Hôtel Alt Montréal

"What's the story here?Contemporary and colorful, this stylish budget hotel is located in hip and happening Griffintown right by the Lachine Canal, a burgeoning residential area on the waterfront. Who are you likely to see milling about the lobby?Owned by Le Germaine, a Canadian hotel chain known for high style and designer touches, the Alt was developed to serve business travelers looking for more budget stays, but without compromising on quality or comfort. How are the rooms?Rooms are tidy and small with everything you need to get right to work: a station with an ergonomic chair, super-speedy free Wi-Fi, and well-placed electrical outlets. The bed is a dream, too, with Egyptian cotton sheets and a goose-down comforter that go well above the average business hotel in this price range. Despite giant windows, dark-gray walls and carpeting make the room a bit gloomy; then again, it's the perfect environment to hunker down and get focused. Were there any details that made you take note?The rain shower is great and the Bella Pella products are amazing. Another plus: no check-out time. Time for a snack break. What are the choices?There's no room service or minibar, but you can swing by the Altcetera counter in the lobby for snacks, drinks, breakfast pastries, and coffee. What else should we know?The modern furniture in the lobby and on the terrace make this a really work-friendly hotel. The gym is cute and brightly lit, with huge windows and a multicolored checkered wallpaper that reflects the hotel's overall sense of happiness. Ask that your room be stocked with a yoga mat—a nice free perk. Wrap it up: What's the Hotel Alt best for?Full of panache, stylish meeting nooks, and a trendy bar beloved by Griffintown professionals, this affordable business hotel is a nice, well-located home base for a trip to Montreal." - Isa Tousignant