The 3 Best Hotels in Saint Laurent

The Hilton Garden Inn Montreal Dorval Airport is one of these hotels near the airport and is our Editor's Pick for the area. Recommended for offering great value, this hotel is beautifully appointed and offers free Wi-Fi, free parking and free 24-hour airport shuttle service. Plus, its shuttle will also take guests to any corporate location,  malls or restaurants within 7 km. 

Additionally, unlike several other airport hotels, the Hilton Garden Inn offers an on-site restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. It also has an indoor pool and hot tub -- perfect when your kids still have energy to burn, or you just need to relax after a long day.

With many of the hotels located in the industrial area surrounding the airport, there are few restaurants or shops within walking distance. Travellers staying at hotels in this area should be prepared to drive to restaurants or order take-out for their meals. 

However, at the Cavendish Boulevard interchange along Highway 40, there are two airport hotels located within a 5-minute walk of a group of restaurants, shops and a movie theatre: Courtyard by Marriott Montreal Airport and Residence Inn Montreal Airport. Both hotels offer free airport shuttle service and an indoor pool. While somewhat more expensive, the Residence Inn Montreal Airport also offers rooms with full kitchens and a free breakfast.

Travelling around Saint Laurent
Since most Saint Laurent hotels border the airport, they offer free airport shuttle service. If you plan to use a hotel shuttle for travel to the airport, be sure to check the shuttle details. Some shuttles operate on demand, while others run on a set schedule. Many shuttles will have 24-hour service, but others may only be open during certain hours, so it's always good to check ahead of time.

While the subway system is not ideal for exploring the Saint Laurent area, there are a couple of stations that provide access to attractions in downtown Montreal. These subway stations are on Rue Decarie near Vanier College (single-ride fare is $3). Another option for travel to downtown Montreal is via the AMT train, which has several stops in Saint Laurent (single-ride fare is $4.50). 

If you'd prefer to drive, all of the hotels I've suggested so far, as well as most of the hotels surrounding the airport, are about a 20-minute drive from downtown Montreal.

Things to Do in Saint Laurent
Fashionistas should make the trip to Marche Central, a large outdoor shopping centre that includes a selection of outlet fashion stores. Place Vertu, a large mall with several restaurants, is another good shopping destination within a 15-minute drive of many airport-area hotels, and within about a 10-minute walk of Courtyard by Marriott Montreal Airport and Residence Inn Montreal Airport.

For fun outdoors, pack a picnic and visit the Parc-Nature du Bois-de-Liesse. This park, a 15-minute drive from the Hilton Garden Inn Montreal Dorval Airport, offers hiking trails and cross-country skiing under the shade of century-old hardwood trees. The Saint Laurent borough also has eight outdoor pools at various parks that are open for public swimming during the summer months.

This borough is a peaceful escape from the crowds and bustle of Montreal. Even if you plan to use Saint Laurent as a base for exploring the Montreal area, at the end of the day, you'll feel at home returning to your Saint Laurent hotel.