"Why book? A downtown icon that got an unbelievably sexy new makeover The Vogue has been transformed—by the genius team at Montreal creative firm Sid Lee—into the design-driven boutique hotel experience that downtown Montreal deserves. If you want a prime location, a killer restaurant, and a see-and-be-seen atmosphere, there’s nowhere better. Set the scene The lobby area provides a breath of fresh air from the hectic atmosphere of downtown, and a setting filled with black walnut woods from Italy and opulent white Turkish travertine creates a soothing, luxurious ethos you won’t soon forget. You won’t find a single corner in the common areas–every wall is rounded, with all the walls flowing into one another, making for a fabulous exercise in energetic and biophilic design. The backstory “The Vogue” has been a downtown icon for decades, but had gone through several more corporate-feeling and less glamorous iterations before what it is today. When this building changed hands most recently several years ago, the new ownership group–composed of Turkish and Indian individuals–sought to bring an East-meets-West aesthetic to Montreal, in an ode to the great five-star Asian hospitality experiences not often found in North America. To that end, the design is steeped in quiet luxury. The rooms The rooms have an elegant, European feeling, with pale herringbone wood floors, colorful velvet accent pieces, and large, plush mattresses that create an urban sanctuary in the heart of downtown. Size-wise, they’re among the most spacious hotel rooms in the city. Food and drink Canadian celebrity chef Antonio Park helms hotel’s signature restaurant Yama, which offers a fabulous, cosmopolitan menu of Nikkei fare, a fusion South American and Japanese cuisines. The spa While there currently isn’t a spa, there are rumors that one is in the works for the next phase of the property’s renovation. The neighborhood/area Montreal’s Golden Square Mile, a very specific sub-district of Downtown Montreal, is home to the city’s most important retail spaces. At the Vogue, you’re literally adjacent to all the Gucci, Pucci, Prada you could possibly want at Holt Renfrew Ogilvy, and the city’s famous Rue Sainte Catherine runs right by your front door. But despite the hectic, central location, the hotel–especially the rooms–have a tranquil, zen-like atmosphere. The service In its short time open since renovating, the staff has already managed to nail that careful balance of supportive and anticipatory without being overbearing or overly present. If you need them, they are there. Eco effort You’ll find the typical “hang your towel up if you want housekeeping to leave it” approach here, but, more interestingly, almost all of the lighting, lamps and furniture was sourced from local suppliers and artisans in the Montreal area–so while a number of finishes were sourced globally (the aforementioned gleaming travertine) human sustainability was considered when possible. Accessibility Every part of the premises is fully accessible, with easily-accessed elevators on every floor, all doors being at least thirty-two inches wide, and assistive listening devices available upon request. Anything left to mention? It’s worth pointing out that the lobby has some of the most beautiful chandeliers and light installations–if you’re in search of a place to take a killer Instagram, this is the lobby to do it in." - Todd Plummer
