Two nights at Hotel William Gray and I rediscovered Montreal like a traveler.
Overlooking the golden hues of a summer sunset as they spilled across the Ferris wheel in the Old Port, I sat perched on the eighth-floor rooftop of Terasse Perché in the Hotel William Gray, a flute of prosecco in hand. The air was thick with the heat of an almost-suffocating June evening, but a soft breeze lifted the ends of my hair just enough to offer relief. Below me, the pedestrian artery of Old Montreal pulsed with life; cartoonists penciled out rapid portraits, live music in the street was roaring onto terrace diners, and groups of tourists slowly navigated the cobblestones with camera straps bouncing against their chests.
I’d passed this very street a hundred times before. I’d ordered oat milk lattes from Olimpico, browsed the same art stalls with out-of-town friends, admired the same windows of the same boutiques on hurried Saturday afternoons. But this evening, I wasn’t on my way to a dinner or a gallery or a meeting. I had checked into the William Gray Hotel for two nights. My small bag, more symbolic than necessary, was already tucked neatly into a room just a few steps from this rooftop.
It was an odd but delightful experience to sleep in a hotel room minutes away from home.
No train stations. No boarding passes or flights. Just a weekend and a willingness to see Montreal with fresh eyes and a new perspective. There was no logistics stress and no travel fatigue. Just me, a small bag, and the open invitation of my own city.
Staycations are often framed as a budget-conscious compromise, but I was after something more indulgent: the experience of letting go completely. I didn’t want home comforts. I wanted plush hotel robes, room service, no dishes in the sink, and special treatments. I didn’t want to escape Montreal, I wanted to fall back in love with it.
Hotel William Gray, part of the sophisticated Gray Collection portfolio, is a masterclass of modern blended with historic charm. The property occupies two 18th-century heritage buildings; the Maison Edward-William-Gray and Maison Cherrier, seamlessly joined by contemporary architectural elements.
My room was just what I hadn’t known I needed. Minimalist, clean, curated. No loud design stunts. Everything was done in soft neutral tones, with simple textures and the quiet elegance of restraint. The kind of luxury that whispers instead of shouts. The mattress was plush. The linen soft. The lighting is adjustable in all the right places. The set of amenities, the acclaimed and magnificent Santal 33 by Le Labo. Everything was perfect. I stretched out on the bed and let the anonymity of the space dissolve my to-do list.
The Hotel as a Gateway to the Neighbourhood
Step out and you’re instantly in the heart of Old Montreal. What makes Hotel William Gray so striking is not just its architectural poise or refined amenities, but the way it subtly becomes part of the neighbourhood’s DNA. It doesn’t tower above Old Montreal. Instead, it blends into the stone-and-cobblestone that surrounds it, as if it had always belonged there.
With 127 rooms and suites, William Gray caters to both the business traveler and the design lover. Beyond its rooftop and spa, the hotel offers an in-house boutique curated with local designers, a state-of-the-art fitness centre, valet service, and versatile event spaces.
On the weekend, the night turns lively and joyfully chaotic. Centuries-old buildings house fashion flagships and concept galleries. That afternoon, I wandered without purpose.
Right on the hotel’s corner, I slipped into Artisans Canada. A store I had passed a dozen times but never truly explored. Among a wall of carefully displayed jewelry, I spotted a pair of minimalist earrings by Camillette. Refined, simple, and exactly the kind of object you take home when you want to remember something beautiful. I lingered in front of the Basilique Notre-Dame and felt that quiet awe usually reserved for places you’ve never seen before. I’d walk across local artist galleries on St-Paul Street. Further down the street, I stopped into SSENSE. Montreal’s temple to avant-garde fashion. The space felt like a gallery, its concrete walls and soaring ceilings framing each garment as if it were a sculpture. I had forgotten to make a reservation to try on clothes, so I just wandered, but if you’re considering trying anything on, an appointment at least 24 hours in advance is non-negotiable. The experience is meant to be deliberate, not rushed. Even if you don’t purchase a thing, you leave feeling like you’ve just visited a gallery curated for those who live and dress with intention.
A few steps from the hotel, the unmistakable silhouette of the Cirque du Soleil tent rises along the waterfront. A signal that something spectacular is about to unfold. Underneath its striped canopy, Montreal’s most iconic performance company dazzles with aerial feats. Just beyond, the Grande Roue de Montréal spins slowly above the skyline.
By the time I returned to the hotel, the rooftops were stirring with sunset seekers. At Terrasse William Gray, the vibe was buzzy yet elevated. Crisp wines and charcuterie shared tables with couples taking selfies against the golden sky. The terrace, one of the city’s most coveted in the summer months, is open to both hotel guests and locals alike, offering panoramic views of the Old Port and beyond. It’s part of what makes William Gray feel like a cultural touchpoint as much as a stay.
I decided to drift down to Jacopo Restaurant instead, one of the Gray Collection’s restaurants. I could have gone to Bevo Pizzeria or Pincette Bar à Homard, but I needed my dose of Italian cuisine. I ordered Orecchiette and a dessert.
The second day was reserved for stillness.
Hidden below the hotel, Spa William Gray is accessed by an elevator ride down to level P1. As the doors opened, a hush settled over me. The lighting was dim. The energy shifted immediately. I had stepped into calm.
The spa features a Himalayan salt room, a cold shower circuit, and a herbal sauna, designed for total rejuvenation. I had booked the 60-minutes massage, and I must say it was one of the best deep tissue massage I’ve received. When it ended, I lay there for a while, eyes closed, the hum of stress somewhere in the distance.
Afterward, wrapped in a robe, I settled near the spa’s quiet pool. I brought out my book, The Pumpkin Spice Café by Laurie Gilmore, and lost track of time. I read chapters in a single sitting. Sipped Spritz. Closed my eyes again. Outside, the city buzzed with life. Inside, I floated.
The Unexpected Art of Noticing
There’s something that happens when you live as a visitor in a place you call home. Your senses sharpen. Your gaze slows. You begin to notice.
I saw the way shadows fell across cobblestones in the late afternoon. I felt the sun on my arms in a quiet courtyard I had never wandered into before. I wandered in galleries that I would normally pass by quickly.
Hotel William Gray, nestled perfectly in Old Port’s center, allowed me to reenter my own city with intention.
The Return: Recharged, Reframed
On the last morning, I packed my small bag slowly, savoring my cappuccino and the last few minutes in the room. My new earrings from Camillette were tucked into a velvet pouch. My book was nearly finished. My body felt rested, and my mind was clear.
I didn’t disconnect from life. I reconnected with it. For anyone seeking beauty, rest, and a return to the overlooked details of everyday life, Hotel William Gray is a place to begin again.