Ritz Carlton Montreal Hotel Review by Jeff Voth

The drive to Montréal should have taken only 6 hours. On this day however, a December winter storm blasted the Southern Ontario landscape, covering the highways with a thick coating of ice and snow.

The back end of the 2005 Chrysler 300C I was driving slid sideways at the slightest touch of the gas pedal. Suddenly, having a Hemi under the hood wasn't such a great idea. Four hours on the road and I was still just an "hour" away from home. It was only the destination I had fixed in my mind that would make the tedious easterly drive worth it.

Montreal is one of the most intriguing cities in Canada. It offers a little taste of Europe, without having to cross the Atlantic Ocean. French and English are spoken equally, though generally French is the language of choice for most people.

The Ritz-Carlton is considered "La Grande Dame" of Montréal. It basks in the glow of a rich history, a welcome beacon for many of the socialites who visit the city for business or pleasure.

It was in this hotel on February 14, 1916 that Bell Telephone placed the first transcontinental phone call. An audience watched breathlessly as Board Chairman, C.F. Sise asked: "Hello. Is this Vancouver?" The reply' "Yes" coming through loud and clear. Celebrities including Douglas Fairbanks, Mary Pickford, John Travolta and The Rolling Stones have all enjoyed the opulent, classical elegance of the hotel.

The Ritz-Carlton Montréal takes center stage at the heart of the city's business and entertainment district. Several blocks away, Ste Catherine Street bustles with shoppers making last minute Christmas purchases and office workers doing their best to grab a quick lunch. Under the neon lights and oversized billboards that populate the street, cars jostle for equality with pedestrians, while exotic dance clubs pound out a steady rhythm in darkened rooms above.

Built at a cost of $3 million and opened December 31, 1912, the Ritz-Carlton Montréal is one of the few original hotels to be granted the rights to the use of his name by hotelier Cesar Ritz.

Though the great depression, two world wars and many decades of change have had it's affect on this great hotel, it has never wavered from the original commitment to first-class service.

A $5 million renovation was completed in 1979, and in 1992 the hotel was sold to a European-based company. In 1998, the Ritz-Carlton Montréal announced a new agreement with the prestigious Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company L.L.C. and the rest is history.

Today, the Ritz-Carlton Montréal stands as a four diamond award winning hotel with AAA and named as one of the Top 50 Best Hotels in North America by Condé Nast Traveler Magazine in 2002.

Entering the front lobby through the rotating glass and brass door, I feel as if I am stepping back to an era of elegance on the grandest scales. Chandeliers, marble tiled floors and rich wood trim accents stand in relief of the plastered walls. It offers just a taste of the royal experience that awaits me.

A winding staircase reaches upward to the second floor, beside it the soaring glass entrance to the 18th century style Oval ballroom. Guests dressed in black-tie and evening gown attire anticipate the festivities inside. The lobby bustles with activity as the long line of party goers spills out onto to Sherbrooke Street West.

By today's design standards, the front lobby is actually quite small. An ornately decorated front desk welcomes guests to the hotel, while two main elevators service 181 deluxe rooms, one royal suite and 47 executive suites.

Exiting the elevator, halls are narrow, but tall, giving the appearance of being much longer than they really are. Classical art hangs prominently on the walls and plush carpet underfoot adds to the appeal. Heavy wood doors guard each room and suite entrance.

Once inside my executive suite, I am impressed by the antique love seat, chair and coffee table that grace the living room. A center wall separates the sitting area from the bedroom/bathroom area. An unusual feature allows for the TV to be watched from either location as it rotates freely within the wall between the two rooms.

A large king-size bed dominates the sleeping quarters. Here 300-thread count Egyptian cotton sheets can be found under the overstuffed duvet. Four goosedown or non-allergenic foam pillows provide a comfortable place to relax. Soaring windows look towards the Montréal skyline, offering a beautiful view of the vibrant city below.

A large, marble floored bathroom is separated from the bedroom by a walk in closet, in-room safe and a fully stocked mini-bar. Crystal side lamps illuminate the grand mirror, while overhead lighting accents the tiled bathtub/shower area.

Conveniently located within the bedroom, a large desk provides the perfect place for a laptop computer. For a small fee, high-speed internet access is available in every room, as well as a fax machine. For those who require the full office experience, the hotel has a complete business center with free internet access.

Dining at the Ritz-Carlton Montréal takes place in the Café de Paris. Here refined french cuisine, afternoon tea and Sunday brunch are offered in grand style. During the summer, alfresco dining is served in the Ritz Garden, while those looking for a light snack or evening cocktail can anticipate unparalleled service at the Ritz Bar.

The hotel provides access to a 24-hour fitness club, while massage therapy and babysitting can also be arranged.

The list of things to do and see in Montréal is endless. With museums, galleries and many shops only a few minutes away, there are plenty of reasons to wander away from the hotel and do a little exploring.

The Ritz-Carlton Montréal is in many ways as unique as Montréal. In fact, to get a true sense of the city and its distinctive place in Canada, an overnight stay at the hotel is highly recommended. Few places offer the depth of historical significance and extraordinary service offered here. A consistent top award winner, it's deserving of the title "La Grande Dame" of Montréal.

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