Holiday Inn Express Montreal Airport - St-Laurent by IHG

After driving from Toronto, we got to Montreal late last night, tired and just wanting to get into bed. The room took us by surprise: luxurious beds, a clean bathroom, high ceilings, and all the things you’d need for a stay. They even have free hygiene products in case you forgot something. The breakfast was phenomenal compared with many five-star hotels. Even if they charged another $40-$50, I’d say it was worth it. Next time I’m in Montreal, I won’t look any further than this hotel.

We weren’t told at check-in that the pool was closed for maintenance. I think letting guests know would have been the least courteous thing to do. The room was the best part: comfortable beds, everything very clean, a good TV, and just as expected. Breakfast, though, was well below what I’d expect for the price and hotel category. The eggs seemed industrial, and there was no bacon or ham, cheese, or vegetables. Fruit choices were very limited, only whole bananas, apples, and oranges. There wasn’t much for children either. The items didn’t really go together, so it felt like trying to make a complete meal from a puzzle with pieces missing.

Mario and Nabil deserve a mention. They were professional, courteous, and excellent at their jobs, and really did their best to make my stay pleasant. The hotel was very clean as well. Even so, I found the building mediocre despite being brand new. The rooms feel cheaply designed. There’s just one small heat vent under the window, partly blocked by furniture. The HVAC is poorly programmed: the air-conditioning fan won’t stop on its own, and the only way to turn it off is to power down the whole thermostat. The light around the bathroom mirror didn’t work either. Breakfast was decent in general, but the potatoes were extremely hard and cold. With these problems, I won’t stay here again.

The kids loved the pool and water slide, and breakfast was free with a good selection. Our room was large, fresh, clean, and very comfortable. The front desk staff were friendly and accommodating. Heated indoor parking was $20. The hotel met or exceeded all our expectations.