© 2009 Dead Sexy Magazine. All Rights Reserved.
Ooh la la...Montréal!
Writer Rick T.
Photographer Sergei Yahchybekov
It’s Fall. Where to visit? Well? Montreal is our pick for October. Really? Yes, we love this town this time of year. Why?
Montreal doesn’t really need a PR Department (although it does have one); it really just sells itself, we think. To start there is so much history here, you can feel it – it’s that frequently volatile mix of Anglo/French. Yes it’s a cliché to say, but it’s true. Then you have the locals, really different, more laidback, relaxed, sexy, and bilingual (which of course is really dead sexy!)
Whether it’s for a day, weekend or week, the largest city in Quebec is a must visit in the fall in our books. The best especially since all the tourists have gone home and the festival crowds have disappeared!
Well-travelled Torontonians are pretty familiar with this French-flavoured metropolis, where the locals are no-nonsense, yet the pace is slower, the cuisine local and nightlife legendary. Sure, there are more strip clubs than you can shake a stick at, yet charms of Montreal forever hold sway unlike any other in our beautiful country.
Without further adieu, we present the Dead Sexy Guide to this sexy city filled with the latest hotspots we have enjoyed (thoroughly).
GETTING THERE
VIA RAIL
For minimal fuss we took the VIA Train from Toronto to Montreal’s Downtown Train Station. The 5pm express is the fastest (under 5 hours) and easiest way to travel downtown to downtown. VIA does offer connections from other Ontario cities.
AIR CANADA
A secondary hub of our largest airline, Montreal’s Pierre Elliott International Airport offers connections to Toronto (hourly) and all other major Canadian, US and European cities.
Other flight options include WESTJET and PORTER AIRLINES.
GETTING AROUND
Only half crazed individuals would drive or rent a car in downtown. Montrealers are renowned for their aggressive driving style. We suggest you save yourself the stress and use the ultra modern Subway system. When above ground, the affordable taxi’s are the answer (all drivers do speak and/or understand English). Our favourite of course is just to walk, walk and walk to discover this city.
Useful links:
Click images for larger view
Let Petit Hotel Lobby
WHERE TO STAY
Le Petit Hotel Montreal
The newest boutique hotel in Old Montreal (open only since July), Le Petit is quickly making its name as the “it” place to stay with all design-obsessed travellers. We love that the rooms and public spaces are tricked out with authentic mid-century classic pieces which show true attention to detail. Le Petit Hotel goes the extra mile to cater to their hip urban clientele by selecting staff that have insider info on such interests as the underground music and art scene. Manager Patrick Huynh runs a tight ship that is guaranteed to make your stay one to remember. Psst…Patrick moonlights as a DJ producer.
Opus Hotel
Brother of the Vancouver original, this beautiful combination of old and new buildings is the perfect location to stay if your interest is in shopping, lounging and clubbing in the Plateau and Mile End. The rooms are sleek, yet well-appointed. Did we mention the beds are supremely comfortable? A particular pleasure for night owls is the onsite Koko restaurant and bar which puts you right in the heat of the action (without having to leave your hotel). Try the Opus Opulence Martini if you enjoy dessert-like cocktails.
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Opus Hotel Lobby
