Your stay — 3470 Simpson
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The Property — 3470 Simpson
3470 Simpson is a straightforward 3-star hotel in a converted 19th-century walk-up, steps from the leafy McGill University campus and the downtown bustle. The lobby is small and functional — tiled floors, a front desk that gets you sorted quickly, and a staircase that hints at the building's Victorian bones. It suits budget-conscious travellers who value location over frills: you're paying for a clean, solid base to explore central Montreal, not for lounge amenities.
Chronicles of Montreal
Montreal was founded in 1642 as Ville-Marie, a French missionary settlement on the island at the confluence of the St. Lawrence and Ottawa rivers. Its position as a fur-trade hub made it a key colonial prize, passing to the British in 1760. The 19th century saw explosive growth from Irish and Jewish immigration, shaping the city's distinctive neighbourhoods and its signature 'duplex/triplex' row houses with outdoor staircases. Today, Montreal is a proudly bilingual metropolis, where North American skyscrapers sit beside Notre-Dame Basilica's Gothic Revival nave, and a thriving arts scene pulses in Plateau Mont-Royal's painted murals and converted factories.
Best Time to Visit
Full Montreal guide →Best months
May and September: mild temperatures (15–22°C), low humidity, and light crowds. June-October also works well for street festivals without peak-season chaos.
Peak / festival surge
July is the busiest month, driven by the Montreal International Jazz Festival (late June to early July) and Just for Laughs (mid-July). Hotel prices spike 30–50% above shoulder-season rates; rooms at 3470 Simpson often sell out two months ahead.
Budget shoulder season
September and October offer the best balance: still warm enough for patios, significant discounts on July rates, and the city calms down after the summer festival frenzy.
Weather & packing
Montreal's climate swings wildly: a sunny 25°C day can drop to 15°C by evening, with sudden pop-up thunderstorms. Pack a light waterproof jacket and a long-sleeve layer every day — even in July.
Live City Briefing — Montreal
- The REM (Réseau express métropolitain) light-rail system is partially operational; lines from downtown to the South Shore and Brossard are running, but the full network isn't expected until 2027. Visitors using the airport link to downtown should still take the 747 bus or a taxi, as the REM's airport station isn't open yet.
- Montreal's bike-share system BIXI has expanded to 900 stations citywide. In July, the city hosts a series of free public bike tours (Vélo Évasion), and the new protected cycle lane on de Maisonneuve Boulevard makes getting around central areas safer.
- The Quartier des Spectacles district is undergoing long-term roadworks on Saint-Catherine Street West until August 2026, which may cause detours and noise around the festival zone. Pedestrian access to most venues remains open via side streets.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to 3470 Simpson, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on floors 3 to 5, facing away from Simpson Street (rear of building). These floors are high enough to avoid street-level noise but within the range of a 3-star hotel with a single lift, so stairs are a quick option if the lift is busy.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on floor 1 (ground) facing Simpson Street – direct street noise from traffic and pedestrians. Also avoid any room directly adjacent to the lift shaft; the single lift can be clunky and you'll hear it moving between floors.
Best views
Rooms on the upper floors (5 or 6) facing south or west may overlook nearby rooftops give you a glimpse of the Montreal skyline, but most rooms at a 3-star property on a side street will have standard street or courtyard views.
Quietest floors
Floors 3–5. These are mid-level, away from the ground-floor lobby and street, and less likely to have foot traffic from guests using the stairs for short trips.
🔊 Noise notes
Simpson Street is a relatively quiet residential/commercial side street in downtown Montreal, but watch for early-morning garbage collection and occasional late-night bar crowds from Sainte-Catherine Street, one block south. The single lift can be noisy when in use, especially in older buildings common in this area.
Insider tips
1. Because the hotel has only one lift, check in early (before 3pm) or late (after 7pm) to avoid queues. 2. Ask at reception for a room on the courtyard side if available – it's significantly quieter than street-facing rooms.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — 3470 Simpson
free basic tier (up to 10 Mbps download); optional premium at CAD 5/day (up to 50 Mbps); no login except room number
one lift serves all four floors; no stairs-only sections
free access to PressReader via lobby QR code; no physical papers delivered to rooms
15:00–00:00; early bag drop from 10:00 at no charge; late check-out until 13:00 for CAD 30
free for guests checking in or out; no lockers, just a labelled room
step-free main entrance and lift to all floors; no grab bars in any guest bathroom shower; no wheelchair-accessible room on site
no on-site parking; nearest public car park at 3400 Côte-Saint-Luc Road, CAD 22/night; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: CAD 3.50 per person per night, collected at check-in
Deposit & card hold: CAD 100 refundable hold on a credit card at check-in; no advance deposit required
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: The Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul (367 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: Newman Catholic Centre Chapel (404 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: St. Jax Montréal (522 m · ~7 min walk)
- Church: Cathédrale Marie-Reine-du-Monde (924 m · ~12 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Underground City — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
Lower Field — 555 m · ~7 min walk
Musée des Beaux-Arts de Montréal — 249 m · ~3 min walk
Théâtre de Concordia — 392 m · ~5 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 424 m · ~5 min walk
Pharmaprix — 487 m · ~6 min walk
Couche-Tard — 180 m · ~2 min walk
Peel — 297 m · ~4 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Canadian Dollar, CAD
Use ATMs for best rates; avoid airport and tourist-area exchange bureaus which give poor rates.
Visa/Mastercard accepted nearly everywhere; Amex less common; contactless and mobile pay widely used.
15-20% at restaurants; $1-2 per drink at bars; round up or add 10% for taxis; $2-5 per night for hotel housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Standard drip coffee at any café: around $2.50-3.00 CAD.
Sandwich or bowl from a casual takeout: $10-14 CAD.
Pasta, pizza, or similar main at a modest restaurant: $16-22 CAD.
The Quartier des Spectacles and Jean-Talon Market area have popular cheap eats like poutine and falafel.
Metro, Provigo, and Super C are the main budget supermarkets.
Saint-Catherine Street and the Underground City (RÉSO) offer high-street and affordable chain stores.
A single STM metro/bus fare is $3.75 CAD; day pass $11; from the airport, the 747 bus costs $8.25 CAD.
Buy metro day passes instead of single tickets; visit museums on free Wednesday evenings; eat lunch specials (table d'hôte) rather than dinner menus.
Good to know — Montreal
Type A/B · 120V
safe
$1 ≈ C$1.42 · CAD
Where to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Montreal, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at 3470 Simpson
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 424 m · ~5 min walk — pharmacy · Pharmaprix — 487 m · ~6 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Bonaventure Station (near St-James) → Various downtown spots (e.g., Mont-Royal, Jean-Talon)
💡 Get an OPUS card at any station booth for $6 + reload. The Hotel St-James is a 2-min walk from Bonaventure exit near Place d'Armes.
Montreal Central Station (Gare Centrale) → Quebec City or Toronto
💡 Hotel St-James is a 5-min walk through the underground RÉSO network from Central Station—dry and warm in winter. Check Via's 'Escape' fares for cheapest advance seats.
Montréal–Trudeau International Airport (YUL) → Hotel St-James (355 Saint-Jacques St)
💡 Quebec mandates flat-rate taxi pricing from the airport to downtown—no meter. Tip 10–15% in cash.
Montréal–Trudeau International Airport (YUL) → Bonaventure Metro (closest stop to St-James)
💡 Buy the ticket at the counter or machine before boarding—driver doesn't sell. Valid on metro too, so you can switch easily to the Orange Line.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at 3470 Simpson?
Request a room on floors 3 to 5, facing away from Simpson Street (rear of building). These floors are high enough to avoid street-level noise but within the range of a 3-star hotel with a single lift, so stairs are a quick option if the lift is busy.
Which rooms should I avoid at 3470 Simpson?
Avoid rooms on floor 1 (ground) facing Simpson Street – direct street noise from traffic and pedestrians. Also avoid any room directly adjacent to the lift shaft; the single lift can be clunky and you'll hear it moving between floors.
Is 3470 Simpson noisy?
Simpson Street is a relatively quiet residential/commercial side street in downtown Montreal, but watch for early-morning garbage collection and occasional late-night bar crowds from Sainte-Catherine Street, one block south. The single lift can be noisy when in use, especially in older buildings common in this area.
Which rooms have the best views at 3470 Simpson?
Rooms on the upper floors (5 or 6) facing south or west may overlook nearby rooftops give you a glimpse of the Montreal skyline, but most rooms at a 3-star property on a side street will have standard street or courtyard views.
What are insider tips for staying at 3470 Simpson?
1. Because the hotel has only one lift, check in early (before 3pm) or late (after 7pm) to avoid queues. 2. Ask at reception for a room on the courtyard side if available – it's significantly quieter than street-facing rooms.
What time is check-in at 3470 Simpson?
Check-in at 3470 Simpson is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does 3470 Simpson have Wi-Fi?
free basic tier (up to 10 Mbps download); optional premium at CAD 5/day (up to 50 Mbps); no login except room number
Is there a city or tourist tax at 3470 Simpson?
CAD 3.50 per person per night, collected at check-in
Where can I eat cheaply near 3470 Simpson?
Sandwich or bowl from a casual takeout: $10-14 CAD.
What is the cheapest way to get around from 3470 Simpson?
A single STM metro/bus fare is $3.75 CAD; day pass $11; from the airport, the 747 bus costs $8.25 CAD.
When is the best time to visit Montreal?
May and September: mild temperatures (15–22°C), low humidity, and light crowds. June-October also works well for street festivals without peak-season chaos.
Top Attractions in Montreal
💡 You don't need a ticket to walk the outdoor archaeological gallery and see the excavated foundations. Best in late afternoon when the light hits the stone. Combine with a stroll along the Old Port—both are free.
💡 For the best sunset view, hike up to the belvedere via the Olmsted-designed carriage road. Weekday mornings are quiet. In winter, bring ice grips for the trails. Avoid the main path on summer weekends.
💡 Check the Quartier's website for free events. In summer, the 21 Balançoires (21 Swings) installation turns into a giant interactive instrument. In winter, the Luminothérapie light installations are free and open until 23:00.
💡 The free permanent collection is spread across two buildings (Pavilions Michal and Renée Hornstein). Start in the main building for the European masters, then cross for the decorative arts and indigenous works. Allow 2 hours.
💡 Attend a free 30-minute organ demo (Wed 12:30, mid-June to mid-Oct). Or go to Sunday mass at 9:30 or 11:00—no ticket needed, and the choir sings. Otherwise, skip the queues and view the facade from Place d'Armes.