Where you stay in Montreal at Christmas makes a big difference: on cold nights, being steps from the markets, the metro or the underground city is worth a lot. Here are the best neighbourhoods to stay in for a holiday trip.
Downtown and the Quartier des spectacles
Best for: first-time visitors, the Christmas markets, shopping and shows.
Stay near Place des Arts and you’re steps from the Great Christmas Market, the LUMINO installations, the Esplanade Tranquille rink and The Nutcracker. Downtown hotels are often connected to the underground city, so you can reach the metro and malls without going outside. Christmas downtown
Old Montreal
Best for: romance, atmosphere and Christmas Eve mass.
Cobblestone streets, stone buildings and Notre-Dame Basilica make Old Montreal the most charming place to stay at Christmas. Boutique hotels are common here. It’s a short metro ride or a 15-to-20-minute walk to the Quartier des spectacles. Streets can be icy, so pack good boots. Old Montreal at Christmas
The Plateau and Mile End
Best for: a local feel, cafés and neighbourhood Christmas.
Mostly apartments and small inns rather than big hotels. You’ll be close to Mont-Royal Avenue, Noël dans le Parc in Parc des Compagnons-de-Saint-Laurent and Parc Lahaie, and skating at Parc La Fontaine. The Plateau and Mile End
Saint-Henri, Griffintown and the Lachine Canal
Best for: foodies and the Christmas Village.
Newer hotels and apartments near Atwater Market, the Christmas Village and some of the city’s best restaurants. The Lionel-Groulx metro station is a hub for both the green and orange lines. Saint-Henri and the Southwest
Tips for booking
- Book early for Christmas week and New Year’s Eve. Prices are highest between December 24 and January 1.
- Look for hotels near a metro station. The metro is the most reliable way to get around in snow.
- Check what “downtown” means. A hotel connected to the underground city is a real advantage in a cold snap.
- Driving? Downtown parking is expensive. Ask your hotel about parking rates.
Plan the rest of your trip
Follow our 3-day Christmas itinerary and read about Montreal weather in December.
