Montreal Winter Festivals

We recently returned from a fall trip to Montreal.

Why visit Montreal?  Montreal is a city of festivals – anytime of year! With the winter months fast approaching, several upcoming festivals warrant a trip to Montreal.

Fêtes des Neiges –January 15 to February 15 for family fun!

Igloofest  – January 16 to February 8 with dancing in the open air at the Quays of Old Town Montreal on a cold winter evening;

Snow Village – January 17 to March 23, where every year they make a replica of a city (last year it was NYC)

Montreal en Luminere – February 20 to March 2, one of the world’s largest outdoor culinary & lighting winter festivals.

Just be sure to pack those warm winter coats and boots, though expect the crowds to keep you warm!

We stayed at the Ritz Carlton Montreal, located in the Golden Squared Mile on Sherbrooke Avenue near Montreal’s high-end boutiques, galleries, and museums.  It has been the most elegant address in the city since its opening on New Year’s Eve in 1912.  It is the first Ritz Carlton Hotel in the world!  After undergoing an extensive $200 million restoration to preserve the historic Grand Dame of Montreal, the hotel reopened in October 2012.  The building’s façade was preserved and restored, public spaces were renovated and enhanced, and rooms were redesigned with the utmost luxury and comfort in mind.  Careful attention was paid to ensure the character and charm of the iconic hotel were preserved.

The hotel has 98 guest rooms and 31 suites, and the Royal Suite, at 4700sf, is the most extensive suite in Montreal.

We stayed in a spacious Junior Suite, 630 sf with an open sitting area, working desk with dataport & wifi.  The lead-in room is a Deluxe King room at 393 sf, followed by the Signature King or 2 Queen at 512 sf, and then the suite categories.  The guest rooms feature high-tech amenities such as motion sensors that activate lights to guide guests in darkened rooms and a fabulous modern bathroom to die for, each with a deep lounging tub and separate shower with the floor tiled with the Ritz Carlton’s lion head mascot in cream & beige Italian tiles.  The best was the toilet/bidet with a heated seat – a bit of a learning curve there, but once I got the hang of it, it was a treat!

I especially loved the rooftop saltwater pool with stunning views of Montreal from inside or on the terrace.  It is heated with reclaimed energy from the hotel’s kitchen.