We just returned from a fabulous vacation in Montreal, thanks to Albert, the owner of the Le Relais Lyonnais. This is a small, boutique hotel perfectly located in a "happening" part of town known as the Latin Quarter. The decor is contemporary, the rooms are immaculate, the value is excellent, and the service is incredible. Our room was a bit petite which will prompt us to consider upgrading to a suite when we visit again.

Upon arrival, Albert basically planned our trip in Montreal --- activities, restaurants, etc., and it could not have been better. He is a happy, caring, generous gentleman who goes the extra mile time and time again. Our favorite evening was U23D at the IMAX theater, followed by dinner in a swanky, night-club type restaurant called Resto L'Appartement. But every day and evening was filled with activities including fine food, museums, shopping, and even an exhilirating speedboat trip on the Lachine Rapids.

One afternoon my husband asked Albert where he could buy some cheese, so that we could have wine and cheese in our room. Albert went into the kitchen, prepared a beautiful cheese plate for us, and refused to let us pay for it. We felt like guests in his home! As we were leaving for the airport, Albert handed us a bag of croissants from his restaurant to have at the airport. We adored and appreciated Albert so much that we gave him a gift before we left. It's hard to imagine how our trip to Montreal would have turned out without his guidance, and his beautiful city made a lasting impression upon us. We look forward to returning to Montreal and staying at Le Relais Lyonnais once more.

Just back from two nights at the Relais Lyonnais. Unassuming location toward the low end of St. Denis, but right in the thick of things.

Our two room suite was BEAUTIFUL. Great privacy for a family with a 21 year old. Marvelous "rainshower". Even had a terasse at the back! The staff/patron was very accomodating and solicitous of our welfare.

Great little cafe downstairs affiliated with the hotel. Breakfast crepes, etc. and first-class pastries all day.

I agree, I have never felt so compelled to write a review, and without trip advisor we never would have found such a gem. Fantastic location (lively Latin Quarter, short walk to Vieux Montreal, close to Metro), lovely modern room, great breakfast downstairs, and the owner Albert was so incredibly helpful and charming. Will not even consider staying anywhere else in Montreal!

We stayed on the 2nd floor (201) which is an over-sized room thanks to an extended sitting room that includes a couch (which converts into a bed), a coffee table and a very cool lamp. The room overlooks St. Denis directly in front of a movie theater. It is beautifully decorated with contemporary appointments, including but not limited to modern fixtures, a flat screen LCD, a very hip espresso maker, and a shower the likes of which you'll seldom see elsewhere. There is a balcony, but it's inaccessible without serious effort and perhaps not intended for use.

We booked our stay to include breakfast - take note that this was no ordinary breakfast in the "continental" mode but one served in the restaurant just below the hotel. It happens to also bear the similarities of the hotel's name, and owned/operated by the same proprietors. The restaurant is excellent for any meal, and breakfast is no exception. Wonderful eggs and crepes, amazing juices, fresh fruit and yes, amazing pastries. The portions are fair and the service excellent. This added benefit proved a truly a fantastic place to start your day. Contributing mainly to the appeal of this hotel is Albert, the owner. He is an incredible bilingual help in terms of recommendations, general advice and overall assistance. He *made* our trip to Montreal. My wife had a minor medical issue for which he helped facilitate a doctor's house call. He is charming morning and night, and treats his guests like family members staying at his own home. No reasonable request will be denied, and he is won't nickel and dime you for incidental benefits, like complimentary bottled water, Internet access, etc. The evening attendant is also a very nice man (Stephan) and helpful in English or French.

As for my personal view on how to make your potential stay more enjoyable:

1) Don't hesitate to engage Albert for any of your traveling needs. He is a lovely person and won't steer you wrong for restaurants, site seeing, or passing time. If possible, refrain from dealing with Albert's partner Jose - he isn't exactly polished in quite the way Albert is - they clearly did not attend the same client-relation classes. My belief is that Jose is more on the restaurant-business side of things, better suited and accustomed to dealing with croissant inventory than he is for example procuring a foam mattress for bed-sensitive-sleepers.

2) If you are the least bit distracted by downtown street noise, stay away from any of the rooms that face St. Denis. Keep in mind, there is a price to pay for staying on such a vibrant street which includes homeless beggars that can annoy you bilingually!

3) Arrive earlier than say, night fall. This will ensure that a) you have Albert receive you, and b) you actually find the hotel. The hotel door is alway locked. When you buzz-in, you're actually buzzing the restaurant downstairs for someone to come up. This may seem strange at first, but it's no big deal and good for security. Once you check-in, your room key will also serve as the hotel door key.

This is a small hotel - it is a building that was converted, so it is small. The lobby won't 'shock and awe' you so don't feel weird when you arrive - your room will more than make-up for it!

In conclusion, the best aspects of the hotel: The room, the shower - did I mention that already? I did. I'll mention it again!...

Albert and the breakfasts! The only "gotchas" I would warn about are a) street noise, but then again, you wanna stay in the middle of things, then you already know that; and b) the couch in the over-sized rooms that convert into beds are of the bare-minimum variety in terms of comfort. If there are 3 of you to a room, make sure the 3rd wheel sleeps easy. On a side note, my mother was the 3rd wheel in our case and had a terrible night's sleep on the very thin couch mattress - Albert stepped in immediately and gave her a complimentary room of her own because of a booking opening for one of the nights. Just another example of Albert's action-oriented customer service philosophy.