Going the 'Extra Mile' at Le Petit Prince Bed and Breakfast in the Heart of Montreal By George Medovoy, Editor (The evening cafe scene in Montreal, above, is long-lasting and very romantic) When they say, "Going the extra mile," there is a bed-and-breakfast inn I know of in this city where innkeeper Robert Londei really does take that motto quite literally. My wife and I had just checked into Le Petit Prince, a cozy place located on a quiet street near the center of Montreal. We had come to attend a family wedding that evening, and both my tux and my wife's dress, having spent the better part of 10 hours folded away in our suitcase, were in desperate need of ironing.
(Robert Londei is the innkeeper that makes things work so well at Le Petit Prince Bed and Breakfast in the center of Montreal) When we were handed the key to our room, my wife asked if we could have an iron to press our clothes. Much to our surprise, the inn staff said they would do it!! Somewhat stunned by this uncommon offer, she handed over our things. In about 20 minutes, we had everything fully ironed and ready to go. Homestyle Hospitality in Montreal Having stayed in a variety of bed-and-breakfast inns and hotels over the years, we can attest to the fact that true service - I mean where a host really offers you home-style hospitality - isn't all that common. More often than not it's about the guy at the front desk telling you about the wine-and-cheese service at 4 p.m. and then, as if reading from a script, hoping you'll enjoy your stay, thank you very much. But it's a very different story at Le Petit Prince.
(The Cafe des Beaux-Arts is next to the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts)
Robert truly works wonders for guests. "We like to make people feel like it's a home away from home," says Robert. Flowers for Honeymooners The inn will of course do their ironing and their laundry and bring breakfast up to their rooms. It gets what people need, including the local newspaper. Anything that they ask for, it's simply a pleasure for the inn to run out to the local stores and pick it up for them.
(There's nothing like the warm informality of Montreal cafe life in the summer) So the question is, Just how far are they willing to go? It's hard to believe, but the following is a true story: A guest at Le Petit Prince, on a visit to Montreal from Philadelphia, had the misfortune of having his car stolen. So in addition to consoling the hapless fellow, Robert and his former colleague at the inn, true to form, drove him back to Philadelphia in their own car! "And after we got there," says Robert, "he gave us a four-hour tour of the city and Philly steak subs to go, and then we were off back to Montreal." That, I would say, is going the extra mile…and more. Rooms with a Color Scheme Each of the guest rooms at Le Petit Prince follows a color theme: the Yellow Room, the Green Room, the Blue Room and the Ivory Room. "It made sense to give them a name and not just a number," says Robert, in keeping with the innkeepers' emphasis on the "personal." Each room is furnished with a queen-size bed and includes a down comforter, cable television, private bathroom with double whirlpool bath, telephone, Internet access, and mini-fridge. The Yellow Room and the Blue Room both have functional fireplaces that can be admired from the Jacuzzi, while the Green and Ivory Rooms feature private balconies. The B&B also doubles as a kind of artist gallery, where local artists display their works. Come morning, Robert with new staff member Gordon get busy behind the counter, preparing tasty breakfasts like Eggs Benedict/Florentine, Belgian Waffles, and Huevos Rancheros Montreal-style. For starters, there's a choice of espresso, cappuccino, and café au lait. (Guests are encouraged to pinpoint their city of origin on a map).
In between all of this, guests have time to chat about the day's plans, with suggestions from Robert. Just above the seating area is a large wall map, where you're encouraged to pinpoint your hometown. Next to the front window are a chess set. If you're familiar with the French writer Antoine St. Exupery, you may be wondering if the inn's name is taken from his celebrated book, Le Petit Prince. In fact, it's Robert's nickname. For us, Le Petit Prince the inn remains a very unusual home away from home when in Montreal. IF
YOU GO… The inn has free street parking as well as two free, private parking places at the rear of the building.
(Montreal's skyline sparkles after the sun goes down) The inn has two parking spots for $10 per night, a real bargain in a city as big as Montreal. Room rates range from $150 to $225 per night. A 3% hotel tax is added at the end of your stay as well as a 7% federal sales tax (GST) and a 7.5% provincial sales tax (QST).
(Le Petit Prince is a short walk from Montreal's fashion department stores and boutiques) Le Petit Prince is a relatively short walk from the sidewalk cafes and shops of Crescent and Mountain Streets. If you continue on toward Mount Royal, you'll soon find yourself surrounded by major shopping on busy Saint Laurent Street. Two blocks up is the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts on Sherbrooke Street's storied Golden Square Mile. For information about travel to the Province of Quebec, visit www.bonjourquebec.com or call (877) 266-5687. For information about travel to Montreal, call (800) 363-7777 or visit www.tourisme-montreal.com. (Click below for more travel).
| ||
 |
