A Night at Le Germain Montreal: Staying and Eating Right Downtown

If you’ve been to Montreal in the past few years, you might have seen the city’s most colourful hotel facade, the radiant and vivid Le Germain Montréal! Not only is this hotel graphically glowing on the outside, but its recently renovated interior is just as sparkling and fun to stay in. Here’s a review of one of Montreal’s best hotels so you can know what to expect on your next trip to the famous Le Germain family institution or if you’re still hesitating about where to stay in downtown Montreal for this price range! 

All in All, Why Stay at the Germain Montreal?

Before I detail everything, here’s what stood out to me during my stay:

• Perfectly located in the middle of downtown, making everything walkable 
• Amazing luxury/high-class service without the fuss and stuffiness of some 5-star hotels
• A great view from my room right out on the town as well as a stylish, modern, simple and spacious room
• Funky Expo67 memorabilia on the walls of the toilet!
• Great food in house at the Le Boulevardier restaurant, with an upscale menu that remains affordable in its category
• A bar right in the lobby with comfortable lounge + bar seating perfect for late nights or breaks from walking
• Practical valet parking ($45)

Review of the Le Germain Hotel in Montreal 

This institution has been open for years, but it underwent a significant renovation in 2020. I was therefore super happy to finally get to experience its “new” look firsthand, after only coming for short visits while updating the Quebec Province Lonely Planet guidebook over the years.

Check-In and First Impressions

Well, I think you got the hint when I told you about the splendid facade in the intro, right? What a first impression indeed! 

The rest of the check-in process went just as smoothly as my arrival at valet parking did, from stopping in front with my car and handing over my keys to getting my room key and leaping into bed like I love doing when I arrive in any hotel. 

This process was accelerated by the fact I had pre-checked-in through an email I received the day before, so I didn’t have to present a credit card for incidentals or anything else. This Web option enables you to prebook various services as well or upgrade your existing reservation. 

I headed up to my room on the 12th floor, but… One thing that always annoys me in hotels is when the key is needed in the elevator (I like that part), but the detector never senses the key while it’s in the cardboard pouch they give it to you in, so you’re left scrambling with your hands full while the doors close, but you stay in the lobby! That’s pretty much the only thing I can complain about, which, let’s face it, isn’t really a real problem, right?

Once on my floor, I just had to smile to myself in the hallway! There are apples on shelves inviting guests to grab one on the go. Love this idea for a fast healthy snack and a cool decor for this 136-room hotel.

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My Room at the Le Germain Montreal

I’ll mostly let the pictures speak for themselves, but here are my impressions of lodging at Le Germain Montréal. 

I found my Classic King room to be spacious at first glance; one can’t say it’s simplistic, as it’s filled with all the practical furniture you’d expect in this type of hotel room, although the design was kept simple.

On the left of the entrance stands the bathroom with a window in the shower out onto the room. (Yes, curtains are available upon request!) While it’s a feature I appreciate for light and airiness, it might not be something friends staying together will enjoy, because so long privacy, but hello sexiness, I guess! 😉

I absolutely must mention the toilet nestled away in a separate little room. 

But why is it so noteworthy? The wallpaper! 

Reminiscent of the Expo 67 world fair that took place in Montreal decades ago, the newspaper clippings, photos and memorabilia printed on the wallpaper are a fun distraction while taking care of business. It’s also a fun contrast with the more refined decor in the rest of the room. 

This theme overflows into the room, with artsy retro-looking furniture from this era. The roundness of the multiple lamps as well as the sparkling touches like the big metallic lampshade bring back memories from the ’60s and ’70s design books, for sure. That’s the point Le Germain’s architects and decorators definitely wanted to make, one which I quite appreciate.

Amenities and Services at the Hotel

I’m no gym rat (I’m more likely to be found at the restaurant or bar), but Le Germain Montréal hotel does have a gym should you wish to work out on your business trip to Montreal or vacation here.

High quality amenities in the room complete this perfectly! I was also pleased to see an actual well-stocked mini bar, as many hotels have given up on this practice. What can I say? I’m a sucker for a midnight snack and definitely not one to bring one, so I love’me some mini bar indulgences even if they are costlier than the corner store, I am usually too lazy to walk to.

Shoutout to the Germain team for selecting refillable bottles of body wash, shampoo, and conditioner for the shower. It’s my pet peeve when I see small polluting formats still provided in accommodations. 

The water decanter provided is also a nice touch, as it can be filled at the water station or in the sink; saving the world from useless water bottles, and us dehydrated hotel guests from getting up every minute to fill the teeny-weeny glasses most hotels provide. 

Food and Drinks at the Hotel

Yes, Netflix bingers can rejoice; there’s room service at the Le Germain Montréal (another dying service across the accommodation world, it seems!).

There is even an in-house restaurant in-house on the second floor called Le Boulevardier; and I wrote a complete review of the restaurant you can read right here.

As for drinks, there’s a bar right in the lobby, and it’s quite cozy! The seating is comfortable whether you prefer bar stools or tables and it’s a good place to have a chat!

Basically, you can spend your entire vacation right in the hotel without ever leaving and you’ll never run out of anything… but then again, how could you, when you have walkable Montreal at your toe tips, right? 

Overall, the Le Germain Hotel Montréal is an ideal base for those looking to experience the city’s rich culture, history, and culinary scene, whether it’s for a night’s staycation, a business travel experience or a week’s stay in the metropolis! 

Find out more about the city to prepare for your trip and don’t hesitate to ask questions in the comments below:

• Le Boulevardier Restaurant – Where to Eat in Downtown Montreal
• Top 7 Montreal Landmarks You’ll Want to See
• Walking Tour: Old Montreal Self-Guided Itinerary: A Step Back in Time
• Best Places for Bowling in Montreal and Surroundings
• Quebec City Christmas Hotel Packages
• Top 5 Places to Enjoy the Montreal Fireworks Competition
• Top 5 Barbershops in Downtown Montreal
• Graffiti in Montreal: Guide to the Best Street Art

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