Traveling in winter can be risky. All it takes is one snow storm to throw everything helter skelter. One such recent deluge wreaked havoc on my own vacation plans and left me stranded in Montreal. Lucky for me, Montreal Airport was just a quick, free shuttle bus ride away, providing the perfect place to revive, refresh, and have a little fun after a long, frustrating morning at the airport.

Catch the shuttle at stop number 3, right in front of arrivals, and you'll be whisked off to your home away from home in mere minutes. With pop music pumping over the speaker system and a perky front desk attendant, my arrival at the hotel was invigorating. After a quick check in, I headed up to my room for a hot shower (Montreal is freezing in December!) and a quick rest before heading down to the bar for a yummy personal pizza by the fireplace. Defined by colorful, modern decor, the lobby offered several different places to settle down and get cozy with some friends, and featured a pool table and a long counter to plug in your laptop and hook up to the hotel's free wifi. Those really looking to live it up could take a dip in the indoor swimming pool located right across the snow-covered courtyard. But my personal favorite was the snack area where an assortment of treats, teas and coffees could be purchased around the clock. Next time I get stranded at the Montreal-Trudeau Airport I'll be looking forward to a little getaway at Aloft.