Marriott Chateau Champlain, Montreal, Canada– Hotel Review

Known lovingly across the city as “the cheese grater,” the Marriott Chateau Champlain is a favorite hotel of business and leisure travelers alike. I visited the hotel during last summer’s International Jazz Festival on the holiday weekend preceding Canada Day. The building was erected for the World Expo held in Montreal in 1967 and the building’s unique façade, with arched windows, was meant to evoke the design of the nearby rail terminal.

The hotel is located just across from Montreal’s beautiful cathedral and sits atop the city’s underground shopping and dining mall that spans the entire downtown area. Also underneath the hotel is the Bonaventure metro station, accessed via elevator directly from the hotel lobby and facilitates travel to the entire region. A further benefit of this arrangement is that the elevator keeps guests indoors in inclement weather.

Revolving doors welcome the visitor into an elegant lobby that is surprisingly residential in tone. I spent many mornings or evenings lounging in the living areas with leather sofas and armchairs planning my day and watching the world go by.

Reception is staffed with bilingual employees who are both cheery and speedy. A computer and printing station is available for guests to check flight information and remotely check-in and print boarding passes a definite time saving service for the business traveler in a hurry. A bank of five elevators efficiently services the tower making waiting for an elevator a non-issue.

THE ROOM

Guest rooms sport the new and rather modern Marriott décor scheme.

An armchair by the arched windows is a convenient perch to survey the vistas from every corner of the hotel. A unique feature of the windows is that the glass bows outward providing a wider view of the city panorama.

Beds are oversized and comfortable with pleasant duvets and many pillows in addition to a decorative throw pillow on the bed. Three were giant square pillows of thick texture supporting softer smaller pillows. I loved the large pillows very much and have never slept as well in a hotel bed. Electrical outlets bedside allowed setting my smart phone alarm while it was charging. A bedside clock/stereo with built-in iPod cradle is also provided.

A small hallway features a separate counter space and a safe large enough to hold a laptop computer, minibar, coffeemaker, and full-length mirror. Closets are large, with a generous supply of hangers, and robes are provided. In the bathroom, the lighting is excellent with backlit mirrors and the spacious vanities are stocked with Bath & Body Works toiletries. Slippers and stacks of towels are also in place. Showers have strong Speakman showerheads with curved shower rods expanding the bathing space.

ROAD WARRIOR SUPPORT

A spacious work desk is outfitted with an adjustable, swiveling cushioned chair  and a speaker phone. Wireless high speed Internet is available for a fee, but is free for Marriott Rewards Gold and Platinum members. The hotel’s management recently upgraded the Internet speed, making it lighting fast.

Multiple electrical outlets and connectors at the work desk facilitate hooking up a computer or smart phone to the large, flat-screen TV on the adjacent countertop.

A small business center on the lobby level provides ample meeting space and includes a beautiful multi-tiered theater known as the Caf’Conc’, which was once a nightclub and speakeasy. It has been restored and is often used for receptions and group events, it is worth a peek into by all visitors.

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