Hotel Nelligan

The Hotel Nelligan is named for Émile Nelligan, one of Quebec’s most celebrated poets, and his face and quotations adorn the interiors of the hotel. It’s a detail that stops well short of outright gimmickry, but it contributes to the sense of history that is thick in the halls of this 1850 building.

It’s a boutique hotel, to be sure, but the interiors are far from the art-gallery sparseness that is the prevailing boutique design trend. Instead the Nelligan is heavy on function, with creature comforts ahead of aesthetic shock, and rich brick, leather and wood decor rather than white plaster or anything Zen. It’s easy on the eye, to be sure, but impossibly plush duvets and Frette bathrobes target the subtler senses. Gas fireplaces, spacious bathrooms, and the obligatory high-speed internet round out the package of conveniences, and as a bonus, many rooms have private terraces overlooking the St. Lawrence.

The Old Montréal location is convenient, and picturesque; it’s a historic district, full of landmarks and preserved buildings, yet also home to the city’s financial district and any number of shops, cafés, and restaurants. Verses, the hotel’s French restaurant, is highly rated, and usually buzzing with activity—and the rooftop terrace (in summer) and the atrium bar (in colder months) are perfect for a little relaxation with a drink, a book of verse, or quite possibly both.

How to get there:
Hotel Nelligan is located 20.7km (30 minutes) from Montreal Trudeau Airport.