Montreal and I have what Facebook might refer to as a complicated relationship.
Born and bred in The City of Saints (or Sin City, depending on who you ask) with the OG area code — 514 — to prove it, MTL and I have what’s commonly known as history (or herstory, depending on who you ask).
Now that “I don’t live there anymore” though, “I couldn’t help but wonder” how I would feel about the city when I visited it for the first time in a long time.
The answer is, thanks to the HONEYROSE Hotel, just like honey.
A Tribute Portfolio hotel that blends art deco elegance that’s inspired by The Great Gatsby (and skillfully executed by Atelier Zébulon Perron‘s design of the lobby, restaurant and café, Provencher_Roy’s sumptuously crafted rooms, suites and event areas plus contemporary art by set designer Juliette Sarrazin and paintings by Montreal artist Roxy Peroxyde), the HONEYROSE Hotel allowed me to see my hometown through more than fresh eyes; it helped me see it through rose-coloured glasses.
With a boutique on the ground floor stocked with local goodies and Montreal’s eternal rose shop, MFleurs, on the second storey, the hotel, which is the latest addition to Marriott Bonvoy’s Tribute Portfolio collection and the brand’s first foray into the city, is as good a spokesperson for the city as the hotel’s delightful marketing director.
“The team showcases local products so guests can have access to the very best that Montreal has to offer, which includes everything from décor items and jewellery to honey made by the bees in the bee hives on the roof of the hotel,” she says, “which is a sweet touch.”
The hotel scent, which has bergamot, citrus and ginger notes, is available as an oil and room spray at the boutique while the coffee, which is supplied by the Brûlerie aux quatre vents, a local roaster with a stand in the Marché Jean-Talon, is served at the COMMODORE Café.
It’s also available for purchase in package format.
The COMMODORE Café, which is renowned for having the best latte in town, has a variety of teas, healthy juices plus lunch options too.
As for the vintage-inspired COMMODORE Restaurant that’s located on the ground floor, alongside the Café, it serves a French bistro-style menu crafted with local and seasonal products plus gluten-free and vegan options as well as an extensive wine and cocktail list (not to mention the absolutely gorgeous bar).
In addition to breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks, it also serves brunch on Saturdays and Sundays.
“The oeuf parfait en cocotte, soupe à l’oignon, grilled sirloin steak Angus AAA, roasted duck breast and knife-cut veal tartare are some of the restaurant’s most popular menu items, as is the fish of the day, which uses a touch of lime and garlic popcorn to create a unique dish,” says the HONEYROSE’s marketing director.
“As for drinks, Orchestra is one of our most popular mocktails and the Orient Express is our most popular cocktail.”
I had the pleasure of savouring the best Espresso martini in my room before heading out for the evening, and it was, like the hotel itself, absolutely unforgettable.
Muze Lounge & Terrasse, the HONEYROSE’s other dining option with a popular outdoor terrasse in the Quartier des Spectacles that’s open rain or shine, except during the winter, is inspired by the Mediterranean, food-wise, with a diverse cocktail menu and DJ nights.
The only downtown boutique hotel with an indoor pool, hot tub, gym and Essentrics studio, the HONEYROSE Hotel also has a sauna with a view of the city that is, after all is said and done, just like honey; history (or herstory) and all.
“All the banquet venues on the third floor are named after women such as the Coco room, for Coco Chanel, the Josephine (Baker) room, Kiki (de Montparnasse) room and the Eleanor (Roosevelt) room,” the marketing director says.
“All these women are very important and it’s part of the storytelling of the hotel; empowering women.”
Finally, for those guests who are more about the future than the past, the most popular spot for selfies and such are in the bathrooms on the third and fifth floors, according to the marketing director.
“There are guests who check in late because of the amount of time they spend taking selfies in the bathrooms,” she says with a laugh.
“The area in the lobby, where the chandelier is, is the second most photographed spot and the staircase is the third; those are the most popular spots that I see on Instagram and other social media.”
