Simplicity & Sophistication
Hotel St Paul
Photos by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine (Click to enlarge)
MONTREAL - Located in the heart of Old Montreal, Hotel St Paul is a convenient and fashionable place to stay. Award wining design, elegant atmosphere, fabulous location - Hotel St Paul has it all. Housed in a restored Beaux-Arts building from 1908, this four star hotel features 120 rooms alternating between two themes: earth and sky.
Staying at Hotel St Paul for three nights gave us an opportunity to not only feel the hotel's ambience and discover its impressive interior design, but also get familiar with high-end fashion boutiques and beauty salons in the neighbourhood. Visiting nearby Dermalogica (132 Rue McGill) and trying one of their signature facials was one of the highlights of our Montreal trip.
Lobby (Photo by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine)
Comfortable sitting area on the second floor
Hotel decor
Unexpected bright colours
A BIT OF HISTORY
"Originally designed in the imposing Beaux-Arts style, the building was converted into the district’s first boutique hotel and is now recognized as one of the city’s most distinguished landmark addresses.
Built in 1908 by Montreal architect Alexander C. Hutchinson, the Canadian Express Building housed the company of the same name. Ten stories high, this was one of the city’s first high-rises. Lion’s head gargoyles look over the front of the building, where a striking colonnade besieges the main doorway. Canadian Express was a branch of the fabled Grand Trunk Railway with neighboring offices. Perhaps as a precursor of Montreal’s modern-day underground city, a tunnel linked the two company buildings."
Built in 1908 by Montreal architect Alexander C. Hutchinson, the Canadian Express Building housed the company of the same name. Ten stories high, this was one of the city’s first high-rises. Lion’s head gargoyles look over the front of the building, where a striking colonnade besieges the main doorway. Canadian Express was a branch of the fabled Grand Trunk Railway with neighboring offices. Perhaps as a precursor of Montreal’s modern-day underground city, a tunnel linked the two company buildings."
Source: Hotel St Paul
Dining in Style
Hambar restaurant (Photo by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine)
Stylish lamps
Photo by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine
Opened in 2012, Hambar is the St Paul Hotel's chic new restaurant. Featuring unique interior design, excellent cuisine including a variety of speciality hams from Spain, Italy and France, and a wine list signed by sommelier Philippe Poitras, the restaurant is ideal for lunch, happy hours or casual dining with friends. A delicious brunch is served every weekend from 10.30 AM to 15.00 PM.
The ambience reminded us of New York's bustling SoHo district with a relaxed European flare. Interesting design elements such as modern lamps and long wooden tables create a chic but unpretentious environment. Highly recommended!
Welcome to my Room:
Superior room 1006 (Photos by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine)
Ultra comfortable bed with rich feather duvets and faux fur throws
Nuvo magazine (available at the hotel)
Evening service: chocolates + next-day weather forecast
Sunny morning at St Paul Hotel
Elegant wooden floors and sleek design
Work area - perfect for business visitors
Morning cup of coffee
Unique window shutters
Music!
Photos by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine
Hotel St Paul is a proud member of Design Hotels, an exclusive hotel network that represents and markets a curated selection of over 260 independent hotels in 50 countries across the globe. "Each property reflects the ideas of a visionary hotelier, an "Original," someone with a passion for genuine hospitality, cultural authenticity, thought-provoking design and architecture." (DH)
All guest rooms and suites at Hotel St Paul are elegantly furnished, combining modern custom-made furniture with 20th century treasures. The unexpected design elements that you can find throughout the hotel (see below) are a real feast for the eyes.
Room 1006 was compact but extremely comfortable. With useful amenities such as high speed internet access, Panasonic stereo system, an iron and a coffee maker, we had everything we needed. What we liked most about our room was simple and calm colour palette that allowed good rest after long hours at the Fashion & Design Festival. There was also a lot of natural light and impressive city view from the signature 10th floor.
Spacious bathroom - with a chic selection of toiletries, comfy bathrobes and bright lights - was as an excellent place to get ready for the fashion shows.
Design elements (Photos by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine)
During our stay in Montreal, we had a chance to conduct a short interview with Mr Carl Lantin, Director of Sales at Hotel St Paul. Here are the most interesting facts that we discovered about the hotel:
- There are two main design themes in the hotel: blue (sky and ice) and red floors (earth and fire)
- The hotel features strong wood materials combined with bright walls and high ceilings
- The most fashionable suite is the deluxe Black Suite located on the 10th floor. It has dark blue walls and contrasting white leather coach
- Hotel St Paul attracts both corporate and leisure customers
- Typical guest is between 35 and 45 years old and enjoys design, architecture, technology, fashion and fine restaurants
- 60% of guests come from North America, followed by France, Germany, and the UK
- Hotel St Paul was the first Design Hotel in Canada! And so far remains the only Canadian member of the prestigious Design Hotels association
- May to October is the busiest period for the hotel
Denis Gagnon boutique (170 Saint-Paul Street West)
Dermalogica Montreal (Photo by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine)
- Hambar restaurant has the best charcuterie plate, great wines that aren't available at the local LCBO, and unique interior design that was awarded in New York
- Main shopping spots and tailor-made designer boutiques are along Saint-Paul Street which is just around the corner. Downtown shopping and Sainte-Catherine Street is only 12 minutes away. Everything is within the walking distance and very accessible for the hotel guests.
- Other attractions of Old Montreal district: Bota Bota Spa (located on the boat, open year-long), Dermalogica (recommended place for a beauty treatment, just across the street), Notre-Dame Basilica (one of the biggest tourist attractions in the city), Old Port with its cruises, restaurants and daily attractions, Skating Rink open from November 29. All only a few blocks away.
- Main challenges of the Sales Director job: managing your time, prioritising your tasks, being aware of everything that happens in the city in order to secure new business opportunities, being everywhere at the same time... and the last one is obviously impossible :)
- Most important hotel features when travelling: 1. location 2. stylish and comfortable design; preferably a boutique hotel 3. the level of service, anticipating the needs of the guests
- Main highlights of living in Montreal: the diversity of restaurants, good transportation, the amount of festivals and events, multicultural diversity, clean streets, beautiful women, the essence of style and the unique character of various neighbourhoods.
What a great insight!
Fitness Room
Photo by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine
Having a gym in the hotel is one of our priorities when we travel. Hotel St Paul has a small workout room with basic fitness machines and free weights. It is open 24 hours per day and offers complimentary bottled water, fresh fruits and towels. That's all we need in order to stay fit while travelling.
Best Room Feature - Comfortable Bed
Photos by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine
Pleasant warm light
Photos by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine
WHAT WE LIKE
- Location, location, location!
- Impressive hotel exterior (beautifully lit at night)
- Elegant lobby
- Red corridors
- Inspiring interior design
- High ceilings
- Wooden floors
- Plenty of natural light
- Ultra comfortable bed with rich feather duvets and faux fur throws
- Delicious breakfast buffet
- Hambar restaurant
Eva Fydrych
Hotel decor (Photo by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine)
LOCATION
One of the best features of Hotel St Paul is its amazing location.
"The St Paul places the trendiest of Montreal at your doorstep. Located in fashionable Old Montreal, the guest lives amidst the old city’s joie-de-vivre and urban views. It is a stone's throw from the Old Port, and a brief walk from the bustle of downtown Montreal’s shopping and business centres easily accessible from McGill Street."
Source: Hotel St Paul
Photo courtesy of travelpod.com (Click to enlarge)
355 Rue McGill
Montréal, QC, H2Y 2E8
Canada
T: 514 380 2222
F: 514 380 2200
"Top 25 trendiest hotels in Canada" – 2012 / TripAdvisor
_____________________________________________________________________
*Special thank you to Mr Carl Lantin and Hotel St Paul for hosting Fashion Studio Magazine in August 2014.
Wonderful place, love the decor!
ReplyDeletehave fun :)