Parisian Poise Meets Montreal Spirit at This Renewed Hotel

In Montreal’s chic Golden Square Mile, an old hotel gets a fresh start with the remodel of Sofitel, the Canadian flagship property of the iconic French luxury hospitality brand. Now, more than 20 years after its opening, the 256-key five-star hotel has unveiled a new face, inspired by a Parisian maison. Spanning the lobby, guest rooms, communal areas, fitness centre, meeting spaces, and a swanky new cocktail bar, the renovation combines the brand’s French roots with the ethos of the buzzy Montreal neighbourhood.

“We want every guest to feel immediately at ease, inspired, and cared for,” says the hotel’s general manager, Marc Pichot. “The redesign caters to all types of travellers by creating spaces that are versatile, comfortable, and intuitive.”

Photo by Citizen North

Photo by Citizen North

Up to the task was Toronto firm 2pirdesign. The design process began with extensive research into the hotel’s history and architectural heritage. “The goal was to create a design that feels grounded in the past while embracing a modern, forward-looking vision, blending timeless elegance with fresh, inviting energy,” says 2pirdesign principal and creative director Calland Lee.

High on the list of priorities was highlighting the hotel’s artwork, a core pillar of every Sofitel hotel. “Incorporating art throughout the hotel creates moments of discovery for guests, enriches the atmosphere, and connects the space to Montreal’s vibrant cultural scene,” Pichot says, pointing out the stained-glass mosaic by Titu Dragutesco and Nicolae Moldovanu celebrating Montreal and curated art pieces on every floor. In the bright lobby, a sculptural teal-and-white light installation hangs above a colourful abstract free-form rug, both of which were conceptualized as pieces of art throughout the hotel.

Photo by Timothée Guzzo

Photo by Citizen North

The hotel’s elegant farm-to-table restaurant, Renoir, also received facelift. A grand atrium with curving teal banquettes and leather dining chairs are bathed in sunlight during the day, while a tucked-away chef’s table makes for an intimate dining experience after sundown. New to the hotel is a stylish cocktail bar, Nini, that blends timeless French culture with Quebec’s buzzing bar scene. Here, a sprawling rose gold bar beneath tall windows is the centrepiece of the two-storey space. Small circular tables framing the bar create private moments at any time of day.

The fitness centre was expanded and cast in warm, natural palette with French moulding framing studio mirrors, while a chic copper refreshment station elevates the hotel-workout experience. Meeting and event spaces received fresh carpeting and custom furnishing.

In every corner, choice of artwork and custom chair, 2pirdesign sought to balance both local and French influences. “For us, French luxury is all about refinement, attention to detail, and a sense of effortless elegance,” Lee says. “We incorporated luxurious materials and carefully considered lighting, which played a key role in shaping the atmosphere.” Closer to home, Lee says they drew inspiration from the city’s textures, colours, and materials, “giving guests a true sense of place without overwhelming them.”

Photo by Citizen North

The vibrant colours—a mix of rusts, blues, and mustards—were key to expressing the hotel’s energy and personality, the designer notes. “We approached the palette by pairing vibrant tones with neutrals and textural elements, creating contrast while grounding the spaces. The result is a colour scheme that’s playful, sophisticated, and completely in tune with Montreal’s vibrancy and the Sofitel brand’s French elegance,” Lee says.

Harmony abounds at Sofitel Montreal Golden Mile, each space flowing easily into the next giving guests and sense of tranquility despite to city locale. For Pichot, walking through the redesigned hotel for the first time and seeing guests react to the space was a deeply moving experience. “After months of planning, discussions, and anticipation, to finally see the vision come to life—the light, the textures, the art, the atmosphere—was both exciting and deeply fulfilling,” he says. “It felt as though the hotel had found its new voice, still carrying the soul and elegance of Sofitel, but now with a renewed energy that truly reflects Montreal’s contemporary spirit.”

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