Montreal

[Disney Bound Mommy]

I'm taking my family (kids age 7 and 9) + hubby to Montreal for a few days to explore. Any suggestions on where we should stay and what we should see. We would like to have a fridge and microwave in our room. Also, would like a hotel with a pool. We won't have a car there, so something centrally located would be good. Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[TARAMEOW]

I would say the best things in the city are in the old port area and the dowtown core, but public transport is good from everywhere there is even a shuttle express bus from the airport. As far as the best things to do with kids...

The Biodome is really cool and I know you can buy a rate that includes the incectarium and botanical gardens (also beautiful). Another good one is The Montreal Science center they have alot of amazing interactive stations for kids I was there last year and me and DF spent an hour putting eachother in giant bubbles (we have no kids).

I would stay away from LaRonde it is over priced and def not disney IMO. If you are going to spend the money the cirque de soleil is at the old port and really worth it!

For hotels the Delta Centre Ville had a nice pool and good location if you dont mind to travel a bit to the city the Airport Crown Plaza is also nice (and where I am getting married)

If you have any questions let me know, enjoy your trip

 

[glendalais]

You can check out the websites of Tourisme Montréal and Tourisme Québec for ideas. Both also offer hotel reservations. Once you're in Montreal, the Centre Infotouriste (Tourist Information Centre) on rue Peel can also assist you.

For kids, definitely things like the Science Centre, though you may want to check their website before going (for example, their current featured exhibit is Sex: A Tell-All Exhibition, which may or may not be a little bit more than you were hoping to have to explain while on vacation, lol). Parc Jean-Drapeau has deteriorated a bit in the last few years, but is still a nice place to take a stroll in the daytime.

There's a great restaurant scene. Check out The Gazette or the Hour for suggestions on what to try (if your French is up to snuff, you can also check La Presse or Voir). Most menus are bilingual, especially downtown, but just remember that, in French, an entrée refers to an appetizer, while a Plat principal refers to what is called an entrée in English.

 

[cruella4me64]

For hotels the Delta Centre Ville had a nice pool and good location...



Also looking for a hotel in Montreal for June 23-June 25 for the two nights. Delta Centre Ville is $199 per night. Maybe I should be posting on the Budget Board. Do you have any other suggestions that would be less expensive?

Just DH and I so pool like the PP desired is unneccessary. From the guidebooks I bought, I cannot decide between downtown and Old Port. Thoughts?

 

[TARAMEOW]

The Day's Inn Montreal Downtown may be in your price range. If you plan on renting a car stay in Dorval near the airport and drive the 15 min into the city. The problem with staying in the old port is the price,but you def need to go see it. And dont forget to have fun!

 

[eveandlo]

You can find amazing deals at some downtown hotels, just have to keep looking. Last summer I had the Omni and Queen Elizabeth for 100 a night. I also had Hilton Garden Inn (awesome pool rooftop). I have stayed at the Delta, but got it for 140.

There is a hotel in Cote-des-Neiges, which isn't central, but super close to metro, which has full kitchen and across the street from groceries.

There is also holiday inn express suites on rene-lesvesque if you can get a good deal there.

I always manage to get good deal at www.aircanada.com I almost always book our hotels from there.

Biodome is really cool. Not sure if you would want to do this if it is only a couple of days, but if you are up to renting a car for the day, there are a few really fun waterparks withing a hour of Montreal (St Sauveur, Super Aqua Club)

 

[glendalais]

Actually, depending on when you want to go, you might not be able to go to the Biodome.

The blue-collar workers who staff it are going on strike as of 16 June. The Biodome and the Insectarium will be closed, but the Botanical Gardens and Planetarium will remain open.

 

[cruella4me64]

I never found any super hotel deals, but booked two nights at the Hotel Le Dauphin Montreal Centre-Ville for $174 per night for 2 adults in June, tax included. ($141 p/night before taxes and the second adult).

We ordered 2 tickets to see Cirque Du Soleil's Totem for $193 ($85 p/seat plus tax and fess).

I had tried to book the biking City Tour on 6/24, but it's not offered (is on the 23rd and 25th, of course, but we won't be there yet/leaving that morning).

Can't wait to go!