Overview
The Hotel Universel Montreal is located on Sherbrooke Street, in Montreal's East End. Although it is located outside of the downtown core, it remains popular with business travellers and families, due to its proximity to a metro station, a major highway and family-friendly attractions like the Olympic Stadium.
There are 230 rooms at this property. Guests can choose a standard room with 2 double beds, a superior room with 2 double beds or 1 king bed, or a prestige room with 1 king bed or 2 double beds. All rooms feature a TV, air conditioning, a hair dryer, an iron with ironing board, a coffeemaker and a mini-fridge. Microwaves and cots are available upon request. For guests requiring more space and amenities, there are 3 types of suites available. Junior suites feature 1 king bed, luxury suites feature 1 king bed with a sofabed, and executive suites with 1 king bed. In addition to the standard room amenities, the suites offer more space, bathrobes, a flat-screen TV, and, in the executive suites, a jetted tub.
This 7-floor non-smoking hotel provides free parking, free Wi-Fi, as well as a free shuttle service to some nearby attractions. There is an indoor heated pool, as well an outdoor seasonal pool and a gym. There are 13 meeting rooms as well as a restaurant. The Restaurant & Bar Le Toit Rouge serves breakfast, lunch and dinner every day.
The hotel is a 5-minute drive from 2 major autoroutes — the 40 which runs east-west and the 25 which runs north-south. Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport is a 30-minute drive away, and the downtown core is a 15-minute drive from the hotel. There are several attractions in the area — the hotel is next to the Olympic Park, the site for attractions like the Biodome, the Olympic Stadium, the Insectarium, as well as the Viau metro station. The hotel also provides a free shuttle service to these points of attractions. (All distances and travel time estimates: Google Maps)
The GoodOverall, the hotel received many positive comments in the reviews used for this analysis, particularly from guests who had stayed in the hotel's renovated rooms.
Rooms on 2 of the hotel’s 7 floors have been renovated, and many reviewers described these rooms as comfortable and clean.
Many guest reviewers enjoyed being close to a lot of family-friendly attractions and green space, like the nearby Olympic Park, the Botanical Gardens, and the Biodome, as well as several family-friendly restaurants. Some reviewers travelling on business appreciated the convenience of being close to 2 major highways.
The Bad
Although there were many positive comments in the reviews consulted about the hotel’s renovated rooms, there were also many negative ones about its older rooms.
Many guest commented that their rooms looked old, with outdated décor, uncomfortable beds, and worn furniture and bedding. There were also some comments that the bathrooms were not well ventilated and the rooms were damp and humid. One guest who saw both a renovated and older room commented that the difference “seems like 2 different hotels".
A phone call to a front desk agent on August 22, 2012 confirmed that 2 floors of the hotel have renovated rooms, and that further room renovations are on hold until January 2013.
Expedia.ca reviewers rated this hotel 3.5 out of 5, with a 70% recommendation rate, based on 27 reviews.
TripAdvisor.com reviewers ranked this hotel #96 of 167 in Montreal, and rated it 3 out of 5, based on 64 reviews.
Hotels.com guest reviewers rated this hotel a 3.6 out of 5, based on 81 reviews.
Front desk agent (call date: August 22, 2012) confirmed hotel's restaurant hours and that room renovations will resume in January 2013.
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Analyzed by Natalie W.
Natalie has been to 5 of the 7 continents in search of the world's best climate and the greatest beach hammock...still searching.
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