Six Nice Hotels in Gay Montreal

[Karl-G]

I just returned from an enjoyable five days in Montreal, and checked out the hotel scene. Gay Montreal is centered on "The Village," which is the stretch of Rue Ste Catherine from St. Hubert St in the west to Dorion St. in the east, a distance of about ten blocks, easily walkable, lighted and safe, in about 12 minutes. The street is lined with fast-food shops, excellent ethnic restaurants (Thai, French, Italian, Japanese, Vietnamese, vegetarian), discount book stores, and many bars are all along and they remove their front windows in good weather and are open to the street. It's a wonderful place, 100% gay, and all ages. Teenaged boys walk hand in hand, punker boys with pink hair and green hair and leather walk hand in hand, young professionals in their late 20s walk hand in hand, and partners (I assume) of many years, stroll the street.

 

There are six good hotels at the east end of Ste Catherine, so you can easily walk to everything at night and not need a car, taxi, or other transportation.

 

Top - Hotel des Gouverneurs, corner of St. Catherine and St. Hubert. 1-888-910-1111. 30 story modern very nice. $99 US single and $125 US double. Great place.

 

Hotel Lord Berri (about two blocks away on Rue de Berri). Modern, 8 story. 1-888-363-0363. Single $50 US. Double $75 US

 

Taj Mahal. 1600 rue St. Hubert (across from Gouverneurs). Newer, 6 story, convenient. Singles $75 CD (=$45 US) and doubles $99 CD (=$70 US). Complimentary breaskfast. 1-800-613-3383

 

Hotel St. Andre. 1285 rue Saint-Andre, half a block south of Ste Catherine on St Andre. Older, European, very nice, clean, quiet hotel. Single $45 US and double $65. Complimentary breakfast in room. 1-800-265-7071. This is right across the street from Stock Bar, one of best stripper bars.

 

Manoir des Alpes. 50 ft south of St. Andre (above). 1-800-465-2929. European/Swiss style older hotel with pleasant breakfast room. Singles are small, but doubles are very nice. Single $47 and double $65.

 

Auberge des Glycines, 819 Maisonneuve, around corner from Gouverneurs. 1-800-361-6896 Single $75 CD (=$45 US) and double $99 CD (=$70 US). I only saw the lobby and breakfast room, but they look very nice, the outside looks very nice, and it has a great location.

 

For entertainment, there are four male stripper bars along the street. St. C and St. Andre - Stock, one of the best this week. Have 15 dancers each night, pleasant seating and lighting, good sized stage. The dancers are in mid 20s and have nicely built bodies up to power builders; these are not kids. They all seemed pleasant. First they dance one song with clothes on, taking shirt off, fast music. Then somebody does a slow dance nude. Then another guy fast. Then first guy comes back and dances slow dance totally nude. Constant alternation all night and always someone on stage. Afterwards they walk around in their briefs and chat with customers. Three side rooms for lap dances.

 

Three blocks west, on St C is Campus, very large room on second floor. Big bodies, muscular, and most have attitude, it seems to me. Side room for lap dances. Two shifts of dancers, younger and smaller bodies go from 3-8, and then the bigger guys take over and go 8-2.

 

Four more blocks east is Adonis, featuring younger guys with more natural bodies. Most of the crowd here is local and the dancers know them and everyone seems to have a good time. But if you like younger, smoother, Taboo is much better.

 

Two more blocks east, and one block north, at Dorion and Maisonneauve is Taboo, with 19-25 dancers every night from 7-2 or 3. Dancers are 18-26, but emphasis is definitely on youth - very smooth, natural to somewhat muscular bodies. They perform in groups of 3; first each does a fast number clothed, taking off shirt. Then each does slow number nude. Here, they really all dance and perform and they work at it. Seating is comfortable at tables all around the long runway stage; lighting is almost bright; crowd is pleasant, amiable; I always meet new and interesting guys.

 

At all bars, for lap dances, OFFICIAL RULE is $6 per song and no touching - signs are posted. Customer sits on bench or couch, dancer has small platform immediately in front, strips to nude, and moves around for duration, undulating so his butt etc. come within a 1/4 inch of customer's nose. Interesting, but. UNOFFICIAL - UNWRITTEN and nobody will tell you staight out. $10 per song gets you more, at discretion of dancer; always discuss it ahead of time. Drinks are reasonable at all bars, $3-4 for beer or cola, no cover or admission. You can't do better than that for an evening's entertainment.

 

To get from airport to hotels, easiest and cheapest is airport bus - $20 CD (=$13 US) round trip, and aside from rush hour it takes about 30 minutes. Bus stops at a few luxury hotels on way to Central Train Station (Gare Central). Then continues to Central Bus Station (Station Central), which is across the street from the Hotel des Gouverneurs and within 2 minutes walk of all hotels above. Buses go back to airport every 1/2 hour beginning at 7:00 a.m. from Gate 19 of Bus Terminal.

 

Great city!

[Guest Jake]

Hey Karl, thanks a lot! I'm making my first trip to Montreal this coming week and am very grateful for the info. I've printed it out and it's become part of my itinerary. I've managed to travel all over the world, many times by myself, with no difficulties whatsoever, but I've never been more nervous than this 4-day trip to Montreal. I sure as hell just don't want to do the wrong thing!

[alankay]

I just wanted to add some additional information regarding the Hotel Gouverneur. It is even more of a bargain when you sign up for the Club Gouverneur. I was asked if I wanted to join by a hunky front desk clerk on my arrival in July. He explained that it was free, with each stay you receive a coupon for a complementary continental breakfast or $5.00 off other meals daily. In addition with every 14 nights you receive two weekend nights free. I was also surprised this past weekend (8/18--8/20) that the room rate was reduced $10.00 each night over my Travelocity.com quoted rate. I have taken dancers back to this hotel and they are generally more comfortable going there as it is close to the two main clubs and comfortable.

[Karl-G]

Jake,

 

You will have a great time. The French speaking Canadians are extremely friendly, and the guys are the best looking anyplace. If you go to the clubs, just be sure you talk straight forwardly to the dancers before starting; and if you hire escorts, and there are many very nice ones, again be upfront when you call; they will appreciate it and are very accommodating. Best local source is magazine "Fugues" which is available in all bars, most hotels, and many restaurants along St. C St.

[Guest paulnyc]

Thanks, Karl, for the great information. I'm going to Montreal in a few weeks and your information is just what I needed. One additional question if you have time, do the dancers from the clubs also escort? If yes, what is the going rate? Are most of the dancers gay?

[Guest LITTLEANTNEE]

I was unable to book rooms at the above hotels for my upcoming trip to Montreal (all of NYC seems to be going Labor Day weekend). I was able to get a room at the Hotel St. Denis, near the Berri-UQAM Metro station. Any info on this one? Thanks guys.

[Guest sam]

Try the Hotel DuFort on St. Catherine. A great hotel and near the metro.

[Guest Ken]

Here's a suggestion worth trying: I don't know where you are located but....there is a travel agent in Boston: CRUIZIN'TOURS. Agent's name is Steven.

He regularly schedules trips to Montreal and he uses Hotel des Gouverneurs as the hotel. He has an extremely good relationship with the hotel and has rooms available to him that public cannot have. He has a trip scheduled for Labor Day weekend and there's an excellent chance that he still has openings (both on bus or just hotel). I would recommend that you call him at 800-500-6921 or you may choose e-mail at SteveTravs@aol.com. Tell him that you are looking for a room at the Hotel des Gouverneurs and he may be able to book one for you. This is worth trying as THAT HOTEL is probably the best in the area (see above postings). This is defenitely worth a try. You may visit the web site at http://www.cruzintours.com.

[Guest LITTLEANTNEE]

Steve and Ken, Thanks for the info. Sorry I was so long in responding, but I was out for the weekend (good show at Gaiety, especially Martino). I believe I checked Hotel DuFort, but I will go back and check again. Also, I will check out the website for CRUIZIN'TOURS. Thanks again for all your help -- keep posting.

[Guest Ken]

Curious to know if you contacted Steve at Cruizin Tours and whether he was able to accomodate you or exactly what did you decide to do and where are you staying?

[Guest LITTLEANTNEE]

Ken, sorry it took so long to reply. There was some prob. with posting, and then I left to go away.

 

The guys (and website) for Cruizin tours were fabulous, although unable to help me out. By the time I got your info, Gouv. was already sold-out. I plan on using them to get rooms at Gouv. when my friends and I go back to Montreal (I'm digging it that much) in Nov (we hope). Everyone should check out the website -- great resource. And they have a very professional staff.

 

I ended up staying a decent little hotel two blocks up from the Gouv. off St. Catherine -- Hotel St. Denis. Inexpensive, and recently renovated, it was a decent value ($109 Can. for a busy holiday weekend). One of my friends who was staying at the Gouv. took the hotel's card after a visit. A very nice place to stay if all else is booked.

 

Again, thanks for the info.

[alankay]

The summer/fall rate I was able to obtain for Hotel des Gouverneur was $112 CDN (and that includes a continental breakfast). It is by far the best hotel in the village. I booked directly with the hotel at 1.888.910.1111.