Loft Funky

Review : Renaissance Downtown Montreal | Marriott Bonvoy

Hotel Renaissance Downtown Montreal Hotel
Country Canada
City Montreal
Room Type Loft with king-size bed and sofa-bed
Loyalty Program Status Platinum
Points Per Night 50 000
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Renaissance Downtown Montreal Hotel
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To the point As Quebec was reopening after a "pandemic spring," we have decided to review the Renaissance Montreal Downtown Hotel.

Masked staycation at the Renaissance Montreal Downtown Hotel

The COVID-19 pandemic has stopped the plans of many enthusiastic travellers, but the tourism industry has recently restarted.

With my friend Brigitte from the Facebook group of milesopedia, we went to the Renaissance Montreal Downtown Hotel, part of Marriott Bonvoy, to rediscover the world of hotels in this time of virus.

renaissance entrée

Now that cleanliness is even more critical everywhere, has the Renaissance managed to give us confidence in this era of COVID-19?

For Brigitte’s room, everything was fine. For mine, more or less. Let’s see what came out of our first hotel getaway in over four months.

réception

Check-in at the Renaissance Montreal Downtown Hotel

The Renaissance Montreal Downtown Hotel is located on the corner of Boulevard Robert-Bourassa (formerly University Street) and Cathcart, in the shadow of Place Ville Marie.

Many shops and restaurants are in the area, but you still have to confirm with each one if they are open, as some are still closed.

réception projection

Nevertheless, we found that Uber Eats delivery drivers often come to drop orders at the front desk (because with the new instructions, they are not allowed to go upstairs).

restaurant east

Adjacent to the hotel, the Asian restaurant East was delicious. Besides, as it is an American Express Shop Small location, we benefited from the promotion in progress ($5 statement credit when you spend $10 or more).

dumplings

Upon entering the hotel, there is a contemporary style with eclectic decoration, where lounge music is king. A note from the hotel management at the entrance strongly recommends disinfecting your hands, and a plexiglass window protects the reception.

règles sanitaires

The recording took place in accordance with social distances and was quick.

As a Platinum member,I got an upgrade and ended up with the key to a Loft including a King bed and a couch bed. Also, as a member gift, I received a coupon for breakfast the next morning at the East restaurant.

lounge réception

We were told about the new health obligations and guidelines. The main ones were:

  • As soon as we enter our room, the hotel staff can no longer come during the stay. If you order something to your room, employees will drop it at the door.
  • Maximum of 2 people in the elevator, unless they are from the same family
  • No housekeeping services in the room during the stay.

Hand sanitizer dispensers were located next to the call buttons and inside the elevators. We wore our mask while walking around the hotel and the majority of guests wore it too.

montréal la nuit

The room

The room was large and located just above the lobby, four floors up.

loft

The decor is unconventional and funky.

Loft Funky

We even have a surprise when we open the wardrobe and the corner of the Nespresso coffee maker. There is also a mini-refrigerator.

garde-robe funky

1 or 2 more people can sleep on the sofa bed.

divan lit fantastique

As for the bathroom, it was bright and uncluttered.

douche salle de bain

However, my only negative comments come from this room. Throughout the hotel, measures were taken to comply with the new sanitary standards, but the bathroom failed.

mur salle de bain

When I checked the toiletries, I noticed that the seal of the mouthwash bottle was pierced: it had already been used. The lotion bottle was half empty. Someone had used the bottle of body cleanser.

salle de bain

Then a doubt settled when looking at the rest of the room. If this had been neglected, what else had been? Just to be sure, I used the four disinfectant wipes given in the room and cleaned the items I was more likely to touch during my stay.

lingettes désinfectantes

When I reported the incident to the front desk, they were sorry but told me that each room was left in quarantine for at least 24 hours before renting it to a new guest.

The front desk officer was still waiting for a follow-up from housekeeping when I left. I didn’t have any other follow-ups of the hotel afterwards. I did not have any compensation or offer to replace the products. **Updated July 08, 2020. Marriott heard my complaint and resolved it to my satisfaction. **

Facilities

Before booking, I had called the hotel to find out what was open or not. The gym and restaurant East were well open. But not the pool and the roof terrace. They will be in early July. Until then, everything is on hold.

terrasse fermée

The pool looked more like a plunge pool. Excuse the housekeeping!

piscine

Large panels of resistant fabrics separated the interior from the outside and will be removed for the summer. You could still imagine the festive atmosphere of the terrace in the summertime.

terrasse pas ouverte

As for the gym, it is located in the 2nd basement.

gym

Without a window, it has a creepy side but has inspiring messages on the mirrors.

gym messages

And if you needed even more motivation, there are benches from the old Forum signed by Guy Lafleur and Patrick Roy, as well as a jersey signed by the Montreal Canadiens players of the 2016-2017 season.

canadiens

Noise

Downtown also means noise. Until late at night, a few car drivers had fun with their engines at the intersection and emergency vehicles drove with their sirens. If you are a light sleeper, ask to take a room to the back of the hotel that does not overlook the street or bring your earplugs.

place ville marie

Bottom Line

This hotel is next to a variety of shops, restaurants, offices and tourist attractions within walking distance.

Apart from the history of the toiletries already used, our stay went well. Confidence has undoubtedly been shaken, but that won’t stop me from going back to another hotel for a getaway in the next few days. I’ll just keep a more open eye.

au revoir
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4.2 Milesopedia Rating
Caroline Tremblay
I'm Caroline, a loyalty program specialist! I use my points to travel more often and at a lower price with my spouse and our two children. I'm passionate about writing about the latest rewards news and how to put more points in your pocket.

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