Four Seasons Hotel Montreal
BACKGROUND
The hotel initially opened in 2019, marking the debut of the group in the city. It closed in September 2020 due to the pandemic and reopened in May 2021.
WHERE IS IT?
On Rue de la Montagne in Downtown Montreal. It is within the Golden Square Mile district, where the city’s bourgeoisie resided in the late 19th century (hence the name). The hotel is connected to the Holt Renfrew Ogilvy luxury department store on the third floor.
WHAT’S IT LIKE?
Designed by Lemay in collaboration with Sid Lee Architecture, the 17-storey glass-walled black building stands out on a sunny day in Montreal. The exterior gets the brand’s luxury touch with gold lines, while cut-out sections add an abstract element to the angular structure.
The ground-floor space has a gallery-like feel – I didn’t want to sit on the white marble stools in case they were an installation.
The doormen were very welcoming. I was offered a carton of Four Seasons-branded water and guided to the gold lifts around the corner to reach the third-floor lobby.
The hotel’s sumptuous pink and grey interiors, designed by Paris-based firm Gilles and Boissier in collaboration with Philip Hazan, have a brighter feel than the dark exterior. The lobby features a glitzy installation of bottles of Ruinart Champagne.
Check-in is from 3pm but my room was not ready, so I was offered a complimentary drink in the adjoining bar. Check-out is at noon and you can leave bags at reception.
ROOMS
On floors nine and higher, there is an open-air atrium featuring the ethereal white and gold floral installation,
Contemplation by designer Pascale Girardin – 90 aluminium floral suspensions cascade from the 18th floor down to the ninth.
The 169 rooms and suites are located on floors 6-12 and have floor-to-ceiling windows, offering views of the city (including the Leonard Cohen mural on the façade of a nearby high-rise). The categories include Superior and Deluxe (both 38-44 sqm), Deluxe Carré Doré (37-44 sqm), Premier and Premier Carré Doré (both 42-52 sqm).
The design is sophisticated, with rosepink velvet furnishings, plenty of marble, and bronze and gold accents. Rooms have fourposter beds and a table for work and dining, but premier rooms also come with a chaise longue and a bathroom with a freestanding tub and mirrored gold screenlike doors that open onto the bedroom. Amenities across all rooms include wifi, robes and slippers, luxury Byredo bath products, a safe, minibar, kettle and Lavazza coffee machine. There are plenty of USB and plug sockets, along with buttons to adjust the lighting and open/close the curtains. An in-room tablet can be used to contact staff or for 24-hour room service.
My One King Bed Premier Carré Doré room was beautiful and well-designed for working. Unfortunately, it was a connecting room and my neighbours were noisy.
FOOD AND DRINK
The third floor is home to both Marcus Lounge and Bar, and the separate Marcus Restaurant and Terrace, named after chef Marcus Samuelsson and designed by Atelier Zébulon Perron.
The lively restaurant has monochrome flooring, brass accents and wicker seating. As I studied the menu, towers of seafood appeared on neighbouring tables. The menu is split into sea, harvest and land sections. Recommended is the silky black cod with lime on a bed of potatoes and edamame, alongside fiery rapini with crunchy garlic, chilli oil and lemon.
MEETINGS
The fifth floor has 1,096 sqm of events space including a ballroom and the west-facing Belvedere terrace.
LEISURE
The first floor has a spa with eight treatment rooms, and the sixth floor has a 24-hour gym, heated indoor pool, sauna and steam room.
VERDICT
The Four Seasons Montreal lives up to its excellent reputation with its sophisticated design, bustling dining outlets and top-class service.
BEST FOR
Exceptional service and sleek design
DON’T MISS
Seafood towers and signature cocktails at Marcus Restaurant and Terrace
PRICE
Internet rates for a flexible midweek stay in October started from US$705 for a Deluxe Carré Doré room
CONTACT
1440 Rue de la Montagne, Montreal, QC, H3G 1Z5; +1 (514) 843-2500; fourseasons.com/montreal
Recommended is the silky black cod with lime on a bed of potatoes and edamame