Hotel Travelodge Montreal Centre

A multi-story brick exterior leads to a modern lobby, with high ceilings and tan floors throughout. The brushed metal front desk contrasts brick walls, and oversized decorative woven baskets add an artful, contemporary touch to the space. The bright breakfast room has floor-to-ceiling windows, dark-wood chairs, and red carpeting, with colorful modern art on the walls, though it feels a bit like a cafeteria. The hotel draws a wide swath of travelers, from tourists to business travelers, though expectations have to be managed here -- this is a two-pearl hotel through and through and it's suited to guests who don't spend tons of time hanging out on site.

Located in downtown Montreal, several major sights are within walking distance of this hotel. Chinatown starts right around the corner and is lined with shops and restaurants, while Old Montreal will take about 15 minutes to reach on foot. Three metro stations -- Place des Armes, St. Laurent, and Place des Arts -- are within a five-minute walk, and trips to the trendy Plateau area or Mile End will take 15 to 20 minutes. The city's arts district, the Quartier des Spectacles, which is home to museums and theaters (including Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier theater), is one block away. The Montreal Convention Center and Notre Dame Basilica are within a 10-minute walk, as are Eaton Centre and Complex Desjardins. McGill University and Old Port are a 15-minute walk from the hotel, while the Bell Centre is a five-minute drive. Montreal Pierre-Elliott Trudeau International Airport is 20-minutes away by car, depending on traffic.

Small, clean rooms are covered in gray, from the walls to the pillows to the carpeting, though Junior Suites are decked in slightly warmer tones. Generic abstract artwork on the walls adds color to otherwise bland rooms, and light wood veneer furniture -- like desks and nightstands -- brighten up the spaces. Beds are very firm and not the most comfortable, and the arrangement in some of the rooms makes navigating them particularly challenging, given their size (like the limited space between the drawers and the bed in the Corner Room we visited). Each room includes coffeemakers, flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and free newspapers, and a few rooms have kitchenettes that include microwaves, stovetops, mini-fridges, and toasters. A few rooms have brown couches or love seats, while others have bunk beds and can sleep up to four. Tiny, contemporary gray-and-white tiled bathrooms have white pedestal sinks and toiletries, and while several have bathtub/shower combos, many just have stand-up showers with sliding glass doors. 

Cereal, juice, pastries, bagels, oatmeal, and fruit are part of the free continental breakfast, though guests don't rate it very highly and the breakfast room has feels like a cafeteria. A computer is available in the business center for guests' use, and there is a gift shop that sells clothing, sundries, and drinks. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property, and the hotel allows pets with advance notice and a fee -- guests are allowed two pets per room, and they can't weigh more than 50 pounds each. Limited on-site garage parking comes with a daily fee. Free newspapers and coffee are available in the lobby and the front desk is staffed 24 hours a day.