Where to Stay

Le Westin Montréal rose from parking-lot ashes in May 2009, erected in the booming Quartier International. It faces the multi-hued Palais des congrès, with 424 elegantly appointed rooms, 30 luxurious suites and a stunning front entrance that opens beneath the hotel’s glass-bottom swimming pool. The property includes the adjacent heritage building along rue St-Jacques, former site of the Montreal Gazette printing plant. Its history is observed by its new culinary tenants: Gazette restaurant (for refined dining) and the Reporter lounge (for nibbles and drinks). A short cobblestone path leads you to Old Montreal and the St. Lawrence waterfront. Or explore the subterranean corridor connected to the famous underground city, a network of shops, cinemas and restaurants. You can redeem Aeroplan Miles for your stay — or earn miles here (or at other Aeroplan Hotel Partners) by showing your Aeroplan Card when you check in.

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Where to Dine

In the heart of Old Montreal’s multimedia district, Le Local draws refined palates and those who wish to see and be seen. Housed in a former architect’s office, the contemporary space of brick walls and concrete flooring showcases chef Charles-Emmanuel Pariseau’s open-style kitchen and a glass cave à vin of mainly private imports. On Thursday evenings, hip professionals come for the lively 5 à 7 (Quebec’s version of happy hour). The wines are selected by award-winning sommelier Élyse Lambert, and the bistro-inspired dinners include a pork-ribs-and-lobster guédille, an honoured Quebecois recipe. Locals know the owner, Louis-François Marcotte, from his other restaurant, Simpléchic, and as star of Le goût de Louis, a cooking show on Canal Vie.

For foodies on the hunt, the classic Au Pied de Cochon is a can’t-miss eatery, as are the restaurants Le Club Chasse et Pêche (upscale surf ’n’ turf) and M:BRGR (the best burgers and sweet-potato fries in town).

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Where to Shop

A petite owner for a petite boutique, Brigitte Chartrand was a fashion stylist before she opened Reborn in Old Montreal with her French bulldog, Pema. One of the city's fashion finds, her designer offerings reflect Chartrand’s own avant-garde style, typically two or three steps ahead of the pack. Check out the imported lambskin leathers by Belgian-Italian Natalia Brilli, asymmetrical cotton basics by Rick Owens, experimental couture by Bless or the daring pants and tunics by local wunderkind Rad Hourani.

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What to Do

If you’ve gone as far north as Little Italy — an ideal spot for an authentic caffè italiano — you’re just a hop, skip and espresso away from the Marché Jean-Talon. Opened in 1933, this is where many of Montreal’s top chefs, such as Normand Laprise of Toqué, start their day to source the freshest produce for their kitchens. Farmers from across Quebec come to sell their terroir goods, many of them directly out of their trucks. Local highlights include duck from Lac Brome, bison sausages and Le Riopelle de l’Isle, a nutty, triple-cream cheese. The arcades also offer a multi-ethnic feast: the finest fresh baklava, French-style crepes and Indian bhajis, all of which can be enjoyed while seated in the central hall or strolling the stalls. Just make sure to come with an empty stomach.

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Where to Detour

Just under an hour from downtown Montreal, Balnea is a trendy spa based in a modern cabin overlooking Lake Gale in the Eastern Townships. Sprawled across several flat tiers, the spa offers plenty of ways to mingle or melt your cares away, from waterfall baths to rooftop yoga to lounge chairs for lazy naps. It has hot and cold dipping pools (indoors and out), a detoxifying sweat cave, Turkish steam bath and Finnish sauna, the latter with a panoramic view of the peaceful surroundings. A café serves soups, salads and hot meals. In warmer weather, soak up the sun in style at the Club de plage ("beach club"), with cedar Jacuzzi tubs, pillow beds and a juice bar.

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