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Don't Lick the Ice Sculptures and Other Tips for Staying at Montreal's Snow Village

Where: Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Yesterday we told you about Montreal’s new Snow Village, the first North American outpost of the chain with structures in Finland and Norway. Today, we're about to tell you what it's like on the inside. Yes, despite arched eyebrows from our pals, we spent the night in the "ice hotel". We’re troopers like that. Or so we thought.

First thing—we were prepared for things to be a bit wonky the first few nights as this is new territory for Montreal. It’s not like Quebec City’s Ice Hotel—a well run operation in effect for years. But, things did go a bit haywire during our visit.

The registration process in the welcome center involved a seemingly normal contract—no smoking, lock your valuables, we’re not responsible if you slip—until the last paragraph, advising guests “not to lick any of the ice structures.” Visions of Flick’s tongue sticking to the pole in “A Christmas Story” danced in our head.

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Ice Hotels / Winter Hotels / Montreal Hotels / Snow Village Montreal / → All Tags

Montreal is Cold Chillin' with its Snow Village

Where: Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Last winter we proved we don’t wuss out when it comes to the cold, so when we heard about Montreal’s new Snow Village, we strapped on our snowshoes (ok, not really), and headed to the Great White North.

Montreal’s latest attraction is a five minute ride from the downtown area on Sainte-Hélène island. This area hosts an annual winter festival in its Parc Jean-Drapeau, but this year it goes over the top with the addition of the Snow Village, three giant igloos forming a ice hotel complete with restaurant, bar, conference center, and chapel to rival Quebec City’s famous seasonal structure. It opens this evening and is set (hopefully!) to remain in place until it’s deconstructed on March 31st.

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Hotel Openings / Canada Hotels / Westin Hotels / → All Tags

Montreal's New Westin Opens In Old Newspaper Headquarters

Where: 270 Saint-Antoine Ouest, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H270A3

You know you're in Montreal when a newly-opened Westin sticks a "Le" in front of its name. Please welcome to the Canadian hotel scene the Le Westin Montreal, a 454-room property housed in the historical building once belonging to The Montréal Gazette.

In homage to the former tenants, the hotel has named its restaurant "Gazette" and its bar "Le Reporter." As far as the rest of the hotel goes, it's a standard Westin with Heavenly beds in every room, a WestinWORKOUT fitness center, and even an indoor pool. Special attention has however been placed on the work spaces within the rooms, since Montreal is just as popular a destination for business as it is for leisure, and the Westin happens to be centrally located in the downtown district.

Rates for such a fresh and well-situated property are excellently low to start off; this summer is looking at rooms from $150 per night. For once we may be freed from the expensive appeal of Le Saint Sulpice, but for how long?

[Image: Le Westin Montreal]