I arrive at 11:45 at the Montreal Station Central and start calling and confirming my appointments. Thank goodness I do and my first appointment with Katia is on but the rest need adjustments…COMMUNICATION WORKS, so I’m off to see Katia of Vacances Canada M.D. Youth Hostel
Moving around Montreal
I use the metro which is the local transit in Montreal and I have to hold my tongue having to deal with the man at the ticket booth. I don’t know if his impression of me is homeless because of my bags but I don’t believe so because already the friendly women of Montreal are directing me to my first appointment. Take the orange line (Henri-Bourassa) to Laurier, walk out at the Laurier exit and go west (right) and make a right at the second light and it’s the school building on the left. I walk up the stairs and for some reason I feel like I’m in the alps…I know crazy, must be because I’ve just walked 10 minutes in the pouring rain. I open the door to be greeted behind a window by a beautiful smile…that’s always refreshing, I don’t ask for much. That was Katia, whom I have my appointment with and she directs me into the office so that I can relax for a while and start our meeting. We chat for a while and I’m trying but off course, I don’t have an internet connection, so we go for a tour of the property. We take an elevator upstairs and I’m thinking that this would be a great place for the physically challenged but the entrances are all stair cases…let see if she changes that for the future and make it more accessible. We make our way to one of the rooms and right away you recognize how room is in this property, it’s very spacious and the rooms are the same. This place is very, very simple and doesn’t have any bells or whistles at all but it does have some lockers in the dorms, ensuite and a bed. So, if your just looking for a place to sleep and your not concerned ‘bout the beauty or atmosphere, but more what you can do outside of the property then this is a budget accommodating place to stay…it’s cheap and you get what you pay for. This would be a great place for sports teams and/or any groups because of the room size. There are up to 240 beds and they are all dorms…no worries they won’t mix individuals with groups. Actually Katia could easily accommodate 400 people here if she really wanted to by throwing in some bunk beds. Lets see what happens, so calling all big groups that are looking to be in the same location, have access baggage and like some privacy.
It’s Friday October 13th and I’m sitting on the couch ‘cause I’ve been up from 06:00 typing and updating my files, resizing pictures and I’m looking at the time, realizing that I better get ready and go see Nathalie of Auberge Chez Jean for 10:00. Give me a couple minutes to shave, bathe and get off to my appointment. I’ll talk to later and let you know how it all goes. I’m finally off and sitting here at the bus stop waiting for the local bus here. During that time it gives me a few moments to pick up a connection and try to send off some emails. The bus takes about ½ hour and I finally get on, but call in my appointment and inform Nathalie that I’ll be a bit late. I make my way to Villa Marie and get off at Mont Royal, walk out the station and go left a couple of streets and continue till I reach. My first impression of this hostel is a open concept loft with people everywhere. Nathalie makes me a cup of tea and we start chit-chatting about the area and what they’re actually doing at their hostel. This trip is a bit different; to lesson my workload after my meeting I now bring out the laptop and start updating all files immediately, something that worked well from my last appointment the prior day with Katia. Nathalie works with Jean and she gives him a call and then he makes his way over, so I update him on our conversations and go over section by section. This open concept is only for a few who just don’t mind that there’s NO privacy, but the atmosphere of sharing and interaction is very evident. There’s a Japanese lady in the kitchen who is preparing sushi for some of the people staying and I’m told that people just pick up food for those that choose to cook and share with other persons…very communal. There’s a lot of information posted on the board for people to participate in a variety of activities and have some brief knowledge ‘bout what the hostel is about through their Newsletter that they publish each month. Nathalie and Jean are very accommodating and make sure that everyone is satisfied. Now the tour, I walk around to the patio where people can have breakfast in the morning or go out for a smoke and view some of the artwork on the building. We go down the swirl staircase and what I think is an oversized locker is actually an outdoor shower…wow…This is not a misprint…lol…the shower is outside behind a shutter door. I thought it would be a bit nippy at this time of year, but Jean suggests that it’ll be in use for one more week…another wow from the lady inside when we accidentally pulled the door. There seemed to be beds everywhere and if you really want to live out the seventies…Jean has a van on the ground floor parked on stilts which includes a bed inside and literally outside the door is another outdoor toilets and shower...The van thing would be all good but because there’s no luggage room so it could get a little crammed. And their showers and toilets are just outside the door, literally. I forget to mention that the main floor bath/shower is in the same room as the laundry room and they actually sell condoms for $1. It must be working because there’s only one left…people are having personal fun. After the tour we make our way back upstairs and exchange t-shirts and more Hostelbookers marketing tools…pens, pamphlets and my business card. After asking about directions, Jean kindly offers me a ride to my next location. He’s a very interesting character and is very passionate about what he does. This seems like something that has long as he has breath, he’ll own hostels.
Meeting Terisita
Moments later, probably closer to 13:00…Jean drops me off further down the street to St. Denis, so that I go to meet Terisita of Hotel Montreal Espace Confort. I walk up the stairs to wait is probably the newly renovated and well kept budget accommodation. We both looked at each other in the reception area to confirm that I was in the right place and once that was acknowledged it was all dreamy after that. I was welcomed with an espresso by Daniela whom sat me down with a beautiful smile, while I assembled my work together before Terisita meets with me. As I mentioned earlier, it’s all about updating my data immediately while I can instead of later. Terisita introduces herself to me and I the same and we proceed with our meeting in the breakfast/ dining area that I find out later through conversation that it’s sometimes rented out for business meetings because it’s loaded with audio/ visual accessories. The layout here is incredible and If your having any sort of meeting or studying, then here would be the place to make a very professional presentation. We continue to update has much pages as possible and then Daniela will be giving me a tour of the facilities. And while all this happening, Terisita is putting together lunch…for a place that’s has sharp as it is, your treated like family…home sweet home. I need to speak about the tour and get my mind of food for a minute…lol…Has we walk through the doors and escorted to the room, I’m feeling that I’m in a hotel and that the rooms confirm my thoughts. Everything is so neat, clean and smells fresh with all your amenities to keep people comfortable in their room. Future plans will encourage more interaction and fun between the different guests so that there’s less isolation. It’s that type of privacy that I believe separates the budget accommodations against hotels, that ability to feel like you’re at home with friends just hanging, but everyone looking for something interesting to do. Back to the tour, I know I can get sidetracked sometimes…okay I’m back on course. Even with these facilities Terista welcomes all types of groups they should contact her prior to arrival. Now back to the dining room area, showcased is a Mexican artist. Terista supports arts in Montreal and creative talents in poetry by giving people a place to showcase their talents. Many surprises are in store to make this an ideal place to enjoy your espresso, view and talk ‘bout local and foreign artist and sleep like a king/queen when your ready to shut some eye…let’s see what happens by the time summer comes around.
Now much later and well fed, I walk off my lunch and arrive at 16:45 to meet to meet Pierre Bellavance of Globetrotter Montreal. The walk takes me about ½ hour and I’m lead into a district of cafes, fashion, restaurants and art. I’m not clear where I am but I’m walking up St. Denis towards Mont-Royal and it’s vibrant and beautiful, has well are the people directing me to my next destination. When I arrive and once we’ve identified one another, Pierre asks me to wait 10minutes…if you’re checking in for the first time you’ll need to remember that it begins at 17:00. We finally make our way upstairs and I’m seating in the kitchen area and we begin to converse about some of the challenges of the business. While this is going on, the dog of the hostel named Skippy is racing back and forth. So for all you pet lovers…this is a pet friendly environment, but I very much suggest that you call ahead and clear it all first with Pierre. Like many properties that I’m visiting it’s about creating a environment for the market of the property in discussion, so we start looking at the feedback offered by the past guests that have stayed and commented. It’s about getting a good night sleep and taking advantage of this great location. Pierre and I talked about getting some more information about the happenings and places to hang out for certain flavours of people that will enter his doors. Come here and be your own personal chef and with such large lounge rooms you can easily be able to interact so leave your shyness at the airport…you know what I mean…outside. Pierre also has a great information board in the kitchen area…I guess he likes the kitchen has much as I do. Like I’ve said before, the kitchen is a great meeting place and good food always puts a smile on someones face…even in the dead of winter. If the food fails well, Pierre will direct you to a restaurant downstairs or down the way…whoooa, there’s goes skippy again…that dog got some character, skippy will definitely put a smile on your face. The Globetrotter Montreal has two floors and some rooms have bigger windows than others but all good lighting. One of the rooms actually made me think that I was back in Italy…love you Sylvia that was a great trip. If your looking to make a quick run to Toronto then I see on the board that Pierre has the 411 on getting you there for $40. don’t know the conditions but Pierre doesn’t bite, so ask. Get a good nites sleep and enjoy the area, especially if you appreciate the arts.
Not much sleep
It’s Monday October 16th and I’ve been up from ‘bout 06:30, so not much sleep last night after a great dinner at RUMI. I still can’t pick up an internet connection so I call and confirm my two appointments today. My first appointment is with Roberto Chinn-Foo from Auberge Maeva Montreal at 11:30, so I better leave shortly because I’m really not impressed with the local transportation here. I follow directions to Metro Lucien Allier and this property is literally just two minutes away but I realize that when I was departing because they probably didn’t want me to get lost so I got another set of directions…lol. Upon my arrival I see Roberto leaving and I immediately know it’s him even though we haven’t met yet and he soon returns and then we formally introduce ourselves. I’m offered a beverage and then we sit in the kitchen area with his wife Karina and Robin who seems to watch over the computers and implementing a more efficient environment. I start informing Roberto and Karina that this meeting is suppose to be a very relaxed meeting and I’m not her to place judgment, rather I’m here to support their business needs and how we can look to advance your bookings by taking a more detailed look at your facilities and area. It takes a while but it seems like Robert is trying loosen up and then we continue on some of the advantages of coming to his property. Immediately, I can see why past patrons see this has a homely environment…lots of interaction in the kitchen area, food seems to do that. I didn’t get her name but the cleaning lady is all smiles and cheerful, always reminding me how clean this place is and that I should have come when she’s finished, but I remind her that anything she touches will shine…not sure if she understood me, but she smiled even more. You see I do introduce myself but I like people thinking that I’m just one of the many people coming to stay…and then drop it on them. Each room got it’s on personality or at least a different color and all those that I saw had a sink and cabinets that could easily double up as lockers if they work it out and do a little work. Did I say this place was colorful…well, if I didn’t now you know. Roberto and Karina are world travelers and should have some stories to tell you, I didn’t ask if there’s a story behind the snow shoes but you can. No ensuites here, but if there was that would take away from their focus of their personal interpretation of what a hostel was and is. By the time you read this Robin may have started a cycle or walking tour, so I’m cheering you on mate and enjoy.
A little later that afternoon at 14:15 finding a white building at the end of a street and it’s HI – Montreal and I proceed to meet Isabelle Boyer for our visitation meeting. I open the doors to enter into a colorful and a very informative activity board full of activities to help create some atmosphere within this hostel. The front desk staff is friendly and informs Isabelle that I’m here and we meet also with Jacques Perrault. First we start with a tour of the rooms and facilities that the patrons have access to. All the rooms are ensuite, which is great for those that like some privacy and each room has long mirrors so no fear…you can do a last minute check before you go down to the bar area. That’s right you can go downstairs and have a drink, play some pool, baby feet and even some board games. When you build up your appetite then hopefully you would have picked up some groceries and now be ready to make yourself towards the self-catering kitchen. You get a cubby to store your dry food, eight stovetop burners are available and some basic recycling facilities. Well, my cooking wasn’t put to the test but Isabelle, Jacque and I went to a traditional Italian Cuisine called Ferrari and I was very impressed, now this may not appear to be a backpackers budget, but Hi – Montreal is working on affiliations with businesses in the area so that you may experience a variety of choices that will make your stay in Montreal memorable, but most important…have you come back again. You can’t come here without looking to experience some ice…that’s right, talk to staff ‘bout tickets to see the Montreal Canadians whom play for the NHL. This is not just any kind of a sporting event here, it’s a lifestyle. I wasn’t here during game time but I did go see a hockey styled comedy improv that was celebrating its 40th year at the Café Campus. This was an event to see, now you all know I’m English speaking and I had a ball…body language goes beyond our limited language, believe me…you heard it here first…lol. I was told to come the next night and the disco is all crazy fun...I was introduced to this by Isabelle from Hi – Montreal and after missing my last bus to my friends’ house, it was decided that getting a private room would be my best option…wow!!! I had a great sleep and even though it wasn’t planned, this happened to be one of those times that you go with the flow and enjoy. I get up in the morning by 6:00 and start working by inputting data that won’t be soon forgotten. I’ve had a very good time in Montreal and the hospitality has been great! Better than Great, I’ve had a very good experience here so, I definitely want to make some more stops here in the future…Now after you’ve read my experience on my last day in the Hemorrhoids section then you’ll soon realize that I’m still here in Montreal and writing away. Well, I’ll be confirming my bus plans shortly and going west means I’ll be using two different bus services to get to my destination. I still have so much updating to do so I’ll continue with my Thank You and report letters for all those that have been visited and fill out form reports for the office so everyone knows what I’m doing while traveling around North America, supporting properties that work along with Hostelbookers.