Hotel Gault

Hotel Gault, Montreal: A Michelin Key Selected Boutique Experience

Hotel Gault in Old Montreal stands as a distinguished Michelin Key Selected property, frequently praised for its seamless blend of historic charm and contemporary luxury. Housed within an 18th-century greystone facade, this 30-room boutique hotel offers a sophisticated and welcoming atmosphere, consistently earning high marks from guests.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for Hotel Gault is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently describing their stays as "incredible," "wonderful," and a "lasting and extremely approachable luxury experience well worth repeating." Review scores are consistently high, with ratings around 9.0 out of 10 or 19.3 out of 20 on various platforms, indicating exceptional satisfaction with rooms, service, cleanliness, and location.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud Hotel Gault for several outstanding features:

• Service & Staff: The staff is repeatedly described as "over the top attentive, helpful and friendly," "exceptional," and "top-notch," going above and beyond to ensure a memorable stay. Personalized service, from welcome notes and cookies to recommendations for local attractions, is a recurring theme.
• Location: Its prime location in the heart of Old Montreal is a major draw, offering easy walking access to major attractions like the Old Port, Notre-Dame Basilica, and the Montreal Convention Centre, while being situated on a quiet street.
• Design: The hotel masterfully blends its 19th-century heritage building with an industrial-contemporary, minimalist interior design. Public spaces and rooms are noted for their modern yet warm appeal, utilizing wood, texture, and polished concrete. The lobby and common areas, including a library with a fireplace, contribute to an inspiring and inviting ambiance.
• Amenities: Thoughtful amenities enhancing guest comfort include heated bathroom floors, plush robes, high-speed internet, and in-room Nespresso machines. The hotel also offers a 24-hour fitness center, a bar, and pet-friendly accommodations (with charges).

3. Room Quality

Hotel Gault boasts 30 spacious and uniquely designed suites, lofts, and apartments, no two of which are exactly alike. The rooms adhere to a "fashion-forward minimalist mold" with minimal ornamentation, focusing instead on creature comforts.

• Comfort: Guests frequently praise the spaciousness, cleanliness, and comfort of the rooms, mentioning luxurious Casa Rovea linens and FLOU beds. Soundproofed rooms ensure a quiet stay.
• Design: Interiors feature an industrial-chic aesthetic with elements like polished concrete floors, exposed brickwork, and vintage 1950s Eames chairs. Large French windows allow for ample natural light, complemented by soothing color palettes. Bathrooms are described as being "from a design magazine" with features like egg-shaped freestanding tubs and low-profile washbasins, alongside heated floors and marble showers.
• Features: Standard room amenities include flat-screen TVs, DVD players, minibars, and generously sized work desks. Some suites offer private terraces with scenic views.

4. Dining Experience

The Gault Restaurant, located on-site, provides a refined culinary experience.

• Breakfast: Breakfast is consistently highlighted as "substantive, well-prepared, delicious, varied and generous," served in a leisurely manner by attentive staff. Options may include French crepes, salmon gravlax, or omelets. In-room breakfast service is also available.
• Restaurant & Bar: The restaurant serves local cuisine and is open for breakfast and lunch. A bar/lounge area is also available. In-room champagne service can add a touch of luxury.

5. Service & Staff

The service at Hotel Gault is a consistent highlight and a significant factor in guest satisfaction. Staff members are frequently described as "over the top attentive, helpful and friendly," "exceptional," "super friendly," and "truly attentive and kind." They are praised for their genuine hospitality, efficiency, and willingness to accommodate requests and offer knowledgeable suggestions for exploring Montreal. The concierge team is experienced and aims to personalize each stay.

6. Location & Accessibility

Hotel Gault boasts an "excellent" and "perfect" location at 449 Sainte-Hélène Street in the historic quarter of Old Montreal.

• Neighborhood: Guests appreciate being in a quiet area while still having immediate access to the vibrant Old Montreal district.
• Attractions: The hotel is within easy walking distance of numerous popular attractions, including the Old Port of Montreal, Notre-Dame Basilica, Montreal Convention Centre, Pointe-à-Callière Museum, and Victoria Square. Shopping areas and a wide array of restaurants and nightlife are also nearby.
• Transport: The Square-Victoria-OACI Metro station is a convenient five-minute walk away, providing quick connections across the city. The Montreal Train Station (VIA RAIL) is a short taxi ride, and Montreal International Airport is approximately 20 km away. Valet parking is available for a fee.

7. Value & Pricing

While Hotel Gault offers a luxury experience, its pricing is generally considered to be worth the cost by many guests.

• Price Range: Typical weeknight prices have been observed around $234 CAD, with weekend nights averaging $243 CAD. However, prices can fluctuate significantly, with November often being the cheapest month and August the most expensive. Earlier data from Kayak showed rates from C$181, with average weeknight prices around C$304 and weekend nights around C$293. There is a pet fee of CAD 65 per pet, per night, and valet parking is CAD 48 per night plus taxes. Extra bedding for additional persons (age 3 and above) incurs a charge of CAD 80 per person per night.
• Perceived Value: The "approachable luxury experience" and high quality of service, design, and comfort contribute to guests feeling it's a worthwhile indulgence.

8. Common Complaints

While overwhelmingly positive, some minor criticisms and recurring issues have been noted by guests:

• Breakfast Charges & Invoicing: Some guests have reported "misleading details" regarding breakfast, necessitating careful reading of the fine print to avoid extra fees. Difficulty obtaining correct invoices has also been mentioned.
• In-Room Amenities: A few guests have suggested minor repairs are needed in rooms (e.g., towel hooks, toilet handles, makeup mirrors, chips in bathtubs). The quality of some in-room products (specifically Ruby Brown bath amenities) has been deemed not as good as Molton Brown products found in common areas.
• Accessibility within the Hotel: Some older feedback mentions stairs being "precarious with luggage" in some areas.
• Pet Policy: While pet-friendly, charges apply, and there are rules regarding pets being leashed in public areas and not left unattended in rooms.
• Deposit Requirement: The hotel requires a damage deposit, which some guests found unexpected and made them feel "untrusted."

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