Just stayed at the La Montagne Hotel in Montreal this past weekend (August 26-28). This is the smokiest hotel I've ever stayed in. If you do not like the smell of cigarette smoke, do not even think about staying here. Even though there are non-smoking floors, the rooms still stink. We had to be moved from our original "non-smoking" room because of the overpowering smell. The next room we were moved to was just as bad. We had to leave the two balcony doors open, with the air conditioning blasting to help circulate some air. Not what you expect when paying almost $280 US/night to stay in one of their luxury suites.

We spent one evening at Hotel de la Montagne and enjoyed it thoroughly. I chose the hotel because of the price ($140 Cdn) and the excellent location. The lobby looks a little older but is decorated with a real European flair. The room was clean and enormous, with one of the biggest bathrooms I have ever seen in a hotel of this price range (double sinks, separate shower and bathtub, heat lamp, phone). We had a king size bed (the most comfortable bed I have ever slept on in a hotel) with a feather duvet, dresser, desk, and armoire with tv and mini bar. There was also a balcony. The location is ideal, steps from the shopping of St. Catharine Street and right next to Crescent Street, which has lots of bars and restaurants to choose from. Overall, I was impressed with this hotel and would stay there again.

For some background, the reader needs to know that my wife and I spent the second night of our honeymoon at this hotel back in August of 1985. It was the first time we had ever been to the hotel or to Montreal and it was a marvelous experience. So, we were eagerly looking forward to seeing the place again to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary! Sadly, the Hotel de la Montagne has lost its lustre and charm over the years. Here is my analysis:

First, the room itself was very nice, and the housekeepers and maid service people did an excellent job of cleaning the room.

Second, the previous reviews that speak of the Hotel lobby being run down or whatever are not true. The lobby looked as attractive and enchanting as it did back in 1985.

Third, the overall experience was not very good. We got to the hotel at 4pm. Check in time was 2pm. Our room was still not ready! Another bad sign was that guests have to pay for Internet service through a third party provider. In my case, I paid, and after a few hours the service quit working.

I called the front desk and they said I had to call a toll free number which would cost me $1. I protested and the clerk assured me that he would credit the $1 back to my bill. He did NOT do it.

Fourth and worst of all, I had called the hotel three times prior to my arrival about specifically wanting a room in a QUIET part of the hotel. Didn't happen. We were there Sunday through Tuesday nights and on Sunday and Monday nights music from somewhere outside our room (on the 9th floor!) was so loud it awakened us. At it didn't stop until after 2AM.

Finally, potential clients should know that the neighborhood where the hotel is located has declined in the 20 years since we last stayed there.

There is a large porno-palace strip joint just up the street from the hotel, and the immediate shopping area was crawling with various shades of sub-humanity, along with larger numbers of fairly harmless looking normal people.

There were several other things but this should serve as a forewarning to all who may think of staying there. If you want my advice, try the Hotel Delta.

I stayed here in June 2005 for 5 nites. The price was less than 100.00 american dollars and I had a KING SUITE TO BOOT!!!! Beautiful room; clean and with all the amenities including snuggly robe and slippers. The hotel featured a beautiful lobby with enormous crystal lighting and a fountain...too pretty to describe you have to see for yourself. The hotel personnel were wonderful as well. I went solo on this trip to Montreal and had a wonderful time. See this beautiful, friendly and clean city if you get a chance.

The hotel was within walking distance to the subway system; which is awesome in itself. Very clean and the service people were so helpful. Also walking distance to great shopping and restaurants.

Bonjour- I booked the hotel on Expedia.