Hi just bumping this thread.
I'll be in Montreal the week before Christmas and have read that the area around the Hyatt Place Hotel is full of vagrants. Is it better in that regard during the winter due to the chilly weather with the homeless perhaps seeking shelter. Is it a safe area? Also, I read the old town in mid summer is different to winter in Montreal with lots of places closed up, so staying in Old Town isn't really as nice as staying in summer-making the Hyatt Place not too bad a choice?