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The Ritz-Carlton Residences blend old world tradition with modern city living in Montreal

On 31st December 1911, at exactly 11.15 pm, right before New Year’s Eve, the Ritz-Carlton Montreal first opened its doors. Heralded into the world with an old-fashioned ball attended by the city’s elite, the hotel had an illustrious start that made it a headliner from the get go. Since then, it has hosted everyone from the Prince of Wales and Winston Churchill to Elizabeth Taylor, John Lennon and Yoko Ono. Surviving through the great depression, wars and the many unpredictable twists of time, its status as a stalwart for classic elegance has remained solid even in the era of new age technology, design and living standards. How a building that is over 100 years old has managed to stay relevant and enticing is intriguing to say the least, which is why The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, Montreal raised many eyebrows when the development was first announced. The 45-dwelling structure, created entirely for residential living, had many locals wondering if it would maintain the old regality of the Ritz-Carlton hotel, or if it would deviate from the tradition into something more modern. Ritz Residences lobby The answer is both. The Residences feature aspects of The Ritz-Carlton hotel, as they give residents access to The Ritz-Carlton Garden, Oval room, Palm Court, restaurants and staff services (at a fee), yet the living spaces themselves have been designed to stand out from the hotel. Even from the street, passersby can distinguish The Residences from the hotel through their modern glass exteriors, which stand in contrast to hotel’s traditional stone masonry. Ritz Residences bedroom Yet, though the hotel and The Residences are centuries and styles apart, they work well together. Perhaps it’s because the development and the hotel both have a high-brow elegance to them. The hotel displaying its elegance through traditional style and classic opulence, and The Residence through modern design and sleek intimacy. Both the hotel and homes are luxurious, but the hotel offers an interactive atmosphere that hotels are renowned for, while The Residences provide warmth and privacy, with access to the hotel hubbub. Ritz Residences bathroom Design aside, actual inhabitants of the Residences would say that it’s not the style or the access to amenities that draws the hotel and residences together, but the service. For instance, after a two-week honeymoon in Bora Bora, and a 35-hour journey, a newly-wed couple came back to their home at the Les Residences au Ritz-Carlton and found cooked gourmet meals in containers, an organized refrigerator and hand-written welcome note on the counter. As it turned out, the parents of the bride had called from Italy and asked the Ritz-Carlton staff to help make the couple’s return home an easy and pleasant experience for them, and the staff acquiesced without hesitation. Suffice it to say, The Residences’ standards for service seem to be consistent with the Ritz-Carlton Hotel’s standards. Neighbouring attractions in the Golden Square Mile (the high-class area of downtown Montreal where the hotel and residences are located) are a huge selling point for buyers thinking of investing, as the district includes designer stores, museums and art galleries in addition to financial and business hubs. Though some would argue that the hotel’s acclaimed restaurant, “Maison Boulud,” is the real reason why it’s a hot ticket. Regardless of whether you admire the tradition of the hotel, or the new direction of The Residences, both structures are attracting eyes all along Sherbrooke Street. If The Residences have the same staying power as their namesake, they’ll likely remain a head turner for many years to come.

Paul Johnson

Paul Johnson is Editor of A Luxury Travel Blog and has worked in the travel industry for more than 30 years. He is Winner of the Innovations in Travel ‘Best Travel Influencer’ Award from WIRED magazine. In addition to other awards, the blog has also been voted “one of the world’s best travel blogs” and “best for luxury” by The Daily Telegraph.

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