"Believe in something." - Dédé Fortin
Montreal; edgy, nonconformist, seductive and bohemian. A cultural chameleon with bundles of European charm, a vibrant arts scene, mouth-watering food and home to one of the most extraordinarily unique hotels that I've ever had the pleasure of visiting.
On the corner of Sherbrooke Street West and St Lawrence Boulevard stands Hotel 10. From the outside, it looks like many other modern boutique hotels; a contemporary, grey, square structure with floor-to-ceiling glass windows lining half of its external perimeter. It's only when you venture inside that you realise Hotel 10 is in a class of its own. Behind the glass lies an ultra-modern reception area complete with stylish furnishings, offering guests a glimpse of what to expect from the rest of the hotel. Sophisticated, abstract and chic and with striking bursts of colour.
But there's more to this than meets the eye.
Hotel 10 actually comprises of two contrasting buildings that live in harmony. It may not be obvious to the average passerby but the contemporary grey structure was built to complement its art nouveau neighbour; an original residential building built by Joseph Arthur Godin, which dates back to 1915. In bringing the old and the new together, Hotel 10 has created a space that remains true to its heritage but is bang on trend. And in return, the whole hotel has an incredible sense of character which mirrors Montreal's personality perfectly.
Whatever the occasion, Hotel 10 has a tastefully furnished room for all. Single rooms, double rooms, privilege and deluxe rooms as well as a glorious selection of luxury suites to make your stay even more comfortable. From deep-soak bath tubs and LCD TVs to large lounging areas and vintage sofas, each suite is so comfortable and unique that a regular room will no longer suffice.
Of all the rooms at Hotel 10, there's one so special it will bring tears to your eyes: Suite 2116. Located in the original Godin building, Suite 2116 pays homage to Dédé Fortin, the lead singer of Les Colocs, who formerly resided in this exact room in the 1990s. Thanks to Dédé, Les Colocs had a huge impact on the Montreal music scene and were the inspiration to many musicians in the early 2000s. Sadly on 8th May 2000, Dédé took his own life but his legacy lives on through his music, his family and here at Hotel 10. Around Suite 2116, you will find hand-written notes from Dédé himself, stained glass windows and a mural dedicated to his life, enabling guests to share a moment with him and to fully immerse themselves in his art.
Along with its heart-achingly beautiful story, Suite 2116 is also full of life's little luxuries. Being the corner room, its large windows fill the space with light while a round vintage loveseat overlooks Downtown Montreal. In keeping with the hotel, the suite is furnished superbly with pops of blue and yellow. With a king-sized bed, an enormous mirrored bathroom and sleek sofas, guests can relax and unwind with Dédé in comfort. As Suite 2116 is so close to Hotel 10's heart, a 10% donation from each reservation is made to the Dédé Fortin Foundation, which is dedicated to the prevention of suicide and mental health disorders.
For those looking for the ultimate luxury apartment within a hotel, the Penthouse is the perfect escape. A home from home. Spread over two floors with floor-to-ceiling wraparound windows overlooking Montreal, a 'floating' loft bedroom with a king-sized bed, a stunning bathroom complete with a deep bathtub and a walk-in shower, automatic window shades, a contemporary lounge area, a dining room and a fully furnished kitchen, this is a suite with pizzazz aplenty so why not push the boat out?
There are so many great restaurants in Montreal but once settled in at Hotel 10, you don't really have to leave! A buffet style breakfast is served daily in Espace Godin - the beautiful space created to join the old building to the new - bringing guests the best of local and seasonal produce and offering an optimum start to the day. Adjacent to Espace Godin is Café Origine, which showcases some of the best baristas in Montreal. Here, you can drop in for an artisan coffee, a sweet treat or set up camp for the day with delicious coffee and snacks on tap. When hunger strikes again, head to Le Bar 20, which serves a simple yet scrumptious snack menu and is open until 11pm. They're also known for their fantastic wine and cocktail menu, making it a very convenient place to socialise then stumble up to your room after a drink (or twelve).
With a strong connection to local history and art, Hotel 10 has decided to tell its story through its walls. Throughout Espace Godin, you will find old black and white photographs of Montreal juxtaposed against contemporary drawings and seductive colours. This unique style of decor is one of the hotel's focal points (as well as their fabulous toilets but I'll let you discover those for yourself). It makes each visit personal, allowing people from all walks of life to get to know the real Montreal and see it in all its glory.
Another art form favoured by Hotel 10 is perception art. Located on several floors, you will find drawings that will only become apparent when standing at a particular spot. A stiletto, a saxophone player and a guitar are some of the images you will see. Not only does this offer guests something fun to do but it shows that the people behind the hotel are also creatively-driven. By no means is this another corporate hotel; it's bold, it's unique and it's full of life.
So if you ever find yourself in Montreal, Hotel 10 will make you feel right at home. Not only will you find a gorgeous room to call your own for the night and incredible staff to tend to your every beck and call, it will draw on your creative spirit; you'll learn something new about this wonderful city and you'll find another version of yourself within its history and its art that will ensure a little bit of Montreal is always with you.
Have you ever been to Montreal?
