The iconic

Staying in prestigious hotels is always a special and enjoyable experience. Some, however, are more impressive and endearing than others, leaving you with an indelible memory marked by luxury yet imbued with refinement.

Louise Bourbonnais

As I head towards the Ritz in Montreal, I can't help but believe that this is one of those famous, privileged places, synonymous with good taste.

Upon my arrival, the doorman rushed to my car door, beaming, greeting me as if he recognized me; in fact, he seemed to recognize every arrival. Here, everyone is treated exceptionally well. You only need to step inside this world-class establishment to realize it. The courteous and efficient staff are masters of royal diplomacy and truly understand the meaning of VIP or VVIP.

You have to have stayed there to want to become a regular at the place, which offers a delightfully harmonious atmosphere, unparalleled comfort and unheard-of luxury.
The subtle elegance and exquisite décor lend a sophisticated air, but beyond these appearances—the crystal chandeliers, marble floors, and brass fittings that create an almost too-perfect setting—it is the people who frequent it that make it a special place. Politicians, businesspeople, and celebrities are commonplace, as are designer clothes, for the Ritz is also renowned for its elegant clientele.
Although casual attire is somewhat more favoured today, the history of the Ritz and those who frequented it in search of social life cannot be erased.

A glimpse into History

In fact, it all started more than 90 years ago, on December 31, 1912, when the hotel marked its opening with a memorable ball, to which 350 guests were invited.

At that time, the Ritz's manager, Rudolph Bischoff, of German origin, favored the aristocracy and social events such as debutante balls, private dinners, and tea dances. The Ritz Hotel was born from the dream of four Montreal investors who believed the metropolis needed an establishment reminiscent of Old Europe for a traveling elite eager for fine dining and sophisticated events. One of them, Charles Hosmer, counted among his acquaintances César Ritz, founder of the famous Ritz in Paris, which opened in 1898, with whom he skillfully negotiated the right to use the name of the renowned European establishment. Mr. Ritz agreed to lend his name under certain conditions: the service had to be impeccable, only fine cuisine and quality wines served, there had to be valets on duty 24 hours a day, a rather small entrance hall to create an intimate atmosphere, and finally, a majestic curved staircase so that ladies could parade down it in their finest attire. It was decided to comply to the letter with César Ritz's requests in exchange for the privilege of using his name.

The place enjoyed success for many years, but in the 30s, the depression hit the Ritz hard. Those who could afford the luxurious hotel became increasingly rare.

With food becoming increasingly scarce, menus had to be modified and several gourmet dishes, including caviar, removed. In 1939, to prevent the Ritz from collapsing, a rejuvenation program was implemented. Dress codes in the dining room were relaxed, so tuxedos and evening wear were no longer required. The Ritz was already a changed place.

Nevertheless, the Second World War brought relative prosperity thanks to a significant influx of wealthy refugees, ambassadors, businesspeople, military leaders, and heads of state. But it wasn't until 1947 that the Ritz regained its full splendor under its new manager, who had trained at the Ritz in New York. He decided to emphasize top-notch service and meet high standards. The Ritz quickly became a fashionable hotel for VIPs once again. The staff provided all distinguished guests with attentive service, fine cuisine, and excellent cigars, wines, and spirits. It was then that renovations were undertaken, inspired by the Hôtel de Paris in Monte Carlo.

Over the years, the Ritz has had to demonstrate ingenuity and expertise to maintain its prestigious status among both Montreal's elite and foreign travellers while facing competition, as several new hotels were built in Montreal for Expo '67 and the '76 Olympic Games.

Since then, the Ritz Montreal was purchased in 1991 by a Swiss company, and it wasn't until 1998 that it joined the prestigious Ritz-Carlton chain of Atlanta, which manages numerous hotels worldwide. Despite the changes in management, the Ritz has remained true to itself, and its distinguished clientele has also remained loyal to the establishment.

It is the only hotel in Montreal that can boast such a prestigious guest list, ranging from Robert Redford and Paul McCartney to Cindy Crawford, Diana Krall, Robert De Niro, and Tiger Woods, to name just a few. Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton even spent their wedding night there in 1964. Several US presidents, various heads of state, and members of the monarchy from numerous countries have also stayed at the Ritz. Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip are examples. The Ritz-Carlton Montreal was the first hotel of its name to be established in North America. It is among the "Top 100" hotels in the world and is the only hotel in Montreal to have earned such a distinction. It also ranks among the 50 best hotels in North America.

Impressive renovations

To remain the premier destination for the social elite, the Ritz-Carlton Montreal invested over $200 million in 2008 for a complete renovation. It was a true rejuvenation. Today, the 5-star hotel is part of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, owned by Marriott International.

Awards
Among the many awards the Ritz has received are:
– In 2019, it was nominated for one of the best rooms by Forbes magazine
– In 2019, it was named the best hotel in Canada by TripAdvisor Traveler's Choice.
– In 2018, it was named Canada’s best city hotel by the Travel and Leisure Awards.
– In 2018: it was named the 19th most luxurious hotel in the world by Traveler's Choice Awards.
– In 2015, it was named one of the best hotels in Canada by the Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards.
– In 2014, the Ritz Montreal was the only hotel in Quebec and one of 5 in Canada to have received the 5 Diamond distinction.