Best place to stay in Montreal?

[MonopolyMoney 0]

Hi everyone!

Kurtis received his packet today. I guess it's time to start looking into where to stay in Montreal. I've never been, but I've heard that it's gorgeous in the summer. I hope that there's absolutely no snow when the interview date rolls around!!

So, I have a few questions:

1. Where is the best place to stay, close to the Consulate?

2. How is the public transit? Is the airport accessible by any transit methods?

3. If we were to drive, are the road signs/roads confusing? I hate driving even in Boston--one way streets will probably be the end of me.

4. When do you normally get the visa?

5. Where can I find more information about the Montreal Consulate? I'm reading just about anything I can get my hands on, so any particular post/link that you've found helpful would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks for any responses. I'm looking forward to making this Montreal trip a nice getaway (provided it's warm, of course!).

[no one 0]

Hi everyone!

Kurtis received his packet today. I guess it's time to start looking into where to stay in Montreal. I've never been, but I've heard that it's gorgeous in the summer. I hope that there's absolutely no snow when the interview date rolls around!!

So, I have a few questions:

1. Where is the best place to stay, close to the Consulate?

2. How is the public transit? Is the airport accessible by any transit methods?

3. If we were to drive, are the road signs/roads confusing? I hate driving even in Boston--one way streets will probably be the end of me.

4. When do you normally get the visa?

5. Where can I find more information about the Montreal Consulate? I'm reading just about anything I can get my hands on, so any particular post/link that you've found helpful would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks for any responses. I'm looking forward to making this Montreal trip a nice getaway (provided it's warm, of course!).

1. As someone without a deep pocket, "best" to me means cheap, clean, and quiet. For my K1 interview last summer, I stayed at McGill's Royal Victoria College, one of the university's residences that's open to the public in the summer. It's a 15 min's walk from the US Consulate. At $56.36/night (incl. taxes), it's comparable to a private room in a hostel.

2. One of my university friends lives in Montreal and he took me around on the subway. It was fun and convenient. I took Coach Canada from Toronto, so not sure about the airport.

3. I didn't drive, but the road signs were not confusing as far as I can remember. I'd say downtown Montreal's easier to navigate by car than downtown Toronto.

4. I got mine the following day (in-person pickup)

5. My K1 experience in Montreal from last summer: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=22056

[Flames9_RN 358]

Hi everyone!

Kurtis received his packet today. I guess it's time to start looking into where to stay in Montreal. I've never been, but I've heard that it's gorgeous in the summer. I hope that there's absolutely no snow when the interview date rolls around!!

So, I have a few questions:

1. Where is the best place to stay, close to the Consulate?

2. How is the public transit? Is the airport accessible by any transit methods?

3. If we were to drive, are the road signs/roads confusing? I hate driving even in Boston--one way streets will probably be the end of me.

4. When do you normally get the visa?

5. Where can I find more information about the Montreal Consulate? I'm reading just about anything I can get my hands on, so any particular post/link that you've found helpful would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks for any responses. I'm looking forward to making this Montreal trip a nice getaway (provided it's warm, of course!).

1. http://www.hotelcentreville.com/eng/index.htm 2 minute walk. Not that fancy though!!! If you want fancy stay elsewhere, but its close.

2. One can take the shuttle (big bus) from the airport to the train station, and from the train station there is a smaller bus that will take you to your hotel. All included in the airport shuttle price. http://www.admtl.com/passenger_services.aspx?id=48 buy a return ticket and save $$. The ticket wicket is just outside the departures gate (so is the bus) Think the trip was around 35 minutes

3. no clue

4. As of Jan 2007, new rules are in play, they now MAIL out the visa, but so far it appears it comes fairly soon after the interview. You no longer can pick it up next day on a k1 visa. If you were residing in the USA on a K3 visa and coming back to do the cr-1 visa, it appears they would hand out next day, but thats not ur case.

5. http://www.visajourney.com/consulates/index.php?letter=C http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/index.php

For most Canucks the interview tends to be the easiest part of the process if ur prepared and VJ helps a lot in that. Best of luck

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Actually, road signs are NOT confusing--as they use standardised shapes (they may be written in French, but the meaning is the same as in Dutch, German, English, etc.).

However, it is much easier to walk around downtown Montreal than to drive there (don't worry about parking).

[cbd2cai 0]

I don't know where to stay near the consulate since I haven't had to go there, but I think their metro/subway system is quite good . . . and the underground in downtown makes it easy to get around when the weather is cold. When I was in Montreal I stayed over on the French side (Old town??) at Hotel Le Jardin D'Antoine . . . nice little area!! Le Jardin d'Antoine . . . I think I need to go again soon!!!

here's a link to Yahoo travel for Montreal: Yahoo Montreal

[Flames9_RN 358]

The hotels around the consulate are within walking distance to a lot of shopping!! Even a Timmys close by!!

[Buttons 0]

try hotwire.com, you can get a great room real cheap. I got the hyatt for 89 bucks a night and it's a 5 min or less walk to the consulate.

[Flames9_RN 358]

As well expedia.ca, travelocity.ca http://www.mobissimo.com/search_airfare.php, http://www.kayak.com/ last two will be in US $$$ As well after u find the best online price, contact the hotel directly, soemtimes one can get better rates, especially if ur a gov't worker, have CAA, or even a costco member

[Emancipation 2]

We drove in Montreal - You will need a map. Stop at a local gas station and pick one up first before you try to use map quest or anything else (CAA may be able to give you destination maps as well if you belong to them). A GREAT map is your best tool. Remember a lot of streets are one ways. You may have to go around the destination via one ways to get where you want to go (we almost got in a wreck because it was unclear that we were on a full one way street). Don't assume that everyone speaks English - Cause they don't/won't. We found the street signage confusing for this reason - Everything is Rue Saint _____ So when looking for streets you can't see the street Name first - Rue Saint Catherine’s, as opposed to Saint Catherine Street in English. I found that very very hard to read the map and decipher the french out of the street name. Kipster is adding that for Americans - They don't post words in the street signs, they are the shape as normal - but they won't have the word - One Way in the sign, only the symbol. Make sure you know your street signs!

Anyway, that's our contribution. We left the city feeling like Public Transport HAD to be easier than going it alone!

[Lola_ 0]

La Tour Centerville

I was very impressed with the prices and the hotel itself! They have kitchens and couches in the rooms.

It is also literally across the street from the consulate!

[Marilyn. 340]

La Tour Centerville

I was very impressed with the prices and the hotel itself! They have kitchens and couches in the rooms.

It is also literally across the street from the consulate!

that is where I stayed too.. it was nothing fancy but it was comfortable...

and I found a grocery store a few blocks down too... I picked up some frozen pizza and some drinks .. saved me some money on eating out.....

[no one 0]

and I found a grocery store a few blocks down too... I picked up some frozen pizza and some drinks .. saved me some money on eating out.....

Haha, since I'd taken the bus in to Montreal from Toronto, I'd brought my own food along to save on eating out. That said, DO NOT miss out on the Montreal bagels (with cream cheese and lox) or the poutine!!!

[Jersey Girl 2]

I too used hotwire.com and got a good deal on the Hyatt, which is tres tres comfortable. It's also central to the Consulate, shopping, museums, restaurants of all kinds. If you take a cab to the airport, it's a flat rate of $35.

[Reba 2]

Hi everyone!

Kurtis received his packet today. I guess it's time to start looking into where to stay in Montreal. I've never been, but I've heard that it's gorgeous in the summer. I hope that there's absolutely no snow when the interview date rolls around!!

[Cassie 8]

La Tour Centerville

I was very impressed with the prices and the hotel itself! They have kitchens and couches in the rooms.

It is also literally across the street from the consulate!

that is where I stayed too.. it was nothing fancy but it was comfortable...

and I found a grocery store a few blocks down too... I picked up some frozen pizza and some drinks .. saved me some money on eating out.....

myself as well It was nice that the hotel staff are completely used to people dealing with the embassy, and that they have a locked room for your luggage/bags while you are at the interview.