Montreal has always been a place I have held close to my heart. From Old Montreal’s charming 17th century architecture to the urban city feel of St. Catherine street and the Plateau, Montreal tastefully walks the line between keeping up with the times and appreciating its heritage.
FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM @ISTHATSOH
New to Montreal’s hospitality industry is the enviable Hotel William Gray. This newly opened (Summer of 2016) boutique hotel features 127 rooms and suites, a rooftop terrace, an upmarket grill restaurant known as Maggie Oakes, a multi functional living room lobby (an interior designers wet dream), a state of the art fitness center, 10,000 sqf of event space, a lifestyle boutique, and café. Located in the heart of Old Montreal overlooking Place Jacques-Cartier this luxury hotel is not only world class for its hospitality and spectacular views, but also for its timeless style!
The Hotel William Gray is part of the Antonopoulos Group who own and operate many restaurants, spas and boutique hotels in Old Montreal including the Place d’Armes. The namesake for this new venture comes from the acquisition and redevelopment of the Edward William Gray residence, one of the buildings the hotel is made up of today. Edward William Gray was an English merchant, notary, lawyer, office holder, and militia officer who settled in Montreal in 1760. His legacy and vibrant history in law and politics helped shape Montreal into the city it is today. The restaurant Maggie Oakes is named after Edward William Gray’s wife whose profile can be seen illustrated in the restaurants logo.
The hotel itself is exquisitely furnished to exemplify a warm and cozy haven. The rooms boost rich wood flooring, concrete ceilings and black metal light fixtures to create a minimalist modern setting that compliments the beautiful facade of the building itself. And if you are under the impression that there is nothing cozy about minimalist modern interiors, they have luxurious linens, plush pillow top mattresses, frette towels, and the coziest robes and slippers that will make you want to stay in and order breakfast in bed! A must!
The hotel’s restaurant Maggie Oakes is inspired by Montreal’s prevalent culinary scene and has modeled its menu after an American bistro and steakhouse. Chef Derek Bocking is known for his passion for garden vegetables and thick cuts of meat (the Tomahawk Steak featured on the menu is gargantuan!) which you can see on display in their impressive dry aged meat cooler and unique green wall of herbs and micro-greens. The restaurant itself was designed by Camdi and features a long gray marble bar which boosts an oyster and charcuterie station. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner Maggie Oakes is the perfect spot and ideal location for a gathering of friends or a private event.
With plans to open a luxury spa and outdoor pool in Fall 2017 Hotel William Gray continues to expand on their luxury product and aims to provide their patrons with a dynamic and singular experience of world class hospitality. What lacks when it comes to Canada’s biggest city like Toronto can be found in this gorgeous remodeling of the William Gray house in Montreal. My weekend stay at the hotel was spectacular, I felt more at home then I do in Toronto. The concierge and staff made me feel so welcomed and presented me with handwritten notes, macaroons and recommendations of local bars and restaurants to venture to when I finally did decide to get out of bed! I am definitely happy to say that the Hotel William Gray will be my first and only recommendation for accommodations in Montreal and I cannot wait until I myself get to go back this summer.
