Montreal?
 

USAir is running a promotion whereby you can get award tickets for 15/35,000 miles (Y/F) from any US/Canada origin to select destinations.

So I plan to go to Montreal with my spouse.

Neither of us have ever been, so we're looking for suggestions on where to stay and what to do.

Specifically, we'd like to see some theatre and stay at a big, old, romantic hotel.

Suggestions?

Mike

[This message has been edited by Mikey likes it (edited 08-26-2002).]

Montreal is a wonderful city, though some items on your wishlist might be a bit tricky.

For a big old romantic hotel, you won't do much better than the Ritz-Carlton on Sherbrooke St. Lovely old place, nice dining room, in a good location near art galleries/shopping. A distant second choice for an old romantic hotel is the Queen Elizabeth (now in the Fairmont chain). It's mostly a business hotel, excellent access to the underground shopping center (more important in winter than the rest of the year).

One of the nicest parts of Montreal is the old city, centered around Place Jacques Cartier. Lots of interesting places to stroll around, shops, street artists, restaurants.

Theatre may be very tricky unless you're francophone. Although you'll find English spoken in just about every shop in Montreal, French is the native language of most residents, and way more theatre is in French than English. However, Montreal is also the home to the Cirque du Soleil, whose shows know no language. Check their home page for schedule.

Highly recommend the Queen Elizabeth in Montreal. Former railroad hotel, then Hilton, now Fairmont. It's where I stay when I can afford to upgrade what my employer is prepared to pay.

If, on the other hand, you'd be interested in a smaller, more intimate romantic hotel, there is nothing better than Loews Vogue. Superb location (even better than Ritz-Carlton's, although these two are quite close to each other), excellent service, huge marble bathrooms with jacuzzi, very nice beds.

Last time in Montreal we stayed in the Auberge du Vieux Port right on the riverfront. It was very old and very romantic.

Stayed there for new year's eve a couple of years ago as well. A very nice place.