After more than two decades of welcoming guests with its signature French sophistication, Sofitel Montreal Golden Mile has unveiled a sweeping redesign that redefines its place among the city’s most elegant hotels. Located on Sherbrooke Street, steps from Mount Royal and the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, the property’s transformation includes a complete reimagining of its lobby, guestrooms and suites, RENOIR restaurant, new NINI Cocktail Lounge, fitness centre, and meeting spaces.
The extensive renovation marks a pivotal chapter for the hotel. “More than twenty years since first welcoming guests, this transformation marks a defining milestone for Sofitel Montreal Golden Mile,” said General Manager Marc Pichot. “This new chapter allows us to reimagine every aspect of the guest experience. The redesign not only captures the evolution of the hotel but corresponds to the changing habits of today’s travellers. It has timeless elegance with contemporary design, creating an elevated experience that honours Sofitel’s French heritage while embracing innovation and the vibrant spirit of Montreal.”
Blending Parisian Refinement with Montreal Energy
Working in collaboration with acclaimed firm 2PIR Design, the redesign balances the brand’s French luxury DNA with Montreal’s creative pulse. “Our overarching vision was to create a space that celebrates the art of French living while reflecting Montreal’s unique cultural energy,” said Pichot. “We wanted guests to feel an immediate sense of elegance, warmth, and belonging; a seamless blend of modern refinement and timeless French art de vivre.”
This dialogue between French and Quebecois influences comes alive through the hotel’s textures, artworks, and curated details. Public areas feature local art and thoughtful design references to Montreal’s cosmopolitan culture, including a stained-glass mosaic by Montreal-Romanian artists Titu Dragutesco and Nicolae Moldovanu, preserved from the original lobby and now displayed on the event level. “Preserving the stained-glass mosaic was essential to maintaining a connection to the hotel’s history and Montreal’s cultural identity,” Pichot said. “By relocating it, we ensured that this exquisite artwork continues to enrich the guest experience, bridging the past with the present.”
Artistry from the Ground Up
Guests are immediately greeted by a lobby designed to surprise and inspire. According to Calland Lee, Principal and Creative Director at 2PIR Design, “The lobby is the first moment of connection for our guests, and we wanted it to immediately convey elegance, artistry, and curiosity.” The space features a rose-metallic ribbon wall that wraps the bar lounge, leading visitors deeper into the heart of the hotel. Above, a sculptural teal light installation evokes movement and light, grounded by a custom art rug that serves as a visual welcome mat.
NINI and RENOIR: Culinary Art de Vivre
The transformation extends to Sofitel’s celebrated RENOIR restaurant and the newly opened NINI Salon à Cocktails, which debuted earlier this summer. Named after Nini Lopez, one of Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s most famous muses, NINI channels a playful French elegance in both design and atmosphere. “NINI was envisioned as a modern interpretation of French apéritif culture,” said Pichot. “It complements RENOIR’s refined gastronomy by offering a more dynamic and convivial experience.”
Guests can expect a menu of signature cocktails crafted with Quebec-made liqueurs, including Le Baiser de NINI and the Renoir Julep, alongside local small plates and mocktails. Together, NINI and RENOIR embody Sofitel’s art de vivre à la française—a philosophy of living beautifully, joyfully, and with intention.
Guestrooms as Art-Infused Sanctuaries
The hotel’s 256 guestrooms, including 17 suites, have been entirely reimagined as serene sanctuaries where art and comfort coexist. “Each room reflects Sofitel’s art de vivre through a harmonious balance of elegance and ease,” said Pichot. “Every detail—from the bespoke furnishings to the soothing colour palette—was chosen to create a sensory experience that feels both inspiring and restorative.”
Soft palettes, jewel-like accents, and curated artwork set the tone for rooms that are meant to be more than accommodations—they’re immersive experiences designed to calm, inspire, and connect guests to both French and Montreal influences.
Wellness and Connection
Well-being is also central to the redesign. The Fitness Centre has been expanded and enhanced with natural materials, French detailing, and a new yoga room for reflection and mindfulness. “Well-being is no longer just a trend—it’s central to how travellers experience true luxury,” said Pichot. “Our redesigned Fitness Centre and yoga room bring this vision to life, creating spaces where body and spirit can find balance and renewal.”
For business travellers, the renovation includes over 10,000 square feet of flexible meeting and event space, including the grand Picasso Ballroom and a series of artist-themed meeting rooms. Each has been refreshed with custom furnishings, intuitive technology, and rich materials to foster creativity and collaboration.
A Living Expression of French Art de Vivre
As Sofitel Montreal Golden Mile celebrates this new era, Pichot reflects on what it means for the hotel and its guests. “What I’m most proud of is seeing how the transformation has brought new life and emotion to the Sofitel Montreal Golden Mile, while staying true to the spirit that has always defined this property—grace, authenticity, and a genuine sense of welcome,” he said. “Every space now tells a story—one that blends French elegance with Montreal’s creative pulse.”
He adds, “What I truly hope our guests take away is a feeling of inspiration and connection—that subtle but lasting impression of having experienced something beautiful, thoughtful, and deeply human. If they leave feeling both at home and elevated, then we’ve achieved what Sofitel stands for: the art of living well, beautifully.”
Sofitel Montreal Golden Mile is located at 1155 Sherbrooke Street West, in the heart of Montreal’s Golden Square Mile. For more information or to view images from the redesign, visit sofitelmontreal.com.
