InterContinental Montreal, an IHG Hotel — Hotel in Montreal

This was my second or third stay at the Montreal Intercontinental on St. Antoine. I love Montreal, but I’m conflicted about the stay at this IHG property. I liked the valet car service, those guys were cool. I’d recommend the valet parking. Self parking is regulated to their IHG nuclear bunker between 10 and 13 floors underground. You just keep driving down, down, down. Felt like I was going down deep in a Soviet mine shaft. I started with the self parking when I arrived and then switched to valet parking. Self park did not make sense. I made a joke to the desk clerk about how deep their parking garage was, and got the eye roll glare. I guess they don’t park down there. Their self park is a bit of a scam. Even if you stay at the hotel, self park for 25 dollars, drop your bags in the room, and then want to leave and come back in an hour you have to pay again. You have to pay each time you leave! It’s not per 24 hour period. It’s per exit at 25 dollars. So you may end up paying more per day with the self park option. I asked a few times because I wanted to be clear since all the self park at hotels are usually per 24 hours multiple entry or occasionally free if you have diamond elite.

The front desk staff were not friendly. They were somewhat condescending and unhelpful. I can tell when I am getting the polite with attitude treatment. Once I gave them my reservation number, I got a bit more friendlier treatment. I had just arrived, exhausted, from the flight and I got the “are you in the right place?” glare.

Checking in was not welcoming. I did not get any info about the hotel or the available facilities. I told them I was diamond elite, and then got some additional info. No info about the pool, exercise room, wifi code, amenities. I had to ask. I got better treatment from the holiday inn. They did not even look up from their screen until I asked directly about amenities. I had also booked, and I believed I had paid for, a club lounge upgrade. I know I added on the IHG app a few days before checking in when I got a prompt. They somehow disregarded that option and said I booked only the breakfast package. I said yes I booked the breakfast, but added the club lounge as an extra option after getting an email to upgrade for XX amount of dollars. I wanted to try the happy hour relax in the lounge. Generally in other IHG Properties there is a happy hour.

The desk clerk indicated that I had booked the club option initially, however she also said that I had cancelled it. I said I had not cancelled it, why would I have? Who would cancel that option, after I thought I paid? She then told me I can add it again for an additional 80 a day! She told me the included breakfast package I had also paid for was a better option. Their breakfast package wasn’t a buffet, so I don’t see how it was a better option. It’s just eggs and croissants for 29 dollars. Also, it excluded us from the happy hour refreshments. At this point, after flying all day, I did not want to stand at the front desk arguing. I wanted to get into a room.

I was placed on the 25 floor, which had a nice view. I wasn’t told if I got a room upgrade for diamond elite membership. I don’t think I was. The room was high up as I generally request in all hotels Usually they inform you if you get an upgrade or not. No help with our numerous bags to the room. No luggage carts were visible, so lots of lugging of bags. I had just stayed at the Kimpton George in DC, and had the best treatment there. So I was surprised at how unhelpful the Intercontinental in Montreal was. I struggled to get to our room with 5 bags. Once in the room, there were no welcome amenities. Usually there is some fruit or something. There was just a few bottles of water. I called and eventually after a few hours we got a welcome plate of cold cuts, dried fruit, and grapes. The blow dryer was banged up and not working. At least 3 room lights were out. The fridge under the TV was as warm as a sauna. I sat in the one chair in the room, there was some sticky goo on it, and in between the pillow. It was not the intercontinental I recall. They swapped out the fridge, and they got us a new blow dryer. I had to put towels over the chair, never got cleaned. The view was good, but the windows were obscured by grime. Nice bathroom, but the shower was a tiny triangular tube, with little water pressure and a calcium corroded shower head. They were stingy with the shampoo and conditioner. One tiny bottle of each, accompanied by a microscope round piece of soap that smelled like mud.

Their bar, Absinthe, was pretty lively and super loud (that is why I wanted the lounge). I tried it once, could not stay in there more than 5 minutes. The service wasn’t good either. I had ordered a double scotch, and never saw the grumpy waitress again. The place was louder than the Peel pub during a hockey game.

I had the breakfast each morning in the dining room. It was was average. Each time I asked for a bagel rather than the pastries I got a weird look. They give you the tiniest 4 ounce cup of frozen concentrate OJ and water, and mildly warm coffee. 30 bucks for breakfast I expected real maple syrup over one of those small packets of syrup you get at IHOP takeaway. Actually IHOP gives you a small pitcher when you dine in. I had asked for some maple syrup and was given a tablespoon of their precious elixir.

One night the power went out, completely. I know because our CPAP lost power at 2 am. Woke up gasping for air. Bumped around for a light switch which of course did not work.

Whole room was powerless for maybe 5-10 minutes. They also had one of those 80s LED alarm clocks in the room, that kept blinking 12:00 am when the power returned. Also my room had this super annoying blinking LED on the ceiling, maybe a smoke detector or something?

It was difficult to sleep with a mini strobe cutting the otherwise dark room right above the bed.

I asked the desk clerk about the power outage, I got the eye roll glare, and, that’s not possible here. I didn't dream it. It happened.

One thing I feel I have to point out, we used the restrooms in the main lobby a few times as it was closer than going back up to our room after breakfast. The restrooms by the front desk were horrible. Each time we went in there over the 4 days we stayed it seemed to get filthier. Two of the three stalls in the women’s room were frequently closed and broken. Paper all over the floor. Men’s room also seems to have been ignored. My impression of the restrooms gives me an indication of the general cleanliness of the establishment.

I kind of felt like I had entered Faulty Towers, not the Intercontinental. If you ever get room 2522 put a towel on the chair.

I love IHG properties, but not this one. I felt cheated staying...

I would like to bring up my worst experience in this Intercontinental, Montreal I have ever stayed for the price we paid, I was totally disappointed with this 4.5 star.

The entire staying was disappointing.

The day we arrived, there was no bell boy to assist our luggages from the entrance, they was only a valet counter & its check-in counter located on second floor. (Small matter)

During check-in, I was confirmed that we would be upgraded to the next tier for the perk for IHG Platinum membership. When reached our room, it looked like a Classic Double bed room. We went back down to the check-in counter, spoken to the Duty Manager. He confirmed with us, room we got was not being upgraded & he confirmed with us there was no next tier room available on that day (responded impatiently). We understood that the upgrading perk is subject to availability, I was not happy that we were being confirmed our room was upgraded but yet, it was not. However, we under questioning, the Duty Managed offered the next available upgrade room is available the next day, we accepted the offer & he told us to look for him the next morning as he would be on duty too.

The next day, we looked for him around 9:45am, he offered 20 mins for us to get ready & he would bring the key up by himself to transfer to the next room.

We missed our breakfast as we wanted to settled the room first and we waited till 10:50am, still haven't heard from him, we took all our luggages with us and went to front desk. He was not there, after 10-15 mins later, he came out from Club Lounge, moment he saw me, he apologised "I am sorry, I totally forgotten about you". What a 4.5 star service was that.

Next - housekeeping, on our first day, we asked for amenities: 2 sets Toothbrush, I took over an hour till we called to chase again. We asked for 2 pairs of slippers in the evening, they only bought in 1 pair.

Next tier Nightmare: I think I was a King suite we got upgraded, moment we used the bathroom, toilet water back flowing. This time, housekeeping was fast, but I felt so disgusting, after they mopped the floor, I sanitised the toilet bowl myself. (What a holiday)

Club Lounge: I purposely booked under Club Lounge Access as we had excellent experiences with Intercontinental, Bangkok. It was very disappointing this round, food selections were bad & very limited.

The Club was located on the same floor as the front desk, not a single view of Montreal.

And, I did not know that it did not cover main restaurant for breakfast if we did not like the food from Club Lounge when I booked. We were told that we need to pay additional. (What a Club Lounge experiences)

Club Lounge access was grounded on the second day, because our keys were not updated after we transferred our room.

Club Lounge access was grounded again on third day after 12 noon, because front desk did not key in extra access as our check out time was 4pm.

Check out: When checked-out, I finally saw a table name plate with IHG on it. We walked up & asked if we can process check-out over there in order to skip the queue at front desk.

Yes, quick & easy. Lady asked if we were happy with our stay. I responded "So, so.... not a good experiences", without asking, she moved on next.

Last, but not least, we have to catch our train, concierge was unattended, waited for another 12 mins, searched our luggages, then we dare to try to book our ride, it was time consuming.

With price we paid, I was expected a good stay & good services at Intercontinental, Montreal. With the services I faced on my first day, I choose not to dine & pamper myself even there was further discount...

December 2023 Giving this hotels 5 stars primarily for value - felt like we got a GREAT rate for a solid hotel. If we paid significantly more the bar would be a lot higher and the little nuisances that we found amusing would then become annoying.

We booked a King Premium with Club Lounge access.

Highlights: Location - at the edge of the old city, on the underground RESO, easy walk to two orange Metro stations, hotel is super convenient to just about everything. (However, see my separate review of the Underground, it is purely functional for passage out of the weather in this part, with a looong walk to anything of interest).

Club lounge - while a bit crowded and not an exceptional space, it was quite nice to enjoy a limited but complementary breakfast here, complete with mimosas. Also a nice place for a post sightseeing or pre dinner drink and snack on the house.

Staff - pretty much everybody we interacted with was super pleasant and welcoming. That was actually true of most of Montreal, but the staff should be commended. Ivan in the club lounge was particularly gracious.

Housekeeping did a nice job

Bed was comfy, always love when there are reading lights on the bed. HVAC was good

Now for the nuisances Bedroom seemed to be missing a number of lamps. Super dim, and even the bulbs in the existing fixtures were dim

Even the premium room was smallish

Sitting chair super uncomfortable, needs a lumbar pillow

No wine glasses in the room, called to have some brought up, never came.

Safe was out of battery. Asked front desk about 530pm to have it fixed while we were out to dinner; by 10pm not fixed. Promptly fixed next morning when we asked to have it fixed before we left for the day.

Only one robe in the room. They brought another when asked, but if one in the room, why not two? Notably when we made reservations they asked if we were celebrating anything and we said anniversary - big hint there would be two in the room.

Giant power block in the room but only half of the outlets worked.

Parking is apparently a nightmare according to all reviews. I found it pretty simple and cheaper to park at Stationnement Indigo Montréal M150 - Cité Internationale down the street (accessible by Underground, without going outside, with some figuring)

Did not use car valets but from my observation they are not really agents of the hotel. While they stand inside the front door they do not greet the vehicles (or pedestrian guests) and certainly do not help with bags. There doesn't seem to be anybody who helps with bags.

Shower heads require ducking under if you are taller that 5 feet 10 inches.

Did not use gym but seem clean with well maintained equipment even if room a bit small and unexceptional.

All in all enjoyed our stay, fit our needs quite well at the...