreal as our home away from home. The hotel had all the luxuries we love with friendly and accommodating staff. I love a luxury hotel that can balance a beautiful accommodation with an approachable staff. If you’re looking for a place that strikes the perfect balance between business and leisure accommodation, the Hotel Le Crystal is for you.
* Disclaimer: Part of my stay was sponsored by Hotel Le Crystal Montreal but as always, opinions are my own.
