L'Appartement Hotel

L'Appartement Hotel doesn't make much of an impact in terms of looks. The lobby is small and dark, with low ceilings and wood paneling, large mirrors, and white-tile floors. Several sofas and chairs offer seating, and a vintage sketch of Montreal takes up the wall behind the registration desk. Looks aside, most guests are drawn to this properties budget-friendly rates, residence-style suites, and relative quiet for a downtown hotel. It's a winning combination that attracts a diverse mix of travelers. Even though guests have their own kitchens, many gather in the large breakfast room for the free breakfast. The rooftop pool and terrace are popular gathering places where guests mingle, too. 

This hotel is located on busy Rue Sherbrooke just north of the central business district, near McGill University (a seven-minute walk away). Place des Arts and its subway station are a five-minute walk from the hotel, and several restaurants and a grocery store are also within a five-minute walk. The immediate area also has several other hotels and hostels. It’s a 10-minute walk to the Place Ville Marie shopping mall in the heart of Montreal, and 14 minutes by public transportation to Old Montreal, Gay Village, and the University of Quebec at Montreal. The Quartier des Spectacles entertainment district is a 15-minute walk away. Trudeau Airport is a 35-minute drive, or about one hour away via public transportation.

The decor in these Studio, One-, and Two-Bedroom Suites, while not unpleasant, is somewhat bland and dated. The 126 units have beige wallpaper, grayish-brown carpeting, and light-blue upholstered furniture. IKEA-style wood pieces in a light finish make up the bulk of the furniture, including large, modular desks, and the striped bedspreads and printed upholstery feels tired and faded. Units are well equipped with full fridges, stoves, sinks, microwaves, and utensils -- but no dishwashers. The suites are spacious, and come in Studio, One-, and Two-Bedroom options, with queens or two double beds in the bedrooms. One- and Two-Bedroom Suites also have double sleeper sofas in their separate living rooms, as well as flat-screen TVs in both the living rooms and bedrooms. Free Wi-Fi and daily housekeeping are standard. Bathrooms are a bit on the small side, with pedestal sinks, white-and-beige tiling, and shower/tub combos. Small, wall-mounted glass and steel racks provide the only storage space here. All suites have small private balconies that provide views of Mont Royal or the busy street below. The suites are generally quiet, but those on lower floors tend to pick up ambient traffic noise. 

Residence-style properties can skimp when it comes to on-site features, but this one offers more amenities than most, such as a free continental breakfast. And while there's no full restaurant or bar, the hotel has a free grocery-shopping service (helpful to stock those kitchens), and vending machines are on-site for snacks. But perhaps the biggest highlight is the heated and spacious indoor pool, unusual not just for this style of property but also for its pearl rating. Located on the rooftop, it has excellent views of downtown Montreal, as does its neighboring terrace. A sauna room and fitness center with cardio and weight-training equipment is on-site too. Business travelers can use the hotel's small meeting room, and a business center has a computer and printer are available as well. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. Other perks include a guest laundry room, valet dry cleaning and laundry, a safe deposit box, and free newspapers. Limited parking is available in an underground garage, with a free charging station for electric vehicles.