Hôtel William Gray

Character and identity

Tucked behind a discreet sign on a cobblestone street in Old Montreal, the William Gray is a 127-room design hotel that reads more like a stylish loft than a conventional property. The lobby sets the tone: exposed concrete beams, hanging light fixtures, barn-wood tables, leather stools, and guests tapping at laptops as if at home. Dining runs unusually deep for a hotel of this scale, with Maggie Oakes for serious cooking, a rooftop bar with views from the Jacques-Cartier Bridge to the Lachine Canal, and Café Olimpico for coffee. A rooftop garden, outdoor pool, and gym round out the public spaces.

Who's it for

Bottom line

What defines a stay here is atmosphere: a genuinely lived-in, design-driven space in the heart of Old Montreal, anchored by some of the city's better hotel dining. Book the deluxe suite for the balcony, wingback armchair, and tub alongside the rain shower, and aim for warmer months when the rooftop garden and pool come into their own.