Review: Fairfield by Marriott Montreal Downtown
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Introduction
The Fairfield by Marriott Montréal Downtown is a category 5 Marriott Bonvoy hotel in downtown Montréal. The hotel has been recently renovated and offers a modern and comfortable stay.
Access to Platinum status
The Fairfield by Marriott Montreal, a category 5 Marriott Bonvoy hotel, allowed me not to drive after a dinner with friends. Moreover, this night became my fiftieth and officially opened the doors to the hotel chain‘s Platinum status.
I didn’t think I’d ever reach that status because the types of accommodation I use vary: house swaps, pet sitting, Airbnb etc.
But the February 2020 family trip to South Africa where we stayed at Protea Marriott Category 1 and 2 hotels, earned me several status nights.
Thanks to my American Express® Marriott BonvoyTM Card, which gives me 15 Elite Nights for my membership or renewal status, followed by Marriott’s pandemic promotional offer, I got upgaded to a better room. You read that right: the lady was upgraded!
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $120 |
I wrote to the hotel the day before I arrived and asked them to acknowledge my new Platinum elite status. “Could I get an early arrival, upgrade and breakfast included please?”
Well, yes. Well, for breakfast, I hear it’s always free for everyone at this hotel.
I did get an executive room with a king size bed and a sofa bed. I also arrived at 13:00.
Fairfield by Marriott Montreal Downtown Hotel Location
The hotel is located in Montreal’s Latin Quarter, near the Grande Bibliothèque, Université du Québec à Montréal and Berri-Uqam metro station. The hotel is also close to Old Montreal, the Gay Village and Chinatown.
Here are a few suggestions from a member who stayed at the hotel:
- At 1447 Atateken Street (formerly Amherst), right next to the hotel, the “Pourquoi Pas” espresso bar.
- At number 1481 of the same street, the restaurant “Alejandro”, whose Mexican cuisine is described as “fusion Brunch & lunch”
- O’Thym restaurant, at 1112 boul. Maisonneuve East, corner of Atateken.
My arrival at the Fairfield by Marriott Montreal Downtown hotel
We are on Berri, corner Ste-Catherine with a crane near the hotel and several orange cones. Fortunately, there is a 15-minute drop-off point where I can check in and get access to the garage for $30. IT’S A MUST, if you come by car.
Access is via Labelle Street, behind the hotel.
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $120 |
The hotel’s exterior door can be locked at night. If you do not have your room card , you will have to ring the bell.
I booked an executive room at the hotel. A friendly and helpful receptionist greeted me. I received a room card and a welcome bag.
Fairfield by Marriott Montreal Downtown Hotel
The Fairfield by Marriott Montreal Downtown hotel looks like new.
The chandeliers hanging in the center of the lobby appear contemporary, and are surrounded by small pieces stuck to the wall that look like stars. In short, it sparkles.
The lobby, although small, offers a waiting area with a sofa and two comfortable chairs. A matching carpet defines the area. There is also a flat screen TV above the gas fireplace.
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $120 |
The room
I told you that I inherited an executive room with a very large bed. On the 3rd floor, near the ice machine and facing Berri Street. I assure you, though, we don’t hear the traffic rumour.
I liked the sobriety of the decor in shades of grey, caramel and orange:
- Grey for example for the sofa-bed, wallpaper, curtains, a lamp and the carpet.
- Orange tree for the office chair and sofa cushions.
- And the caramel that reminds us of the wood grain.
Used among other things for the headboard that goes up almost to the ceiling, a panel on which the television rests on the wall (with all the possible channels), for the piece of furniture that hides the small fridge and safe, and finally for the bedside tables integrated in the headboard.
The chair combines both grey for the seat and backrest and caramel for the stylish frame.
Its accessories
The usual accessories
- a mini fridge,
- a safe
- the iron and its board,
- the coffee machine,
The ones you can ask for: a cot/crib. The receptionist told me that the hotel allowed families of five in the twin rooms.
The bathroom
The bathroom is modern and well-equipped. It features a walk-in shower, hairdryer and toiletries.
Above the toilet, a round wooden shelf reminiscent of the room’s caramel colour serves as a display for bath products. Here again, the decor is uncluttered. A little Scandinavian air. The bath mat and towels are rolled up and placed on the shelf under the sink. Three small ones for the hands, on the towel rack. A removable soap holder. And that’s it.
But that’s also what spoiling yourself at the hotel is all about. All those neat little details.
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $120 |
The services
The reception desk could normally accommodate two guests at a time. Good to know: there is a safe if the one in the room is not suitable. On the left are the lifts and the canteen area , known as the “Market” with drinks and snacks. The prices are reasonable to help you out. $2 for my water bottle.
Adjacent to the lobby, on the right, is a computer station which lets you fax and photocopy, and offers delivery and pick-up service.
A scale, on which, for a coin, you can weigh your luggage before departure to the airport or train station.
Finally, a bit far from the bustle, you find a coin-operated laundry (washer/dryer) as well as a laundry service.
Behind the lobby lounge, there’s a bistro-bar and a dining room serving breakfast buffets and more.
Here’s what you’ll find at the breakfast buffet:
A gym is also available to guests:
Conclusion
I had a pleasant stay at the Fairfield by Marriott Montréal Downtown. The hotel is well located, the rooms are comfortable and the services are excellent. I recommend this hotel to anyone looking for a comfortable and affordable stay in Montreal.
I appreciated the complimentary upgrade, the 1pm arrival time, and the quiet and sober room.
The location is central but other hotels in the same chain nearby also offer this advantage. However, I would not have given a category 5 to this hotel which has neither swimming pool nor SPA.
Depending on the period of your stay, always check whether you are better off paying cash with your Marriott BonvoyTM American ExpressMD Card (5 points per dollar) to collect points rather than spend them.
During my stay, I spent $127 a night, adding a bottle of water, the cost of parking and taxes, the bill came to $187.92 and I earned 3,965 Marriott points!
I’m glad.
- Annual fee
- $120
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$600Total$600$100 deferred bonus, excluded from the first-year estimate and not counted in this total.Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $600
- Welcome offerAfter $3,000 in 3 months
- Up to 70,000 points
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