Recently in Montreal Category

Starpick the W Montréal

Tuesday October 21, 2008

W Montreal 200.jpgMontréal is one of the most chic cities in North America, with an impressive selection of galleries, shops, and restaurants scattered throughout its old town and downtown areas. Its walkable layout and easy-to-navigate public transportation makes it a perfect autumn getaway, so how about a couple of days in this little outpost of France in Canada? The stylish W Montréal is one of this week's participating Starpicks properties, with last-minute rates of at least 20% off regular rates for stays during the next six weeks, so it won't take much to find yourself strolling through the cobblestone streets of this romantic northern metropolis. The W Montréal is located in the city's historic Banque du Canada building, close to Old Montréal, the Montréal Museum of Fine Arts, and McGill University. After a day of sightseeing, your body will appreciate a pampering treatment at Away Spa, with W Signature Treatments, skincare services, and beauty treatments of all kinds. And if it's fine cuisine you crave, Ristorante Otto serves up modern Italian dishes infused with Asian and local "terroir" ingredients and a dash of Mediterranean flavors. Cap off a perfect day with a perfect cocktail at Plateau Lounge or Wunderbar and start thinking of your next great getaway. New Starpicks properties are posted every Tuesday, so check the list for the latest deals.

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"Le Smoking," Yves Saint Laurent's female tuxedo, unveiled in 1966, is considered one of the twentieth century's most iconic pieces of fashion design. A true work of fine art in the eyes of many, the sleek, sexy piece of couture that bristles with a perfect combination of both masculinity and femininity, joins nearly 150 outfits at Montreal's Musee des Beaux-Arts, through September 28. Culled from the temperature-controlled archive of Fondation Pierre Berge Yves Saint Laurent, the exhibition includes sixty, never before exhibited pieces, as well as drawings, photographs, and videos.

Forty years of the revolutionary Algerian designer's career are presented in four different sections - "Masterful Pencil Strokes," "The Yves Saint Laurent Revolution," "The Palette," and "Lyrical Sources." Together, they trace the evolution of the designer's oeuvre, from the early sketches, to the merging of masculine and feminine elements, to the exploration of color, to the influence of history and literature. Pieces like the Mondrian cocktail dress from 1965, illustrate Saint Laurent's relationship with popular artists of the time, while evening gowns from the 1970s and 1980s show the degree of power with which he endowed his glamorous clientele. Since the designer's death this past June, this dazzling retrospective has become all the more relevant, and surely makes an imperative visit for those staying at the exquisitely fashionable Le Meridien Versailles, just two miles up the road from the Musee des Beaux-Arts.

Prepare for the exhibition by watching this fascinating footage from one of Saint Laurent's first fashion shows, in 1962.

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Destination Spotlight - Montreal

Thursday September 4, 2008
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Montreal

Old and new blend seamlessly to define a city that is at once hip and contemporary yet quaintly charming. Book your trip now!

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We're fans of sprawling urban parks. There's nothing like having a beautiful swath of green space close to all the conveniences of the city to provide the yin and yang of a balanced life. That's why Mount Royal Park (Parc du Mont-Royal) is one of our favorite Montreal attractions. Designed by legendary landscape architect Frederick Law Olmstead, who famously created New York's Central Park, Mont Royal has it all, with miles of hiking trails, a scenic lake perfect for paddle-boating, a sculpture garden, and not one but two belvederes - structures located on a high terrace designed to give visitors commanding views of Montreal and the St. Lawrence River. If you happen to visit on a Sunday between May and September, check out the Tam Tam Jam, a group of amateur drummers who play hand drums (tam-tams) on the east slope of the mountain. Dancing is encouraged, and you just might witness a mock battle between medieval-style fighters that use foam weapons. Yeah, you might say there's a counter-culture vibe. Starwood has eight Montreal properties, including the stylish W Montréal.

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Chicago has deep-dish pizza, Philadelphia has cheesesteak — and Montreal has poutine. Not familiar with this local delicacy? It's french fries topped with fresh cheese curds, gravy and occasionally other stuff. And after a night of partying, it's an ideal late-night snack on the way back to the W Montreal.

Poutine is served all over the place, but one of the best places to try it is La Banquise, a 24/7 shop where the menu boasts 25 variations on the dish, from the classic to the T-Rex, which features minced meat, pepperoni, bacon and smoked sausages in addition to the usual cheese and gravy. Delicious artery-clogging goodness. At Maamm Bolduc, a cozy neighborhood joint, there's also plenty of variation. I'd recommend the poutine Bourguignonne, an homage to the classic French dish.

The most luxurious poutine is to be found at Au Pied de Cochon, where it's topped with seared foie gras and smothered in foie gras gravy. It's also the most expensive you'll find, at $23 Canadian, although Restaurant Fusion le 940 occasionally give them a run for that money with poutines on its specials list.

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A Special 50% Summer Getaway

Wednesday July 30, 2008

Westin Grand Bahama 200.jpgIf you've put off planning your summer vacation until the last minute, you're in luck. For the next six days, Starwood's Summer Value offer features savings of up to 50% off regular rates for stays at participating hotels and resorts during August and September. With hundreds of great destinations across the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean to choose from, the sky's the limit when it comes to the summer experience you seek. Feel like staying stateside? How about the St. Regis Aspen Resort, a luxurious four-season playground with rates starting at $215 a night. Anxious for a trip up north? Le Centre Sheraton Montreal Hotel is located in the heart of the city and boasts rates of CAD 135. And if you just want the ultimate beach experience, give the Bahamas a look. Rates at the Westin Grand Bahama Island Our Lucaya Resort start at just $130 a night -- but the view of the shimmering blue water is priceless. So visit the Summer Value page and choose your warm-weather getaway today. But hurry: all stays must be booked by August 5.

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Old Montreal 200.jpgWhen it comes to travel to the United States and Canada, the options are practically limitless. Whether you're looking for a beach escape, some urban exploration, or a journey into the wild interior, you'll have experiences to remember forever. So why not take advantage of some great bargains and advantageous exchange rates and plan a U.S. or Canadian adventure this summer? Through September 30, 2008, Starwood Hotels from coast to coast are celebrating the season with amazing rates that are sure to have you packing your suitcase in no time. Say, for example, you've always wanted to wander the cobbled streets of Montreal's Old Town (pictured). Rates at Le Centre Sheraton Montreal Hotel start at £103/CDN$202, while a room at the stylish W Montreal starts at £118/CDN$231. If it's ocean breezes and white sand beaches that beckon you, how about a trip to Fort Lauderdale? The Resort at Singer Island, Florida (a member of Starwood's Luxury Collection) has rates starting at £120/US$246. Or indulge in the many amenities of the Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa, Hollywood, Florida, where rates start at £114/US$235 and the fun never ends. As you float in the infinity-edge pool and gaze out at over the blue water, you can think about all the great places you haven't yet visited, and begin making plans. Click here to see a list of participating properties and make reservations for your U.S. or Canadian adventure.

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Whistler%20Resort%20200.jpgCanada is the second-largest country in the world, which means there's an awful lot of it to explore. Whether you're looking for scenic beaches, snow-capped peaks, or cosmopolitan cities, you're sure to find it in this pristine nation in the great white north. Get started on your own Canadian grand tour this year with Starwood's Canada Day 2008 sale. Book by Canada Day (July 1) and save up to 40% off regular rates for stays at participating Canadian hotels and resorts between June 18 and December 30, 2008. Those fond of the great outdoors might enjoy a few days at the Westin Bayshore, Vancouver, which offers the best of Vancouver's urban delights along with panoramic vistas of the coastline, distant mountain ranges, and Stanley Park. Would you like to practice your French? Then check into the W Montréal, which is located in the historic Banque du Canada building, just steps from Old Montreal. For those who really want to indulge, the Westin Resort & Spa, Whistler (pictured) is hard to top. This four-season resort has it all, from the Avello Spa & Health Club to four stellar nearby golf courses and the fascinating Aubergine Grill, where diners have a fantastic view of the action in the show kitchen. The seconds are ticking away to lock in great rates for Canadian escapes this year, so visit Starwood's Canada Day 2008 page today and let your northern dreams take flight.

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Westin%20St.%20John%20Aerial%20200.jpgHow does a grand getaway to a beautiful locale this May sound? Time is running out to take advantage of special rates at some of Starwood's greatest properties, so choose your destination and then start packing. Book by April 21, and enjoy some of the most exciting destinations, relaxing resorts, and hidden gems this May, at tantalizingly low rates. If a Caribbean beach retreat is your cup of tea, you might want to check in to the Westin St. John Resort & Villas (pictured). Rates start at $349 for this island paradise, where you're free to do anything you like, or nothing at all. Perhaps a western town is more your thing. The Phoenician in Scottsdale, Arizona has rates starting at $319, which means you could be relaxing in one of nine sparkling pools, playing a round of golf, or savoring some of the best food in the southwest in no time. If Canada's your thing, how about a springtime jaunt to Montreal? Le Centre Sheraton Montreal Hotel has rates starting at 179 Canadian dollars, while the chic W Montréal starts at 209 Canadian. With so many options, it can be hard to decide, so check out the list of destinations and get ready for an adventure this May.

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Where Every Table is the Chef's Table

Thursday March 27, 2008

Regular patrons of sushi bars are used to having a one-on-one dining experience with the chef, but that sort of contact is rare in other types of restaurants. The New York Times recently ran a story about three restaurants where every diner is sure to meet the chef:

• At Schwa in Chicago, no more than 32 people a night dine on meals from the "molecular gastronomy" school of cuisine; orders are taken and dishes are served by Chef Michael Carlson and his kitchen compatriots. It's easy to get to from the Four Points by Sheraton Chicago Downtown/Magnificent Mile.

• A quick cab ride from the W New York - Union Square you'll find Momofuku Ko and Degustation (see video) on First Street. The former serves a menu of "delicious American food" that changes daily, the latter French- and Spanish-inspired small plates. Both are tiny, with a diner to chef ratio approaching two-to-one, making snagging a reservation a challenge.

• Montreal's Kitchen Galerie features three chefs and literally no other employees. The diminutive restaurant is a bit bare-bones, but the food and service are nothing but of the sort. The chefs rely on the nearby Jean Talon Market for the freshest produce, it's well worth the trip from Le Centre Sheraton Montreal.

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