Exploring Montreal’s Metcalfe Hotel: Boutique Charm in the Core

Ottawa residents will be happy to learn that the Hotel Metcalfe in Ottawa now has a second hotel in Montreal.

I arrived in Montreal the weekend after the annual spring Formula One race and the Stanley Cup frenzy that accompanied the Montreal Canadiens’ quest for the Cup.

Two torrential rain storms interrupted our arrival at the Metcalfe Hotel, and as our cab driver explained, ‘these were the tears of the Habs’, reeling from their most recent loss. The team went on to lose that night’s game and the series, but Montreal lost none of its exuberance, in a town where things are always happening.

Oddly enough, given the huge rainstorm, we were headed to Bota Bota, a floating Nordic spa located in the port. It was almost empty, no doubt due to the fact that a second Bota Bota, also on a boat in the harbour, is about to open.

The Metcalfe Hotel is located in the downtown area, in the totally renovated Saint Martin Hotel. Indeed, the cab driver's computer hadn’t been updated to show the boutique hotel’s new name. It is found on the corner of Metcalfe Street and Maisonneuve Boulevard West, in case your cab doesn’t know. It is kitty-corner to the entrance of the Peel Street subway.

There is a self-serve bike rental rack on Metcalfe Street, right next to the hotel. The rack is located on Metcalfe Street, a one-way street. Cyclists race up Metcalfe Street the wrong way, with no regard for hotel guests using the valet parking service. 

Restaurant

Breakfast at the hotel could only have been available in Montreal — Eggs Benedictine with smoked meat! It’s rare to rave about breakfast items; however, two other items were outstanding. The truffle scrambled eggs and the avocado toast. 

The entire Benjamin Restaurant Parisien has been renovated and has an intimate feel to it. That said, in the summer months, the Benjamin Steakhouse terrace extends onto the very active Maisonneuve Boulevard.

The breakfast venue becomes a steakhouse in the evening, and the fillet mignon and the bavette were outstanding. 

Nearby

Hotel Metcalfe façade on Maisonneuve Boulevard.

Being in Montreal’s downtown, it is close to Sherbrooke Street, one of the major east/west thoroughfares.

Sherbrooke Street is known for the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts at one end and the McCord Stuart Museum, whose goal is to explain Montreal's social history at the other. In between the two is McGill University, and along McGill College Street is the Paragraphe bookstore, one of the best English-language bookstores I’ve seen in ages. The staff was incredibly knowledgeable and immediately knew if the book I needed was in stock.

It’s not often that you run into people you know in a strange city; however, I met an older acquaintance, a piece of sculpture called Le Banc du Secret by Canadian sculptor Lea Vivot. It is almost identical to its cousin, which disappeared regularly from its perch in front of the National Archives of Canada in Ottawa.

Just south of the Metcalfe Hotel is Saint Catherine Street, long Montreal's major shopping street. Somehow, it’s a perfect melange of pedestrians and one-way traffic.

Cost

Rooms start at $325 CAD in the low season and $455 CAD in the high season. 

The hotel is fully wheelchair accessible, and the intimate outdoor swimming pool is now open. It’s a truly intimate space, located on the second floor of the hotel. The gym is also located on this floor.

A look at the Metcalfe’s entrance lobby beside the reception area.

Different packages exist, such as an opening welcome package that includes a special price, hotel credit, and a bottle of champagne. Another package reduces the room rate for one night and includes two tickets to the Piknik Electronik, an outdoor dance event taking place at Jean Drapeau Park, until October, 2026. 

Rooms

A guest room with a king‑sized bed and the Metcalfe’s signature modern touches.

All rooms feature a walk-in shower with Le Labo products, a safe and electronic card access for the room and the elevator. All rooms have king-sized beds, and some have gas fireplaces.

As is often the case in Montreal, parking charges are separate.

For more information, visit https://metcalfehotel.com/montreal/