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Palais des congrès de Montréal
Category: Event Planning & Services Venues & Event Spaces Venues & Event Spaces [Edit]
159, rue Saint-Antoine OuestMontréal, QC H2Z 1H2
(514) 871-8122
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
5 reviews for Palais des congrès de Montréal
4 reviews in English
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Review from Helena K.
12/28/2011 6 Check-ins Here
The Palais des congrès de Montréal is by far one of the best convention centers I have visited. I attend about six academic conferences a year for work, and good fortune has taken me to Montréal twice now, with both conferences being held in the Palais des congrés, which has several clearly labeled entrances on all sides: one with direct access to Chinatown / Old Montréal, another a straight shot up the hill to hosts of hotels, and of course the building also houses the Place-d'Armes Metro orange line stop for quick connection to anywhere in the city.
Both times I have stayed at the Hyatt Regency Montréal, only two blocks or so from the conference headquarters. Of course, when I'm spending all day inside breathing recycled air, I do prefer to get outside whenever I can, but winter in Montréal has a mind of its own. For particularly frigid days, I take the underground passage through the Complexe Desjardins shopping center.
The Palais des congrès houses several shops, cafés, and restos, and there are several others within walking distance (for example, you absolutely MUST hit up Olive et Gourmando!), so it makes taking a quick break during sessions a breeze. There's a Tim Hortons here, but as you may already know, this chain does not take VISA, which is super inconvenient for me because the corporate credit card I travel with is in fact a VISA.
[Sidebar: honestly, I'm still trying to figure out what the hell a Tim Hortons is; is it a coffee shop? Fast-food joint that also serves coffee? Is it like a Dunkin Donuts or a Hardees? Well, I suppose it doesn't matter: since I can't purchase anything there anyway, I just hit up Café Dépot or Café République in Complexe Desjardins to get my morning coffee fix.]
What else is great about Palais des congrès is its high ceilings, huge floor-to-ceiling windows, and public art installations. It feels spacious and airy, even in winter. I also greatly appreciate that security here is so competent. Any given day, there are several conventions happening in the same building---often on the same concourse---but there is always someone there to make sure people who don't belong there don't get in, and that those who do, get to where they should be going. And everyone here is courteous and bilingual.
The restrooms here cannot be beat! Not only are there WCs with multiple stalls on each concourse level, but there are also sub-concourses---mezzanines, really---featuring nothing but restrooms! Between sessions, there's often a line at the WCs on the main floor, but just head down half a flight of steps to get to the cache: never lines, always paper, very clean, plus they have those supersonic hand dryers.
I also really like they there are recycle bins basically everywhere there are trash cans. Exhibitors can also rent a recycle bin for their booth, and the show contractor's porter will empty it at the end of the day, which is a rarity in the US.
My only complaint would be how long it takes to get from one concourse to the next. The escalators and elevators often seem to be under construction or receiving routine maintenance, and it can be confusing any way, determining which set of escalators / stairs / elevators to use for easiest access to your convention's location. But, honestly, sometimes it's a relief having to walk a good distance during a convention, particularly in the climate-controlled mezzanines of this building, which offers great views of the city from essentially all sides. -
Review from Sarah G.
4/8/2011
This is one nice convention center. SO colorful! And any place with pink tree trunks artfully being used as a welcoming decoration into this place deserves 4 stars. The carpets are so colorful, the walls are all different colors. Just so much nicer and brighter than the average convention center!
Plus they have a number of stores and food spots in the center as well which is nice when you have a conference there like we did. That way in case you get bored you can just go grab a drink or food or buy some clothes! There is even a salon in there so you could do that too! And the subway leaves from here as well so what could be handier??
And the space is so big. There are definitely plenty of rooms to use for a big conference, so no worries there. The only thing that got me down was their bathrooms. Some of them only had one or two female stalls max. Anyone who knows women and the bathroom knows there needs to be more than just two stalls in a place like a giant convention center!!! So next renovation needs to fix that ha -
Review from jen d.
8/11/2008
I attended a conference here in 2006, and it was a great convention center. It was spacious, the rooms were comfortable, and facilities were spotless. Another plus is drinking water was provided throughout the conference in the rooms - this seems so minor, but it really is a major plus in heavily air-conditioned (dry) conference centers. Bonus, there is a Tim Hortons in the place. And a few other spots to eat as well, so you don't need to leave (or can find something if you cannot leave the premises).
It is centrally located, so there are a number of hotels that are close by or even connected to the convention center. In addition, the "old" section of Montreal is within walking distance and there are some great places to eat in that area too.
And oh yeah, this convention center was used for some scenes in the movie "blades of glory", which was a really funny movie.Listed in: Canada for the win!, Montreal, Canada
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Review from Rev. Dr. Christopher J. G.
9/15/2008
Convention Centers can strange beasts full of dragons and wicked men peddling drinks and food for far too much money. The Palais des Congres is not one of those, but a clean and wonderfully staffed location where I've twice been for conferences (and will be returning to for WorldCon next year)
The Tim Horton's is the biggest plus. I love it and the price is right. The Convention Center mark-up seems to be much smaller than for places like Starbucks when they're put into CCs.
The place is comfortable, and when I lost a bag, I simply asked one of the roamers and they sent folks out to find it and finally they did. After less than 10 minutes. And they brought it to me in a panel I was attending! Good people.
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