If you can't get to Paris, you can always try Montreal. It's a little colder, but a lot closer if you're in the US. You never know if you'll be greeted with French or English in Canada's second largest city, but that's half the allure. A mix of old-world charm and cutting-edge design make it a perfect escape when you're craving a little Europe but have no time for jet lag.
I love visiting cities with quaint character and old world charm. But I have to admit, at the end of the day, I like to unwind surrounded by modern conveniences and simple, updated decor. Which makes the St. Paul Hotel, Canada's first design hotel, a tempting destination. The hotel is located in Old Montreal, with its beautiful historic buildings and charming European vibe, but the interior of the hotel is decidedly modern.
Floors throughout the hotel are a rich, dark wood, while furniture and accessories are in soothing, neutral earth tones. According to the hotel's site, guest rooms alternate between earth and sky themes; earth rooms feature bolder colors and stronger shapes (red stripes!), while sky rooms stick to softer tones, billowy curtains, and drapey fabrics. Decisions, decisions! Prefer fire over the other elements? The St. Paul Hotel can do that, too. Common areas boast uber-modern double fireplaces, and the hotel's on-site restaurant is adorned with black furniture, strategically placed flames, and a generally devilish theme.
Intrigued yet? Keep reading for a full tour!
Move over, New York: America's top celebrity chefs see the world as their oyster, with global culinary hotspots like Sydney, London, and Montreal ripe with opportunity. This morning, Wolfgang Puck announced his inaugural European venture, a restaurant in London's sleek 45 Park Lane hotel, with contemporary steakhouse offerings.
Meanwhile, Gordon Ramsay announced he'll be taking ownership of Rotisserie Laurier BBQ, a barbecue restaurant in Montreal — the celebrity chef's first-ever foray into Canada. And rumors are abuzz that David Chang has signed a deal for Momofuku to land in Sydney.
As diners begin to open up their wallets again, American celebrity chef restaurateurs have begun considering expansions beyond stateside meccas like Las Vegas and Atlantic City.
For years, Ramsay has been "heavily considering" putting his stamp on Canada, and Puck describes London as being one of the "biggest cities for dining in the Western world right now." As for Chang? He's "infatuated" with Australia, describing it as "a place [he] could move to."
Will our country's top chefs fare in a city where they don't share the same clout as they do in America? Only time will tell.
My pal TrèsSugar recently traveled to the East Coast and Canada, where she snapped these sweet pictures from the Madagascar exhibit at Montréal Biodôme. Do you recognize this creature giving us the eye from his branch perch? Check out him and his ring-tailed pals when you get started!
Rumor has it, according to Real Estalker, that Halle Berry and her Canadian native model man, Gabriel Aubry, have purchased a gorgeous lakefront 63-acre spread for $1.85 million in Saint-Hippolyte, Québec, a small town about 30 miles north of Montréal. Aubry's parents live not far in a suburb of Montréal, so it will be nice for the couple's daughter, Nahla Ariela Aubry, to be near her grandparents. Aubry is reportedly excited about moving back to his native neck of the woods, saying, "It feels great. Anything we can do in our own hometown is always a good feeling." It also can't hurt to move into this stunning cabin. With a clawfoot tub, platform bed, and a pair of Adirondack chairs overlooking the lake, it looks downright serene. What a wonderful escape from the bustle of Hollywood. To see additional photos, read more
