HOLIDAY INN SELECT DOWNTOWN - Montreal, Canada 

Good location - very poor security
Posted: Wed, Jul 02 2008
Probably the best thing going for this hotel is it's location. 5-10 min walk from most of down town Montreal. Probably does need a general renevation in some areas including all the common hallways. The free internet was down for 2 of the 3 days I was there. Everything else worked but as previous reviewers have noted it is dated. However, the one thing travellers should be aware of with regard this hotel is that reception is on the second floor and you can access all the other floors directly from the lift / elevator without going through reception. I didn't realise this this until I retuned late one night 01:00 am. This is a serious security lapse for any hotel . I'm sure they will give some excuse about CCTV coverage but that will do you very little good if you are followed in off the street and mugged in your own corridor ( very badly lit so CCTV would be useless anyway) or even your room by a stranger. Therefore if you are female travelling alone do not stay in this hotel the risk is too great. Otherwise be very careful when you answer your door to room service or cleaning staff. Also I wouldn't leave anything valuable in your room at all. Plus Montreal police are not known for their effeciency in dealing with tourists who don't speak 17th century french which is effectively what they speak in Quebec. I've worked there with an ex Parisian police officer and even he had a hard job figuring out what people were saying and you will find many people ( even those 16-25 ) cannot speak English at all! In my experience even the French speak more English.

Back to the 70s
Posted: Tue, Jul 01 2008
This property is located in chinatown Montreal, so the location is convenient. I was given a room on the 'Priority' traveler level - I am embarrassed for them that they would offer this room to priority business travelers. Carpeting is old and smelly, other than at the entranceway there are no light switches so you must walk to the lamps to turn on the lights, the mould in the bathroom was awful, and the sink and shower drains were not draining, so I asked for another room for the next night. Carpeting and bathroom was not much better but at least the sink drained properly. Surface was not wiped down from previous guest, and the furniture is very old. The front desk seemed more bothered to have to look for a second room for me instead of apologizing for the problems in the first room - in fact, the two people I spoke with didn't even want to know why I wanted to leave the first room. The equipment in the fitness centre has 3 bikes from the 70s, one treadmill that needs servicing, and one stairmaster that needs to have the chain oiled (so loud when in use). It's unfortunate this Holiday Inn property is not well maintained given the location and brand name.

Great Location
Posted: Tue, Jan 22 2008
The hotel lobby is on the second floor, along with a restaurant a bar. It was always seemed quiet and deserted. There was a gift store on the street level, however it was never open early or late. Our family of four had a room with two queen sized beds, large bathroom, a seperate sitting area with a small table and two chairs which left lots of room for our luggage. The room was attractive looking, clean, and mostly quiet. The heater in our room was noisy, not white noise, but uneven noise as if it were struggling. We left it off at night and then turned it back up in the morning. The hotel is beside Chinatown and a short walk to the Old Montreal area. The metro station is across the steet at the cost of 2.75 for 13 yrs and up. If you are going a short distance, such as to downtown shopping area, the cab fare was $6.00. Cabs were always available outside the hotel. I would stay here again because the price was $102 a night and the convenient location.

Loved this Holiday Inn
Posted: Thu, Dec 27 2007
We arrived really late at the hotel and the restaurant was closed but the staff was very helpful and they were able to scramble something up for us; they really blew us away. Thank you Benoit! The room was very large and clean and has a huge bathroom with lots of room and they have FREE wireless internet! Next morning we had breakfast in restaurant; it was tasty and hot. There are beautiful views, they have this pond with fish, and there is an atrium, lovely atmosphere. We went out to discover Montreal that day, great location, Old Montreal is only a block away and there is a subway station across the street. St-Catherine's is only 2 blocks away too! I would definitely come back.