Here is a review of my stay at the Marriott Château Champlain in Montreal following its rejuvenation.
This report was done thanks to an invitation from the hotel’s team. No remuneration was received and the opinions are my own.
This Marriott Bonvoy hotel, located in downtown Montreal, has undergone a major transformation and completed its major renovations in 2021. Gone are the heavy dark woodwork, draperies and rugs. Everything is now bright and contemporary.
The 38-storey, 614-room building has retained its distinctive exterior architecture, with its half-moon shaped windows. The building, nicknamed the “cheese grater” has undergone a complete overhaul of its interior style. It has now become elegant and warm.
Sid Lee Architecture was in charge of the renovation project. Inspired by the hotel’s history and the desire to recall its Montreal environment, the chosen theme was “winter refuge”.
It can be strange to talk about winter and to have a “warm” decor. But the challenge was brilliantly conquered. You feel cozy and protected as soon as you enter the hotel. The decor’s organic shapes and the use of wood and stone are comforting when you enter the Montreal Marriott Château Champlain.
The vaulted ceiling of the lobby is a nod to the architecture of Windsor Station across the street. The ceiling lights are reminiscent of winter clouds. The light bulbs evoke snowballs. When you check in at the reception desk, you’ll notice the mural, a reminder of the snow banks or the St. Lawrence’s waves.
In collaboration with MassivArt of Montreal, 59 works of art are and will be displayed throughout the hotel. For example, a work by Sabrina Ratté will soon be installed. It will be projected on the wall of the staircase and will “move” interactively.
The Montreal Marriott Château Champlain is located on De La Gauchetière Street, between de la Cathédrale and Peel streets. It’s right next to Canada Place.
The building to the east of the hotel is 1,000 de la Gauchetière, which houses offices and shops, but also an indoor skating rink that is open year-round.
On the west side is Windsor Station. The Bell center is located nearby, a 300 metre walk from the Marriott entrance.
The Château Champlain is also accessible through Montreal’s underground network. Rain or shine, you can move around the 32 kilometres of tunnels without going outside.
Checking in was done efficiently and quickly. I was given the cards to open the room door, but I could have also taken the Mobile Key, whichy you get with the Marriott Bonvoy app.
After recognizing my status, I was told about the benefits of being a Platinum member and that I had access to the MClub lounge.
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In addition, the reception area houses the Concierge desk and a storage room for suitcases and other items.
On the ground floor level, there are 3 touch screens for customers. They house interactive maps of the surrounding area, things to do in Montreal in the next few days, weather and flight information forMontreal-Trudeau International Airport.
I had a room with 2 double beds, overlooking the city, on the 29th floor.
The room was right across from the elevators. I usually shun this location because it can be very noisy due to other customers coming and going. But surprisingly, I heard absolutely nothing the entire stay and the soundproofing was excellent.
The room number was 2903.
By the end of August, 23 suites will be available for booking, including 2 presidential suites.
When you enter, you feel like you’re right in the city. The natural light from the huge window illuminates the whole room. The view is superb!
In addition to the 2 double beds, the bedroom furniture (bed side) consists of:
The work desk with a few drawers and a chair are on the TV side. There is even a table hidden in the corner of the room to put your suitcase.
Furthermore, there is no carpet in the room.
A large circular mirror was on the wall opposite the window, to accentuate the effect of brightness and grandeur.
The wallpaper behind the bed is a reminder of the “Winter Refuge” and the mural in the reception area.
If you need to tidy up during your stay, the walk-in closet will greatly help.
There is a section with hangers to put your clothes, with a bench on the lower level. In the other part are:
Dressing gowns and slippers were waiting for us.
On the 29th floor, we were not disturbed by the noise of the city center. However, we could hear a distant rumble of planes passing overhead.
Instead of the usual “Do Not Disturb” sign hanging on the door handle, you can flip a switch on the inside. Indeed, just below the room number outside the door, there is a luminous circle which changes colour if you do not want to be disturbed.
Also, if you need service, you can turn it on. I didn’t use it, as I preferred to use the chat directly in the Marriott Bonvoy app.
The first thing you notice when you enter the grey bathroom is the high-tech toilet.
The temperature of the water, drying and toilet seat can be adjusted.
The control panel is located under the counter and you have to turn around to press the various buttons.
The functions are located on the front and when you put the lid down, a world of possibilities opens up!
For the shower, the column offers 4 options for the water jet.
As for the rest of the bathroom, it was standard: there were bottles of products, a dryer and a bathroom scale.
However, the towels were thin. Compared to the high quality of the whole bathroom and bedroom, there was a big difference.
Marriott Bonvoy Platinum, Titanium and Ambassadeur members have the privilege of access to the Marriott Château Champlain M Club.
It is located on the ground floor, on the way to Lloyd’s restaurant.
The strategy of Marriott International is now to make the member lounges more visible. Upon seeing it, other customers will wonder how to access it. Thus, Marriott hopes to motivate them to reach a higher status in order to gain access.
Several types of tables and chairs will be available to members.
Whether you want to work, relax or sit down to eat, you’ll find your favourite place.
Numerous electrical and USB sockets are hidden throughout the furniture, chairs and tables. Just press the device and they appear.
Drinks are served at the entrance.
In the central section, hors d’oeuvres for dinner are available to members.
Here’s what’s for breakfast:
The Marriott Château Champlain building was originally designed by Quebec architects Jean-Paul Pothier and Roger d’Astous.
Located on the ground floor, the Lloyd restaurant is named after Mr. D’Astous’ mentor, Frank Lloyd Wright, a renowned architect.
In the restaurant’s logo, we notice the nod to the vertical lines of the building. Then, in the name, we can notice a reminder of the half-moon windows. Every detail has been well thought out.
The restaurant has several parts:
We went there for dinner and breakfast the next day.
In the evening, the children devoured the Chef’s club sandwich and Lloyd burger with great enthusiasm. Special mention to the crispy fries, according to them.
My partner and I chose the shrimp satay and the yuzu mesclun salad for our appetizer. Then the truffled macaroni and the hazelnut crusted salmon. Everything was delicious and the service was impeccable.
I would have liked to give in to the temptation to eat the lemon pie, ginger confit and black pepper ganache, but I was really not hungry anymore. It was a real shame!
At Lloyd’s restaurant, I highly recommend the brioche French toast caramelized with maple syrup and pecans. It’s a recipe from Executive Chef Kevin Mougin’s grandmother and it’s simply decadent.
In the evening, the octopus plate is delicious.
In the past, this whole area of the floor housed the pool and gym. The pool was removed and replaced with a huge 4,700 square foot fitness room. Hours of fun!
The entire room is flooded with natural light. When we exercise, we have a view of the garden overlooking Canada Place.
There is also a unisex sauna, changing rooms, towels and dispensers for sparkling water, cold water or room temperature.
I even saw apunching bag. Perfect to let off steam in case your meeting didn’t go as planned, for example!
On the same floor as the fitness room, you can also access the terrace.
The esplanade can accommodate up to 175 guests, who can enjoy the panoramic view. Imagine the tables and chairs scattered here and there, close to the green walls.
Some 20 conference rooms are available for all kinds of events and meetings on various floors. Those on the upper floors offer an excellent view.
I really liked the shared bathrooms of the Montreal Marriott Château Champlain.
The mirrors’ shape is reminiscent of the windows in the building. But above all, the view is majestic.
With its convenient location, great service and recent renovations, staying at the Montreal Marriott Château Champlain was a real pleasure.
We can’t wait to go back and enjoy all the facilities, eat the lemon pie and visit the M Club!
Special thanks to Sabrina Brassard, Sales Manager and Laurent Inard, Marketing and Social Network Specialist, for making this trip possible.
Savings are here:
