3* Hotel St-Denis

A good choice for exploring several sides of Montreal rather than basing the whole trip around one neighbourhood, AC Hotel by Marriott Montreal Downtown sits between the Quartier des Spectacles, Chinatown and Old Montreal. The Gay Village is farther east along Sainte-Catherine, but easy to reach by Metro or a longer walk through the city centre. The standout facility is the 21-metre indoor pool, joined by a whirlpool and fitness centre with views across downtown. Rooms have a clean contemporary look with hardwood floors, rainfall-style glass showers, Nespresso machines and smart TVs. Downstairs, the AC Lounge serves tapas, cocktails and Spanish wines. Place-des-Arts and Place-d'Armes Metro stations are nearby, making this an especially convenient base for sightseeing, festivals and evenings in different parts of the city. GayMapper tip: A particularly good pick if an indoor pool matters and you want Old Montreal, downtown and the Village all within easy reach.

Sitting between the Latin Quarter and the Gay Village, Fairfield by Marriott Montreal Downtown is a particularly practical base if you want nightlife nearby without making it the entire focus of your stay. Berri-UQAM Metro is close by, with Sainte-Catherine Street East, the Village and the Quartier des Spectacles all easily reached on foot. Rooms are modern and unfussy, with larger one-bedroom suites adding separate living space, a refrigerator and microwave. A complimentary hot breakfast is included, there's a 24-hour fitness centre and an on-site restaurant, which gives it a useful amount of substance for a three-star hotel. It's also well placed for exploring beyond the Village, with Chinatown and Old Montreal within easy reach and excellent Metro connections across the city. GayMapper tip: A strong all-round choice if location and value matter more than boutique style – free breakfast is a useful bonus in an otherwise fairly expensive city.

Right on the edge of the Gay Village, Hyatt Place Montreal - Downtown is a useful option if you want the location of a Village hotel with the facilities of a larger full-service property. Sainte-Catherine Street is just outside and Berri-UQAM Metro is around the corner, putting both the gay scene and the rest of Montreal within very easy reach. Rooms are unusually spacious for a downtown hotel, with seating areas, big TVs and mini-fridges. There's also an indoor swimming pool, a 24-hour fitness centre, bar and breakfast service – handy additions if you're staying for more than a quick weekend. With more than 350 rooms, the atmosphere is lively and urban rather than intimate, and the location works particularly well for combining nightlife with Old Montreal and the Quartier des Spectacles. GayMapper tip: Probably the best addition to the current list if you want a pool and proper hotel facilities while remaining genuinely close to the Village.

Montreal's W feels suitably playful without abandoning the character of the city around it. W Montreal occupies the historic former Banque du Canada building on Square Victoria, putting Old Montreal, the convention district and downtown within a few minutes' walk. Inside, the look is bold and contemporary, with stylish rooms and suites, a fitness centre and several places to eat and drink. The Living Room switches from daytime coworking space to evening bar, while regular DJs and music events give the hotel more social energy than the typical upscale business stay. Some of the larger suites add terraces with city views. The Gay Village isn't immediately outside, but Square-Victoria-OACI Metro makes getting across downtown straightforward, so you can enjoy the Village at night and return to a very different atmosphere. GayMapper tip: Choose the W if design, cocktails and a lively hotel bar matter as much as proximity to the gay scene.

There's some genuine Montreal history behind the polished interiors at Hotel Birks Montreal. The hotel occupies the landmark Birks jewellery building on Phillips Square, giving you a central downtown base close to shopping, museums and the Quartier des Spectacles, with the Gay Village easily reached by Metro. The restored building combines grand architectural details with contemporary rooms and suites, some of which have private terraces overlooking the city. Henri Brasserie Française brings a little Parisian flavour downstairs, while in-room spa treatments are available when sightseeing and late nights finally catch up with you. Despite the ornate surroundings, the hotel feels intimate rather than like a huge convention property, which makes it particularly appealing for couples and special-occasion stays. GayMapper tip: A lovely choice if you want traditional five-star elegance and an independent feel, while keeping Montreal's gay nightlife only a short Metro ride away.

If you like your accommodation sociable, M Montreal puts you in a particularly handy spot just off Sainte-Catherine Street and close to the Gay Village. Berri-UQAM Metro is also nearby, making it easy to reach Old Montreal, downtown and neighbourhoods farther across the city. This is much more than a basic backpacker hostel. You can choose between well-designed dorms, private rooms and apartments, while the rooftop jacuzzis are a genuine highlight after a day exploring Montreal. There’s also a lively bar with live music and regular social events, shared spaces that make meeting other travellers easy, and free high-speed WiFi throughout. The atmosphere is young and energetic, but the range of private accommodation means you don't have to be travelling dorm-style to enjoy it. GayMapper tip: A particularly good choice for solo travellers who want to meet people while keeping Montreal’s LGBTQ nightlife within easy walking distance.