The Ritz-Carlton, Montreal to Open as Second Canadian Jewel in the Hotel Company Portfolio

CHEVY CHASE, Md., May 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- On Monday, May 28, 2012, the iconic Ritz-Carlton, Montreal will reopen after an extensive $200 million restoration combining the latest amenities with the splendour of the past. The Grande Dame of Sherbrooke Street is back in all her glory.

"We are extremely proud to reopen this emblem of the very best Montreal has to offer," said Andrew Torriani, president and general manager of The Ritz-Carlton, Montreal. "The hotel today is a showcase of modern luxury, but it has not lost the discreet charm of the past or the patina of history."

For Montreal's mayor, Gerald Tremblay, "The Ritz-Carlton is reclaiming its rightful place here in Montreal and among the guests who stay there. Since it opened in 1912, the hotel has been one of the most elegant addresses in our city and the jewel of the storied Golden Square Mile, close to high-end boutiques, galleries and museums. Our city has changed a great deal—for the better. The reopening of The Ritz-Carlton, Montreal makes a notable contribution to what makes our city different."

"The Ritz-Carlton, Montreal will achieve a level of luxury that has not been seen before in Montreal," said Herve Humler, President and C.O.O. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC.  "The hotel will put Montreal on the map as a first-tier destination for business and leisure travelers."

A first-class transformation
Under the direction of Quebec architectural firm Provencher Roy + Associes, the iconic Montreal hotel underwent an exhaustive transformation. The building's facade was preserved and restored, public spaces were renovated and upgraded, and the guestrooms were redesigned to feature the very best in luxury and comfort. The Ritz-Carlton, Montreal now has 98 rooms and 31 suites. The 4,700-square-foot Royal Suite is the largest hotel suite in Montreal.

"The restoration of the hotel and its reconfiguration posed a challenge: that of adopting a contemporary design while maintaining a harmonious dialogue with the original building. We therefore integrated the principles of the celebrated Venice Charter into our concept, as well as recommendations made in the heritage study of the Ritz-Carlton Montreal under the supervision of Jean-Claude Marsan," said Claude Provencher, the project's architect.

The building's facade was preserved and restored, as were the Lobby, the Palm Court, the Oval Room and the hotel's famed garden. Many decorative details from 1912, such as marble fireplaces in some of the suites, reflect this masterful blend of old and new.

The guestrooms also feature high-tech amenities, such as thermostats that intuitively remember a guest's temperature preferences upon check-in, and motion sensors that activate lights when guests enter a dark room.

Sophisticated contemporary amenities
The Ritz-Carlton, Montreal offers guests a wealth of amenities at their fingertips. The 10,000 square feet of meeting space are flexible and offer event planners the possibility of accommodating up to 300 people. Guests can dine at acclaimed chef Daniel Boulud's restaurant, Maison Boulud, in the 130-seat dining room, the 46-seat year-round greenhouse, or on the new terrace on Sherbrooke Street. They can enjoy afternoon tea in the hotel's impeccable gardens, work out at the gym or take a dip in the new indoor salt-water pool.

"Those who were familiar with The Ritz-Carlton, Montreal before the transformation will find the same attentive service and stately atmosphere, along with the new high-end amenities found in contemporary luxury hotels. Those who are discovering the hotel for the first time will enjoy a unique experience featuring impeccable service in a stunning setting and outstanding comfort," concluded Mr. Torriani.

About the Ritz-Carlton Montreal
The Ritz-Carlton Montreal is the most prestigious address in Montreal, with 129 entirely redesigned guestrooms and suites, as well as 46 new luxury residences. The hotel's restaurant was designed by Super Potato, one of the world's most highly reputed restaurant design firms. Chef Daniel Boulud manages the restaurant operations with his company, Dinex Group. 

The Ritz-Carlton Montreal is located in the heart of the Golden Square Mile, home to Montreal's elite in the early twentieth century. A symbol of refinement and elegance, the hotel has welcomed some of the world's best-known heads of state, artists and business magnates. Several of the 20^th century's leading figures have stayed there, including the Queen Mother, Winston Churchill, Charles de Gaulle, Richard Nixon, Pierre Elliott Trudeau, Brian Mulroney, George Bush Sr., the Rolling Stones and Celine Dion, as well as Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, who celebrated their first marriage at the hotel.

About The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C., of Chevy Chase, Md., currently operates 79 hotels in the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Caribbean. More than 30 hotel and residential projects are under development around the globe. The Ritz-Carlton is the only service company to have twice earned the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, an award that originated in 1987. Its purpose is to promote the awareness of quality excellence, recognize quality achievements of companies and publicize successful quality strategies. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company won the award in 1992 and 1999. For more information, or reservations, contact a travel professional, call toll free in the U.S. 1-800-241-3333, or visit the company web site at www.ritzcarlton.com. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR).

SOURCE The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C.