Friday, December 21, 2012

Golden Re-Birth

This 299-room hotel on Montreal's Golden Square mile enjoyed a former life as a Four Seasons and was rather overdue for major renovations. $20-million later the Omni Mont-Royal has unveiled completely refurbished guestrooms, meeting space, and wonderful new lobby bar, Alice.



To me the decor has a slightly retro feel, like a 1960's Mad Men set, but of course with current luxury-hotel must-haves such as Italian marble bathrooms, 42-inch LCD flat screen TVs, and fully-equipped fitness centre.

I had always thought - mistakenly! - the Golden Square Mile was some kind of marketing construct, not unlike Chicago's shopping mecca, the Magnificent Mile.  Not true!  Located at the base of Mount Royal, the neighbourhood dates back to the 1930's.  Today its residents include The Ritz-Carlton Montreal, the Sofitel, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, chic boutiques, art galleries, and the bars and restaurants of famous Crescent Street.