Le Square Phillips Hotel and Suites: Downtown Montreal Guide

Le Square Phillips Hotel and Suites promises the best of both worlds: downtown hotel convenience with apartment-style space. But does it live up to the hype? This guide gives you the verified facts, the real reviews, and the neighborhood context you need.

Location: Downtown Montreal on Place Phillips ·
Room Count: 266 rooms and suites ·
Swimming Pool: Indoor pool ·
Wi-Fi: Free throughout the property ·
Parking: Valet parking available ·
Breakfast: Included with select packages

Seven key facts about Le Square Phillips, one pattern: the hotel consistently earns strong marks for its combination of apartment-style space and downtown convenience.

Where Do Celebrities Stay in Montreal?

Montreal has hosted its share of global icons, and one hotel in particular keeps appearing in the history books. Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth — just a few blocks from Le Square Phillips — was the site of John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s famous 1969 Bed-In for Peace, and Paul McCartney stayed there during his 2008 tour (Fairmont — official hotel history). Le Square Phillips isn’t known for celebrity stays, but its position in the same downtown core means guests are steps away from that musical legacy.

Did John Lennon stay at Le Square Phillips?

No verified records place John Lennon at Le Square Phillips. The historical record is clear: he and Yoko Ono stayed at Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth, where they invited the world’s press into their hotel room for a week-long protest against war (Fairmont — official hotel history). That site is about a 10-minute walk from Le Square Phillips, making the area a draw for music history fans.

Has Paul McCartney stayed at Le Square Phillips?

No. Paul McCartney has stayed at Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth during his Montreal performances, according to the hotel’s official history (Fairmont — official hotel history). The downtown Montreal hotel cluster — which includes Le Square Phillips, Fairmont, and several others — is the natural hub for touring artists given its proximity to venues like Place des Arts and the Bell Centre. For the average music fan visiting Montreal, staying at Le Square Phillips puts you within walking distance of that entire orbit.

What Amenities Does Le Square Phillips Offer?

The hotel’s amenity list punches above its mid-range price point, especially for travelers who value space and self-sufficiency.

Does Le Square Phillips have a pool?

Yes — an indoor pool is available on-site. Guests also have access to a 24-hour fitness center, a rooftop terrace, and 24-hour concierge service.

• Indoor pool with city views
• 24-hour fitness center
• Rooftop terrace with outdoor lounge chairs
• 24-hour concierge service

Is breakfast included at Le Square Phillips?

Breakfast is included with select packages, but not with all bookings. Check directly with the hotel when reserving (Square Phillips — official website). Many guests appreciate that the in-room kitchens — equipped with a full-size refrigerator, oven, stove, and microwave — let you prepare your own meals.

What are the standard room amenities?

• Full kitchens with full-size refrigerator, oven, stove, microwave, and cooking utensils
• Coffee maker and tea/coffee supplies
• Daily housekeeping
• Free Wi-Fi throughout the property

The implication: For families or longer-stay travelers, the kitchen setup is the real differentiator. You can cook meals, store groceries, and avoid eating out every night — a serious cost saver in a downtown Montreal hotel.

What Is the Best Area for Tourists to Stay in Montreal?

Montreal’s neighborhoods each have a distinct personality, and downtown — where Le Square Phillips sits — hits the sweet spot for first-time visitors who want walkable access to the city’s top sights.

Where is the most posh area in Montreal?

The Golden Square Mile — just north of downtown, bordered roughly by Sherbrooke Street and Mount Royal — is considered the city’s most prestigious residential area, known for luxury real estate and historic mansions (Montreal Prestigious Neighborhoods — high-end real estate guide). Le Square Phillips is about a 15-minute walk from this district’s southern edge, so you get proximity without the price tag.

What is the safest area to stay in Montreal?

According to police data analyzed by local sources, Plateau-Mont-Royal and Outremont have among the lowest reported crime rates in the city (YouSet — Montreal neighbourhood safety based on police data). Downtown Montreal itself is considered generally safe, particularly in the tourist-heavy core around Place Phillips, with a visible police presence and well-lit streets.

Is downtown Montreal a good area to stay?

Yes — for most tourists, downtown is the most practical choice. Le Square Phillips is steps from Place des Festivals, a short walk to the Underground City’s shopping network, and about 15 minutes on foot to Old Montreal and Notre-Dame Basilica (Canadian Sky — exploring Montreal’s tourist neighbourhoods). The central location means you can explore Plateau and Mile End by a quick metro ride or a 25-minute walk.

The pattern: Downtown Montreal trades the boutique charm of Plateau for pure convenience. If your itinerary prioritizes efficiency — seeing Old Montreal, the museums, and the shopping districts — Le Square Phillips is hard to beat for location.

How Many Days Is Enough for Montreal?

Three days is the standard recommendation for first-time visitors looking to cover the city’s main attractions without rushing (Curious Travel Bug — best Montreal 3-day itinerary). Le Square Phillips’ central location makes it a natural base for a compact itinerary.

What is the best 3-day itinerary for Montreal?

A smart three-day plan from a central downtown base like Le Square Phillips looks like this:

• Day 1: Old Montreal — cobblestone streets, Notre-Dame Basilica, Old Port walking path
• Day 2: Mont-Royal Park — hike or drive to the Kondiaronk Belvedere lookout, then Plateau neighborhood for cafes and murals
• Day 3: Downtown — museums (Musée des Beaux-Arts, Pointe-à-Callière), Underground City shopping, Place des Arts

Le Square Phillips’ in-room kitchen means you can pack a picnic for Mont-Royal and save on restaurant costs for breakfast and lunch.

How long should I stay to see main attractions?

Three days covers the main attractions at a comfortable pace. Four to five days allow deeper exploration of neighborhoods like Mile End (known for bagels and indie shops), the Jean-Talon Market food scene, and day trips to Mont-Tremblant or Quebec City. For business travelers or weekenders, a two-day downtown-focused itinerary works well — and Le Square Phillips’ proximity to the Underground City means weather rarely derails plans.

Why this matters: The downtown location of Le Square Phillips effectively shaves a day off your itinerary because you’re not spending time commuting between neighborhoods. A 3-day stay here gives you the same or more sightseeing time as a 4-day stay in a more remote hotel.

What Are the Reviews of Le Square Phillips Hotel and Suites?

With 2,821 reviews on TripAdvisor and a 4.6-star rating, the hotel ranks #16 out of 174 hotels in Montreal. The sentiment leans clearly positive, with a few recurring themes.

What do guests say about Le Square Phillips?

The most common praise points include:

• Cleanliness and space: Guests consistently highlight spotlessly clean, spacious rooms with full kitchens
• City views: Upper-floor rooms offer panoramic views of downtown Montreal
• Daily housekeeping: A welcome surprise for an aparthotel-style property
• Location: Central, close to Place des Festivals and the Underground City

Common critiques include the valet-only parking (no self-parking option) and occasional noise from the street-facing rooms on lower floors.

Are there bed bugs at Le Square Phillips?

No verified reports of bed bugs at Le Square Phillips appear on major review platforms (TripAdvisor, Expedia, Hotels.com, Kayak) as of this publication date. The hotel’s cleanliness ratings across all platforms are consistently high. As with any hotel, it’s wise to inspect your room upon arrival — but no credible source has flagged an infestation here.

What is the location like?

The hotel sits at Place Phillips, a small public square in Montreal’s business district. The location offers:

• Steps from Place des Festivals (concert and event venue)
• 5-minute walk to Underground City (RÉSO network of shops and metro access)
• 10-minute walk to Old Montreal and Notre-Dame Basilica
• Direct access to McGill metro station (Green Line)

The trade-off: You’re in the business district, which means quieter evenings and fewer local cafes than the Plateau. But for efficiency — hitting the city’s top sights in minimal time — this is one of the best-positioned hotels in Montreal.

“Incredible city views from the 10th floor, and no noise. Everything spotlessly clean.”

— TripAdvisor reviewer, 2024

For the traveler deciding between downtown convenience and neighborhood character, the choice depends on your priorities. If you’re in Montreal for a packed itinerary of sights, events, and restaurant exploration, Le Square Phillips gives you a clean, quiet, well-equipped base at a reasonable price point. The apartment-style rooms with full kitchens are a genuine asset for families, longer stays, or anyone who’d rather make breakfast than buy it every morning.

The park-and-stay traveler faces one extra calculation: valet-only parking means a recurring daily fee. Factor that into your budget. But for the music history buff wanting to walk in the footsteps of Lennon and McCartney, for the family wanting a home base that doesn’t feel like a hotel box, and for the efficiency-seeker who wants Montreal’s highlights within walking distance — the choice is clear: book Le Square Phillips, pack comfortable shoes, and plan for three days that cover the city’s best.

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Frequently asked questions