rev:text
| - On a recent trip to Montreal I wanted to splurge on a romantic locale for three nights and Auberge Du Vieux Port was the top recommendation on Trip Advisor in that category. Many of the reviews mentioned the noise from upper guests (that you could hear walking, furniture dragging, etc.) but not one person mentioned the most important (and one for which there isn't really a solution from the hotel) type of noise: neighbouring noise.
The hotel backs onto a pedestrian cobblestone street called St-Paul that is open to foot traffic until 5am every morning. There is also a rowdy live music venue next door called 2 Pierrots that produced stumbling, shrieking, singing patrons at the brink of alcohol poisoning every night, so unless you're a deep sleeper or are comfortable wearing earplugs to bed, you won't sleep a wink. I'm not exaggerating when I say that some of the bellows and crashing sounds every night I heard sounded like a frat party gone awry.
The hotel staff was apologetic and accommodating (seriously, the staff here is great) but admitted that as the weekend wore on, the noise was only going to get worse (and it did) - they upgraded me to a room on a higher level which made it slightly better, but the best rooms here are riverside, so splurge on those if you stay here. For $300+ per night I was expecting my stay to be a little more...charming. It's an old building so the windows aren't in great shape (read: soundproof).
Because of the restless nights (and possibly jet lag) I can't report on the free breakfast situation because it was over by the time I stumbled out of bed. Also the rooftop terrasse was closed during my visit.
There was a whirlpool tub in my upgraded room, which was great and much enjoyed (although the jets function didn't work), and there is free wifi (though it isn't fast/reliable).
There are many great restaurants and breakfast options nearby (personally I chose to go to Olive et Gourmando each day for their killer pastries), and Champ-de-Mars or Place d'Armes metro are about a 10 minute walk. There's also the 55 St-Laurent bus that takes you all the way up to the Plateau and Mile End (and beyond) at regular intervals.
|