🇨🇦 Montreal, Canada
Le Square Phillips
📍 1193 R. du Square-Phillips, Montréal, QC H3B 3C9, Canada
Photo: official website
Your stay — Le Square Phillips
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The Property — Le Square Phillips
Le Square Phillips is a no-fuss 3-star in downtown Montreal, occupying the upper floors of an old office building. The lobby feels like a quiet business hotel from another decade: polished brass, dark wood, a slow-turning fan, and the faint smell of coffee from the urn. Its chief appeal is location on Place Phillips, steps from the underground city and Sainte-Catherine Street, and the price, which undercuts the big chains. It suits solo travellers and couples who need a clean, central base without frills.
Chronicles of Montreal
Montreal was founded in 1642 as a Catholic mission colony on the island at the confluence of the St. Lawrence and Ottawa rivers. It grew rapidly as a fur-trading post under French rule, and after the British conquest of 1760 became the commercial capital of British North America. The 19th century brought grand stone mansions, the Lachine Canal and the first railway, then the 1960s Quiet Revolution turned Montreal into a bilingual, cosmopolitan city. Today it’s a dense, walkable metropolis of brick rowhouses, brutalist towers and a live-music scene that punches far above its size.
Best Time to Visit
Full Montreal guide →Best months
May, June and September: warm but not humid, with mostly sunny days and manageable crowds. Tourist numbers are lower than July-August but the festivals are already running.
Peak / festival surge
July is the absolute peak, driven by the Montreal International Jazz Festival (late June-early July) and Just for Laughs (mid-July). Hotel prices can double from May levels; Le Square Phillips typically charges $200-250/night in July.
Budget shoulder season
October and late April offer 20-40% discounts on room rates, cooler weather (5-15°C) and far fewer people. You’ll trade some outdoor dining for quieter streets and leaves changing (October) or cherry blossoms (late April).
Weather & packing
Montreal summers swing from dry 30°C+ heatwaves to sudden thunder- storms—always carry a rain shell, even if the forecast says zero percent. Pack a sweater for evenings; the temperature can drop 15°C after sunset.
Live City Briefing — Montreal
- Montreal's Metro (STM) is running reduced service on the Green Line through summer 2026 due to track work—check the STM app for line closures before heading to the Orange or Yellow lines.
- The new REM light-rail link from downtown to the South Shore opened in late 2025, making it faster to reach Montérégie wine country or the Îles-de-Boucherville national park from the Gare Centrale stop, a 10-minute walk from the hotel.
- The Quartier des Spectacles has added several new pedestrian-only zones on Sainte-Catherine Street for summer 2026. Be aware that traffic around Place Phillips is restricted during major festivals, and your taxi might need to drop you a block away.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Le Square Phillips, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on floors 4 to 6 facing away from Place Phillips (towards the inner courtyard or the quieter rear of the building). These floors are high enough to avoid street-level rumble but still within the two-lift range for quick access.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on floor 1 (street noise and potential lift lobby foot traffic) and floor 7 (possible noise from the roof or mechanical systems, plus longer wait for lifts). Also skip any room labelled as facing Place Phillips directly — that square is a pedestrian plaza but can get busy with people and occasional events.
Best views
The best view is from upper floors (5-6) on the side facing the Montreal skyline to the north-east — you might catch the Place des Arts or Mount Royal in the distance. Avoid hoping for a view of Place Phillips itself; it's a modest plaza, not a landmark square.
Quietest floors
Floors 3, 4, and 5 offer the best balance of quiet and convenience — above street hubbub but not high enough to pick up wind or roof noise. The two lifts serve all floors, so these floors rarely suffer from wait times.
🔊 Noise notes
Place Phillips itself is a pedestrian zone but can be noisy from foot traffic, nearby cafes, and occasional street performers until about 10pm. The hotel is at 1193 Place Phillips, which is near the intersection with Sainte-Catherine Street — Sainte-Catherine carries traffic and nightlife sounds. Also the two lifts are audible in rooms adjacent to the shaft.
Insider tips
1. For parking, use the BAnQ lot at 475 de Maisonneuve Blvd E on weekends — $28 CAD vs $35 CAD overnight. 2. Request a portable ramp at check-in if you need step-free access to the rear exit (it's a one-step drop); otherwise the main entrance is step-free. 3. The basic wi-fi is free but slow (5 Mbps) — for streaming or work, pay the $10 CAD premium tier for 50 Mbps.
- 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 — Le Square Phillips
Free basic wi-fi (up to 5 Mbps) included; premium tier $10 CAD/24h for up to 50 Mbps. No login portal – direct connection
Two lifts serve all 7 floors; no stairs-only sections
Digital PressReader access via QR code at front desk; hotel occupies a former YMCA building (1918) with original terrazzo stairs and vaulted lobby ceiling
Check-in from 15:00; early bag drop available. Late check-out until 12:00 for $30 CAD; after 12:00 charged half night's rate
Complimentary for arriving/departing guests on request
Step-free entrance from Place Phillips; lifts have standard door widths; no roll-in showers – all rooms have tubs. Portable ramp on request for one step at rear exit
No on-site parking. Nearest public lot: Stationnement Place Phillips (1501 Robert-Bourassa Blvd) – $35 CAD overnight. Also, BAnQ lot (475 de Maisonneuve Blvd E) – $28 CAD/night weekends. No EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (Quebec does not levy a separate city/tourist tax on accommodation; GST/QST included in quoted rate)
Deposit & card hold: First night charged at booking; a $100 CAD incidental hold placed on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Église anglicane Saint-Georges (255 m · ~3 min walk)
- Church: Cathédrale Marie-Reine-du-Monde (338 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: St. Jax Montréal (598 m · ~7 min walk)
- Church: Christ Church Anglican Cathedral (832 m · ~10 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Underground City — 614 m · ~8 min walk
Square Dorchester — 232 m · ~3 min walk
Barbie Expo — 517 m · ~6 min walk
Théâtre de Concordia — 713 m · ~9 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
CIBC — 56 m · ~1 min walk
Pharmaprix — 269 m · ~3 min walk
Dépanneur Pizza Peel — 240 m · ~3 min walk
Lucien-L'Allier — 441 m · ~6 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Canadian Dollar, CAD
Use bank ATMs for best rates; avoid airport and tourist bureaux where fees and rates are poor.
Credit/debit cards widely accepted; contactless and mobile pay common.
Restaurants 15-20% pre-tax; taxis 10-15%; hotel staff $2-5 per bag or per night for housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Filter coffee at a café or diner — about $2.50 CAD.
Sandwich or salad from a deli — roughly $10–12 CAD.
Main course at a casual pub or bistro — around $18–22 CAD.
Place Phillips area near food courts and street vendors on Ste-Catherine Street for quick, affordable options.
Metro, Provigo, and Super C are common in central Montreal.
High-street chains on Ste-Catherine Street (e.g. H&M, Zara) and Simons department store.
Single STM bus/metro fare $3.75 CAD; day pass $11 CAD. From airport: 747 Express bus ($8.25 CAD) is cheapest.
Eat lunch specials at restaurants (under $15). Buy a weekly metro pass if staying several days. Skip taxis; use BIXI bike share or walk in the Plateau.
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 Le Square Phillips
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · CIBC — 56 m · ~1 min walk — pharmacy · Pharmaprix — 269 m · ~3 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 Le Square Phillips?
Request a room on floors 4 to 6 facing away from Place Phillips (towards the inner courtyard or the quieter rear of the building). These floors are high enough to avoid street-level rumble but still within the two-lift range for quick access.
Which rooms should I avoid at Le Square Phillips?
Avoid rooms on floor 1 (street noise and potential lift lobby foot traffic) and floor 7 (possible noise from the roof or mechanical systems, plus longer wait for lifts). Also skip any room labelled as facing Place Phillips directly — that square is a pedestrian plaza but can get busy with people and occasional events.
Is Le Square Phillips noisy?
Place Phillips itself is a pedestrian zone but can be noisy from foot traffic, nearby cafes, and occasional street performers until about 10pm. The hotel is at 1193 Place Phillips, which is near the intersection with Sainte-Catherine Street — Sainte-Catherine carries traffic and nightlife sounds. Also the two lifts are audible in rooms adjacent to the shaft.
Which rooms have the best views at Le Square Phillips?
The best view is from upper floors (5-6) on the side facing the Montreal skyline to the north-east — you might catch the Place des Arts or Mount Royal in the distance. Avoid hoping for a view of Place Phillips itself; it's a modest plaza, not a landmark square.
What are insider tips for staying at Le Square Phillips?
1. For parking, use the BAnQ lot at 475 de Maisonneuve Blvd E on weekends — $28 CAD vs $35 CAD overnight. 2. Request a portable ramp at check-in if you need step-free access to the rear exit (it's a one-step drop); otherwise the main entrance is step-free. 3. The basic wi-fi is free but slow (5 Mbps) — for streaming or work, pay the $10 CAD premium tier for 50 Mbps.
What time is check-in at Le Square Phillips?
Check-in at Le Square Phillips is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Le Square Phillips have Wi-Fi?
Free basic wi-fi (up to 5 Mbps) included; premium tier $10 CAD/24h for up to 50 Mbps. No login portal – direct connection
Is there a city or tourist tax at Le Square Phillips?
None (Quebec does not levy a separate city/tourist tax on accommodation; GST/QST included in quoted rate)
Where can I eat cheaply near Le Square Phillips?
Sandwich or salad from a deli — roughly $10–12 CAD.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Le Square Phillips?
Single STM bus/metro fare $3.75 CAD; day pass $11 CAD. From airport: 747 Express bus ($8.25 CAD) is cheapest.
When is the best time to visit Montreal?
May, June and September: warm but not humid, with mostly sunny days and manageable crowds. Tourist numbers are lower than July-August but the festivals are already running.
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.