We visit Montreal often thanks to having family there and love its juxtaposition of modern city and historic old town. During the summer, the city is abuzz with festivals such as Les Francofolies, Grand Prix and the Jazz Festival. No matter the season, Montreal is a great family destination full of culture, history, art, and delicious food. I (Bertaut) took advantage of a long weekend to experience The Leading Hotels of the World’s most recent addition in Montreal Quebec: Le Mount Stephen Hotel. This gorgeous high-end boutique hotel located in downtown Montreal has an interesting historical background.
Formerly the residence of ultra-wealthy railroad pioneer Lord George Stephen, the Victorian mansion built in 1880 was converted into the prestigious Mount Stephen Club in 1927. Classified as a national historic site of Canada since 1975, the opulent mansion has been restored to its original splendor. Le Mount Stephen Hotel opened to the public on May 1st 2017, right in time for Montreal’s 375th anniversary. As one of only 3 Leading Hotels of the World in Canada, Le Mount Stephen is one of the best boutique hotels Montreal has to offer. Check out my review of this unique luxury hotel that seamlessly combines historic opulence with modern elegance.
**Our WTA score represents our own views based on our personal experience with the entity being reviewed.
Le Mount Stephen Hotel Royal Suite Review
1440 Drummond, Montréal (Québec) H3G 1V9 Canada. – Spherical Image – Le Mount Stephen Hotel Royal Suite
Page Contents
Overview of Le Mount Stephen Hotel in Montreal
Le Mount Stephen Hotel is a sprawling luxury boutique hotel in the heart of Montreal’s Golden Square Mile. It is located at 1440 Drummond, Montréal (Québec) H3G 1V9 Canada. The hotel features 69 rooms, 4 Sky-loft suites, 16 suites and a massive 5000 sq. ft Royal Suite. Thanks to its central location, it is one of the 5 star hotels in Montreal that is convenient for those wishing to explore both new and Old Montreal. It is also within walking distance to shops on the highly popular La Rue Sainte Catherine.
The original Stephen Mansion, which is the entry point of Le Mount Stephen Hotel, has a grand exterior of Italian Renaissance architecture built from intricately carved grey limestone. The magnificent exterior is equally matched with its opulent interior consisting of mahogany wood, fireplaces of onyx, marble and hand-painted tiles, 22-karat gold fixtures, ancient stained glass, and an elegant central stairway. The foyer is stunning with classic decor that made me feel like I was part of the show Downtown Abbey. The elegant ambience which takes you back in time makes this one of the most romantic hotels in Montreal.
The swanky Bar George is the place to be during Happy Hour. It is located directly to the left of the Mount Stephen house, past the giant fireplace and opposite the hotel reception area. The restaurant features Scottish and British dishes due to the Scottish ancentry of Lord Stephen, along with tasty cocktails. The bar is a great hangout place and was full during my visit.
Warm Welcome At Le Mount Stephen Hotel
Upon arriving at Le Mount Stephen Hotel, I was approached by the nicely dressed and friendly David. He welcomed me to Le Mount Stephen Hotel and offered to take care of my luggage and escort me to the reception area. David noted my interest in the mansion’s architecture and gave me a brief rundown of its history. Lord Stephen was the President of the Bank of Montreal in 1876 and the first President of the Canadian Pacific Railway. During its time as a gentleman’s private business club, the mansion hosted dignitaries including Princess Margaret and Pierre Trudeau. I can only imagine the kind of extravagant parties hosted in this place back in the day!
Le Mount Stephen reception area is located in the modern addition to the historic building, which is a contemporary tower that is nicely integrated with the Stephen house. The hotel embraces both the past and the present with the combination of the historic mansion and modern addition. I was greeted by Roy and his friendly team at the reception desk for check-in. During check-in I was provided additional information about the hotel, amenities and benefits for Leading Hotels of the World members including complementary breakfast.
Off of the reception desk, there is a sitting area for guests to lounge and enjoy refreshments while listening to piano. I found the reception area inviting and elegant with nice touches like fresh orchids.
Le Mount Stephen Hotel Royal Suite
While I did not stay in the Royal Suite, hotel management was kind enough to let me take a tour before escorting me to my Standard King room. At a staggering 5000 sq. ft, Le Mount Stephen Royal Suite is one of the biggest suites I’ve seen to date. With three tastefully decorated bedrooms, two balcony terraces with views of the Montreal skyline, two living rooms, a dining room and kitchen, the Royal Suite hits all the high marks in terms of luxury. Not suprisingly, it doesn’t come cheap. The price isn’t even listed on the LHW website and instead asks members to call for pricing information, so you know it’s high.
The Royal Suite bathrooms are modern and spacious with Cura Aquademy rain forest shower head and chroma lighting therapy. The lighting therapy was an interesting addition and one we haven’t seen in most luxury hotels bathrooms.
The Royal Suite is located on the top floor of the comtemporary tower with slanted atrium windows with panoramic views of Montreal. The suite made excellent use of the space and unique architecture. The flow, design and contemporary touches made the suite inviting, modern and luxurious. I could have invited all the guests in the hotel for a massive party! 😉
The Royal Suite features an extensive list of amenities: 2 private terraces, Nespresso machine, IPTV flat screen/Smart share TV displays, Toto multifunctional toilets, touch panel Creston automated climate, lighting and curtain control and other luxury amenities.
Bar George
Bar George is the main restaurant in the hotel. Set on the main level of the Lord Stephen mansion, it is the happening place especially around Happy hour when crowds come in. Bar George serves Scottish and British food to honor Lord Stephen’s heritage. Breakfast was also served at Bar George. I appreciated the rich decor of mahogany walls, leather bar chairs, and beautiful bar. Bar George seems like the perfect place to unwind with a cocktail at the end of a day of sightseeing.
Le Mount Stephen Mansion
Le Mount Stephen is part of the Canadian National Heritage, with the mansion rooms classically decorated to their original time period. During the tour, I was told that significant parts of Canada’s history took place in some of the rooms at Le Mount Stephen Hotel. A lot of attention and millions of dollars have been invested into meticulously renovating this gem.
Le Mount Stephen Conference Room
There are ample meeting, conference and event spaces at Le Mount Stephen for those traveling for business or planning a celebration. The event venues range from an intimate boardroom for 10 people to a spacious ballroom fitting 180 people.
MbioSpa Prestige
Le Mount Stephen Mbiospa Prestige offers an extensive list of relaxing treatments including facials, massages, Reiki, waxing, aromatherapy, hot stone treatments, scrubs and wraps. I didn’t get to experience the Spa but pricing seemed on par with what one would expect at a 5-star luxury hotel in Montreal.
Fitness Room
Guests can exercise at Le Mount Stephen’s Fitness room. I skipped my morning workout since I’d be walking a lot around the city, but appreciated the selection. The fitness room was equipped with a variety of cardio and strength equipment and free weights.
Conclusion of Le Mount Stephen Hotel Review
As the newest Leading Hotels of The World property in Montreal, Le Mount Stephen Hotel hits all the marks for luxury, comfort, and outstanding service. From the moment I set foot on the hotel to the moment I left, the friendly staff provided the kind of exceptional service one would expect at one of the best hotels in Montreal. I appreciated the blend of modern luxury and rich history in this architectural gem. My main critique of the hotel is the lack of pool, which we’ve found is common in historic properties in big cities. Overall, I had a fantastic stay and think Le Mount Stephen is one of the best places to stay in Montreal for those seeking refined luxury in an exquisite historic mansion.
If you liked this post, please share it and pin it for later. Check out more of our reviews of other top Leading Hotels of the World, including Le Sirenuse on the Amalfi Coast, where we stayed for free in a $1,900/night suite using a LHW reward night, and the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria in Sorrento. You may also want to check out our thoughts about the changes to the Leading Hotels of the World program.
** Disclosure- We were invited guests of Le Mount Stephen Hotel, but as always all opinions are our own.
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