What’s it like? Well established on the Montréal boutique hotel scene, Le Place D’Armes Hôtel and Suites is part of the Antonopoulos Group of hotels and restaurants. The décor is sleek and contemporary, and the rooms are large. The hotel comprises three buildings, and I got a little confused with the lift system – the restaurant is accessed by a different elevator to the rooms. Staff are very helpful and polite.
Where is it? In Old Montréal, around the corner from Notre Dame Basilica and within walking distance of the International Quarter and the Palais des Congrès.
How many rooms? There are 135 rooms, including 52 suites, six balcony studios with private terraces, and five penthouses.
Room facilities Rooms have high-quality furnishings with plenty of marble, leather and slate, as well as wood and brick features. My suite had a separate living room with a TV, sofa and large workdesk, while the bathroom had a walk-in shower and spa bath. Standard amenities include goose-down bedding, robes, a safe, a stereo system with an alarm clock and CD player, and access to a music library. Room service is available 11am-10pm (Fri-Sat 11.30pm).
Restaurants and bars Aix Cuisine du Terroir serves local Quebec fare. It’s a trendy venue with low lighting, booths and long tables for groups. I had an excellent meal here with an amuse bouche of seafood croquet, a starter of avocado and scallop gazpacho, an enormous portion of pickerel fish with mushrooms, prawns and saffron for the main, and three different types of crème brûlée, with iced cider to finish. (Open for lunch Mon-Fri and dinner Sun-Thurs – reservations needed.) Breakfast is served in Suite 701 – there is a continental breakfast from 6.30am-10.30am (11am at weekends) and an à la carte menu is also available. A rooftop terrace bar is open in warmer months.
Meeting and business facilities There are four meeting rooms catering for up to 65 guests and a banqueting room for 300 people reception-style. Wifi is free and fast throughout the hotel and is accessed via a code from reception. There are PCs in the lobby.
Leisure facilities The gym is on the fifth floor and has running machines, cross-trainers and free weights. Apples, water and towels are available. There is also Rainspa with a hammam, massage and treatment rooms.
Verdict A lovely choice of hotel – it feels intimate and homely, and the modern décor is a refreshing change from some of the more corporate offerings. The restaurant is a big bonus.
Price Internet rates for a midweek stay in March started from C$196 (£116) for a Superior Queen room.
Contact Le Place D’Armes Hôtel and Suites, 55 St Jacques Street West; tel +1 888 450 1887; hotelplacedarmes.com
Felicity Cousins
