Hotel St. Paul ★★★★

What happens when you combine American optimism and modernity with the French’s unwavering passion for gastronomy, the arts and impeccable style? The answer is not “paradise” as I myself might have guessed, but Montréal. The Hotel St. Paul ****, like the city itself, demanded my awe and attention from the moment I laid eyes on it, in the shape of a wonderfully restored “beaux-arts” building that set a high standard for the rest of my stay.

I soon discovered this was Canada’s first boutique hotel, and that it has received numerous awards praising aspects from its design to its all-round trendsetter status. What surprised me however was not the haute couture vibe – the hotel’s rightly-deserved reputation prepared me in that regard – but the soul and warmth, something often missing from boutique hotels as stylish as these. While the lobby opted for opulent jewel tones in sumptuous fabrics and daring design features, my own room favoured a more minimalist, ethereal style that mimicked Canada’s stunning landscape; a natural palette complimented by stone walls and wooden furniture that implored me to drop everything and relax. In-room massages only added further to this bliss, while a 24 hour fitness centre sat ready and waiting for me any time of day – or night!

Returning home to a living and breathing masterpiece at the end of the day was such a joy, especially when the underground was so close by, but the cherry on top was knowing the delights of Hambar awaited me at the Hotel St. Paul ****. I might describe the bar as “devastatingly trendy”, if it didn’t give the impression of style over substance – the food here, complemented by the specially curated wine list, was nothing less than sublime. Perhaps I was wrong before; I think the Hotel St. Paul **** may just be my paradise.