The DNA: Clusters of hanging globe lighting fixtures accentuate the impressive double-height lobby of the W Montreal. Plush seating and low lighting in the lobby’s living room create a comfortable and welcoming space. The hotel’s design is bold, contemporary and full of winks to its historic past as a bank – for example, the reception and concierge desks at opposite sides of the lobby area are located in the exact spots where the bank teller desks used to sit, while recurrent French Neoclassic wall motifs and gold accents are also a reminder of the building’s previous incarnation.

Seen: Top Hotel Design

• Wi-Fi at a charge • size matters: 152 rooms & suites (23-93m2) (248-1,000 sq ft) • hotel opened: 2003, renovated 2017 • interior design: Sid Lee • bathroom amenities: Davines • parking possible on-site (charged) • pets allowed • 24-hour front desk • wheelchair accessible