Hotel William Gray Is an Oasis of Modern Design in Old Montreal
As the cultural and financial centre of French Canada with a history spanning centuries, Montreal has a long tradition of bold design to its credit. From the stained glass windows and gothic revival arches of the Notre Dame Basilica to the utopian futurism of Habitat ’67, and the brutalist splendour of Place Bonaventure, Montreal has earned its reputation as one of the world’s most stylish cities, a distinction that was formalized by its designation (alongside Berlin and Buenos Aires) as one of three UNESCO cities of design.
To visit Montreal today is to be immersed in the city’s unique culture of food, art, and architecture, and there’s no better place to do that than from the comfort of the Hotel William Gray. Located in historic Old Montreal, the architecture blends past and present in its design featuring a modern glass box atop a pair of restored 18th-century buildings. While the street-level facade is pure Old Montreal, the inside of Hotel William Gray is refreshingly modern, with a large, airy lobby outfitted in warm wood, raw concrete, and glass by Béïque Legault Thuot Architectes. That contrast continues throughout its 127 guest rooms, decorated by interiors studio CAMDI in warm textures, soothing tones, and original works by Montreal artist Steven Spazuk.
With its combination of elevated design and modern luxury, the 2022 BMW iX xDrive50 provides a similarly refined experience, as well as the perfect way to arrive at Hotel William Gray in style. From the curb, with its flowing roofline, futuristic headlights and iconic kidney grille, the BMW iX xDrive50 looks every bit like a purebred member of the BMW family. Its details, however, speak to a new standard for design and materials to be found in BMW’s new electric models. Just as the Hotel William Gray is oriented towards guests’ comfort at every turn, the BMW iX xDrive50 is focused on providing an elevated design experience for driver and passengers alike. This translates to sleek surfaces like the big, bright BMW Curved Display, quilted premium seats in olive leaf tanned leathers, as well as invisible “shy tech” features like the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant.
As one of the city’s newest hotels (as well as its most stylish) Hotel William Gray takes its role seriously as an ambassador to visitors from the world, from its food and drinks to its in-house boutique. Start the day with an espresso and something sweet from Olimpico, the hotel’s outpost of one of Montreal’s most beloved European-style cafes, before heading out to explore the city. At Maggie Oakes, the hotel’s restaurant, a modern menu combines the very best of Quebec-grown produce with classic French bistro fare and some of the city’s best dry-aged steaks. OTH (the Old Montreal location of streetwear boutique Off The Hook), meanwhile, offers guests a curated selection of clothes, accessories and decor pieces from Canadian brands like Veilance and Reigning Champ.
With centuries worth of history to absorb, countless museums, galleries, and architectural landmarks to see, and some of the best food and drink on the continent, Montreal remains a top-tier destination for anyone whose eye for design is as refined as their palate. From The Hotel William Gray, whose architecture, interiors, and menus are inspired by the city’s rich culture, you can see it all in comfort and style.
Learn more about the BMW iX here
