Luxury Hotels - RC Montreal renovation

The RC Montreal just completed a much needed $200 million dollar renovation. So far I have been unable to find much information. Any thoughts or experiences? The website makes no mention of a club level.

RC management ended in 1992

RC management ended in 1992

Back in the Ritz fold now..... The images I've seen look like the rooms are well done. Haven't visited yet.

Stayed at the property ten years ago or so. Great location. Looking forward to another visit.

edit - i thought it was obvious that i chose not to edit my previous post a second time because it had been quoted. also, my post originally did not say 1992. that was my first edit. moderators can confirm that.

RC marketing not mgmt, like ritz hotels. both are "partners" on RC site. montreal site says independent.
http://www.ritzmontreal.com/en/ has direct ihotelier reservations instead of marriott
http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/Montreal/Default.htm

xxxx-1991 RC mgmt
1991-1998 (torrianis etc acquire) kempinski mgmt
1998-2006 RC mgmt
2006-xxxx (torrianis etc reshuffle) independent

father of GM >

I have a soft spot for MO, maybe because GM Marco Torriani has been there since George Rafael took over the hotel. He has stayed on under MO and it shows, as the service here is very good indeed...I think F&B here is excellent.

presumably reto is another relative >

They had brought in Reto Torriani from Bora Bora to crisis manage for Kempinski

Stayed at the property ten years ago or so. Great location. Looking forward to another visit.

I have a very special memory of this hotel and have been casually tracking its progress throughout the renovation. I will go up to Montreal at some point over the summer to see what was done and how it feels, and of course post my impressions.

Back in the Ritz fold now..... The images I've seen look like the rooms are well done. Haven't visited yet.

Is a fully managed Ritz hotel or just a partner hotel?

see my above post
(re other "partners" - bvlgari is RC managed, cosmopolitan is marriott autograph)

I noticed that the Logo is even a bit different.

original Ritz-Carlton logo with the full lion

re $200mm, while im sure 129 rooms are fine, there are 46 residences
im curious about closings, i see original sales figures of $13mm and $15mm for largest one
http://www.residences.ritzmontreal.com/ more interesting history etc there

Is a fully managed Ritz hotel or just a partner hotel?

It is listed as a partner hotel on the RC website. I noticed that the Logo is even a bit different.

see my above post


First you write Ritz ended management in 1992 in post #2 (a rather final statement), now its 2006 in post #5. You are just splitting hairs again.... Its bookable at ritzcarlton.com and on their 1-800 number, which is a big difference from where it was when the property closed to renovated. So, IMHO it is back in the Ritz Carlton fold, just like I wrote.

First you write Ritz ended management in 1992 in post #2 (a rather final statement), now its 2006 in post #5. You are just splitting hairs again.... Its bookable at ritzcarlton.com and on their 1-800 number, which is a big difference from where it was when the property closed to renovated. So, IMHO it is back in the Ritz Carlton fold, just like I wrote.

There is a rather big difference between being a partner hotel and a fully managed RC hotel.

There is a rather big difference between being a partner hotel and a fully managed RC hotel.

What is the big difference then? A little touch up of a logo?

If you want to split hairs, then yes, but to the naked eye its a Ritz Carlton. Before the closing to renovate the hotel was not in any way tied to the American Ritz Carlton Hotel Company LLC, but that is changed now. Even the ritzmontreal.com site is © 2012 The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C at the bottom left. I suspect that site has something to do with the fact that ritzcarlton.com is not available in french.

Even the ritzmontreal.com site is © 2012 The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C at the bottom left. I suspect that site has something to do with the fact that ritzcarlton.com is not available in french.

http://wayback.archive.org/web/*/http://www.ritzmontreal.com/
goes back to when they ended RC management
(the second time, after an equity rearrange - did kempinski choose to end their own contract themselves?)

http://web.archive.org/web/20070209022357/http://www.ritzmontreal.com/termsofuse.htm
http://www.ritzmontreal.com/en/terms-of-use/
property of the Ritz Carlton Montreal or used with permission


http://web.archive.org/web/20070428014946/http://www.ritzmontreal.com/history.htm
http://www.ritzmontreal.com/en/hotel-montreal/history/
In January 1992, the Ritz-Carlton Hotel was sold and became affiliated with the European-based Kempinski group of five-star hotels. Today, the Ritz-Carlton is independently managed

http://web.archive.org/web/20071213042351/http://www.ritzmontreal.com/pressroom.htm
http://www.ritzmontreal.com/en/pressroom/
It is managed by Torriani Luxury Hotel Management Canada, a subsidiary of Monaco Luxury Hotels and Resorts
= owner

http://web.archive.org/web/20070209022308/http://www.ritzmontreal.com/contactus.htm
http://www.ritzmontreal.com/en/contact-us/
email addresses @ritzmontreal.com

(http://www.ritzmontreal.com/en/sitemap/)

A little touch up of a logo?

original Ritz-Carlton logo with the full lion

father of GM >

I have a soft spot for MO, maybe because GM Marco Torriani has been there since George Rafael took over the hotel. He has stayed on under MO and it shows, as the service here is very good indeed...I think F&B here is excellent.
posted Jun 7, 10

http://www.linkedin.com/company/ritz-carlton-montr-al
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/guillaume-benezech/8/400/763
EAM in charge of F&B
Ritz-Carlton, Montréal
March 2012 – Present

Food and beverage director
Mandarin oriental geneva
March 2009 – February 2012

Funny, just got an email from RC wherein the opening of Montreal is mentioned.

Here's the relevant section:

Now Open: Ritz-Carlton Montréal
Experience the regal beauty of a historic landmark;
our newest partner hotel located in the heart of Montréal.

Funny, just got an email from RC wherein the opening of Montreal is mentioned.

Here's the relevant section:

Partnering with the Ritz-Carlton brand is not the same as the Ritz-Carlton hotel company actually physically managing the property.

Partnering with the Ritz-Carlton brand is not the same as the Ritz-Carlton hotel company actually physically managing the property.
Oh I agree ... was just pointing out that even within RC marketing emails they clearly state Partner.

Oh I agree ... was just pointing out that even within RC marketing emails they clearly state Partner.

Got it; was confused.

Got it; was confused.

Monaco Luxury Hotels and Resorts.

Nice article here about the history and the future from the Globe and Mail:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/travel/destinations/the-reincarnation-of-montreals-ritz/article4224964/

Nice article here about the history and the future from the Globe and Mail:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/travel/destinations/the-reincarnation-of-montreals-ritz/article4224964/

(Editor's note: Due to an editing error, incorrect information appeared in a travel article about the Ritz-Carlton Montreal. The hotel is now a part of the luxury chain. This version of the story has been corrected. )

(Editor's note: Due to an editing error, incorrect information appeared in a travel article about the Ritz-Carlton Montreal. The hotel is now a part of the luxury chain. This version of the story has been corrected. )

Yes- however the luxury chain being referred to is:
Back then, Torriani was working as a captain in the hotel's Café de Paris. His brothers Anthony and Jonathan, old school friends of mine, worked the door and the front desk. Now, their company, Monaco Luxury Hotels and Resorts, controls a majority stake in the Ritz,

Yes- however the luxury chain being referred to is:

What chain are you talking about? Monaco Luxury Hotels is a holding company based in Luxembourg according to Canadian records. Doesn't sound like a chain does it?

http://news.marriott.com/2011/06/the-ritz-carlton-hotel-company-llc-charts-global-expansion-plan.html

The Ritz-Carlton, Montreal—an historic landmark in the city’s downtown—plans to become a “partner hotel.” Under this agreement, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company will provide sales and marketing support for the iconic, independent hotel.

http://www.can-lodgingnews.com/artman2/publish/September2010/OpeningsSalesRenos/Montreal-s-100-million-Ritz-Carlton-reno.shtml

While the hotel is not owned or operated by The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company LLC, they have a comprehensive license, marketing and service agreement with them. They adhere to the Ritz-Carlton standards and have many integrated services (reservations, marketing etc.). Upon the reopening of the hotel in 2011, they will be a partner hotel of The Ritz-Carlton Hotels and Resorts.

Good history lesson and discussion about marketing agreements, et al.

But, back to the OP's question, has anyone stayed here since the renovations? I have a business trip to Montreal and am considering the RC.

Stayed here 2 nights earlier this week, so here's my review. I really like this property. Service, decor, bedding, towels, room and bathroom were all up to (or exceeded) typical Ritz standards. My room (705) was spacious and had a walk-in closet and huge bathroom with separate tub and shower as well as its own water closet with the Toto toilet. Heated floors, towel warmer, and the aforementioned toilet were nice touches in the bathroom. The room was great, with a nice work area. The flat screen TV did, indeed, have HD programming and the TV was at least 47", so easily watchable from any point in the room. The king bed was typical Ritz and the pillows and linens were very nice. Turn-down service each night and the usual quality housekeeping during the day. The electronic controls for everything from lights to shades took some adjustment, but worked just fine after a little "playing around" with them. My only complaint was what sounded like an elevator motor or something in the HVAC system that made a constant low hum. I reported it to the front desk staff and was told they would check it out, but I never heard more about it. I probably wouldn't choose room 705 again just for that reason. It didn't disrupt my sleep, but it was a bit annoying. I didn't notice it in the hallway - only in the room. Odd, but not horrible.

Thanks for the report!

Was your room located close to the elevators? I always request a quietly located room (i.e. away from elevators and service doorways/areas).

That being said, I'm one of those people who enjoys it when the HVAC units make a little noise ... it's nice, for me, to have some white noise in the room.

Stayed here 2 nights earlier this week, so here's my review. I really like this property. Service, decor, bedding, towels, room and bathroom were all up to (or exceeded) typical Ritz standards. My room (705) was spacious and had a walk-in closet and huge bathroom with separate tub and shower as well as its own water closet with the Toto toilet. Heated floors, towel warmer, and the aforementioned toilet were nice touches in the bathroom. The room was great, with a nice work area. The flat screen TV did, indeed, have HD programming and the TV was at least 47", so easily watchable from any point in the room. The king bed was typical Ritz and the pillows and linens were very nice. Turn-down service each night and the usual quality housekeeping during the day. The electronic controls for everything from lights to shades took some adjustment, but worked just fine after a little "playing around" with them. My only complaint was what sounded like an elevator motor or something in the HVAC system that made a constant low hum. I reported it to the front desk staff and was told they would check it out, but I never heard more about it. I probably wouldn't choose room 705 again just for that reason. It didn't disrupt my sleep, but it was a bit annoying. I didn't notice it in the hallway - only in the room. Odd, but not horrible.

Thanks for the review, Montreal is still on our short list and it sounds like the RC will be a great choice. I will report back after our visit there.

I stayed at the RC Montreal in late June.

Property was beautiful although was almost 'too' new. It seems as if the 'old' staff and the 'new' staff were going through a cultural battle, but that may be too much information for the average guest. Regardless, service was exemplary.

Two key complaints, albeit coming from a Ritz level of expectations:

1. Construction noise - They are still building part of the residences out. If you are furthest away from the elevators, it can be a problem. On one morning around 7am - they started doing work that made it impossible to sleep. If I wasn't there for work, this would have been more than a minor inconvenience.

2. Hotel amenities - The only food/bar I saw was the attached Daniel Boulod restaurant. Great restaurant, but not built to provide hotel services.

Thanks for the report!

Was your room located close to the elevators? I always request a quietly located room (i.e. away from elevators and service doorways/areas).

That being said, I'm one of those people who enjoys it when the HVAC units make a little noise ... it's nice, for me, to have some white noise in the room.

Nope. I was a good 25 yards or more away from the elevators, which are located at one end of the building. And, while white noise is fine, this wasn't white noise. Not terribly disruptive, but certainly noticeable.

I stayed at the RC Montreal in late June.

Property was beautiful although was almost 'too' new. It seems as if the 'old' staff and the 'new' staff were going through a cultural battle, but that may be too much information for the average guest. Regardless, service was exemplary.

Two key complaints, albeit coming from a Ritz level of expectations:

1. Construction noise - They are still building part of the residences out. If you are furthest away from the elevators, it can be a problem. On one morning around 7am - they started doing work that made it impossible to sleep. If I wasn't there for work, this would have been more than a minor inconvenience.

I specifically asked about this based on a similar comment here or on Trip Advisor. I was told that the construction was either over or would not be disruptive. It wasn't. Never heard anything resembling construction noise.

2. Hotel amenities - The only food/bar I saw was the attached Daniel Boulod restaurant. Great restaurant, but not built to provide hotel services.

True, I guess. I never ate in the hotel. There is a lobby bar, though it's not particularly well-staffed so easy to miss. It almost appears to be just a lobby, not a lobby bar. Room service is available, though I don't know the hours as I didn't use it. I assumed 24 hours, but someone should confirm that, if interested.