Montreal is a French-speaking city on an island in the St. Lawrence River, built around the triple-peaked hill of Mount Royal. It is one of the most bilingual cities in Canada, so you can get by in English, but a greeting in French goes a long way.
For a visitor, the practical geography is simple: the dense, walkable core of Ville-Marie holds Old Montreal, Downtown and the Latin Quarter, while the Plateau sits just to the north. This guide covers where to base yourself, not which property to book.
Best areas to stay in Montreal
1. Old Montreal
Old Montreal is the historic waterfront quarter, and it holds the largest concentration of the city's four- and five-star luxury and boutique hotels. It suits travellers who want atmosphere on the doorstep and are willing to pay for it.
There are also a couple of quality hostels here, but you will pay more to be in this location than elsewhere in the city.
2. Downtown
Downtown is the modern commercial core, and it is where you find mid-range chain hotels alongside the upper-end luxury and boutique properties. It suits first-time visitors who want to be central and well connected.
It is a practical base for reaching the rest of the city, and it keeps you close to the main concentration of hotels at every price level.
3. Latin Quarter
The Latin Quarter, in the streets east of Berri-UQAM Metro and the intercity bus station, has the densest collection of budget hotels in Montreal. It suits budget travellers and anyone arriving by intercity bus.
Its main advantage is transport: Berri-UQAM is a major Metro interchange, so you can reach the rest of the city easily from here.
4. Plateau Mont-Royal
The Plateau is a residential neighbourhood, and it is where you tend to find "gîtes" - guest houses ranging from a single room in an apartment to elegant historic homes with three to five rooms. It suits travellers who prefer a local, residential feel over a hotel district.
Because it is residential, expect quieter streets and fewer large hotels than Downtown or Old Montreal.
5. Laval and Longueuil
These are suburbs off the island of Montreal, and they are good choices if you want to stay outside the city proper. They work because both are connected to the city's subway network, so you can still reach the centre without a car.
They suit travellers who want an alternative to central accommodation while keeping a straightforward link into the city.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: youth hostels with dorms or private rooms, budget bed and breakfasts (sometimes with very skimpy breakfasts), and budget hotels. Couch Surfing is also an option, as Montreal has a large membership base.
- Mid-range: Downtown chain hotels and "gîtes" - guest houses that range from a single room in an apartment to elegant historic homes with three to five rooms, usually in residential neighbourhoods like the Plateau.
- Splurge: four- and five-star luxury and boutique hotels, mostly concentrated in Old Montreal and Downtown.
Best area for a first visit
Downtown is the best single base for a first visit. It puts you in the middle of the city's hotel stock at every price level, from mid-range chains to luxury and boutique properties, and it connects you easily to the rest of Montreal. If you want the historic setting instead, Old Montreal is the alternative, but expect to pay more for the location.
Frequently asked questions
Where do budget travellers usually stay in Montreal?
The densest collection of budget hotels is in the Latin Quarter, in the streets east of Berri-UQAM Metro and the intercity bus station. Old Montreal has a couple of quality hostels, but you will pay more to be there.
What is a gîte, and where will I find one?
A gîte is a guest house, ranging from a single room in an apartment to an elegant historic home with three to five rooms. They are usually found in more residential neighbourhoods like the Plateau.
Can I stay outside the city and still get around easily?
Yes. Laval and Longueuil are good choices for staying in an adjacent suburb because of their connection to the city's subway network.
Where are the luxury hotels concentrated?
Four- and five-star luxury and boutique hotels are mostly concentrated in Old Montreal and Downtown.
Compare live prices for your dates with the booking tools on this page before you decide.