Your stay — Gîte le Simone
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The Property — Gîte le Simone
Gîte le Simone is a three-star guesthouse in Montreal's Plateau Mont-Royal, offering a laid-back, residential vibe rather than hotel polish. The lobby feels like a friend's cosy living room: mismatched armchairs, a stack of board games, and the smell of fresh coffee from the self-serve kitchen. It suits independent travellers who value character over amenities, and want to feel part of a neighbourhood rather than a tourist zone.
Chronicles of Montreal
Montreal was founded in 1642 as Ville-Marie, a French missionary settlement on the island of Montreal. It grew into a fur-trading hub under the French, then passed to British control in 1760, which shaped its bilingual character. The nineteenth century brought industrial expansion, a grand Victorian-era core, and the signature greystone architecture that still defines streets like Rue Saint-Denis. Today, Montreal is Canada's second-largest city, known for its vibrant arts scene, European feel, and distinct blend of French and English cultures.
Best Time to Visit
Full Montreal guide →Best months
September and October offer mild temperatures (15-22°C), low humidity, and fewer crowds, plus autumn foliage in Mont-Royal Park. June is also excellent for outdoor festivals with long daylight hours.
Peak / festival surge
July is the peak tourist month, driven by the Montreal International Jazz Festival (late June-early July) and Just for Laughs (mid-July). Hotel prices can spike 30-50% above shoulder season; book well ahead.
Budget shoulder season
May and September are the best shoulder months: discounts on accommodation, moderate weather, and many cultural events without the crush. Crowds thin, and the pace relaxes.
Weather & packing
Montreal summers are humid with frequent thunderstorms: a light rain jacket and a compact umbrella are non-negotiable. Pack layers — evenings can drop to 12°C even in July.
Live City Briefing — Montreal
- The Réseau express métropolitain (REM) light rail now connects downtown to Brossard, but service to the Airport and Deux-Montagnes is delayed until 2027; use the 747 express bus for YUL transfers.
- Montreal's pothole repair blitz is ongoing; expect lane closures on major routes like Avenue du Parc and Rue Sherbrooke through summer 2026.
- The city has banned gas-powered leaf blowers city-wide from 2025; expect quieter parks and potential noise bylaw enforcement in residential areas.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Gîte le Simone, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request rooms at the rear of the building on the first floor (above ground level). The rear orientation minimises street noise from the surrounding Montreal streets, and the first floor avoids foot traffic while still being easy to access without a lift.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms facing the front of the building, especially on the ground floor, as they face the street and are more exposed to traffic and pedestrian noise. Also avoid any room directly adjacent to common areas or stairs if layout data suggests that.
Best views
Montreal is a dense city; the best view would be from a rear-facing room overlooking a courtyard or less busy street, offering a calmer outlook than the front-facing street view.
Quietest floors
Given the 3-star rating and absence of lift, the quietest floors are likely the higher floors (second floor and above) if accessible by stairs, as they are further from street-level noise. However, without a lift, ground floor may be preferred for ease.
🔊 Noise notes
Montreal streets can be busy with traffic and pedestrians, and the property's address on a named street in the city centre means noise from vehicles, delivery trucks, and possibly nearby bars or restaurants is a factor, especially on weekend evenings.
Insider tips
1. If you're driving, ask about street parking permits or nearby paid lots — public parking in Montreal can be expensive and time-limited. 2. Request a room on a higher floor to reduce noise, but confirm stair access if you have heavy luggage or mobility issues, as there's no lift. 3. Check if the hotel provides earplugs or a white noise machine at reception — useful in a 3-star city property.
- 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 — Gîte le Simone
Free Wi-Fi (up to 50 Mbps, no login or password required for shared SSID 'Le Simone')
No lift; all rooms on first and second floors via two flights of stairs (historic triplex building)
No physical newspapers; free access to PressReader via password from front desk for digital editions of Montreal Gazette and La Presse
Check-in from 15:00; early bag drop available from 10:00 (no charge); check-out by 11:00; late check-out fee of $50 CAD until 14:00 if available
Free luggage storage in locked room after check-out until 18:00
No step-free access; one step at main entrance and stairs only to all rooms; no accessible bathroom modifications
No on-site parking; nearest public car park 'Stationnement Le Plateau' at 4455 Rivard (hourly rate $3.50 CAD, max $20 CAD overnight); no EV charging on-site. Free street parking on Saint-Denis after 18:00 overnight until 08:00, but very limited
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (Quebec does not levy a municipal tourist tax on stays under 30 nights; hotel may charge a lodging tax of 3.5% of room rate, included in quoted price)
Deposit & card hold: One night's advance deposit required at booking; a $100 CAD incidental hold on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes (337 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Église Unie Saint-Jean (820 m · ~10 min walk)
- Church: Église Saint-Pierre-Apôtre (822 m · ~10 min walk)
- Church: Eglise pentecôtiste chinoise de Montréal (909 m · ~11 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Place Dupuis — 114 m · ~1 min walk
Parc Émilie-Gamelin — 150 m · ~2 min walk
Afromusée — 468 m · ~6 min walk
Olympia — 332 m · ~4 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Localcoin Bitcoin ATM — 133 m · ~2 min walk
Jean Coutu — 197 m · ~2 min walk
Couche-Tard — 84 m · ~1 min walk
Berri-UQAM — 202 m · ~3 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Canadian Dollar, CAD
Use ATMs or banks for best rates; avoid airport and tourist bureau exchanges, which charge high fees and poor rates.
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted; contactless and mobile pay (Apple Pay, Google Pay) work in most shops and restaurants. Small cash-only places still exist.
15–20% in restaurants for good service; round up or tip $1–2 per bag for hotel porters; taxi drivers get 10–15%.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Filter coffee or espresso at a café: around $2–3 CAD.
Sandwich or bowl from a boulangerie or deli: $10–14 CAD.
Main course at a casual bistro or pizzeria: $15–22 CAD.
Food trucks and stalls near Place des Arts, Old Port, and Jean-Talon Market offer poutine, tacos, and crêpes for $8–12 CAD.
Provigo, Métro, and Super C are the common budget supermarket chains.
Chinatown shops, Simons department store for basics, and thrift stores (Renaissance, Village des Valeurs) around Plateau.
One STM day pass costs $11 CAD (2025) and covers all buses and metro. From the airport, the 747 bus shuttle is $8 CAD single or free with a weekly pass.
Walk or use Bixi bike-share ($5/day) for short trips—Montreal is compact and bike-friendly.Eat lunch out instead of dinner; many restaurants offer $13–18 lunch specials.Visit free attractions: museums with free evenings (e.g., first Sunday of the month), and explore parks like Mont-Royal.
Good to know — Montreal
Type A/B · 120V
safe
$1 ≈ C$1.4 · 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 Gîte le Simone
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Localcoin Bitcoin ATM — 133 m · ~2 min walk — pharmacy · Jean Coutu — 197 m · ~2 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.
About Montreal
Wikipedia ↗
Montreal (French: Montréal) is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest in Canada, and the eighth-largest in North America. Founded in 1642 as Ville-Marie, or "City of Mary", it now takes its name from Mount Royal, the triple-peaked mountain around which the early settlement wa...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Gîte le Simone?
Request rooms at the rear of the building on the first floor (above ground level). The rear orientation minimises street noise from the surrounding Montreal streets, and the first floor avoids foot traffic while still being easy to access without a lift.
Which rooms should I avoid at Gîte le Simone?
Avoid rooms facing the front of the building, especially on the ground floor, as they face the street and are more exposed to traffic and pedestrian noise. Also avoid any room directly adjacent to common areas or stairs if layout data suggests that.
Is Gîte le Simone noisy?
Montreal streets can be busy with traffic and pedestrians, and the property's address on a named street in the city centre means noise from vehicles, delivery trucks, and possibly nearby bars or restaurants is a factor, especially on weekend evenings.
Which rooms have the best views at Gîte le Simone?
Montreal is a dense city; the best view would be from a rear-facing room overlooking a courtyard or less busy street, offering a calmer outlook than the front-facing street view.
What are insider tips for staying at Gîte le Simone?
1. If you're driving, ask about street parking permits or nearby paid lots — public parking in Montreal can be expensive and time-limited. 2. Request a room on a higher floor to reduce noise, but confirm stair access if you have heavy luggage or mobility issues, as there's no lift. 3. Check if the hotel provides earplugs or a white noise machine at reception — useful in a 3-star city property.
What time is check-in at Gîte le Simone?
Check-in at Gîte le Simone is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Gîte le Simone have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi (up to 50 Mbps, no login or password required for shared SSID 'Le Simone')
Is there a city or tourist tax at Gîte le Simone?
None (Quebec does not levy a municipal tourist tax on stays under 30 nights; hotel may charge a lodging tax of 3.5% of room rate, included in quoted price)
Where can I eat cheaply near Gîte le Simone?
Sandwich or bowl from a boulangerie or deli: $10–14 CAD.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Gîte le Simone?
One STM day pass costs $11 CAD (2025) and covers all buses and metro. From the airport, the 747 bus shuttle is $8 CAD single or free with a weekly pass.
When is the best time to visit Montreal?
September and October offer mild temperatures (15-22°C), low humidity, and fewer crowds, plus autumn foliage in Mont-Royal Park. June is also excellent for outdoor festivals with long daylight hours.
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.