By Bridget March
With North America's highest gay population after San Francisco (although strongly Catholic) its residents are tolerant. At times we felt more in Europe than we do at home, as the predominantly French-speaking Montreal has a uniquely international feel with its eclectic architecture and mix of immigrants.
Stay
We stayed at one of the city's most loved boutique hotels, Le Place d'Armes Hotel & Suites which, in keeping with the city's style, serves up glamour and comfort in equal measure. Housing the beautifying Rainspa, the sexy Suite 701 and Terrasse 701 bars (the latter boasting beautiful views of the Old Town) it made a perfect base for our girly getaway.
We also squeezed in a visit to Opus, a hip new hotel perfect for party-loving groups; its late-night venues KoKo and Suco being buzzing hangouts.
Shop
Shopaholics will not be disappointed by Montreal. Sainte Catherine is supposedly the most condensed shopping street in Canada, housing all the big name chains as well as independent designers and the pièce de résistance, Ogilvy's department store, similar in style to London's Liberty.
We went in search of more unique fashion finds on Saint Laurent Boulevard and were pleasantly met with a menu of offbeat boutiques and value vintage stores. We timed our day trip well, coinciding with one of its infamous ‘sidewalk sales', a street sale and party with traffic blocked off for Sunday revellers to browse shop rails outdoors between shimmying on the street to live music.
We found fashion gems, some hidden, some obviously placed. Worth noting include the funky boutiques Kitsch'n Swell at 3968 Saint Laurent and u&i at 3650 Saint Laurent); the vintage and redesigned clothing store Cul-de-Sac (at 3966 Saint Laurent) and the small but cool boutique Old Gold on Mount Royal East (number 256), a retro shop lined street off Saint Laurent.
With our vintage appetite whetted, we check out ERA Vintage on a tip. At the other side of town on Notre-Dame West (number 1800), it's more on the antique furniture than clothes shopping trail, but is well worth a visit for its clean, carefully selected one-offs. I bagged some killer '80s heels for the equivalent of a tenner!
Eat and drink
The consumable offerings in Montreal couldn't be faulted either. Even the fussiest of eaters and drinkers would be satisfied.
On our first day we lunched on perfectly cooked duck with date chutney at the classy Lemeac restaurant (which, brilliantly, serves its food for half price after 10pm).
On the Friday night we dined on tasty meats, cheeses and salads, washed down with cava at Salon-Bars Buvette Chez Simone, a wine and tapas bar with an awakening buzzy atmosphere and cool clientele.
The following evening we gorged on spectacular contemporary Asian cuisine and innovative cocktails at Opus Hotel's super glam KoKo restaurant/bar, which was cool and collected when we arrived, and heaving with heady partiers when we departed.
The terrific terrasse culture in Montreal is something I already miss. Drinkers gather under moonlight at various venues to drink, dance and watch the city from above. Hotel bars are where locals and tourists meet and ours, Terrasse 701, was cool but non-intimidating, even with Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens sipping champagne in the corner!
Make sure to check out Nightlife magazine, which is available in bars and restaurants (it helps if you read French), which took us to Cinq à Sept, which translates directly as ‘five to seven', meaning ‘happy hour'.
And lthough we missed the opportunity to experience it firsthand, we were told that Bar Terrasse Le Saint-Sulpice in the Latin Quarter is the place to meet sexy French boys! There will definitely be a next time...
Beautifying and relaxing
After all our partying we had our hangovers soothed with style in the comfort of Le Place d'Armes Hotel's Rainspa, which houses an authentic hammam.
I trialled a Tropical Warmth massage; an hour-long full body treatment in warm vapours and eucalyptus oil which stimulate circulation, help rid toxins and encourage deeper muscle relaxation. It was hands down one of the best spa experiences I have ever had, more for the actual treatment then the spa which - although a heavenly hub - wasn't hugely unique.
We also checked out Montreal's very impressive Scandinavian Spa (pictured). The sleek facility offers various baths, packages and treatments, but the experience can be tailor-made to be as energising or relaxing as you want. Either way it's a definite must-do for down time.
Also on our itinerary (to some of the girls' horror) was the Garra Rufa Fish Therapy at Tami Beaute Des Ongles (60 Duluth East). This pedicure process involved tiny fish feasting on the feet's dry skin! In the quest to improve on my tired tootsies, I took the plunge and tolerated the tickling in reward for smoother heels and toes which were then polished to perfection by a beautician. It's not for the squeamish but it worked and guaranteed a giggle with the girls.
What to wear
The style seemed fairly mainstream and it didn't matter if you dressed up or down. At the more glam venues the girls rocked skimpy dresses and killer heels but you wouldn't feel uncomfortable in a simple frock and flats. For daytime shopping and sightseeing, layering is key, as (like in the UK) the weather is unreliable.
Before you go
We got an insider's perspective from a like-minded local which proved super useful. Tammy Emma Pepin's blog about life in the city has lots of gems for girls such as ‘the top 10 places to spot a hot man in Montreal!' and insights into where the cool residents like to shop. Well worth a read, as is the city's tourism site www.tourisme-montreal.org and the deals and offers at www.montrealsweetdeals.com.
Getting there
We flew from London Heathrow to Montreal Trudeau with Air Canada. British Airways also fly there direct, from £335 one way.
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