Thank you very much for your lovely words of encouragement.
It made otherwise another abysmally grumpy day of fasting into a ray of sunshine and beacon of hope.
(i read your post while on the weightscale and i'm determined to lose another 1KG for Friday's helicopter ride reaching the treshold in the nick of time..)

My tip for Q2/4

Best is to write an email to their direct reservations department:
[email protected]
- quote your reservation number and politely inquire your interest in purchasing AMB
- what shall the upgrade will be of AMB on your reservation?
- is the hotel throwing in an incentive to purchase AMB directly at the hotel's reception upon check in?

Good luck and i'll handover the soapbox with loudspeaker to others now in the know concerning tasty treats in Montrčal.