Gite du Plateau Mont-Royal

Almost a century ago, the Gite du Plateau Mont-Royal’s building – a Victorian townhouse built in 1885 – was a guesthouse that hosted Prohibition-era Americans flocking to Montreal for its wild nightlife and racy red-light scene. Although its guest list has cleaned up since – when we visited one of the dorms was occupied by German choristers visiting Montreal to perform at the Notre-Dame Basilica – owner Carl Gagne is proud of his property’s history and has clearly gone to great lengths to showcase it. He renovated the building himself – and continues to maintain and improve it – while preserving architectural accents like solid wood molding, cherry wood floors, and embossed cast-iron radiators, which are still the building’s sole source of heat. The exterior is a classic example of the Montreal Victorian architecture often seen on Plateau postcards, with its gray limestone facade and oeil-de-boeuf windows nestled in a Second Empire mansard roof. Carl has plenty of insights about the building’s history and the curious artifacts in the common areas, like antique wooden skis, snowshoes made by a First Nations tribe, and his uncle’s moose antler trophy, which are all fun nods to local Canadiana culture. 

The Gite du Plateau Mont-Royal is located on bustling Sherbrooke Street, the thoroughfare that defines the southern limit of the Plateau Mont-Royal neighborhood. This part of town is known for world-class restaurants offering cuisines as diverse as Montreal’s population. The closest metro station, Sherbrooke (Line 2), is six minutes away on foot. Though great for dining and boutique shopping, this area doesn’t offer much in the way of historic sights or museums. However, Old Montreal, the Old Port, and the Notre-Dame Basilica are all 25 minutes away by public transit, while the Contemporary Arts Museum (MAC), Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, and Quartier des Spectacles are all 10 to 15 minutes away by public transit. The Bell Centre, Biodome, and Botanical Gardens can all be reached in 20 to 25 minutes by public transit. Plan on 40 minutes to an hour to reach Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport via public transit, depending on traffic.

Of the 26 rooms, six are dorms, eight are private rooms with en-suite bathrooms, and the rest are private rooms with shared bathrooms. Each is decorated in a haphazard mash-up of Salvation Army finds, including kitschy cupid globe lamps, solid wood student desks, and Matador paintings. Though floral bedding and furniture like formica dressers are outdated, pistachio green walls, exposed brick walls, hardwood floors, and the odd stained glass door all lend them a touch of pep. Keep in mind that there are no TVs, safes, or air-conditioning in rooms, though free Wi-Fi is available throughout. All rooms include bed linens, but only private rooms come with towels (dorm guests can rent towels at reception). Most rooms have power outlets and lamps next to beds. En-suite bathrooms are basic, yet clean, with stall showers, pedestal sinks, hairdryers, and shampoo/bodywash dispensers. The shared bathrooms showed signs of wear when we visited, including peeling paint. Additionally, the common bathtub looked like it could use a thorough scrub.

Features are fairly numerous at this otherwise simple property. The ground-floor lobby area has a PC and printer where guests can print travel tickets for free. There's also a game room, self-service laundry, and a bright seating area with couches and armchairs plus a flat-screen TV. A generous free breakfast of homemade pancakes, real maple syrup sourced from a local erablière (maple farm), toast, and yogurt is served every morning. The fully equipped kitchen offers all-day coffee and tea for free, and can be used by guests. Guests can pick herbs and vegetables, or use the barbecue, on the lovely rooftop terrace as well. This terrace also hosts the hostel’s weekly barbecue dinners, which are offered during the summer. The hostel organizes events to help guests discover the vibrant Plateau Mont-Royal area, like beer tastings at local microbreweries, happy hours, and walking tours followed by dinner at local eateries. Festival-goers benefit from discounts at the Fantasia, Nouveau Cinema, and Montreal International Documentary film festivals as well as at the Pop Montreal music festival. The front desk sells items including locks, umbrellas, adaptors, and alarm clocks. There's no on-site parking, but hostel staff can suggest nearby lots. Book swaps or loans are encouraged at the hostel’s small library. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the building.